How much of a train can you run in N scale assuming its on your basic 4x8 layout and still be in proportion? I’ve heard that a 2x4 in N scale is basically a 4x8 in HO, so if I went with a 4x8 in N scale, that means I could do some serious railroading, right? [:D]
Im still contemplating on what I should do when it comes to scales and layouts and such. I swear it changes by the day. [(-D]
Thanks
Steve
I’m not exactly sure what you mean by proportional, but assuming you have an N scale layout on a 4x8, that might give you a straight run of 6 feet down the back, plus a bit of the curves. Let’s say you could run about a 20 car train plus a pair of diesels (based on 40’ cars) without having it look too big for the layout.
Not exactly, but close enough for government work. Since HO is 1:87 and N is 1:160, N scale is a little more than 1/2 HO scale. But yeah, you could do some ‘serious railroading’ in 4x8 with N scale.
That’s not unusual at this stage.
Regards
Ed
I’ve run 22 car trains on my 4x5’ N layout without the train looking like it might hit its own caboose [;)]
There are thousands of plan for HO in books and on the Net. One way to make a nice N scale in 4 x 8 is to find a HO plan you like and adapt it. I recommend reducing an HO plan by no more than 2/3. A 6 x 12 HO plan with 18" radius curves could make a nice N scale with N scale 4 x 8 with 12" radius curves. A HO 4 x 8 with no reduction (just adjusting track spacing on double track and/or siding) could also make a nice N scale layout.
if you are going to run more than one train at a time you have to think of passing track length. 2 locomotives, 12 50’ cars and a caboose will take up 6’ with the switch at each end. long trains would look better with broad curves. 15" to 17" radius. grades also take up space.
Yup, great suggestions.
Avoid the classic error of trying to cram too much in the space available.
Ed
Yeah, Im not one that likes the cramped look of a layout. Like I said earlier, decisions change on a constant basis, more than I’d like to. I guess its just the nature of the beast.
I’ve always wanted to have a good sized locomotive on my layout, something like a GP38 or SD40. I like those locos. In my eyes, having that kind of loco, just wouldnt look right on a HO 4x8 oval and runnin around with just a handful of cars. I’ve always thought a switcher would look better on a layout of that size. I guess the current reason for going to N scale is simplely so I can run a GP 38 or something similar and have a good number of cars on it. In other words have a mainline with just a few large customers. Im thinking I could do that and be satisfied with it as my beginner layout. Than I could make even the smallest extenstions to my layout, and open a new set of doors on my mini empire in the works.
Im not sure exactly all the industries I want in it, but I know for one thing I’d like to have either a large feed mill or grain elevator to really give my switcher and large loco some work to do. I’ve been thinking of a warehouse as well, one that accepts both refrigerated, frozen, and dry freight which would bring in lots of cars as well. Maybe an auto drop lot so I can add some auto railers to the mix or a even a power plant. The possibilites are endless.
Becareful on radius if you are one that tends to cram a lot of stuff in a limited space. If you use 9-3/4 radius, the SD locos (e.g., 6-wheel trucks) may have a hard time around such a tight curve. Also, since they are longer in length they might drag the first car off the tracks on the first tight turn (coupler of loco swings out more).
A good way to plan your layout is to use 6" squares. 4 of them will make a sq ft. Between N & HO, you could use the same length, but you gain width. THe center of the layout can be fiiled with scenery, industries & so forth.
You could also run a mainline train with 2GP’s or SD’s and pull 20-30 cars. A switcher may pull about 10. For passenger service, a PA or E would pull a nice 5-6 car set of ConCor smoothsides or heavyweights. If you keep curves up to 18" or larger, then you can also run any of the larger modern era equipment from Amtrak or the big GE’s.