Having recently purchased a house I find myself with a 4.3m x 3.8m space that is screaming for an N-Scale model railroad. So, I am madly running through pages of graph paper scribbling notes and drawing layout concepts.
I am now at a stage where I think I know the types of things I want in my layout, the types of running I want to do, the types of running stories I want to tell, and the types of destinations I want to have. The question I have now, for all you who have walked the N-Scale path already, is what books have you found really contributed to your MRR experience and best achievements? I have seen some strong recommendations for “How To Build Model RR Benchwork 2nd Edition”, but what other books have you used to design yards, wiring, general layout, scenery, etc…
So, what books really helped you achieve what you wanted to achieve with your MRR? Especially those who have done it in N.
The most indispensible reference work for planning is John Armstrong’s Track Planning for Realistic Operation. A close second is Armstrong’s Creative Layout Design. Neither are scale specific, the concepts apply to any scale and gauge you might work in.
G’morning Montey - I’m new to N-scale due to weird relocation. Operationally, I think there’s not that much difference anymore between, say, N- and HO-scales. The contemporary N-scale locomotives are truly amazing. The trucks and couplers, though, require work which I am certain is forthcoming. If anything, and this isn’t an original thought, N-scale has the potential for a larger overview through closer-to-prototype spatial relationships and track geometry. But you know that.
I like the books by Paul Mallery (Design Handbook of Model Railroads, Trackwork Handbook, etc.) and the John Armstrong book, Track Planning for Realistic Operation. Kalmbach and Carstens have lots of relevant titles. Also Boynton & Associates. And countless others. The Mallery books I particularly like due to their inscrutable humor in the guise of a Dutch uncle. Only Paul Mallery can (in his Bridge and Trestle Handbook) get away with preemptively scolding the modeler for leaving out or incorrectly executing this or that fundamental detail, and then use the Dike Bridge at Chappaquiddick as one of his examples! I believe the Design Handbook of Model Railroads is out of print (of course) but they’re out there for a song. It is my touchstone of layout design as far as something in print can exist. The book pulls no punches, and if the principles are put to practice, can save the would-be layout planner/builder much disapointment and perhaps even grief. Have fun!
When it comes to actual plans, I suggest making your own. After all, this is YOUR dream, so why build someone elses plan? However, with that being said, there is a lot to be said for drawing your inspiration from others. I like to look at plans, take the parts I like from them and string them all together, maybe modifying them a bit to suit my purposes.
So, Might I suggest you paruse through some of my plans, and the plans of others to “get the creative juices flowing”, so to speak.
Here’s my main plans page. There are several sub-pages to check out too.
Firstly, thanks for the input. I thought I’d post my current shopping list for your commentary:
Kalmbach Publishing "48 Top Notch Track Plans "
Kalmbach Publishing “How To Build Model RR Benchwork 2nd Edition”
Kalmbach Publishing “N Scale Model Railroad Getting Started”
Kalmbach Publishing “Track Planning For Realistic Operation, 3rd Edition”
on top of this I am buying an N-Scale track drawing template, to make sure I don’t under/over estimate switch sizes, radii, etc…
I think I have read just about everything on the various websites, including wiki’s, blogs and other personal websites. Each one provides its own little ideas. I have also taken out the obligatory subscription to MRR magazine, something I have been reading on and off for 20 years.
pcarrell: Absolutely the plans will be my own, the main thing I am looking for from other peoples track plans is operationally proven yards and station configurations (hence what sort of features I should include in my yards and stations), and then ideas how to orient such things relative to the proposed benchwork layout.