Hi everyone,
I am hoping that you can help me[bow].
I am designing a layout and am finding it difficult to find information on the lengths of different types of freight cars, so I can work out lengths of run rounds and sidings.
Also can you tell me what switchers are available in N, I’ve seen Atlas’s MP15DC, are their others and similar silly question, how long.[:I]
Probably missing so obvious infomation or place to look, but there isn’t much help here in the UK for US railroader.
Cheers
Andrew
Do you have a preferred time period? If you’re facing the typical British space limitations, going earlier means smaller. 40’ boxcars cover a goodly span of time. Body about 3 5/16" + couplers. Bachmann just came out with a sweet little switcher, the GE 44 tonner, about 2 11/16" + couplers. Cheers, Mo
Well, cars for the 50s range from 30 to 50 feet long. Before, it was 20 to 40. Now, its 50 and beyond. Divide 1 foot by the ratio of N-Scale to real Railroads, and count out 30, 40, etc. and you will have a freight car length. Or, you could just buy a few freight cars and measure them.
Con-Cor also made some really nice MP15’s, I think they still do. As for cars common sizes are 40’= 3 inch, 50’=3.75 inch, 35’ (50-55T hoppers)= 2.625 inch [2-5/8], 45’ (70-100T hoppers, modern coal gons)= 3.375 inch [3-3/8], 55’ (general figure, 4650 center flows, 4750, 5601 covered hoppers around this length)= 4.125 inchs [4-1/8], 89’ 6"= 6.71 inches. All these are NOT figuring in couplers, which from what I’ve gathered are generally 1/8 inch extra in N scale, so add about 1/4 inch to all those. N scale is 1:160 so you can take the number of inches and divide 160. Can also google the locomotives you’re interested in and get dimensions then convert to N scale length to get a pretty good idea. When planning for the passing sidings don’t forget to account for clearance points so your passing trains don’t smack into a train sitting in the whole.
From what I’ve heard the tiny Bachmann 44T is a good loco, as long as you don’t have many cars. I do believe MR did a little review of it not too far back. You’re only looking at about 5 or 6 car consist using the switcher though, but then again when the prototype (the real thing) was built it was envisioned as an industrial switcher. A switcher someone like a grain elevator or steel mill would be more likely to use, not really forseen as a yard switcher. But hey, thats part of what our hobby is all about, doing what ever you want.
Hi Andrew
The easiest way to estimate anything in N Scale is to do a bit of basic math.
Length of object multiplied by 12 then divide by 160 = actual size in inches before couplers (add 1/4 ")
When I use this I round the final number up by a little bit to allow some fudge room (always room fr fudge Mmmmm)
Example
40’ Box car 40 x 12= 480 Divided by 160 = 3 inches = 1/4" total 3 1/4"
Measured a 40’ Box Car at exactly 3 1/4" across the couplers.
Works with other cars, structures etc.
Hope this helps
Cheers Guys.
Great info and help. Time wise I think i’ll go for the 60’s, love the cars and trucks of that period.
Just been looking for more loco’s and found Atlas’s Baldwin VO1ooo and Kato’s EMD NW2 so they would fit perfectly
Life Like SW8/9 and SW1200 are also very good little switchers, and can probably out pull all of the above.
I recommend you get a scale rule, then you can work out what you’ve got pretty easily.
Lee
<> The personal reports I’ve seen on this is that it can pull about a dozen cars. Which is more than the prototype! The Union Freight RR here in Boston used them for a few years in the early 50’s before selling them off. The UFRR found one of them could only pull about 6 loaded cars. They typically ran 2 of them MU’d together so they wouldn’t have to worry about it.
<>
<>I just picked up one of these (and the chassis will be used for a freelance doodlebug), but we never run anything more than 6 cars anyway, and all our freight cars are 20’ - 36’.
Thanks guys.
Will only be doing upto 6 cars anyway. Plan for my idea is on here http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/162681.aspx bottom of page 2.
As far as car lengths are concerned, I always advise people to buy a scale ruler. It will show scale sength and usually has a regular ruler as well. Compare the scale ruler to the regular ruler and you have the lengths you need. If you plan to run 40’ box cars or 89’ auto racks, you just compare those scale lengths to the ruler.
Ron