Would an area that is 6’ by 15’ be a good size for an N scale model railroad? I am planning on filling the whole space except a small square in the center accessible via ducking under or crawling (I’m 14, so no problem there) so I can operate the trains from there.
Thanks,
JT
yes it is, i have a 6 ft by 6ft n scale layout.
Thanks for the reply. You replied while I was watching your mountain making video. Also, I am happy that I will have enough room.
-JT
Oh, do you have any pictures or videos of your layout?
Welcome to the forums.
First question is will you be able to walk around the outside of the 6’x15’ or will that be against the walls. Remember that you have to be able to reach all areas of your layout to retrieve derailments. They happen most often in the hardest to reach places. Most of us adults concider 30" to be the maximum reach distance so that we do not damage scenery and buildings when we have to reach over to get something. Your center operating area should be at least 30" wide, so that you can move and turn without bumping into the scenery on the layout. You could evenly divide the remaining space or have your layout wider on one side than the other, Depends on what you want to do with your scenery.
Yes, 6’x15’ will give you plenty of room for a nice N scale layout, just be sure to plan it so that you can reach it all from one side or the other.
Good luck,
Richard
not yet, i am just in the beginging stages of building my modular layout.
Depending on what aisles you will need. 6’ wide is wide enough for a 30-32" wide layout and a 30+" wide aisle, or for a central operator pit 30-36" wide, with 15-18" deep sections on either side of the pit, but not wide enough for a 30-32" wide table with 24" wide aisles along both outsides of the table.
That is (in my opinion) a bad idea, both from the perspective of access (even though you are 14 years old), and because “filling the space” as a design strategy seldom result in a layout that has a resemblance to a real railroad.
I would suggest starting with a smaller layout. Odds are that your first (I presume) layout will not necessarily be all that great looking. Why fill the entire room with something you will take you years to build, only to have to tear it down and throw away - because your tastes has changed, because your standards of workmanship has improved, and because you probably will be heading off to college or a first job or whatever?
Why not just do a dogbone or loop on two hollow core doors along one wall - about 13 1/2 feet long, 30-32" deep. Will take up a little less than half the space available, and leave room for a work desk, storage of various train related materials and tools and so on and so forth?
Smile,
Stein
A sufficient size for N scale is 72 x 36 in (3/4 size of standard HO 4 x 8) or 80 x 36 in. How big is 36 x 80? Look at your homes front door. It’s very likely to be 36 x 80. 6 x 15 is plenty. An 18 in wide shelf for N is pretty big. We have t.v. trays that are 14 in wide IIRC and setting some N scale stuff on that seems pretty right.
Yes, I will be able to walk around it. Also, I am not considering using very many buildings, more of a country layout resembling where I live (Ozark Mtn Region in AR).
@ nscale rob
Oh well, I will keep watch if you ever post any videos.
@Steinjar
Thanks for the reply. I am planning on building a smaller layout first, like you described. No worries there. Also, before I start building the layout, I am putting markings with tape on the floor to see if I could reach everything, and will make adjustments as necessary to make sure I can reach everywhere fairly easily. Also, I am not trying to make it as realistic as it is operational. But, I have made a track plan on paper (which I think I will upload on the next post), and I am thinking that I may be able to reduce the size of that layout because of the large radius turns, but I am not sure.
Thanks all for the replies!
Just curious - what does “operational” mean the way you use the word?
Smile,
Stein
Operational as in more track, turnoffs, etc. per sq. foot.
Here is the track plan, along with the rest of my room.
You will have to click on it to see the words.
Okay - what you mean is “busy”, or slightly less politely, “a spaghetti bowl”.
In the context of model railroading, if you talk about operations or operational, people will assume that you want to simulate elements of how real railroads function - e.g. moving trains and cars in a purposeful way - simulating a delivery of something here, a pickup of something there, having two trains meet here and so on and so forth.
Nothing wrong with busy, if that is what you want.
Smile,
Stein
Sorry for the misinterpretation. -JT
It would take apx. 9’x23’ in HO Scale to do your 6’x15’ in N Scale (= not too shabby).
Yeah, I don’t know why I was doubting that I would have enough room. Besides, I also have a 15’ by 9’ attic beside my room that I could use to expand my railroad any time I feel like it.
-JT
I would recommend less track. Keep your wide radius curves the larger they are the better for operation and the better your track will look. Real railroads don’t just run around and add miles to have something to do they do it because they need to to get somewhere. If you want to put something in that space with an operating pit you may want to look at an HO scale plan and just use n scale track etc. The extra space will give you more room between tracks, easier curves and overall a more realistic looking layout. The publishers that operate this website have some plan books with lots of good suggestions in them that you might like. 101 track plans by Linn Wescott might be a good place to start.
I’ll give them a look, but I think I would like having more track than necessary because it would be busier and more challenging to make. I have the attic beside the room that I can to expand to that will probably end up with a more prototypical look to it. Thanks for the input! -JT
More track than necessary?
No railroad in the world would have more track than necessary !
I am sorry to say this, but I have the feeling that you are about to make a typical beginner´s mistake, wanting too much on the foundation of only little experience. Putting up a lot of track does not make a layout busy - it is the operation of trains, which adds life to a layout. Your layout design will not allow for a lot of operation - maybe just two trains circling in your various loops and some limited switching operation in your yard. Adding a realistic looking scenery is close to impossible. Harsh words, I know, but have you figured out, how much that layout will eventually cost you and how much time you have to spend building it - with a chance that you will not be happy with it in the long run?
“Less is more”
By any means, start smaller. Adopt a proven design and build it. Develop your skills, before you tackle a project you will most likely not be able to finish without having the necessary skills.
Yes, I am trying a couple of smaller layouts first to see what I like. No worries, I can still change my mind. Thanks, JT.
hi John
an other layout, busy too, though completely different.
The space needed is 11x6,5 so it is way smaller then yours. Every part is within easy reach. Don’t behave like a immature child. Every one knows or could know the maximum reach distance is about 30"; you do not have to find out your self. Better go for 24" if possible.
BTW the original design is by Stein from Norway.
Smile
Paul