Hi
Does anybody know if the Turtle Creek Central can be built in N Scale?
I think it’s a nice layout and would be a fun project.
Many thanks
Pavariangoo[:)]
Sure you can. It’s easier to scale down an HO plan to N than it is to find the additional space to enlarge an N scale plan to HO.
To do it the same, you’d reduce the HO measurements to their N equivalent by multiplying by 0.544, (the ratio of 87/160). N scale works out to just over half HO scale.
Even better, if you have the space that the HO Turtle Creek occupied, you could just follow the same plan using N scale track and have a lot more space for scenery.
Regards
Ed
Instead of using the Baldwin power Pennsy (the old parent company of the Turtle) was famous for having power from just about everyone. You could substitute EMD and Alco switchers no problem. Also in N-Scale you could go for larger radius curves and put some larger power on the line as well. Alco RS-11s and EMD Geeps always look good hauling coal.
~METRO
I recommend no smaller than 2/3 (67%) the original size when using a HO plan for N Scale. 3/4 (75%) is better.
Hi and thanks for the replies!
I am thinking i will build it or just get a 2x4 and start layoung point to point track.
Does anybody know a website or something that converts specific Ho Track pieces into N Scale track pieces.
Many thanks
Pavariangoo
The Turtle Creek Central would be easy to convert to N scale. I’d try to use the same space as the HO version, with slimmer rails. Make more space to put in more industries. Some of the same model kits are available from Walthers or Model Power in Nscale
For power, you could go with a Bachmann Connie. The MDC/Athearn models represent older stock. It may be easier to update to steam/diesel era, with Alco’s, EMD’s or Atlas’ Baldwin switcher. Their FM units are sweet.
For rolling stock, I like the new Atlas wood boxcars. You may finf MTL and some MDC cars to fill out the fleet. THe hard part may be in finding old cars & trucks to fill in the scenery. A lot depends on what year it is on the TCC!
The turtle creeks track plan was taken from 101 track plans for model railroaders. You could scale it down to size using the guide the book gives you, In this case the 12’’ square for HO is only 6’’ square for N.
Like some of the others who have responded to this topic, I would recommend making an N scale Turtle Creek 2/3 or even 3/4 the size of the original so that you have a little more space. Kelly had to trim a lot of the switches to get them to fit, and we’ve found that diesel switchers and 40-foot cars are the only things we can get to run around the sharp curves.
Terry