Ernie has been in touch with some Atlas N scale fun.
If you’ve ever thought “They don’t make ’em like they used to…” you’ll enjoy Ernie’s post.
It certainly made me smile:
“Left 3 trains orbiting for 2 days when I got distracted and forgot they were running……
No derailments!
Wife asked me how long I was letting them run when she noticed while doing the laundry.
Built 30 years ago and just recently brought back into service.
Scenery time!
Ernie”
A big thanks to Ernie for his Atlas N scale fun.
30 years old and still going strong!
That’s all for today folks.
Please do keep ’em coming.
And if today is the day you get started on your layout, the Beginner’s Guide is here.
Best
Al
PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.
PPS More N scale layouts here if that’s your thing.
Great to be able to have so many larger type locos on a layout using N gauge ….nice stoick you have there Ernie …Dangerous Dave
Congratulations on a really solid build as evidenced by the lack of derailment!!
If I may, a question re the Atlas switch controllers… I get the series connection for power but where have you hidden the individual switch wires??
In response to Arnie,
I am glad that nothing bad happened during these two days of leaving your trains running. One of my friends accidently left his old O trains running unattended for a couple of hours in his living room. It started a fire. It was quicky put out but damage was extensive. Clearly, your N Atlas trains were more reliable. Sincerely. Jean-Francois
Great looking layout!!! Agreed, nice to see those large engines in N scale need to finish your scenery great layout.
Pretty Kool.
To Mike and gang:
Invisible wires on the turnout switches!
Actually, the switches are not yet wired as you surmised. Put in a chunk of time to fix all the trouble spots to get smooth running but I was surprised they ran as long as they did without trouble.
The rollling stock is 40 years of accumulation with plenty of used and close out stuff to build volume.
I sort of recognize the layout. Is it by chance an H.O. Atlas layout converted to N scale? I do believe that it is however I don’t remember which book it is in. Great layout though.
I started the same atlas layout 40 years ago this is the 2nd time that I have seen this track layout. I have not left mine running that long but have had 4 hour runs with no problems. I am running DCC at present. It is a great 4 foot by 6 foot 6 inch layout
Brian, it appears to be the Atlas N scale Gulf Summit Lines and Susquehanna Valley RR. Very nicely done, ready for landscaping. My RR is from the same book of plans, but it’s the Scenic and Relaxed layout.
I tried N scale about 30 years ago and never ventured further because I thought they were unreliable running, but running for 2 days convinces me that is no longer the case. Now all I have to do is sell my over $1000 worth of Marklin HO; but then again at 87, I really don’t have the time or energy to start all over again.
Mr. Ron run what you got and and enjoy it!
Mine sat for 3 decades and now that it’s out I’m having a ball with it.
Human nature is always so restless. Once you can settle where you are at life gets better. Especially when you are late in the 4th quarter……
Wow! Ernie has a great layout. I’m adding some new things to my HO set and will show you later.
Thanks
Donald
great layout! can you tell me where i can get scratch built building kits for Marklin mini club (Z scale)? I bought a min-club starter kit back in ’82 while stationed in Germany. Haven’t had it out in years, but would like to start building a nice layout
.
I’ve been playing with I this layout in SCARM for some time now. Seeing it in person only strengthens my desire to bring it to fruition some day. For a rather small footprint it has so many elements.
Is there a track plan
Digging on all the Northern Pacific!
Running for 2 days and no derails. That is impressive. Great story, too. Rob
Ernie that is great that you held on to your work for 30 years. No derailments in 2 days says – good benchwork and track roadbed. Love all of your NP rolling stock and engines. I see a GN engine my first road – NP 2nd and SP&S 3rd as it was jointly owned by the GN & NP.
Impressive layout and train collection. Looks like your trackwork is excellent if you can run 2 days with no derailments. Heck, many prototype railroads don’t do that well. Now, let’s see some scenery to complement all those trains. 🙂