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N scale switching layout

Ben’s been back in touch – he’s been having fun with his N scale switching layout:

“Hi Alastair,

Thanks again for earlier featuring my 6×12 N Scale layout set in Wyoming with locales based on the best-selling series of novels by author C.J. Box.

We retired to life on Lake Lanier GA in 2019 and was fascinated by the dense foliage in the state. I also began to see more and more articles about switching layouts.

When a family member was remodeling a home office I was offered a 2×4 table, which became the foundation of my switching layout.

My main goals and objects were:

1. Use as much spare track, buildings etc that I had lying around.

2. Experiment using photos incorporated in backdrops. Lots of photos!

3. Locale inspired by the real-life Jaemor Farms north of Gainesville GA.

4. Despite the 2×4 size, there are several scenes that give you an “Infinity and beyond” view including the farm itself, a “tunnel to nowhere” , a highway overpass and the Chattahoochee River.

Work began with experimenting track sections I had on hand. Ditto for the buildings which include the Jaemor Store, a local newspaper, finer and gas station along with an engine house. I “opened” the doors of the barn as one example then adding a picture of a barn interior from behind the doors.

Time setting is the fall, which makes for colorful scenery including the above referenced dense foliage so common to this part of the world.

The one departure from cost-saving was for the first time using DCC, starting with a Digitrax Power Supply and my first DCC engine. More will be added to the fleet. These early pics are DC engines used to test track and operating potential.

So far it’s been a lot of fun, a new learning experience and overall a model railroad “Science experiment”

We sure have a fun hobby and hope you can share my latest effort with your readers.

Brian
Gainesville GA”

A big thanks to Ben for sharing his N scale switching layout – a great way to have some fun and use up spare track.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming though. It’s so quiet I may even put feet up for a few days.

And if today is the day you get started on your layout just like Ben, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Remember, it’s the start that stops most people. Don’t let that be you.

Best

PS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.

Need buildings for your layout? Have a look at the Silly Discount bundle.

Where do I start when making a model train layout

Jon’s been in touch with a theme that keeps on popping up for good reason: Where do i start when making a model train layout?

“Al,

You can over-plan, over-think, and over-engineer a layout. I tried one of the layout programs and did not like it. I tried a similar program years ago for a garden shed and found it to be overly complex and cumbersome.

My solution: I had two nice folding plastic 6’ tables and bought a third one ($40).

I took all the track I had from two sets and just started laying the track out, jigsaw-puzzle style.

My first complete layout is the “tri-oval” shown here. Not dramatic but it’s a start. Just getting the turnouts wired today.

I have room for another table (to make a 6 x 12 overall) and leftover track. I’ll continue to experiment until I find a layout I like and get it operating properly. Then move on to the landscape, the scenery, and the accessories.

Yours is a wonderful resource for this hobby. Keep up the good work.

Jon”

Now on to Barry:

“Hi Al,

Thought you might be interested in my modelling skills, I started on my latest layout after my Daughter left us to go and live in Australia.

I already had layout 6’x2’ in a small room upstairs so I moved into her room which was some 18’ longer and decided to add to it.

So I bought two 6’x3’ boards and started to build.

The layout of old was called Meadow Falls and is a small end of line station and surrounding countryside.

I decide to join it to the larger layout I was building so that it would run to a small station at the other end of the layout with a small station and turntable, the gauge for both being N Gauge.

Then I when on to my main board which I am still working on but have at present got Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in my Right hand so it is making the job very difficult

The Mill is based on the one in Battlesbridge, Essex but the remainder of the layout is form my imagination and with the help of input from my Daughters, hence the riding stables.

I still have a lot of work to do as the far end at the left has scenery and a stone etc to build. But until I have had and operation on my wrist it will all have to wait a while.

I run mainly Graham Farish and Dapol on a DCC unit by GaugeMaster on the extension , but Meadow Falls is DC. The track and points are all Kato.

Hope you have enjoyed my pics if the want to see more please contact me.

Keep up the good work it really helps us to get so enthusiasm to continue with our work.

Yours Sincerely

Barry”

A big thanks to Barry and Jon.

I did like Jon’s approach – making a start doesn’t have to be fancy.

David’s post is also a good example if this:

Starting a train layout.

In fact, thinking about it, if you ever find yourself wondering ‘Where do I start when making a model train layout’ the answer is usually with the track plan.

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

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

PPS HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.

Lionel O scale trains

Tom’s been in touch with his Lionel O scale trains and it really does show what this hobby is all about – having fun:

“Hello Al,

I certainly enjoy your site and thanks for everything you do. There are a tremendous amount of modelers who contribute and share their talents here.

I am not of that caliber, but I would like to share my layout. My layout is not that of a particular area or familiar scene.

I have 5 grandsons so my investment will not go to waste, the boys enjoy the action.

I will state my layout may draw criticism as there may be a road to nowhere or an item that may be slightly out of scale.

I do realize a lot of the craftsman on this site are not fond of a three rail system. They may not be a fan of “O Gauge” or even the brand of Lionel trains. That is what I had growing up, so that’s what I went with.

This layout is intended to entertain the boys and not to present a perfect setting.

What this layout does provide is everything has been scratch built. The layout is 16’ from end to end with a 7’ return leg left and right.

The radius over and under elevated area surrounding the factory is my mothers kitchen table, I cut it in half, cut the top section into a horseshoe shape and stacked them. That radius is my grandsons great grandmothers contribution.

The bridge is constructed from old milk crates and the steel structure is outside corner plaster bead.

The factory is constructed of styrofoam along with the tunnel, when spray paint was applied the styrofoam crinkles and resembles rock.

The guard rails are a product called Shlutter, it is used as a decorative end cap in tile installation. I could go on about the the different construction materials used in my scratch builds, but I think you get it.

The trains we run are all Lionel Lion Chief locomotives (5 locomotives) they are controlled by remote with Blue-tooth capabilities that can be run from the remote, your iPhone or your iPad.

I have added 2 railways for the younger guys that are the “Lionel Gang #50 cars” manufactured in the 1950’s they are controlled by transformers and they travel till they hit a bumper and automatically change direction. Keeps the young guys in the game.