Dick’s been back in touch with his L shaped N scale train layout:
If you want to get up to speed, his last post is here.
“Hi Al:
For anyone wondering about the size of the layout, it is 8′ long by 23.5′ by 16′ along the walls. Isles are 3′ wide.
Since my last entry, I have added an Oakland California division, so now there is representation of Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City, and Oakland.
All areas are freelance so they may not have any resemblance to the 4 cities, this allows fair operations.some layout changes include adding a turntable in Chicago, and Denver, an EL in Chicago to help hide the mainline turns, and a very long legged wye between Salt Lake City and Oakland to turn passenger trains.
One journey around from any city and back now takes about 9 1/2 minutes plus time involved getting in and out of Oakland as it is stub ended there.
The upper level in the Oakland division is Union Pacific trackage, not realistic but this justifies my U P passenger train on the layout so it can run from Oakland straight to Chicgo and back, bypassing Salt Lake and Denver. I may even slip a Santa Fe passenger train in there once in a while.
I have added fascia board to the layout, switch controls will be installed on the narrow plastic boards on the fascia. Simple turnout diagrams will be put on the fascia.
The whole layout is operated by NCE DCC with four electrical divisions.
Also added backdrop board all around, temporarily in place at the moment, still need to add more board at the Oakland end.
All track operates well. The addition of the turntables and stall tracks need to be wired yet.
I’m chomping at the bit to get some scenery work in place along with backdrop scenes.
One thing I did that I would not do again, when I did all my wiring above board, it worked very well, saving tons of backaches and not having to be upside down underneath the layout trying to see what I am doing, but to save time I slipped thin cereal box cardstock underneath the track also to cover the wires. I should not have slipped any under the track. At the time it seemed okay being so thin, but it is still a thickness I don’t like under the track. It leaves mini rise and falls with sectional track to deal with.
That is it for now.
Thanks Al for all your labor of love holding this great online community together.
Be well and safe.
Sincerely
Dick Sr
Hardin Mt USA”
A big thanks to Dick. for sharing his L shaped n scale train layout. As you all know, I do love an update.
That’s all for today folks.
Please do keep ’em coming.
And don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide is here if you want to take that first step to making your very own layout.
Best
Al
PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.
Super layout Kato like mine I notice the yellow 3 car basic dmu which become 9 car excellent well done
Alan in england
Waaai wath a great layout.
HC Treintje Belgium Herman.
Dick What a layout. Cant wait to see it with some more scenic work done.
Lots of work completed, lots of work ahead. Interesting layout, Can’t wait for the artistic touched to get started.. Quite a project.. Looking good.
Great looking lay out. Keep us updated. Roger, Kentucky
Dick,
That’s quite an undertaking. I too want to see more as you progress. I am envious of your round trip time! I resonate with your approach to the wiring. Although my feeds are under the table; I chose to make my turn out connections above the table. Because I chose to use track signals to indicate turnout positions there are 18 connections to be made at each turnout. I am in the process of covering the terminal strips with a variety of reclaimed blister packs followed by so ground cover.
Keep on track in’
Bob in Colts Neck Crossing NJ
I love the above wiring and thank you for the candid observations about the track level. I will learn from you oversight and depress the cardboard or whatever material I use to hide above table wiring.
Looks great
This is looking great. Floorplan on your next update if you have it please…
Cool layout and nice planning….
Has anyone used Super flex track where you can bend for curved track?
Great going……. a lot of work but looking good…….It has the makings of a great looking layout when completed. I love those long stretches…… I wish I had the room for that.
someone else is also into Big Boy excursion trip from last year only different Gage i wonder who else is out there?
Norm
Sure is lookin’ good! Keep up the GOOD WORK!!!! it will be GREAT when your done!
~Hemi
Looking great! — looking forward to seeing more update in the future!
Can’t wait till it is done!!
Really nice setup!!
D*** you’ve done a beautiful job on this layout I know how much time you put in on it in how much thought you put in on it it is tremendous you can get on in Los Angeles have lunch take a nap in real time in end up coming into Los Angeles The scenery is going to make this layout one of the best ones I’ve seen in a long time We’re gonna have to have a tree party here and not too long as the future as soon as this other stuff gets over with D*** you did a beautiful job you’re doing a beautiful job and I can’t wait to see the next section
Nce work Dick with the N scale layout …Dangerous dave