Ken’s been back in touch with an update on his N scale multi-line layout.

His first post really does show what’s involved in the groundwork for good layout.

So, if you want to read his original post first, it’s here:

Ken’s N scale.

Now the update – it’s bit of a stunner:

“Hi Alistair

We all know you like an update, and this is what I’ve spent the last year working on, arthritis and all.

I’m still modelling in N Scale, and in keeping with my version of coal trains in the area in the late 60s/early 70s.

I extended the existing layout adding another 1.75 metre extension off the dogbone, and added a through station and shunting yard plus a few industries and a new pub to boot.

To make it all work, I had to reduce the gradient to the girder bridge to 2.5% and add a curve around a rock outcrop which descends into the new through station of Macquarie.

I added a new pub (The Summit) at the top of the western loop and built a trapdoor behind the hill for access (no lift-off top this time around).

I like adding little details as I find things – like the Rural Fire Service facility adjacent to Macquarie station.

I also came across some people making Australian prototype eucalyptus and wattle trees (endemic to this part of the east coast). Lots more to be added and other trees replaced.

I also like these days that there are a variety of Australian themed buildings, which don’t look too out of place with Metcalfe and Kestrel structures.

You get a good idea of the extension from the photo captioned “Macquarie Station & Shunting Yards”.

It’s still very much a work in progress, with lots more detail to add – and a lot of decent wiring into a yet-to-be-built control panel.

Unfortunately I don’t have a program to map out the track layout, but basically it’s a 2 road main with a through and a terminus station, and as many yards as I can squeeze into the space.

Cheers

Ken”

Diesels simmering in Macquarie yard

Down Gradient to Macquarie

Girder bridge-to-the mountain tunnel

Grey nomads.

Looking north over Yanderah station and yard.

Macquarie station shunting yards.

Old town brewery.

Rural fire service

N scale multi-line layout:

Saturday fresh produce market.

Summit Hotel

Sunny afternoon at the Great Northern.

Tunnel emerges from the mountain into Yanderah.

Tunnel under the summit.

Yanderah repair shops.

Yanderah station city.

Most of the locomotive power is NSW Government Railways, and carriages and stock as used from the 1940s to 1970s in a coal-producing region as I am modelling.

Although freelance design, I’m looking to incorporate the short north section into the Newcastle area (lots of license here). We still have lots of coal trains even today as the port is a major coal exporter.

Ken.”

A huge big thanks to Ken for sharing the update on his N scale multi-line layout.

(Here’s his first post again – Ken’s N scale.)

Ken’s layout also reminded me of Jim’s: N scale steam layout.

Hope you enjoyed it as much as me.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if you feel like you’re missing out and what have some fun of your own, 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.