Bob’s been in touch with is N scale shelf switching layout:

“Back in 1958, I got interested in HO trains. Dad gave me his workshop (he wasn’t usingit) to make a layout.

I created an 8×12 dog leg, basic design. No pictures, just memories. I later added on a “yard” (that’s what I called it – a place to store cars)., WA.

Never once did I think of model railroading.

Fast forward to 2016, and my life changed forever. I lost my wife of 40 years, and I was lost myself.

In 2017, I started to think about model railroading again. Wondering where I could build one. I had taken up another hobby of Radio Control Airplanes so that took up half of the garage, nothing in the house seem to fit so I decided the other half of the garage would be Bob’s Railroad.

The room size was 10 x 20, some things were (and needed to be kept in the room) so I ended up with 5’5” x 16 of usable space.

Now I was looking around a lot, looking at some shows and reading magazines. I felt the usable space was too small to put up an HO layout, so I chose “N” Scale. So not to jump into it with all four feet, I decided to do a ‘test’ layout of 2’x8’ a little switching setup with 4 industries.

So, after checking various software packages, I chose ANYRAIL to design my layout. Then I ordered what track I needed (decided on KATO just because of my age) and while that was getting started I learned about “on-line’ auctions, so I found that I could purchase some used pieces to start and not get invested with a whole lot.

Well I set that up and switch (operations) was fun, I knew I wanted more, but before I do that I decided I should get some industries, road and other things in place along with some landscaping to see if THIS IS REALLY WHAT I WANTED TO DO.

This is what the workbench looked like before I prepared it for my “industrial” beginner layout.

And this is what it looked like AFTER I cleaned it off.

This is the “workbench” I cleaned off and painted brown (I did put 2” foam down too) – as you can see there is a LOT of JUNK under and around the place for my industrial layout.

Using ANYRAIL I designed the industrial layout – in the center are 2 parallel tracks, for my purpose I designated the top to be outbound and the bottom to be inbound. Although I was not hooked up to any railroad I needed to add description to my madness as I would create outbound trains on the upper track … then later move them to the lower track as inbound that needed to be put away.

Track and rolling stock arrived with 1 ATSF switcher

Then I started to lay track down, following my ANYRAIL plan.
Industries:

1) Far left – freight warehouse
2) Far Right – container yard
3) Front left – lumber
4) Front right – oil

This worked out for operations (switching) however, I knew I wanted more. However, I needed to complete this piece first with roads and landscape to see how I do with that.

I added a ‘local’ freight station.

Look over to the lumber yard … I used black sandpaper for blacktop.

Adding the backdrop (not perfect but it did the job) and a lot more

I continued to do operations between these 4 industries with a thought in the back of my head to expand to have a mainline running someday.

Here is a “teaser” picture of where I am today October… eight years later.

Bob”

A huge big thanks to Bob for sharing his narrative and N scale shelf switching layout pics.

So far, he’s had 8 years of fun. It’s a wonderful hobby.

That’s all for this time folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you stop dreaming and start doing, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

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.