Looking for some advice

LAST EDITED ON Nov-25-04 AT 02:16 AM (EST)

It's been a long time since my last ill-fated attempt at making a model railroad (meh, I guess a crappy Life-Like GP38 and a 2 x 4 oval of track isn't the best way to do it...hee), and I'm looking to start one again around Christmas this year (my grandmother always asks us 'kids' to make a list, and this year I simply asked for cash for this task).Problem is, what to do?Right now I'm looking at keeping it simple, 3 x 5 sounds good to me especially since I fit quite a bit on 2 x 4. Problem is, what kind of layout to make? Ideally, it'd have a large oval with nice long straightaways with a branch going inside the oval where we'd have industry and so on, but mind you, it'd be on a light budget.As for power, I'm eyeing those Atlas SD60s. One of them in Soo colours with a Kato CP SD40 I've also seen seem pretty decent as far as prices go, and I think it'd be a lovely duo for a Soo fan like myself. As far as the locomotives go, though, I'm curious. What's this digital crap, and on a layout like this, do I really need it? As I see it, it's good for one thing: more cash for something that I have no idea what is for!Just figured maybe one of you more experienced folk would have an idea or two - does my choice of power sound good? Personally, I think it does, a nice road unit plus one for switching, and I know these are quality brands (with pretty darned nice prices as far as I've seen online) and the photos I've seen of the models themselves look outstanding! Considering investing in those mico-trains couplers this time, though, they seem rather expensive considering how simple I want to keep things.What kind of budget should I be looking at here?"The F59PHI and Genesis are the lamest excuses for locomotives Amtrak has ever operated - accept it and move on. Hug an F40 before it's too late!""To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
- Theodore Roosevelt"Ahhh, a mother/daughter bonding over gay porn at lunch - the visions of my youth."
-That girl I like too much for my own good

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RE: Looking for some advice., RobertVA, Nov-25-04, 08:48 AM, (1) RE: Looking for some advice., Erick_Cantu, Nov-25-04, 06:49 PM, (2) RE: Looking for some advice., Erick_Cantu, Nov-30-04, 10:02 PM, (3) RE: Looking for some advice., runaway_b_unit, Nov-30-04, 10:49 PM, (4) RE: Looking for some advice., CARex, Dec-01-04, 05:11 PM, (5) RE: Looking for some advice., Coonskin, Dec-01-04, 07:06 PM, (6) RE: Looking for some advice., Erick_Cantu, Dec-01-04, 08:17 PM, (7) RE: Looking for some advice., Coonskin, Dec-01-04, 10:51 PM, (8)

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I've been very pleased with the 3 Kato locomotives and recent model Atlas locomotive I have. The other "Atlas" was made several decades ago by another manufacturer for inclusion in a set, and still runs. The KAtos and late model Atlas work very well at the more realistic low speeds and slow accelerations.The Digital Command Control (DCC) would be handy for a large layout, but shouldn't be necessary for a small layout like you are planning. Note that many late model Atlas locomotives are designed to ease DCC decoder installation. I would think other good quality lines like Kato have similar provisions.The throttle units provided in model train sets are pretty minimal. A seperately purchased pack with a bit higher output power (amperage) and a couple of features like momentum makes a nice addition for a reasonable cost.The standard sectional track and flexable track absolutely HAS to be nailed or glued to a wood or foam (extruded foam is better) panel. The Kato Unitrack doesn't have that requirement and has a nice variety of parts, but can quickly become expensive. The T-Trak concept, which uses Unitrack on modules less than 15 inches long, could be quite handy for a layout that you have to store away when not in use though. The N-Scale Bachmann Easytrack suffers from a rather limited variety of track sections.

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Yeah, it'll be small but fixed to a plank of plywood. Like I said, I'm looking at 3x5 here. I know how to nail down track and do all that, my last attempt was just poorly executed. "The F59PHI and Genesis are the lamest excuses for locomotives Amtrak has ever operated - accept it and move on. Hug an F40 before it's too late!""To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
- Theodore Roosevelt"Ahhh, a mother/daughter bonding over gay porn at lunch - the visions of my youth."
-That girl I like too much for my own good

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Not to be a pain at all, but...*Bump*"The F59PHI and Genesis are the lamest excuses for locomotives Amtrak has ever operated - accept it and move on. Hug an F40 before it's too late!""To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
- Theodore Roosevelt"Ahhh, a mother/daughter bonding over gay porn at lunch - the visions of my youth."
-That girl I like too much for my own good

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I reccomend reading the book Track Planning for Realistic Operation from Kalmbach. It tells how to plan your layout for operations such as switching, and provides tips about yards, curves, and a few other things that can cause headaches if poorly planned. Stick to the higher end locos especially for N Scale. The cars really don't matter what you get.C h r i s

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I have to agree with Chris, stay with the top-end if you are going to go Nscale. Which I would highly recommend (Nscale that is). You can get a lot of stuff into a little space. I would also plan the layout to be expandable. Add another 3x5 at a later date. Or even a 2x4 addition. You can get a fair Nscale ‘yard’ into a 2x4 space.Have a sparkling day.
Bob

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Having been in model railroading for more decades then I care to remember:* Use quality products.* Learn to lay track, flex, sectional, or otherwise. Get books if necessary.* Get a good control system.Nothing detracts from the enjoyment to be found in model railroading quicker than engines that are herky-jerky, cars that derail, and/or poor track work. The above are the three most important items in model railroading.Also, prepare for sticker shock. Building a small N scale layout from the ground up that will include several turnouts (switches), a couple of nice locos, and good rolling stock, scenic items and etc: Between $500 - $1000.Good luck!Andre MingVisit VSC's temporary web page at: http://www.vscalecreations.comVisit VSC's Forum at: http://www.3DTrains.com

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I'm not looking to build anything with many switches and I'm certainly not doing any scenery...yet. I know how to properly lay track and know what track I prefer (I've always used Atlas track in the past and intend to keep doing so in the future). About the biggest cost will be the locomotives, was just wondering if anyone had any advice as to what to start with - I dunno what general shape/et c. would be best as far as the layout goes - I know as for general size I want it 3 x 5, and I want to make it easy to expand, just don't have any ideas, and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions to help get the creative juices flowing - I'm a terribly uncreative person."The F59PHI and Genesis are the lamest excuses for locomotives Amtrak has ever operated - accept it and move on. Hug an F40 before it's too late!""To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
- Theodore Roosevelt"Ahhh, a mother/daughter bonding over gay porn at lunch - the visions of my youth."
-That girl I like too much for my own good

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Okay, I understand more about what you're asking now.I would suggest you high-tail it over to your local well-stocked train-oriented hobby shop and see if they have the Kalmbach Publishing book titled "101 Track Plans". The plans therein are for the most part HO, and range from small to large.The front of the book is filled with small to medium layouts. Though they are HO, if you're familiar with N, you should be able to see at a glance and estimate how much space an N version would take. Actually, you should be able to look at HO layouts much bigger than your space, and once modeled in N... will be about 4 times smaller. Example:If in HO it measures 4'x 8', then an N scale version would be about 2' x 4', which is 50% less in dimension, but results in a 1 in 4 space ratio. That is, 4' x 8' = 32 sq. ft, yet 2' x 4' = 8 sq. ft, or 25% of the space consumed by 4' x 8'.Anyway, consider getting the book, dream and plan... and have fun!
Andre MingVisit VSC's temporary web page at: http://www.vscalecreations.comVisit VSC's Forum at: http://www.3DTrains.com

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