Bowen - My N scale layout under construction

[bn-1000]

Over 18 months ago I decided to start a small N scale layout after realizing my dreams of a large "around the wall" layout was just not going to happen, owning to a lack of space. It took until until July 2010 to actually get the baseboard built. Now that I'm a member of this forum I thought I'd back track and start with a collection of pictures from shortly after commencement, to the present day. Then I'll continue with the images as I progress from here on in.

A concept of a small layout has actually turned out to be a better alternative to a larger design for me anyway, as I can imagine I'd never get around to completing anything bigger at this stage in my life.

The layout is confined to one module, being 8 x 2.5 ft comprising of a simple, single loop design, with a couple of spurs. However I've tried to make it more in interesting by raising the level of the back half of the loop to give the impression of a different scene or location. There will be two industries on each level. I'll describe the construction work I post the photos. Incidently, I never took many photos of the construction until recently, and only with a cheap camera, so I hope they are suitable to the forum.

Era and Location: Back in the early 1990's I gained an interest in the Burlington Northern routes so I began collecting N scale rolling stock but I was never in the position to construct a layout, so the box cars were packed away patiently awaiting a future road to run on.

Photo 1: The single baseboard measuring approximately 8 x 2.5 ft, constructed from 3/4 x 3.5-inch hardwood, stained and lacquered. I decided this finish because I wanted this layout to fit in with the rest of the furniture in the home.

Photo 2: NCE PowerCab was my DCC system of choice. I routed a hole at one end to flush-mount the DCC panel. You'll notice I have installed an on/off toggle switch under the sockets.

Photo 3: The underside of the baseboard showing my cable clamps mounted around the inside of the baseboard frame, and pre-drilled access holes in the cross beams to run cables. At this stage the baseboard is seen sitting on a temporary timber table.

Photo 4: The main material for the base is a piece of 1-inch thick extruded foam, sunk down into the baseboard. The foam is supported from underneath with some 3/4 x 3/4 inch timber strips around the inside of the baseboard frame and a sheet of 3-ply.

To be continued...

Cheers,
Stephen

 

[bn-1000]

While my track layout design changed several times since I started putting pencil to paper, and I became more frustrated as the months rolled on because I could not come up with a design I was satisfied 100% with. (I nearly scrapped the whole project and moved on to other hobbies at this point). I made a decision to put the project down, walk away and have a break over Christmas and resume in the New Year. The following four photos jump ahead to January and February 2011 where I decided to continue with construction. Because of the size of the layout, the track design was going to be limited, and at the very least a single line with at least two industries. A design was finally decided upon, which was mostly in my head at this point! In hindsight probably a bad move but I'd been living with track designs in my head for the last 18 months so I knew pretty much by this time what I was going to end up with (more on that later).

Photo 1: This is a closeup of how I constructed the track bed. I used 1mm thick cork sheets, cut into strips which I got from a craft supplies. I have read a lot about track bed underlay products (the ol' foam vs cork) There have been literally hundreds of online forum pages dedicated to this topic. When I came across the cork sheets for less than 90 cents for an A4 sheet, I thought I'd put it to good use. Underneath the cork is 3mm compressed board used to raise the track bed above ground level.

Photo 2: Here is an overhead shot of the layout with the track laid and some of the hills constructed out of polystyrene blocks. Again, apologies for the poor quality of the photo. You can see that along he front of the layout is the ground level (1). If we travel to the left of picture, the single track goes into a tunnel (2). The tunnel itself is only about 8 inches long and I can just reach any derailed trains from either end, but I should have either made the tunnel shorter, or provided access from the side. The track exits the tunnel and deep cutting at the top of the layout, some 25mm higher (3) and curves around and through a turnout which branches off to a small spur line (4). The mainline continues to wind around in front of the hills to the next deep cutting (5) and into the second tunnel (6). In essence the two tunnels hide the gradients. Branching off the mainline at the front is a freight terminal and a couple of roads leading off to a freight terminal.

Photo 3: Shows a view looking towards the first tunnel (looking left) The difference in the lower to upper levels is more evident in this picture.

Photo 4: A view looking towards the second tunnel (looking right).


Track
I chose to use Atlas code 55 after initially trialling Peco. I found the Atlas was more prototypical in its appearance.

Turnouts
I chose to have my turnouts constructed by a fellow rail modeller, using the Fast Tracks handmade turnout system. The turnouts workout out at around $25-30 each, a bit on the expensive side compared to off-the-shelf products, but the locos and rolling stock run through these turnouts as smooth as silk!

Shaping the hills:
Approximately 3 weeks ago I made a half decent attempt to shape the hills in preparation to apply some plaster of Paris, with the plan was to lay heaps of scatter, and plant lots of dense trees along the upper level as per the plan. Because the hills are made from odd pieces of salvaged foam, I just just and shaped them with a very sharp blade. The sharper the better. You want to "slice" the foam, not "rip" it. Ripping the foam leaves fragments everywhere and with static electricity, it sticks to everything! A vacuum cleaner is also handy to have on standby!

Even at this stage of the construction I have learnt a lot from this small layout, in terms of design, construction and operation. I have made many mistakes, but learned a lot more from them. Although I've had simple layouts in the past, this is my first serious attempt at scenery, track laying and ballasting, shaping hills and landscapes and backdrops. A big learning curve!

To be continued...

Cheers,
Stephen

 

[bn-1000]

The Name:
Because this is a freelance layout, the biggest problem was finding a name for the layout. I scoured State maps for hours on end looking for a good, catchy name. I tried to mix place names to create my own, while all the time, trying not to have it identify with any prototypical location. O ended up with a short list, and in the end "Bowen" stuck. The top yard will be called Bowen Spur and the freight terminal on the lower level will just be Bowen Terminal.

The Location:
Because of my already acquired collection of BN items, I decided on a location "somewhere across the North". What this means is populating most of the upper level with a lot of pine/spruce/cypress trees.

Photo 1: This is a Walthers Water Street Freight Terminal kit which took a lot of searching to locate one. I finally found one on Ebay.

Photo 2: Just a nice shot of my BN and BNSF locos hauling a set of Trinity corn syrup tankers.

Photo 4: Another photo under less light conditions.

Photo 4: The switch control panel made from an aluminum rack panel 88mm x 480mm. Most of the wiring is complete underneath. I'll post some pictures later.

To be continued...

Cheers,
Stephen

 

[bn-1000]

The following photos were taken in the last couple of weeks.

Photo 1: A view of how I am connecting the DCC bus by using screw terminals. One of the twisted pairs entering from the right is the DCC bus from the NCE power panel. It is connected to the far right terminals. On the bottom of the terminal block is a series of jumpers running to the rest of the block. This is effectively turning it into a "distribution" block. If I need to access the DCC bus, I just hook into a pair of terminal at the top of the block.

Photo 2: I am twisting the wires of the bus together.

Photo 3: My first attempt at making some rock features.

Photo 4: I have applied a thin layer of plaster of Paris to form the hills, and where necessary, I've packed it out with newspaper. This shot is over tunnel 1.

My next task is to start on the grass scatter and ballast.

To be continued...

Cheers,
Stephen

 

[Rico]

Cool layout Stephen!
The best thing to do is start with a small layout and learn as you go, and it looks like you're off to a great start!
Keeping the wiring as neat as you have is the way to go as well.
Love that BN loco too!

 

[Gary B]

Stephen - Coming along nicely. reminds me of a small N scale layout one of my sons built a while back.

 

[bn-1000]

Thanks Rico and Gary,

More is less (or... trying to fit too much into your layout):
This was of my issues a while back, and the reason why I became frustrated and nearly threw in the towel, was that I was trying to squeeze too many design elements into such a compact layout. These included a freight terminal, a HFCS transloading terminal, a classification yard, a run around track with head shunt road and a dual-track mainline. I spent many weeks and months stressing over different track designs to accomodate all of these elements. I took a break over Christmas and the New Year and returned to the harsh reality of cutting back my expectations, and as you can see, only the freight terminal and the HFCS terminal (will be placed on the upper spur) and a small yard are now included.

I learned a lot from this part of the project: less is more!

Cheers,
Stephen

 

[bn-1000]

Just a quick update on the progress of my layout.

Photo 1:
Yesterday I drove to my LHS to pickup up some Woodland Scenic Ballast in dark brown and buff colors - both fine grade. Also I purchased some scenic glue. On Friday several bags of fine turf scatter arrived from the UK which I purchased on Ebay.

Photo 2:
Yesterday I commenced experimenting with the backdrop. I have resisted the temptation of buying a ready-made printed scenery backdrop and opted for a hand-painted version. After a bit of experimenting with shades of blues and whites, I think I found a good sky color. Also I lightly "dabbed" some green paint along the bottom of the backdrop to give the impression of trees in the distance. This lower part will be mostly covered by trees anyway.

Photo 3:
My method of laying down the turf scatter is more trial an error.

1. I prepared the bare plaster ground by giving it a rough coat of green poster paint. I will use a brown next time as the brown will look more realistic.

2. Once the paint was dry, I lightly brushed the ground with Scenic Glue, diluted 50/50 with water. Then I sprinkled the scatter on it in an even layer.

3. At this point I have left it and tomorrow I will attempt to spray a light, diluted coat of scenic glue on top to seal it.

To be continued...

 

[flyboy2610]

Looking good!

 

[bn-1000]

Slow progress...

The few months I have been preoccupied with work and family commitments so the layout had to take a back seat. However this week I continued on laying down the scatter and planting hundreds of trees.

I am applying the glue through a eye dropper and allowing the capillary action to spread itself out into the scatter. I am having trouble with the watered down wood glue soaking into the ballast! It wont! Does anyone have any answers?

I have attached some pictures showing the progress.

To be continued...

Cheers,
Stephen

 

[steinjr]

Slow progress...

I am applying the glue through a eye dropper and allowing the capillary action to spread itself out into the scatter. I am having trouble with the watered down wood glue soaking into the ballast! It wont! Does anyone have any answers?

The standard advice has been, for years and years, to add a couple of drops of dishwashing detergent in the water/glue mix, to help break surface tension.

Smile,
Stein

 

[bn-1000]

Stein, thank you for that advice. I will try it this evening!

This is the first serious attempt a completing a layout and I am using this project to learn about many aspects of scenery and detailing. Once completed I plan to sell this layout to fund proposed HO layout.

Cheers,
Stephen

 

[videobruce]

It's such a shame the job you did on the frame that is now mostly hidden.
It's furniture grade workmanship from what I could see.

 

[bn-1000]

Thanks for your comments videobruce. Yes I'm a bit fussy when it comes to presentation from the ground up. I am currently constructing my baseboards in the same manner for my next layout as we speak (new thread coming soon for this one).

The timber is called Tasmanian Oak: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasmanian_Oak which is a generic name for three types of native eucalyptus hardwoods. I oil them with raw linseed oil which brings out the grain. Once dry I apply several coats of a clear estapol which is thinned down, sanding back after each coat.