Is 15x25 Good?

[quakers1]

I found out it might be possible for me to get my hands on a 15x25 room for me to build a layout. Since there are no giant spaces availible for an HO layout, I decided N scale would be good. There is a good deal of Conrail locos availible in N(anything from B23-7s to SD80MACs). I am wondering if a 15x25 room would be good to build an N scale layout in.

-quakers1

 

[pcarrell]

DUDE! That's an EMPIRE!

I have a 10.5x15 double decker in N scale, and it's quite generous. But 15x25? Lets just say that I want to come to your place to run trains!

 

[UP2CSX]

We talked about this in the thread at http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7469. You would end up with the same 80 real feet of track if you ran it around all four walls as a shelf layout. Since that's two scale miles of track, I'd say that's probably enough. The problem is not that you wouldn't have enough space but that you'd have too much. That kind of space would take years to get anywhere near complete. Going for the biggest space, especially for your first layout, isn't always the best idea.

 

[SpaceMouse]

Tha would be a large layout in HO as well.

 

[pcarrell]

If you model a good portion of it as open country running that would not only speed along the scenicing portion but it would add a lot of realism since it would take some time to get from one place to another.

If you tried to model lots of towns or a huge city, then it would be very time consuming.

 

[4Starcstms]

Id kill to have 15x25 ... I got a measly 3x9 shelf layout.....

 

[quakers1]

I am designing the layout to have two or three peninsulas. I do not think it will take up the entire room(I might add a small crew lounge). This is my first large layout. I used to have a 4x8 to practice my techniques. I have still not decided on the track plan. The prototype will be Conrail. I am most likely modeling the Chicago Line(the segment from Gary, IN to Elkhart, IN). The layout right now is in the early planning stages. I am drawing the design on grid paper. I might do the final on CADRail. There are a few questions I have. How wide do I make the shelves in N scale? I know 33'' is a good idea in HO but I am unsure what shelf width to use in N scale.

-quakers1

 

[pcarrell]

Your arm length doesn't change with the scale, and if you use the same actual width it'll appear larger in a smaller scale like N. Imagine the scenic oppotunities! Thats N scales stongest point.....the track to scenery ratio. Exploit it!

 

[quakers1]

I'll use your advice on shelf width Phillip. The new philosiphy is build wide shelves in N scale and EXPLOIT THEM! If I decide to do a mountain railroad of some sort, N scale will be my choice!

-quakers1