New N scale track plan HELP needed

[CaseyNormanJones]

I have a small area to use and need help with a "possible"? track plan to put there. I made a rough drawing of my plan, scanned it along with information, several questions and my email address, and put it all on a web page: "http://choo-choo-choo-choo.tripod.com/index.html" Any help would be greatly appreciated. Norman Seifert, Swannanoa, NC, USA

 

[UP2CSX]

Well, you've created a track plan with four reverse loops, which means the track polarity will change as the engine passes over the switch. You c have this but you'll need additional wiring and four switches to throw constantly while you're running trains or you'll pay for four DCC automatic reversers. The track plan also has nothing for you to do but watch the trains go round and round. That may seem fine right now but it will get boring pretty quickly.

If you want to run two trains at once, why not just double track the mainline? It looks like you've got plenty of space to do so. The eliminates those four reverse loops as well.

What purpose is your railroad going to serve? What era are you going to model? Are you going to model a prototype road or a freelance one of your own devising? What part of the country will your layout represent?

I'd recommend that you read the beginner's article at http://www.chipengelmann.com/trains/Beginner/BeginnersGuide01.html and then think about what you want out of your layout. You can come up with a much more interesting track plan than the one you have now.

 

[onryou]

I have a small area to use and need help with a "possible"? track plan to put there. I made a rough drawing of my plan, scanned it along with information, several questions and my email address, and put it all on a web page: "http://choo-choo-choo-choo.tripod.com/index.html" Any help would be greatly appreciated. Norman Seifert, Swannanoa, NC, USA

I recommend downloading either Atlas RTS 8.0 or XTrkCAD software and playing around with whatever designs sound fun or interesting to you. With n-scale you probably could fit a more complex layout in that space if you wish or use a simple HO layout of that design. From my research on DCC I chose the Digitrax Zephyr starter set because seems well suited for n-scale layouts with up to 4-5 trains running (unless you plan on controlling a number of switches through DCC or have alot of lighted rolling stock / structures in which case bump than down to around 3-4. These are only rough estimates) If you're looking to walk around the layout with a handheld throttle instead then I recommend either Lenz Set-90/Set-100 systems or Digitrax Super Chief. As they all say you should look over each system and decide which has the features you want. Here's some helpful links.

Atlas RTS 8.0 (simple, easy to use layout planning using atlas track): http://www.atlasrr.com/righttrack.htm

XTrkCAD (more advanced layout planning with various brand track available): http://www.xtrkcad.org/Wikka/HomePage

DCC Systems Comparison sites:
http://www.litchfieldstation.com/lobby/u_sets1.htm
http://www.tonystrains.com/productcompare/dcccomparison.htm
http://www.p4me.net/DCC/systems.html

P.S. In answer to your questions:
1. See above
2. That depends on the radius of the curves. Typically an 11" minimum radius is recommended for locos like the 4-8-4 Northern and SD-70.
3. Whichever you desire. If you go with tight turns then you can count out and locos with long drive trucks and long steam locos.
4. Google DCC wiring, that should give you an idea of how it works.
5. Either with the usual toggle switches or if you want to spend the money, through DCC with stationary decoders.
6. Again I recommend 11" minimum.
7. Atlas RTS or XtrkCAD should help with that.

 

[CaseyNormanJones]

Changing Track plan

Thanks 4 ALL the good info. I am now reworking my plans with less reversing sections, more sidings, and 2 main lines. I have Abracadata software(3D Railroad and track design) and will use it; then after time to be sure about my plan, I will present it here for evaluation, and any questions.
"It's best to know where the train is going, before you get on it." Norman