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I just started in the N scale realm of Model Railroading. And im having the damnedest time trying to plan out my N scale Layout. I want to make a 10' x 10' L shaped layout using Kato Unitrack. I have an idea but I dont know how to "scale-up" to the L shaped design here is the link to what I would like to do. But as I said I want to scale up if anyone could please help me I would greatly appreciate it.
http://www.astro.ufl.edu/~ata/MR2/
what size space do you have to work with?
also what are you interested in modeling, time frame, location, passenger or freight. The answers to those questions go a long way in the long term enjoyment of you layout
If by "scale up", you mean adapting an HO plan to N scale, then you can just use a plan that's about 40% larger than the one you have...
I dobn't know too much about the unitrack systems, but I would think that they have a lot of published plans in both scales...
I've always thought an interesting thing to do is to build an N scale layout based on an HO plan...using flex track...the curve radii, & turnout angles would be the same as the HO plan, the thing you would have to change would be track elevations...You'd have a huge scenery-to-track ratio, & those tight 18" HO curves are now nice broad curves in the smaller scale...
ok in my post i posted a link to an N scale Kato Unitrack layout. And its the type of layout I want. But Its not 10' x 10'. I am gonna be mainly running 1 coal train consisting of 2 sd70ace hertiage UP locos with 40-60cars. I want the second main line to run 2 sd24s with mixed freight flat beds and box cars about 50-60 cars. and I want a 3rd seperate line to run either a 4-6-6-4 or a 4-8-8-4 as sort of an excursion run for passengers. That would only touch the mainline 2 times...I know what I want I just dont know if a 10 x 10 could run that. And as to looking at google I have only found 2 layouts for what I like and one is way too large. the other one which I posted in my original post is perfect I just want to scale it up make his layout fit in 10 x 10 space. It doesnt have to be exact but similar.
I just started in the N scale realm of Model Railroading. And im having the damnedest time trying to plan out my N scale Layout. I want to make a 10' x 10' L shaped layout using Kato Unitrack. I have an idea but I dont know how to "scale-up" to the L shaped design here is the link to what I would like to do. But as I said I want to scale up if anyone could please help me I would greatly appreciate it.
http://www.astro.ufl.edu/~ata/MR2/
Here's a Free track planer that has Kato unitrak in it!
http://www.xtrkcad.org/Wikka/HomePage It doesn't have the new double track banked stuff but you can use this to get where you want. I'm using kato track to and is a great product......Just modify the switch points like you would with the atlas snap switches and you will be fine! also dont worry to much if things don't line up on the planner cause a lack of sizes. Kato Unitrack is easly modified to fit complex track plans.
Here's a couple of layout's that inspired me to use it:
http://www.powersteamguy1790.com/5.html
http://home.comcast.net/~j.sing/Peavine_Layout_Overview.html
Click on my photo link below to see what i'm doing!
OBTW: that plan your going to use looks like a nice one I would have used #4's in the yard to get more storage! But the plan is basic enough ans easy enough to expand!
The link you sent was great, now I'm thinking of doing something similar. It look like an efficient use of space.
AnyRail has a rail planner on their site and it has Kato Unitrack as a selection.
I use the free, trial version. You are limited to 50 sections with the trial version, but you could just make your layout in separate sections.
http://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html
Hope this helps,
Dan
Im having one problem on that anyrail its so difficult to only lay down 50 sections. So im going to have to buy the KATO track planning template.
Go with the Xtrkcad, way easier, it's FREE, and Your not limited!
Yeah i downloaded it any trying to figure it out. I know my layout is going to be big but im going to be limited with the unitrack but still want to run unitrack
Gomez Addams
Staff member
I just looked at the layout in your link. You would have no trouble expanding it to 8x9, just look at the narrow lines under the track as 1 foot, and the longer ones as two feet.
ok im going to have to contact that person somehow or see if I can what parts he used. the pictures are really unclear.
Yeah i downloaded it any trying to figure it out. I know my layout is going to be big but im going to be limited with the unitrack but still want to run unitrack
The only limits in the unitrack is in the Radius Avalible! Other than that the track is easy to modify to fit needs! The new double track banked curves is 15 and 16.25"......Thats large enough to run 90% of the locomoptives out there! Some of the larger equipment will have a over hang but will operate! If you can't figure out where the Unitrak is let me know!
will do but that layout I showed in my post is 10 x 7.5 feet I want to run the whole thing 10 x 10. But thanks. im still trying to figured out the plan still to see whats parts are which.
IMO, First, I would use the new Double track stuff for the mainlines to make it easier! Second, I would make your own plan loosely based on the one you like.... It's not that complicated of a track plan. If you haven't bought any track yet you might want to buy a kit or two and play around with it that way too!
I really enjoy this track plan, all I have to do is use some straight lengths to extend the layout but im trying to decipher what parts are which. lol
The outer curves are more than likely 15/13.75 radius if that helps!
Sweet I found another site with this particular layout and he has a larger digital image of what the layout consists. but I know the switches are all #6 switches.
Sweet I found another site with this particular layout and he has a larger digital image of what the layout consists. but I know the switches are all #6 switches.
The #6 switchs are great but when making a crossover they are more than 1 1/2" spacing
Yhe #4's have a 1 1/4" spacing
Like I said before you get to wraped up buy a set of #4 switches and a set of #6's, also may be a oval track set with some 11", 12.25" 13.75" AND 15" curve sections to get better idea of how things will look in real world. I did my plan for my layout first, but in the end when I started to play with the track some I made quite a few changes to the plan......trial and error I guess
I was on U tube and found a couple of N scale layout done with Unitrak! Very nice....If ya poke around you'll see some nice layouts done with the unitrak!
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