Okay, I'm new here and ready for my first go at getting some feedback. I have some experience with HO and N, but being military at the time, never got past the track building stage (2-level layout suspended from ceiling in garage over car hood) and haven't touched things since 1978 (forgot most of what I once knew 
).
After seeing the Bass Pro Lionel Christmas Train, I wanted to see if I could build something that would interest my 4-yr old granddaughter. I quickly decided that Lionel and even HO were too large for my needs. So, I dug out my 30+ yr old N-scale diesel locos (surprisingly they both still ran, but the tires came off a wheel on one and it quit) along with some rolling stock I had stored in the garage. These items were bought at old Kay Bee toy stores back in the mid-'70's, so they're pretty cheap and have Rapido couplers. I added a Bachmann Empire Builder E-Z Track Set along with some extra turnouts/track. These have dummy knuckle couplers without shanks, so I configured a "transition" car with different couplers on each end and can couple both sets of cars.
Anyway, my plan is to build an 8x4 open-top bench to hold a partial 2-level N scale layout. The layout will be in two 4x4 sections using 1x4's with a 16" grid. Holes will be pre-drilled every 8" in the grid and Styrofoam will be used for track beds, grade support, etc. The workbench will be placed on an old dining room table and needs to be portable to allow the table to be used during Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Even though the layout will be open-top, I plan to cut the foam cookie-cutter style and lay the excess foam to fill in the main level. The larger pieces will be removable, as will anything I put on them.
I expect a lot of negative feedback on the attached layout design because I tend to like just running trains as opposed to configuring them in yards/sidings and most of you will probably think it looks like a plate of spaghetti. The layout itself will be 8x4 with 11.25" curves throughout. I may have to reconsider that part though because Bachmann's catalog says their DCC-equipped diesels need 18" curves. I suspect the minimums might also be different for loco's from other companies. My main goal with this layout is 3-fold; to practice, to see if I really want to get back into N-scale model railroading, and to see how I like the E-Z Track. If I upgrade to DCC, I may go with something like a simpler 2-level double-oval with crossings/overpasses and wider curves.
I don't have a theme, era, industry or anything. My initial thought was to model the open road between El Paso and Tucson with service to Phoenix, but that seems difficult to do in only an 8x4 space and still satisfy my current desire to be able to run trains in both directions over the entire layout, etc. I do want a steam and diesel, ala Bachmann's USRA 4-8-2 Light Mountain, Baldwin 2-8-0 Consolidation, EMD SD-45 and F-7 A&B Units. All will be decorated as Union Pacific or Santa Fe.
So, I just folded 2 reverse-loops, wound them around each other, added an oval with a hidden turnout (for occasional continuous running), added a yard/turntable for storage, all mostly for the exercise of learning XTrakCAD. The next step will be to test-assemble various parts of the layout with the track I have on-hand to see if everything will go together. Once that's done and everything checks out, I'll start on the bench work, etc. (Note: I also tried the AnyRail software and it seems I got different results as far as number of tracks needed, etc., on a test layout, but I didn't really check and settled on XTrakCAD anyway).
I currently think of the yard as Tucson, the main-level loop as a horse ranch near Phoenix, and the upper-loop as Flagstaff. Initial goal for scenery is a roundhouse in the yard, some desert landscape on the main level, a horse ranch in the main-loop (shortened/relocated/deleted siding) and removable mountain scenery on the left and right upper-level with a cabin in the loop. I intend to run trains with 4-10 cars plus loco/caboose. I don't currently intend to run more than one train, but would like to eventually if I upgrade to DCC control.
One of the things I need to figure out and add is insulated rail joiners (IRJ) and which ones to buy for the E-Z Track (I have read here that Atlas code 55 joiners will work). I believe I need IRJ's at the legs of the 2 loop turnouts, the yard entry turnout, the legs of the turntable entry turnout, and the legs of the hidden turnout. I'm not sure how to wire the turntable and stalls, but I haven't done any research yet. (Note: I don't know what I'm doing wrong in XTrakCAD, but I can't get it to add IRJ's. I place the cursor over the joint and select Split Tracks, it asks which track to split and then nothing happens when I select a track. I've even tried adding just 2 tracks not connected to anything else and still can't split them).
Here's the layout. For those who don't know XTrakCAD's coloring, the Red tracks denote an incline from 0" at the start of the bottom curve to 4" before the top loop. The Dotted tracks denote those hidden within tunnels. The Dark Blue denotes locos/rolling stock. Please note that I don't follow rules very well, hidden turnouts and such. I have no idea if the 4" incline will work (looks like about 7' in length) and don't know what other buildings, if any, I might add at some point.
Thanks for any and all comments. Also, recommendations for something other than Bachmann E-Z Track, locos, and rolling stock (and reasons why) would be welcome.
).After seeing the Bass Pro Lionel Christmas Train, I wanted to see if I could build something that would interest my 4-yr old granddaughter. I quickly decided that Lionel and even HO were too large for my needs. So, I dug out my 30+ yr old N-scale diesel locos (surprisingly they both still ran, but the tires came off a wheel on one and it quit) along with some rolling stock I had stored in the garage. These items were bought at old Kay Bee toy stores back in the mid-'70's, so they're pretty cheap and have Rapido couplers. I added a Bachmann Empire Builder E-Z Track Set along with some extra turnouts/track. These have dummy knuckle couplers without shanks, so I configured a "transition" car with different couplers on each end and can couple both sets of cars.
Anyway, my plan is to build an 8x4 open-top bench to hold a partial 2-level N scale layout. The layout will be in two 4x4 sections using 1x4's with a 16" grid. Holes will be pre-drilled every 8" in the grid and Styrofoam will be used for track beds, grade support, etc. The workbench will be placed on an old dining room table and needs to be portable to allow the table to be used during Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Even though the layout will be open-top, I plan to cut the foam cookie-cutter style and lay the excess foam to fill in the main level. The larger pieces will be removable, as will anything I put on them.
I expect a lot of negative feedback on the attached layout design because I tend to like just running trains as opposed to configuring them in yards/sidings and most of you will probably think it looks like a plate of spaghetti. The layout itself will be 8x4 with 11.25" curves throughout. I may have to reconsider that part though because Bachmann's catalog says their DCC-equipped diesels need 18" curves. I suspect the minimums might also be different for loco's from other companies. My main goal with this layout is 3-fold; to practice, to see if I really want to get back into N-scale model railroading, and to see how I like the E-Z Track. If I upgrade to DCC, I may go with something like a simpler 2-level double-oval with crossings/overpasses and wider curves.
I don't have a theme, era, industry or anything. My initial thought was to model the open road between El Paso and Tucson with service to Phoenix, but that seems difficult to do in only an 8x4 space and still satisfy my current desire to be able to run trains in both directions over the entire layout, etc. I do want a steam and diesel, ala Bachmann's USRA 4-8-2 Light Mountain, Baldwin 2-8-0 Consolidation, EMD SD-45 and F-7 A&B Units. All will be decorated as Union Pacific or Santa Fe.
So, I just folded 2 reverse-loops, wound them around each other, added an oval with a hidden turnout (for occasional continuous running), added a yard/turntable for storage, all mostly for the exercise of learning XTrakCAD. The next step will be to test-assemble various parts of the layout with the track I have on-hand to see if everything will go together. Once that's done and everything checks out, I'll start on the bench work, etc. (Note: I also tried the AnyRail software and it seems I got different results as far as number of tracks needed, etc., on a test layout, but I didn't really check and settled on XTrakCAD anyway).
I currently think of the yard as Tucson, the main-level loop as a horse ranch near Phoenix, and the upper-loop as Flagstaff. Initial goal for scenery is a roundhouse in the yard, some desert landscape on the main level, a horse ranch in the main-loop (shortened/relocated/deleted siding) and removable mountain scenery on the left and right upper-level with a cabin in the loop. I intend to run trains with 4-10 cars plus loco/caboose. I don't currently intend to run more than one train, but would like to eventually if I upgrade to DCC control.
One of the things I need to figure out and add is insulated rail joiners (IRJ) and which ones to buy for the E-Z Track (I have read here that Atlas code 55 joiners will work). I believe I need IRJ's at the legs of the 2 loop turnouts, the yard entry turnout, the legs of the turntable entry turnout, and the legs of the hidden turnout. I'm not sure how to wire the turntable and stalls, but I haven't done any research yet. (Note: I don't know what I'm doing wrong in XTrakCAD, but I can't get it to add IRJ's. I place the cursor over the joint and select Split Tracks, it asks which track to split and then nothing happens when I select a track. I've even tried adding just 2 tracks not connected to anything else and still can't split them).
Here's the layout. For those who don't know XTrakCAD's coloring, the Red tracks denote an incline from 0" at the start of the bottom curve to 4" before the top loop. The Dotted tracks denote those hidden within tunnels. The Dark Blue denotes locos/rolling stock. Please note that I don't follow rules very well, hidden turnouts and such. I have no idea if the 4" incline will work (looks like about 7' in length) and don't know what other buildings, if any, I might add at some point.
Thanks for any and all comments. Also, recommendations for something other than Bachmann E-Z Track, locos, and rolling stock (and reasons why) would be welcome.
There's not a TO anywhere!