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I introduced myself in the forums as a teacher who just won grant money to educate kids about the coal industry. More importantly, I have chosen trains and the structures that feed them. I will be using CSX roadnames for demographic accuracy. I have a few questions. My space is limited, so I was initially going with N scale, but after doing some research, I cannot find any bottom dumping hoppers that are operational in N scale. So, first I need to know if there are any N scale operational bottom dumping hoppers like that of the Mantua/Tyco HO scale hopper? Next, I want the kids to create their own conveyors from motors and belts that they will feed into freestanding scale models of tipples and loadouts. I think I can manage to get the loadouts working to fill the cars with servos and push-buttons and such. I was also thinking of doing a gravity loader/silo type scene. I want the cars to be loaded, but I also want them to get unloaded. We don't have rotary dumpers in our area, so that would not be a good idea I don't think. I also need to add a trussel bridge, small roadway, and a couple other odds and ends to make it realistic. My workspace is limited, thought I could work on a 4X8 sheet of ply which is what everyone says is a good starting point in HO, but my main question is should I use HO or should I do the N scale if someone can tell me how to get operational dumping? Can anyone HELP me? Thanks.
I model all HO and I think that if you go w/ it you won't go wrong. It is big enough to get the kind of operation you want but small enough that a 4x8 gives you plenty of room. It is all up to you though if you can get the operational cars you want in N scale (I have no clue whether you can or not) and you want to get more trains on the layout then you may find that you want to do N scale. I don't do much operations on my layout, I have two ovals that I run some trains around but from what I have picked up from other guys it can be tough to do operations in HO in that amount of space. That's my opinion but hey I'll let some of the other guys tell you theirs
Most, if not all, of them know MUCH more about the space aspect than I do!
Go get the January 2012 issue of Model Railroader magazine. Should be in stores soon, if not already.
They are starting a new project railroad that will show you just how much coal operations you can pack into a 4x8.
It's chock full of good ideas for you.
This sounds like it could be a lot of fun, and hugely educational for the learners as well as their teacher. I always find I learn more by teaching.
The level of automation is not inconsiderable, and rarely attempted except by the most determined and skilled modelers. Just a word of caution there. There is something to be said for KISS. Running and electrical problems just with the trains, themselves, can be a challenge, let alone other mechanicals and servo-mechanicals.
I hope I won't cause offense by correcting 'trussel' to trestle, or perhaps truss. Two different types of bridges. Trestles can be timber or steel, trusses can also be timber or steel, but they are mechanically different. Note that it is more common these days to have girder bridges, through or deck types.
http://pghbridges.com/basics.htm
Personally, I prefer the 4x8 type of layout so the trains can go around the layout continously. But, N scale or HO, for your project, I think I would do a point to point type of layout for more realistic operation. That means you could do a longer layout along a wall that wouldn't stick out so far into the room.
Also, I think I would set it up as a modular layout, to make it moveable, so that if the students ever needed to enter it in some kind of scholastic competition or display, it could easilly be moved. If you do decide to do modular sections, others here could point you to the right place to find standardized plans for the benchwork such that it could be hooked up to other modeller's modules at a train show or other event. If you find a club that is local to you that does the modules, perhaps they could set up their modules along with yours if there were an event where you and your students might want to display the layout. Joined with other modelers modules, it could be possible to create a huge oval for continous operation, while displaying the function of your module(s) as the center piece of such an educational exhibit.
Hi Statensisland,
I'm from LI originally but grew up in Calif.
I'm not sure of your space constraints but will agree with Jim above that a 2' x 16' layout along the wall or even a corner 2'x8'+2'x8' to fork an 'L' shape will offer much easier viewing for the students as well I believe giving a much more realistic type of operation and you can even incorporate a lazy S curve into the layout too from front to back to give even more room for spurs going to other facilities. Just be sure to keep the tracks away from the edges by about 2 inches and possibly even an edge guard board or plexi-glass could be applied to the layout edges may not be a bad idea.
I wouod suggest HO too as it big enough for the students to readly see and the possibility of operational cars such as drop bottom Hoppers would be far more likely!
Mantua, Tyco will probably be your best choice but possibly Lifelike,or Bachman might have something to offer?
Sounds like a great project and may create a bunch of new Railroaders. I will say to stay with your smaller switchers for ease of operation as your curves will be smaller possibly depending on the track design.
Hope this has been some help?
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