from canada

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p14shooter

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Of course its been 40 years plus since I touched a train(but I'm not really that old). But in cleaning up my father's basement, and coming across train, I have been thinking a lot lately about getting the rust off them. I know I have a lot of reading to do to get up to speed again so I am not looking for quick answers. But I have a couple that I hope can be answered in this introduction section, it not, I will move to the specific forum.

Realistically, how long can a N scale train be using a 4x8 sheet of plywood? (I am starting small of course). Reading I realize this sheet can be cut to make longer routes But I'm quite sure I can not run a 50 car train. More like 10? Less? More? My space is not limited to that, or a variation of that, but I do not have unlimited space. I was even thinking of going up the walls if the lay out made sense to. Am I being to literal thinking that 8 feet of length equals about a half mile of real distance?

I know this may be more of an advanced question, that I do not have any knowledge of yet, but how would I plan the track to allow for future expansion? Figuring of course that I want to expand existing, and not start new.

I know I am only limited by my imagination, but I was thinking it would be nice to build a layout of the old track here in Nova Scotia but I don't know if that was busy enough for what I am thinking (but I may be thinking to much). But it was stretched out over a long ways here. And then I was thinking of an imaginary track based on war time. I know the true enthusiasts most likely only build on specific real tracks, but I am not sure if that works for me (more reading to do)

Anyway I am just thinking for now. And reading.
 
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Welcome !
A few things have changed in the past forty years… now that’s sarcasm. 😝

I did up a track plan for a 4x8 (that I never built) that had a hidden lower level with double track.
Kind of a folded figure eight if you can picture it.
It actually may have handled a train that length as you’d never see the whole thing at once.
Terry is a bit more realistic with 20 - 30 cars I’d say.

As for future addition any spur that leads to the edge of the world could be added to later on.
And you’re correct about cutting the sheet for other configurations, pour a cup and dig around.
 


p14shooter said:
Realistically, how long can a N scale train be using a 4x8 sheet of plywood? (I am starting small of course). Reading I realize this sheet can be cut to make longer routes But I'm quite sure I can not run a 50 car train. More like 10? Less? More? My space is not limited to that, or a variation of that, but I do not have unlimited space. I was even thinking of going up the walls if the lay out made sense to. Am I being to literal thinking that 8 feet of length equals about a half mile of real distance?
Click to expand...
I don't know. Back in the early 1980s, my first serious N scale layout was 2x8. It had 11" radius curves. I ran a train where the caboose was right in front of the loco. So diameter is 11" x 2 = 22" x pi = 69.115" + (48" x 2) = 165" plus I had a reverse curve that would probably add 6" so lets say 170" for the main loop. Most if not all the cars were 40' type. How long is a 40' n-scale car. 40' x 12"/' = 480 scale inches. 480si/160:1 = 3" lets add 1/4" on each side for couplers so 3.5". 170" / 3.5" = 48.6 cars. Minus 3 for the locos. My train was about 45 cars long.

p14shooter said:
I know this may be more of an advanced question, that I do not have any knowledge of yet, but how would I plan the track to allow for future expansion? Figuring of course that I want to expand existing, and not start new.
Click to expand...
That totally depends on what one has, and what they want to expand into. To some folks expansion is the addition of more loops of track to run more train simultaneously, to others expansion is vast sections of scenery to watch the train run THROUGH, while to yet others expansion is the addition of more track for switching or yards to store additional cars in.

p14shooter said:
I know I am only limited by my imagination, but I was thinking it would be nice to build a layout of the old track here in Nova Scotia but I don't know if that was busy enough for what I am thinking (but I may be thinking to much). But it was stretched out over a long ways here.
Click to expand...
We could render better "opinions" if we knew the current "existing".

p14shooter said:
And then I was thinking of an imaginary track based on war time. I know the true enthusiasts most likely only build on specific real tracks, but I am not sure if that works for me (more reading to do).
Click to expand...
Which war? Rail has participated in war since the war between the states. If a WW are you talking in the USA or Europe?
 
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Welcome to the group!

My apologies for not responding sooner. Somehow I missed your introduction.
 


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