Modern N gauge terminus micro layout help

[south_tyne]

 

David:

 

Thanks for your reply and offer to post a track plan, that would be most appreciated if you can.

The layout sounds great and with five points sounds good too.

 

Thanks again everyone for your help.

 

Jerry.

No problem, it will probably be the weekend when I can get around to doing it but I will remember!

 

Just as another thought... Pushed for space and N Gauge always makes me think of Brant Hickman's fantastic little layouts - Littleton Curve (continuous run) and Rorgyle (terminus) are excellent examples.

 

His modeling is superb and photos will undoubtedly crop up on RM Web through a search and also he has/had a website with some excellent information on there. In my opinion, his work is some of the best N Gauge modelling out there!

[Jerry1975]

Hi ParkeNd,

 

4ft is a bit limited but its all I can have at the moment, the original plan was to go for a end to end layout, I have a nice pine shelf 4ft x 1ft hence the size and thought I could use that.

 

I have a few questions for you guys regarding the 80's - 90's era.

 

Were goods sheds still in use then?

What type of short parcels trains where around?

What types of short freight trains were around?

 

I am now thinking a platform with run round facilities and maybe some sidings next to station for freight trains.

 

Fiddle yard at other end and a freight oriented sidings next to fiddle yard, just ideas at the moment though.

 

Thanks, Jerry.

[Jerry1975]

David,

 

We must have posted at the same time lol,

 

Thanks for your kind offer of the track plan, I have seen some of Brant Hickman's layouts and they look great, will look at his website.

 

Jerry.

[TonyMay]

Hi Everyone,

 

TonyMay:

 

Thanks for your reply, I agree that the layout will look better with correct period trains etc, I'm just trying to decide what period to do, do I go for late 80's early 90's or 2000 onwards?

I guess it will depend on traffic I want to run.

 

I like the look of the modern 2000 onwards era but the early 90's era tempts me too.

 

BoD:

 

Thanks for the link to the layout plans, some interesting stuff there.

 

 

Jerry.

 

As a general rule of thumb the earlier you go the more varied and "interesting" the operations are.  The overall trend over the past 100 years has been towards standardisation (using fewer locos and those that are used are increasingly to the same design), decreased use of labour (and avoiding any operations that require labour), and carrying bulk goods (especially passengers) with lower volume goods shifted to onto the roads.

 

However, using RTR models anything before the mid-1950s starts to get a bit tricky because before then there were lots of older vehicles (not only locos but coaches and wagons) still running around then that are not currently available in RTR form.  Modelling 1930s GWR is possible (especially in OO) but more tricky for the other big 3 companies.

 

At the other end of the scale, with the most up-to-date stock, then it's mostly DMUs and not everything is covered by RTR manufacturers.  If you do go modern however I'd advise you to still choose a period, e.g. 2010-2015 and stick to that, as in 5 years' time the railways will have continued to change.

 

My advice (again) would be to choose a period now and then work towards consolidating that.  It'd be easier (and cheaper) to sell 1 DMU now and buy modern stock (if that's what you want), or older stock (if you suddenly develop a dream for steam (and N gauge steam models have improved immensely over the past few years)), than waiting until later on when you've got a bit of a hodgepodge eclectic mix.  So this is an important decision to make.

[Karhedron]

Were goods sheds still in use then?

No. The classic mixed-goods shed went out around the end of steam. Small freight handling facilities still existed but they tended to be for specialised types of traffic.

 

What type of short parcels trains where around?

What types of short freight trains were around?

Parcels and newspapers were common examples and Royal Mail is also a possibility. Milk on the rails ended in 1980. China Clay was and still is conveyed by rail with some dries only dispatching a few wagons a week but these are in rural Cornwall so may not fit with your urban theme.

 

Sppedlink was a specialised service that lasted until 1991 so may fit your bill. It used rather distinctive red and grey vans and could be very short as this example from 1984 demonstrates.

 

 

 

The class 128 parcels railcars lasted until around this time. Not available RTR but if you fancy your hand at kit-building, a 3d-printed hit is available to fit the Dapol class 122 chassis.

 

 

Other short freights were about still in this period although they were getting rarer. The trick is find a small facility that would justify a short but frequent train service.

[ParkeNd]

Hi ParkeNd,

 

You have a lovely looking layout there amd good inspiration... Do you have anymore photographs?

 

Cheers!

Yes - thread on this very forum.

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/95699-parkend-in-forest-of-dean-n-gauge/

[Revolution Mike]

The Workington-Huddersfield TPO service lasted until early 90s and was typically a 31 (or 47) plus 3 coaches (2 x BG and 1 x TPO - all available from Farish).

 

Cheers, Mike

[Karhedron]

Good

The Workington-Huddersfield TPO service lasted until early 90s and was typically a 31 (or 47) plus 3 coaches (2 x BG and 1 x TPO - all available from Farish).

Good call. Photo here.

 

[south_tyne]

Yes - thread on this very forum.

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/95699-parkend-in-forest-of-dean-n-gauge/

Thanks!

[ParkeNd]

Hi ParkeNd,

 

4ft is a bit limited but its all I can have at the moment, the original plan was to go for a end to end layout, I have a nice pine shelf 4ft x 1ft hence the size and thought I could use that------------------------------.

 

 

APA Park which first caught your attention has a fiddle yard added onto it's end when in use.

 

 

A two car Class 101 DMU is 10" long - so it will need the first 22" of the layout before it's tail clears even a 12" platform. After this it can only move 26" before it's nose hit's the far end of the layout. You are going to find out that 48" is not enough without a 24" fiddle yard out of sight added to it's other end.

 

Anyway - best of fortune. Post some photos sometime. 

[Jerry1975]

Hi Everyone,

 

Thanks for all of your replies.

 

The 80's - 90's period is tempting me a lot and I'm grateful to everyone who has answered my questions etc.

ParkeNd:

 

Sorry but I'm a bit confused with your post about the dmu travelling so far etc,I think I know where your coming from but confused about why I would need a larger length for a dmu ( forgive me, I'm easily confused ).

 

 

I like the fact that there is some short freight trains in the period 80's - 90's and parcels trains I like too, a loco and 3 parcels coaches are good too.

 

Thanks again everyone for all your help.

 

Jerry.

[DCB]

If is a 4ft dining table could you go to 4 X 2?        I doodled a U shaped 8 X 4 in OO on anyrail with peco streamline and set track points which could be adapted for 4 X 2, 

 

Its sort of a terminus fallen on hard times, platforms shortened, some tracks ripped up and the goods yard arranged for DMU stabling.  Disused junction with ripped up tracks.

 

The bridge is half arched and half girder as many were when additional tracks were laid, This allows the carriage washer under the girder bridge which gives an excuse for shunting

 

The outer line should be nicely ballasted as a passenger line and the inner not well maintained as a goods or shunting line.

 

Obviously the fiddle yard is at the back

 

An ocasional gronk or 66 or similar red box on wheels could turn up occasionally propelling a few wagons on the goods line or maybe topping and tailing.

 

With two single lines two trains can run in the same direction at different speeds which always looks good, a Passenger and a shunting move.  Layout could even accommodate 2 operators

 

[ParkeNd]

------------------------------------------------Sorry but I'm a bit confused with your post about the dmu travelling so far etc,I think I know where your coming from but confused about why I would need a larger length for a dmu ( forgive me, I'm easily confused ).

What I mean is that you have to picture a train, in your head, moving on your track.

 

You have a two car DMU in your train set. Even this DMU is 10" long and as such is an example of a very short train - my loco plus 5 coach trains are 34"long and even a loco plus three coaches is 22" long. Thus a 3 coach train would set off from your station and it could not travel far enough for the back end ever to leave the platform. . Your DMU would be a bit better but the train would travel such a short distance it would look unusual to say the least.

 

DavidjC Broad has the right idea in my opinion for 4 ft x 2 ft layout.

 

Unless you use say a Class 08 shunting diesel and a few short 4 wheel goods wagons and turn you layout into say a diesel depot with shunting yard only - then what I am saying is that you will find your 4 ft x 1 ft shelf is simply too small.

Edited January 21, 2016 by ParkeNd

[railsquid]

Dunno if it helps add perspective, but here are a couple of shots of my layout on a ca 7' x 1' shelf:

 

It's Japanese-based and work-in-progress and nothing special; platform is designed for 4-coach trains (or loco + 3 coachs); ultimately there will be a line leading off to the "rest of the world" at the rear right.

 

Depth-wise I'm still surprised by how relatively spacious it still seems, especially in combination with parts of the backscene. Length-wise - currently due to lack of anywhere to run the trains to, all I'm doing is shunting locomotives and two-car units back-and-forth, which is fun enough as these things go, and from one end to the other is still quite a way. However f I only had 4 feet available with no chance of extension, I'd go for a layout running single cars or short two-car formations (plenty of those in Japan) and maybe some very limited freight, and have the line run into a tiny off-scene "fiddle yard" inside a tunnel or something.

[Jerry1975]

APA Park which first caught your attention has a fiddle yard added onto it's end when in use.

 

 

A two car Class 101 DMU is 10" long - so it will need the first 22" of the layout before it's tail clears even a 12" platform. After this it can only move 26" before it's nose hit's the far end of the layout. You are going to find out that 48" is not enough without a 24" fiddle yard out of sight added to it's other end.

 

Anyway - best of fortune. Post some photos sometime.

 

Hi,

 

I get what you mean now ( I was having a bad day yesterday ).

I guess for now I'm going to have to settle for a station, train travels a short distance into fiddle yard

or go for a roundy roundy type layout.

Thing is space is tight at the moment so will have to think about it.

 

The dining table is also used for meals etc so want something that easily portable too.

 

RailSquid:

 

I like your layout, it's very well done.

 

Thanks guys for your replies.

 

Jerry.

[south_tyne]

Hi again Jerry,

 

Sorry for another reply to clutter up your thread... but if you can stretch to 4' x 2' and a continuous run then 'Claydon' is a superb little layout which deserves a further look. I cannot remember who built it but I saw it at the York Exhibition a few years ago. A search on here might throw up something?

 

Is there any possibility of a 4' x 2' layout which could fold/hinge to 4' x 1' for storage?

 

 

PS - just had a quick look, see this thread for further details:

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/14029-planning-layout-need-advice/?fromsearch=1

Edited January 22, 2016 by south_tyne

[TonyMay]

Dunno if it helps add perspective, but here are a couple of shots of my layout on a ca 7' x 1' shelf:

eitetsumura-overview-2016-01a.jpg

eitetsumura-overview-2016-01b.jpg

 

It's Japanese-based and work-in-progress and nothing special; platform is designed for 4-coach trains (or loco + 3 coachs); ultimately there will be a line leading off to the "rest of the world" at the rear right.

 

Depth-wise I'm still surprised by how relatively spacious it still seems, especially in combination with parts of the backscene. Length-wise - currently due to lack of anywhere to run the trains to, all I'm doing is shunting locomotives and two-car units back-and-forth, which is fun enough as these things go, and from one end to the other is still quite a way. However f I only had 4 feet available with no chance of extension, I'd go for a layout running single cars or short two-car formations (plenty of those in Japan) and maybe some very limited freight, and have the line run into a tiny off-scene "fiddle yard" inside a tunnel or something.

 

Of course that's another option too - go foreign.  There are some fairly quaint and rural Japanese or Swiss lines with 1 car DMUs.  And somehow (to me at least), not really knowing much about them, compromises with respect to reality seem to be more acceptable.

 

Or even go completely whimsicle and build a Christmas layout with a lot of snow and an HO scale Santa riding atop an N gauge train...

 

Meanwhile, back to reality, the 4x1 suits the piano line format particularly because since you have access to all sides it can be operated from the rear.  Portabiltiy and storage are also important considerations.

[Jerry1975]

Hi,

 

South-Tyne:

 

Don't worry about cluttering up the thread as your not and your help is much appreciated.

I shall look and see I can find the layout you mentioned.

 

TonyMay:

 

Thanks for your reply, the piano line type of layout is tempting me as I need the layout to be portable etc.

I wouldn't want a folding layout myself as I don't think my carpentry skills aren't up to it so a single board with support battens underneath would be better.

 

Jerry.

[Zomboid]

Even an 18" detachable fiddle stick is a non starter? I've got 4'6" x 1 at the moment and I've got a 322 inglenook in HO using American trains, there's just nowhere for them to go once I've made the trains up...

So I'm sure you could get a traditional shunting puzzle (inglenook or timesaver) into that space in N, with space left over to shuttle the 101 in and out.

If you're happy with short trains and mostly shunting, 4x1 in N is plenty.

[steam-driven boy]

Hi,

I'm planning on something minimum in O if I ever get the N layout realised, inspired by Steve Farmer's N 'Holditch' which I snapped at the Redditch MREx in '06:

 

In N cassettes would be the alternative to the sector plate, in O I'm thinking traverser.

 

Regards, Gerry.

[Jerry1975]

Even an 18" detachable fiddle stick is a non starter? I've got 4'6" x 1 at the moment and I've got a 322 inglenook in HO using American trains, there's just nowhere for them to go once I've made the trains up...

So I'm sure you could get a traditional shunting puzzle (inglenook or timesaver) into that space in N, with space left over to shuttle the 101 in and out.

If you're happy with short trains and mostly shunting, 4x1 in N is plenty.

Hi Zomboid,

 

I took the 101 out and messed about with track and your right, 4x1 isn't bad really in N.

I think I will go for DMU passenger trains, maybe parcels too and short freight trains.

 

 

Hi,

I'm planning on something minimum in O if I ever get the N layout realised, inspired by Steve Farmer's N 'Holditch' which I snapped at the Redditch MREx in '06:

Holditch2.JPG

 

Holditch3.JPG

In N cassettes would be the alternative to the sector plate, in O I'm thinking traverser.

 

Regards, Gerry.

 

Thanks for your reply Gerry ( great name by the way ;-) ).

 

That little layout is very inspiring, I'm thinking a slightly more modern version would suit my needs.

Good luck with your own layout.

 

Jerry.

[Jerry1975]

Hi Everyone.

 

After trawling through loads of track plans and looking on the net, I was thinking of a simple inglenook layout, were the station for a DMU is on one siding and the other two sidings used for engineers trains.

It would be set in era 8.

 

I think something simple will be better for now until I get more stock etc, just wondered what you guys think and if anyone knows of any layouts like this.

 

Thanks,

 

Jerry.

[Jerry1975]

Hi,

 

Well after much thought I have settled on 3x2ft roundy roundy layout, swmbo said it would be better and I think I agree with her.

 

Trouble is what to put on it?

 

I am sticking to era 8 80-90's maybe 2000 era.

Can anyone suggest a good track plan or ideas?

 

Thanks for any advice.

 

Jerry.

[steam-driven boy]

Hi again Jerry,

Something along the lines of:

http://www.osbornsmodels.com/index.asp?function=PRODUCTIMAGEWINDOW&closedelay=20000&SRC=http://www.osbornsmodels.com/ekmps/shops/osbornsmodels/images/peco-new-plan-001c-n-scale-adding-hidden-storage-sidings--7681-p[ekm]353x500[ekm].jpg

???

I think that maxes out the "roundy-roundy" possibilities for the space (what's a few inches between a happy couple?), depending on track system you intend it should be adaptable, scenically too - the 'hidden' sidings could be developed as a wharf or factory setting (the 'front' becoming the fiddle yard), making it a two-layouts-for-the-price-of-one affair.

It's quite close to the plan I produced for my daughter when she was around 6, nothing survives of it though but the now 30-something...

 

Regards, Gerry - a grand name indeed, everything I make is Gerry-built!

[Jerry1975]

Hi Gerry.

 

Thanks for your reply, funnily enough I was looking at that plan myself as I have the plans book.

 

I think I will keep everything simple for this layout so thinking single circuit with a few sidings coming off the main line.

 

I want it to look as realistic as possible given the small space, and maybe put in a hint of a town or a village.

 

Thanks again for your help.

 

Jerry.