Single board N gauge layouts

[Chris M]

Following a visit to TINGS I realised that I am quite a fan of single board N gauge layouts. There is quite a variety of layouts in this genre. The great thing is that N gauge is small enough to allow a reasonably interesting layout with continuous run (if wanted) on a board that can be carried by one person and will fit on the dining table. There are plenty of them around but they don't seem to get much of a mention. They will never be the best layout in a show but they almost certainly inspire others to have a go at a layout even if they don't have much space. I see them as an important part of any model railway exhibition. Just wondering what others think.

[daftbovine]

I agree. My N gauge layout is about the size of an interior door. It's big enough for running reasonably long trains and I've managed to develop interesting scenery.

You do tend to see a lot of double track oval layouts in N and there's sometimes a tendency to try and cram in as much track as possible with little thought for scenery which is s shame because N lends itself trains in the landscape.

[Karhedron]

Yes, N does open up more possibilities than larger scales. One of my favourite examples of a small, continuous-run layout in N gauge is Hornby magazine's "Hettle". A great example of what can be done in a small space (6'x4').

 

http://www.key.aero/view_article.asp?ID=6086&thisSection=commercial

 

For N gauge in the landscape, one of the best examples on the circuit at the moment has to be Vale of Oxbury by Carl Woodbury.

 

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/8511-vale-of-oxbury-br-western-region/page-7

[Flying Pig]

They will never be the best layout in a show but they almost certainly inspire others to have a go at a layout

even if they don't have much space.

They can certainly be well up with the best in any show. See for example Lymebrook Yard and Hedges Hill Cutting (sorry about the horrible photobleuchet gallery).

[Chris M]

I have seen Lymebrook Yard and agree it is a brilliantly planned and executed layout. 

I thought Cottingvale and Gibben Quarry were good examples at TINGS this year. Another nice very little one is Ardmore. 

I also quite like the one I have built which is probably how I got interested in single board layouts. They are great at exhibitions - it takes me 15 minutes to get away after a show if I take my time packing! I'm thinking I might just build another one.

[sammyboy]

'Newbridge Junction' is also a N Gauge layout on a single board the size of a door, which is enjoyable to operate at home - even if it is nowhere near finished!

 

And when the layout is finished (And hopefully get a chance to be exhibited), I would very happily build another different plan on the same sized baseboards...

 

Sam