6'x4' N gauge beginner project

[Automaton120]

Hey everyone,

 

I'm new to this forum and I'm currently building my first ever layout. I'm still very much learning but so far I've been having a positive experience. I hope my story is useful to other beginners, not just in N scale but for anyone looking to start a layout proper.

 

My layout is a 6'x4' continuous run with two scenic sections; a sizeable town scene, containing a depot at one end and station on the other; and a shallower rear section, with open main lines running through a rural cutting. I'll be running primarily contemporary stock, though who knows what trains I'll acquire in the future? 

 

Here are a few overview photos, with the low-relief buildings giving a good insight as to where the scenic break will be. This is where I am with the current progress:

 

 

The siding just behind Aldi will be a bay platform. I intend to scratchbuild a modern station building to sit next to the department store above the bridge. Since I'd never be able to feasibly fit in platforms of a realistic length, incorporating them into the scenic break seems like a good option:

 

 

Here's a view looking down the high street. The town scene will eventually be raised above embankments and retaining walls, with the roads (where I've placed the wood strips) leading to overbridges. 

 

 

Why I Chose N

 

A year ago I broke out my OO collection for the first time since late childhood (most of it hadn't been touched since 2013), and immediately wanted more out of this hobby. My prior hands-on experience was limited to OO on the floor or Trakmat, so I knew that any kind of permanent layout would be a huge step. Even when I wasn't actively playing with trains I still followed model railways online, and over the last few years I'd grown quite interested in what you can do with N gauge in a small space. I love seeing long modern freight trains and high-speed stuff, and in OO I was really pushing the limits of my space (and pockets) with these. 

 

I downloaded SCARM and started playing around with some N gauge track; initially for a bit of fun, but then the Kato class 800 launched and the price blew me away compared to the same type of train in OO. I think that was the catalyst which sold me on N gauge for good, and I decided to think seriously about getting into this scale.

 

What caught me off-guard was the fact that there's almost no entry level in N gauge, whereas in OO I'd always had the option of cheaper, beginner models if necessary. Based on this, I decided that if I was going to be thrown into the deep end from the start then I'd go all-in, using flexible track and Streamline points. I'd seen Unitrack recommended but I'm not a fan of the plastic roadbed and was interested in layout my own ballast anyway. Whilst these decisions led to a lot of trial and error, I'm pleased to say that I'm ultimately very satisfied that I made these choices. 

 

Using SCARM to come up with a plan in advance paid off. When I was ready to order track, I knew exactly how many lengths of flexible track I needed. I think I needed 15 yards in total, but I ended up ordering 18 or so because inevitably I was going to mess this up somewhere (and it's always helpful to practice first). 

 

Construction

 

I purchased a 6'x4' baseboard kit from HM Baseboards, which I put together with my dad over a few evenings. It's definitely fit for purpose (originally designed for OO Trakmats) and the folding legs are crucial for me because I need to store it against a wall when not in use.

 

When it came to laying track, I cut strips of 2mm cork to shape. This was less for dampening or actually fixing the track and more to give me a visual guide for when I was bending the flexible pieces. I didn't want any curves below 4th radius, so I used a single piece of Setrack as a basis. The track was cut using Xuron nippers, which have been extremely reliable and lasted me the entire tracklaying process. Once the track was bent into shape, I tested it as I went before sticking down using clear-drying wood glue and applying pressure with weights. I was pretty blown away with the results, and in spite of a few frustrating moments it all went together surprisingly easily. I was expecting to have some horror stories considering I'm a first-timer with a tendency to do things impulsively, but in this case I made sure to check many different guides on the subject long before I got started. 

 

Another thing which has gone surprisingly smoothly was ballasting. I didn't really deviate from the common methods, and used a small pet syringe to apply the water and glue mixtures. I'm not done with all the ballast yet because I'd like to get my platforms in first, but so far I've probably completed 3/4th of both main lines with no problems.

 

My power is a very simple DC setup (two main lines screwed into a Gaugemaster D via terminal block) but it does exactly what I need it to. The feeders are Peco powered fishplates with holes for the wires drilled through the board. There's really nothing else to add on the power subject because that's literally all there is to it. All points are on one side of the layout and easily in reach... as a beginner I'm fine with manually flicking them. 

 

Additional Photos and Information

 

A class 73 and derelict wagon sitting at the TMD:

 

 

A slightly older photo, showing a little scenic corner I'm quite pleased with. This yard was made by printing out concrete textures, and applying scatter materials on top. This will be a siding for engineering trains:

 

 

I plan for the opposite front corner (where my platform ends will be situated) to include a car park of some kind, potentially Royal Mail and other postal vehicles but I've not made a final decision on that. 

 

Aside from the three cottages I've not thought much about the rural section yet. A motorway overbridge is something I definitely want to include at one end, as well as a field and forested area. Some access steps to the railway at the end of a country lane might also look the part in that section. 

 

In conclusion, I hope you like my little project so far! I will of course keep this post updated with my progress. 

[montyburns56]

It's looking good so far. I particularly like what I presume is meant to be some kind of overgrown concrete car park.

[Davexoc]

Welcome to 'N'

I too switched to pack more into the available space, I don't think you'll regret it. And there are some really exquisite models in this scale now. Just remember that production runs can be short, and the most popular stuff will sell out very quickly.....

[Reinder]

Lovely piece of concrete you got there 

 

N gauge is a really nice scale, even if you have more room. But also a modest space can give plenty of options for N