It has been about 4 years since I have run a train. At that time I had a nice 4'X8' N scale layout. Well times got hard and had to cut back on toys, so I got rid of most of the train stuff.
I am now almost ready to dive back in. All I have is a hand full of Atlas code 100 switchs in HO and N scale, two Athern GP 35's, 10 freight cars, 5 Atlas code 100 flew tracks, a double track bridge, Atlas round house, round table with motor, all in HO. I just have one Life Like engine and 3 frieght cars in N scale.
So, for the most part I am starting from the begging. I would like to go HO. I have been looking at track plans for many months and the ones I keep coming back to are the Atlas #10028. The local train shop has this track plan set up and it looks prety good for the size. I would like a place for a bigger yard though.
I have found a few in the book 101 track plans, the ones I like are # 62, 63, 65, 67, 77. Numbers 63, 67 have sharp curves(18) so I am putting them at the bottom of the list. I am not ruling them out, but the others have conventional curves(24").
The actual building of the bench work is not a real problem for me. I have been in construction for many years so the tools and tricks of the trade are right here. What I am worried about is the size. Will just one person be able to build and maintian a layout this size?? There is a lot of work just keeping everything running right????
The layout will be for my enjoyment. There is no one around that I have found that likes model railroading so it will be a one man show. I like to just site back and watch the trains roll by. I wil have one train running around while I build up a new trian in the yard then send the new train out as the old train comes in for me to take apart.
I would like to run 2 trains at once and maybe have three running if my brother comes by for a family get together, so DCC is the only way to go. I will be building it free standing away from the walls so I can gt good access to all areas. This should be getting under way in about 3 months.
I guess I am really looking for moral support. I just want to know that I am not nuts for going this big.
Well enough of my ramblings.
Thanks.
Dru.
I am now almost ready to dive back in. All I have is a hand full of Atlas code 100 switchs in HO and N scale, two Athern GP 35's, 10 freight cars, 5 Atlas code 100 flew tracks, a double track bridge, Atlas round house, round table with motor, all in HO. I just have one Life Like engine and 3 frieght cars in N scale.
So, for the most part I am starting from the begging. I would like to go HO. I have been looking at track plans for many months and the ones I keep coming back to are the Atlas #10028. The local train shop has this track plan set up and it looks prety good for the size. I would like a place for a bigger yard though.
I have found a few in the book 101 track plans, the ones I like are # 62, 63, 65, 67, 77. Numbers 63, 67 have sharp curves(18) so I am putting them at the bottom of the list. I am not ruling them out, but the others have conventional curves(24").
The actual building of the bench work is not a real problem for me. I have been in construction for many years so the tools and tricks of the trade are right here. What I am worried about is the size. Will just one person be able to build and maintian a layout this size?? There is a lot of work just keeping everything running right????
The layout will be for my enjoyment. There is no one around that I have found that likes model railroading so it will be a one man show. I like to just site back and watch the trains roll by. I wil have one train running around while I build up a new trian in the yard then send the new train out as the old train comes in for me to take apart.
I would like to run 2 trains at once and maybe have three running if my brother comes by for a family get together, so DCC is the only way to go. I will be building it free standing away from the walls so I can gt good access to all areas. This should be getting under way in about 3 months.
I guess I am really looking for moral support. I just want to know that I am not nuts for going this big.
Well enough of my ramblings.
Thanks.
Dru.