I'm in the planning stages for a small, more or less portable layout. I'm more or less just getting into the hobby and want to do as much 'off the shelf' as possible
I play a lot of sci-fi miniatures boardgames, and want a small, easily transportable layout that can have some N-scale trains rumbling around on it. I have some track schemes using the free Track Designer from Atlas, but my overall area will be somewhere between 3x3 to 3x5 in size. I must be small enough to fit in my subcompact car for transport, as It will be a game board as much as a train. The basic layout plan will be a modified version of the Atlas N-10 design, a more or less basic oval shape with an over-under figure 8 inside, to run 1 or 2 trains. No yard areas (to save room for game space). Also, I'm working on a student budget, so low cost is a must!
My questions:
First up: What is a good benchwork plan for this? I want something portable and lightweight, so can I get away with a small sheet of plywood? how can I keep the portability and protect the wiring without getting too bulky?
Next: How critical is having the track on a roadbed for operation? In other words can I get the inexpensive Atlas N-scale track thats 6-for-$2-and-change, and just mount it right on the board, even though roadbed might LOOK nicer, to save money, or should I go ahead and get the more expensive pre-roadbed mounted track?
(At the local hobby shop, Atlas N-track straights are $2.19 for 6, while the Bachmann pre-roadbed track is 4 for $8.29!)
Are there any engines with a 'Wedge' shape that can handle small (9.75") curves? KATO's model of the Japanese Nozomi 500-series bullet train engine LOOKS perfect, but they state that the train needs 12 5/8" for minimum turn radius, most other N-scale passenger trains seem to be in similar difficulty. I want the wedge-shaped engine because I want this to look futuristic, to look like a train might look in the late 21st century, rather than emulating something in the past. I plan already to be doing a lot of painting of new company logos & stuff, and possibly adding a fake 'hover skirt' to hide the actual wheels to make a maglev look, but don't have the skill to kitbash a new engine. Faking it with what is currently a bullet-train engine, but hauling freight cars, is how I want to try to make it work. If anyone knows an engine that can handle those tight curves, please let me know the name & brand. Right now, I'm leaning toward the Bachmann TGV engine, if it can handle the curves, or if not, the Athearn F59PHI Amtrak engine, though its not as 'wedge' as I'd like, its coloration makes up for it.
Lastly is terrain: I plan to make Modular terrain out of foam board or really thick layers of plaster-of-paris (8-10 layers thick, to support weight). It will look something akin to the site below, although that is a commercial product, while I'll build mine from scratch). Will this terrain look OK with the trains?
http://www.war-zone.com/
I play a lot of sci-fi miniatures boardgames, and want a small, easily transportable layout that can have some N-scale trains rumbling around on it. I have some track schemes using the free Track Designer from Atlas, but my overall area will be somewhere between 3x3 to 3x5 in size. I must be small enough to fit in my subcompact car for transport, as It will be a game board as much as a train. The basic layout plan will be a modified version of the Atlas N-10 design, a more or less basic oval shape with an over-under figure 8 inside, to run 1 or 2 trains. No yard areas (to save room for game space). Also, I'm working on a student budget, so low cost is a must!
My questions:
First up: What is a good benchwork plan for this? I want something portable and lightweight, so can I get away with a small sheet of plywood? how can I keep the portability and protect the wiring without getting too bulky?
Next: How critical is having the track on a roadbed for operation? In other words can I get the inexpensive Atlas N-scale track thats 6-for-$2-and-change, and just mount it right on the board, even though roadbed might LOOK nicer, to save money, or should I go ahead and get the more expensive pre-roadbed mounted track?
(At the local hobby shop, Atlas N-track straights are $2.19 for 6, while the Bachmann pre-roadbed track is 4 for $8.29!)
Are there any engines with a 'Wedge' shape that can handle small (9.75") curves? KATO's model of the Japanese Nozomi 500-series bullet train engine LOOKS perfect, but they state that the train needs 12 5/8" for minimum turn radius, most other N-scale passenger trains seem to be in similar difficulty. I want the wedge-shaped engine because I want this to look futuristic, to look like a train might look in the late 21st century, rather than emulating something in the past. I plan already to be doing a lot of painting of new company logos & stuff, and possibly adding a fake 'hover skirt' to hide the actual wheels to make a maglev look, but don't have the skill to kitbash a new engine. Faking it with what is currently a bullet-train engine, but hauling freight cars, is how I want to try to make it work. If anyone knows an engine that can handle those tight curves, please let me know the name & brand. Right now, I'm leaning toward the Bachmann TGV engine, if it can handle the curves, or if not, the Athearn F59PHI Amtrak engine, though its not as 'wedge' as I'd like, its coloration makes up for it.
Lastly is terrain: I plan to make Modular terrain out of foam board or really thick layers of plaster-of-paris (8-10 layers thick, to support weight). It will look something akin to the site below, although that is a commercial product, while I'll build mine from scratch). Will this terrain look OK with the trains?
http://www.war-zone.com/
