Former N Scale Layout – now demolished

I have been without a permanent home layout for several years. The good news is I have started construction of a new N scale layout set in Idaho USA, based loosely on the Yellowstone branch north of Pocatello, through Idaho Falls to Ashton in 1974 – or thereabouts. The design track plan, though now highly refined, borrows from a plan produced by Bob’s Track Plans. The base plan is CSX Indianapolis Sub in N Scale.  My available space has numerous constraints I need to adapt to gain the maximum opportunity including:

• Three doors – one exterior and the main entrance to the room (a stacker slide), another is an internal access to my workshop (a cavity slider) and lastly as W/C in the corner of the room
• My modelling needs, including a desk, spray booth and essential storage.

The room measures 2.9m wide by 5.15m long (9’6″ by 16’11”).

Some of the goals I have for this layout include:

• Around the room, shelf-style layout set at eye-level – I’m only 162cm (5’4″)
• Modest gradients – 1.5 and 2.5 turn double-track helix with a 2.0% gradient on the outside track and 2.2% on the inside track
• High level of finish – overall appearance – befitting the expected quality of the modelling
• Code 55 track on scenicked sections (Code 80 elsewhere) and Peco large radius switches throughout
• Use of arduinos and lcd touchscreens to supplement JMRI and my NCE PowerPro system.

Concept and Design

Layout design showing upper scenicked and lower staging decks. The scenicked level can be seen in the image below. Use the image ‘slider’ tool to reveal the staging layer.

Conceptual town locations

Construction gallery