pseudo boethius

Monday, April 3, 2023

MODEL RAILROADING / N SCALE / TRACKPLANS

Back in the early days of N-scale model railroading, the Atlas Model Railroad Company came out with a book of track plans for their new line of N-scale track and trains.   One of those track plans was called "The Unhinged and Horizontal", so-called because the base board for this track plan was a hollow-core door!  A typical 4 x 8 sheet of plywood from the lumber yard was often chose to setup one's very first model railroad in HO scale.  But for the smaller N scale trains, the preferred base board for starting a small layout was a hollow-core door, usually measuring 30" x 80".

I did an internet search for this track plan, and found an improved version created by a guy named Mike.  He has an entire page on his website dedicated to N-scale track plans of all shapes and sizes.   And yes, this layout, much like the original, is designed to fit on a hollow-core door.   

If I were to buy all the Atlas track I would need to create this layout, along with additional electrical components to wire it for operation, it would easily set me back $800 USD.  Even small model railroads can be incredibly expensive.  And that price does not include any trains, buildings, scenery or even the door from the lumber yard.   

I just happen to have a hollow core door in my possession that I'm just using as a utility table, setup on a couple of saw horses.   I also happen to have a small collection of N scale trains!   So I was thinking about building this layout, to give my trains a place to run.

Here's a link to Mike's N-scale layout designs:  Cke1st's Trackplans Page

TRAINS / MODEL TRAINS / KEVIN BROWN 

Kevin Brown only has a little over 1,000 subscribers on YouTube, but he's my favorite model railroader on YouTube.   He's from the Bloomington / Normal area of Illinois, and models in N-scale using the "T-TRAK" module standard.    T-TRAK modules are very small modules, without legs or benchwork, that are designed for easy transport and setup.   Kevin has made his own benchwork for the modules when he operates them at home.   

The reason I like him is his emphasis on midwest railroading in the mid 60's time frame.   He's also a wealth of information on T-TRAK and how to make modules.   

He also operates his model trains like a real railroad, complete with a schedule.   

A lot of the ideas and concepts he uses are things I'm going to incorporate into my own model railroad: The "Superior and Thunder Bay", which will represent the Burlington Northern railroad in northern Minnesota.