ooooohhhhhhhh........

More N Scale goodness?

I'm doing it again, what can

I'm doing it again, what can I say. By now there must be plenty of people shaking their heads, I'm sure. I can only agree.

But with every layout I built I learned something so it was always worth the effort. I'm hoping that this new layout will help me get to the next level of model railroading as all it's predecessors did.

Here's the new plan as it exists today:

For a larger version please click HERE.

Yeah! I'm looking forward to following (and seeing) this!

I wonder how many pages this thread will have?

I am just wondering out loud...

If instead of the mainline looping 180 degree's to reach the staging yard on the right, that you have it so the mainline is high enough where you can hava "nod" under and have it connect to the staging yard on the left.  It would save on space and make the mainline a bit longer for each aisle.

FWIW

Ken L

I can't wait...

Always fun following along with you Michael. I like the new trackplan, it's seem a little more open and maybe a little more focus put on the branchline. I have one suggestion, take it for what it's worth. On the first penissula down from the top, I'd hide the branchline on the top part of it and hide the mainline on the lower area. Mind you the river dividing the two tracks might be enough of a visual barrier. I gotta' remember that this is N scale and you have much more real estate than us guys in O.

Either way I'm strapping in and getting ready for the ride.

Hoping

Since we are throwing out ideas here, consider a narrow gage branch line, maybe a logging line that feeds the standard gage logging line. I would even donate some Nn3 rolling stock to a good home! The Shay would be fun to build too.

Keeps me interested

I have to comment so I will be aware of all the get news and comments. I always enjoyed your layout, especially N. I always thought your layout looked more real than most. The long winding curves between towns with the realistically long trains. Very cool!

Well Michael I think again

Well Michael I think again you are biting off more than you can chew. I followed G&AM 4 and the last revision of the German HO. I enjoyed both thoroughly and was surprised to see you abandon the N scale layout after progressing so far. I think it would be beneficial if you copy your Druthers list and pros/cons you posted in your other thread here and let members ruminate on the track plan and your posted concerns and thoughts. To me I see 2 towns on the upper peninsula, and the other major points being 3 cities. This plan looks vaguely akin to the prior G&AM. Not to say it is too much for you but for myself I could not imagine such an undertaking. Building one of those larger cities worth of structures and even the barest amount of detail is a massive undertaking. Urban modeling  I find to be much more time consuming per square inch than any other landscape. 

Why not consider a much smaller plan, perhaps the 2 staging yards (which frankly I would try to consolidate into 1 larger thru staging perhaps on one side of the room than 2 separate staging yards. This could help with solo ops since it seems you indicated you are somewhat a lone wolf.

if I were in your position I would be thinking about modeling 1 large city scene, big passenger terminal, freight yard perhaps a yard limit customer and then perhaps model a local branch line out of that yard. You can use staging to model thru freight but model interchange traffic with the yard. Since you have so much space perhaps take an interesting angle few take; model passenger ops. Imagine the support facilities for a larger terminal including inspection buildings, perhaps a layover yard, coach yard etc.

coming out of that large city model a nice transition into a suburban area, perhaps it gets rural quick if you want to bring it back to the mountain theme again. A smaller town with just a depot and perhaps a few local customers along the way on the branch line. You can have trains run the main, actually do mainline ops if you like or just control the branch line train while watching one orbit. I don't care for roundly rounds other than building them in to entertain visitors. If I were you I would pinpoint some LDEs (layout design elements) from some prototype roads to try to imagineer a more cohesive vision. I think your plan is far too involved for one person, and a plan with much less trackage and more focus on running a longer distance between a large city and a smaller town or rural area with plenty of watercourses, and your signature scenery work would make for an achievable and even more satisfying layout.

I have to follow. Good luck!

I have to follow.

Good luck!

HO Trains

Hi Michael, what do you plan on doing with your HO trains? Maybe two smaller layouts (one HO the other N) would be the answer.

Paul

Thanks everybody for your

Thanks everybody for your nice posts. Yes, it's a big layout and yes, it looks like it's too much for one person to build but that's exactly what gets me going. I need the challenge and I really don't care whether I can ever finish it. I know it will keep me busy for many, many years - if we stay at this home. If we don't there will be a G&AM 6 in the future...

Here's an overview of the

Here's an overview of the layout room as it looks today. I have rearranged the old bench work and added some new bench work along the western wall of the room. Next I will have to adjust all the legs to make it as level as possible and then the track laying starts again !

Luckily I had used the old east staging yard as a temporary shelf for all kinds of stuff when I cleared the layout room for the H0 layout. That means that the staging yard is still there and can be used again!

Good luck Michael!

Good luck Michael!

Today I asked my wife to help

Today I asked my wife to help me and clean the floor of the railroad room for me:

Send her over, please!

I've got some work I need done around the house so I can work on my layout!

Go For It!

Michael,

You seem to approach the hobby much differently than most of us do. You plan a layout, start building, and later if it's not meeting your expectations, you tear it down and start over. Most of us don't have the time, money, or inclination to do that, but you seem to thrive in that kind of scenario.

So if you like the track plan as you have it, I say go for it! I'm guessing you'll be happy as a lark as construction continues!

As for the rest of us, we have the joy of seeing yet another one of your fantastic layouts come together, and will be learning more ourselves as we watch you at work.

The only gripe I have is that I know in two weeks time your layout will be further along than my layout is after two years!  

Only 6ft x 8ft

Michael,

With the open area on my layout only being 6ft x 8ft your Mrs. could clean it in no time!

Forge on!

I like your style Michael.  Dream, plan, build, and never accept starting over as a failure in any way, shape or form.  Enjoy the ride!

You're very fortunate to have your daughter? help you clean! 

Best regards,

Kevin

I just couldn't help myself

I just couldn't help myself but I had to unbox a few locomotives and cars to really get back into the N scale mood:

Great start

I hope you had a chance to unbox the N scale elves, they have been slacking for a long time!

I hope you had a chance to

Haven't seen them yet, they must still be in shock!

New start

Wish you well on your new adventure, and looking forward to many post. If this dose not work out at least you will have enough supplies to start your own hobby shop.

Welcome Back to N

Michael,

Welcome back to N scale.  We knew you couldn't stay away for long.  But with two (2) whole days under your belt, I can't believe you're not finished yet.   The N scale elves must still be on vacation.

Seriously though, I'm really looking forward to watching your progress.

The view outside Michael's place

Here's the view outside Michael's place now that he's returning to N scale ... they're b-a-c-k ... with friends!