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    Shelf Layouts

    I keep pondering the idea of using a 14' long wall that's alongside one wall in my house for some sort of shelf layout in a smaller scale, say HO or N. Often there's times when I get frustrated with my outdoor layout and I'm just wanting to run trains for a few minutes.

    My wife has given a informal okay in the past but I've never really purposely planned anything out.

    I'd probably keep modeling the Woodinville Sub as I have lots of information on that branch and it interests me.

    The size would be no more than 14' long, and no more than 24" wide. The problem I have right now is the area I'm thinking about has all 90Β° spurs to the main. Even 18" curves and #4 turnouts in HO eat up a lot of space. N scale could probably get by with #6 turnouts and 15" curves?

    The idea for a location is Bellevue Wa.

    Talk me out of this.. Or not. I don't need more distractions from my current projects/problems. And add to the fact that I sold off the little N and HO I had left about 4 years ago. πŸ˜‚


    ​​​​​​ I started to play around in Anyrail to visualize the the curves. HO and N scale

    Alright, I'll go back to working on the real layout and projects.
    ​​​​​


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    ​​​​
    Follow along on Facebook as well.
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/424898032713171/

    #2
    Originally posted by craigtownsend View Post
    I keep pondering the idea of using a 14' long wall that's alongside one wall in my house for some sort of shelf layout in a smaller scale, say HO or N. Often there's times when I get frustrated with my outdoor layout and I'm just wanting to run trains for a few minutes.

    My wife has given a informal okay in the past but I've never really purposely planned anything out.

    I'd probably keep modeling the Woodinville Sub as I have lots of information on that branch and it interests me.

    The size would be no more than 14' long, and no more than 24" wide. The problem I have right now is the area I'm thinking about has all 90Β° spurs to the main. Even 18" curves and #4 turnouts in HO eat up a lot of space. N scale could probably get by with #6 turnouts and 15" curves?

    The idea for a location is Bellevue Wa.

    Talk me out of this.. Or not. I don't need more distractions from my current projects/problems. And add to the fact that I sold off the little N and HO I had left about 4 years ago. πŸ˜‚


    ​​​​​​ I started to play around in Anyrail to visualize the the curves. HO and N scale

    Alright, I'll go back to working on the real layout and projects.
    ​​​​​
    ​​​​
    Sounds like a great theme for a layout, Craig. Traffic to and from Issaquah and the rest could be modeled off-scene.
    Southern Railway Slate Fork Branch: https://realisticmodelrailroading.ne...-fork-branch-n

    Old magazines can still be fresh sources of hobby information!​

    Comment


    • craigtownsend
      craigtownsend commented
      Editing a comment
      Problem is there wasn't much interchange between Bellevue and Issaquah. But the idea is interesting.

    #3
    Originally posted by craigtownsend View Post
    I keep pondering the idea of using a 14' long wall that's alongside one wall in my house for some sort of shelf layout in a smaller scale, say HO or N. Often there's times when I get frustrated with my outdoor layout and I'm just wanting to run trains for a few minutes.

    My wife has given a informal okay in the past but I've never really purposely planned anything out.

    I'd probably keep modeling the Woodinville Sub as I have lots of information on that branch and it interests me.

    The size would be no more than 14' long, and no more than 24" wide. The problem I have right now is the area I'm thinking about has all 90Β° spurs to the main. Even 18" curves and #4 turnouts in HO eat up a lot of space. N scale could probably get by with #6 turnouts and 15" curves?

    The idea for a location is Bellevue Wa.

    Talk me out of this.. Or not. I don't need more distractions from my current projects/problems. And add to the fact that I sold off the little N and HO I had left about 4 years ago. πŸ˜‚


    ​​​​​​ I started to play around in Anyrail to visualize the the curves. HO and N scale

    Alright, I'll go back to working on the real layout and projects.
    ​​​​​


    Click image for larger version

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Views:	68
Size:	81.3 KB
ID:	34323 Click image for larger version

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Views:	65
Size:	157.9 KB
ID:	34324 Click image for larger version

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Views:	63
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ID:	34325
    ​​​​
    After both growing up in the Seattle area and returning to live at there at various points in my life, I don't envy anyone that has an outdoor layout. You truly must have the patience of a saint waiting for good weather with which to enjoy the hobby. With that being said, an additional indoor layout sounds like a fantastic idea. Personally, I am a died in the wool HO guy. But almost everyone where I now live models in N Scale. It really does give you a lot of flexibility and would make a 14' x 24" layout huge. I support the idea 100%.
    Loren Clarke - Fort Worth, Texas
    Modeling the Pittsburg & Shawmut railroad.
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/pittsb...wmut_railroad/
    "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above". James 1:17
    ​

    Comment


    • craigtownsend
      craigtownsend commented
      Editing a comment
      I don't mind honestly running in the rain. Part of my frustration right now is that I'm not running trains nor have I really ran a decent full op session at my own layout since 2014 or earlier.

      I tried N scale for a while but got frustrated with the code 55 track and low profile wheels but hated the look of the pizza cutter wheels. That was 20 years ago so I'm sure it's changed.

    #4
    Well, as you are aware, there’s a lot of N scalers on this forum here. I’m sure they will attest that the improvements in N scale in the last 5 to 10 years have been nothing short of remarkable.
    Loren Clarke - Fort Worth, Texas
    Modeling the Pittsburg & Shawmut railroad.
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/pittsb...wmut_railroad/
    "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above". James 1:17
    ​

    Comment


      #5
      DON'T DO IT!!
      YOU'LL BE SORRY1
      IT WON'T WORK!

      There, I tried to talk you out of it.

      The big risk it that it could become your main focus and divert resources (time & money) away from your main layout.
      As for the siding orientatin, does it really matter? Work with the space you have, could mean compromising on the sidings but that's better than annoying the wife.

      Comment


      • craigtownsend
        craigtownsend commented
        Editing a comment
        That's the motivation I need! Time and money away from my real enjoyment of building. As I said previously I tend to "wander my dreams" when I'm itching to run trains.

        I really need to push myself to prioritize projects and get the ones needed for layout operations first.

        And that first big one is reconnecting the torn down bench work and track. Then I can buy a new set of batteries and print off truck bolsters to replace the bad ones.

        I don't think I really would enjoy N or HO scale long term. I enjoy building rolling stock and super detailing.

        Example A, I was looking at the 89' car drawings and found that the brake line are made up of 3/4 and 1.25" pipes. So silly me, converts to ~.020 and ~.040". Is that really noticable in smaller scales? Nope.

      #6
      Craig, I hear the frustration. I agree with RussC. I'd personally continue your current efforts. Lots of time to build rolling stock and superdetail during winter. Spring isn't too far off.
      Aspire to inspire before I expire

      Common sense, is so rare it should be a Marvel "superpower".

      Comment


      • craigtownsend
        craigtownsend commented
        Editing a comment
        This Saturday I should get some of my ops fill by participation in Oly Ops. Local layouts around Olympia. So many people signed up this year they are doing it two different Saturdays. That's a good sign in my book.

      • michael13j
        michael13j commented
        Editing a comment
        Agreed! A very good thing!

      #7
      After spending the day running trains during Oly Ops on a HO and N scale layout, I'm convinced that I enjoy the scale I'm modeling in. No fault for either scale and I had a blast on both layouts, I'm more sure that progress forward on my current railroad is the right way to proceed.
      Follow along on Facebook as well.
      https://www.facebook.com/groups/424898032713171/

      Comment


      • Russ C
        Russ C commented
        Editing a comment
        Sounds good mate. Sometimes we all can benefit from some motivational boost.
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