Canal Route shelf layout [N-Scale]

[Mike H.]

Hey folks,

I started off a small shelf switching-layout "Canal Route" in late 2023.
I decided to build this beside my large Cleveland & Eastern, mainly to model a different layout style, and to have a piece of layout for some train shows here in Europe.

While the Cleveland & Eastern is more scenic related, I'd like to depict some more urban scenes on the Canal Route.
In the final version it will consist of off four segments, each only 25 by 75 cm, with a looping mainline and a diverging industrial / commercial spur serving some customers.

For now, I'm working on the first two segments.

This built is, among my other layouts, also covered in my blog

[Mike H.]

Here is an overview from the beginning, showing only the plywood-dessert.

[Paul S.]

Welcome back, Mike. It's been a while!

What's the era and locale of this new venture? Same as the C&E?

[Mike H.]

Thanks, Paul, yes I was absent for a while, but never stopped modelling
Yes, it's a kind of “spin-off” from the C&E, same era.

[JerryZ]

Don't know how I missed Mike H's participation here, but this is fantastic stuff. I had always appreciated Mike's work posted at that other site, and it is great to find it here.

[Scott1984]

Hi Mike,
Looking forward to seeing your progress on this. Looks great so far!!

[Mike H.]

A little update what was happening next on the layout:


The layout will incorporate a road underpass and bridges over a small canal, so I had to tackle these two projects first prior laying down any rail-track

So I finished the rail-bridges and the road, as well as some tiny manhole-covers and storm-drains.
The bridge parts, pile wall and manhole covers are 3D printed parts.







I also needed to build the scenery around the canal before I could place the bridges.
The bridge abutments are made out of XPS foam, covered with plaster and weathered.



I used several coats of thin clear coat to seal the canal ground color, for the water effect I used a modge podge like thicker clear coat to add some small ripples to the surface.







For the road, I use plaster and several washes of black, followed by some weathering powders.

[Paul S.]

Well, just a wealth of ideas and inspiration in this post, Mike.

[Russ C]

Great job on the road Mike! I love those manhole covers.

[Mike H.]

A little more progress to report.
I have the tracks down and the turnouts installed.



Turnout mechnism as easy as it could be. Push-rod system with a DPDT switch to keep the turnout switch-tie in position and provide polarity to the frog.
Second switch is used for signaling feedback, as I opt-in for adding servos to actuate the mechanism.





I also developed a clean "turnout" plug, which fits into the drill hole and provides a base for the large turnout-ties. Also it has a gap for smooth spring steel wire movement.

[Paul S.]

Quite ingenious, Mike!

[Russ C]

A very nice, neat job, good work!!

[Scott1984]

Very Nice work Mike!! Looks very clean and functional. Great work sir!!

[Mike H.]

There is no real progress in sorting out the photos I took during building this layout. But I attended a local trainshow in the Netherlands last weekend.
I managed to film a short overview of the layout in its current state during the show:

[Mike H.]

Folks, this threat seems to be orphaned somehow.
But I currently have not much time in spare to get the blog posts done.

The layout is finished, and I grabbed it for a nice photo in the autumn noon sunlight.
You may notice that this photo is featured in the header image, but here is the full size version.

[JerryZ]

Love the photo. You are doing some outstanding modeling.