A Small N Scale Layout

My previous layout was simple dog-bone that was 2800x460mm to fit on top of a wall unit. This time around I had much less space – 1200x600mm. The old one was well above eye level and most of the layout was out of sight. This time it is just 60mm off the floor and the whole layout can be sighted.

It is not based on any prototype. Truth be told, it is a test bed for my DCC project so all I wanted is enough complexity in this small space. In order to provide this complexity, I have pushed the specs up to and, possibly, beyond the edges of sanity. Future operations will tell if this was a wise decision.

Layout Specifications

Dimension In mm In inches In scale feet Layout Size 1125 x 600 44 x 24 560 x 320 Minimum Radius 250 9 3⁄4 130 Maximum Gradient 4% 4% 4% Vertical Separation 48 1 7⁄8 25 Vertical Clearance 42 1 5⁄8 22 Overall track length 6000 236 3150

The specifications show the attempt to squeeze a fair amount of complexity into a small space. To start with, the gradient is a steep 4%. As I am not expecting to run very long trains, this should not be a problem. The radius is just 250mm. This means long locos will not run. Most of my locos are diesels and steam is too expensive to play around with. The diesels have 6 wheel bogies. Inspite of the extreme values, there may still be a few spots where even these limits are pushed.

Layout Design

The idea is to provide a testbed for DCC operation. This means introducing the various complexities of a layout in a small one. The figure of 8 track includes an up-and-over section. The small size and the need for vertical clearance on the bridge necessitate a 4% gradient. A section connecting the top edge of the two lobes provides a reverse block to test the ability of the DCC command station to handle this configuration. Two yards are used, one built around a turntable. The other also includes a long stretch of track to be used as the programming track. The reverse block has a configuration that allows the train direction around the figure of 8 to be reversed when travelling in either direction. There are eight turnouts to need up to two turnout accessory decoders. The turntable provides a very interesting problem for a custom accessory decoder. A couple of Peco NB-80 sheds at one end may some day provide a method of controlling the doors to the shed. I should put a level crossing and some signals in the future. If I ever get that far, I may look at scenery or even ballasting.

Baseboard  Track  Parts  Elevation  Blocks 

Click on the checkboxes above to display/hide layers. The Track layer shows the centreline of the track. The Baseboard layer shows the cutting lines on the baseboard. These are then elevated at certain points by the height displayed in the Elevation layer. The Parts layer is the notation for turnout and other components. The Blocks layer shows the different blocks in different colours. The yellow block is the programming track. The brown block at the top edge is the reverse block.

Layout Bill of Materials

Manuf Part No. Description Qty Rate Amount Bunnings   1200x600mm 9mm Plywood 1 21.00 21.00 Bunnings   1200x600mm 3mm Plywood 1 7.50 7.50 Peco SL-387 Large Curved Turnout L/H 1 20.00 20.00 Peco ST-5 Short Turnout R/H 4 18.00 72.00 Peco ST-6 Short Turnout L/H 2 18.00 36.00 Peco SL-397 Medium Wye Turnout 1 20.00 20.00 Atlas #2569 90° Crossover 1 10.00 10.00 Atlas #2790 Atlas Turntable 1 35.00 35.00 Atlas #2791 Atlas Turntable Motor 1 37.00 37.00 Peco NB-80 Shed 2 27.00 54.00 Peco SL-300 3ft flextrack 6 5.00 30.00 Woodlan Scenics ST1475 N Scale underlay 7m 1 15.00 15.00 Peco PL-10 PL-10 turnout motor 8 12.00 96.00 Peco SL-310 Rail joiners 2 3.50 7.00 Peco SL-311 Insulated rail joiners 1 4.00 4.00 T O T A L 464.50