With my old 00, I attempted to cram a layout into 6'x3' and came up with this:
but really, I wanted to be able to run longer trains and have more scope for landscaping etc. and also wanted it narrower (for reaching the back) and longer. The size I have available is 80" long maximum.
So this is when I started looking at N, and I drew up many plans in SCARM, such as this one which formed the basis of the plan which I am going to work towards:
The points on the left hand side will allow for future expansion to a fiddle yard or something.
This plan got some positive comments, so it is this idea that I'm expanding on.
I want to add a reverse loop, and my first thought was this:
But the problem here, is that there is only enough room for a single loco to turn around.
Next idea is this:
This is my current plan!
I have now built the bench 80"x30", and here it is, resting on two chests of drawers:
It still needs to be raised up a bit and mounted to the walls.
Next up, I needed to get some rolling stock for N!
I found a pretty nice DCC set from Dapol, including a pretty smart class 56:
Here is the oval which came with the set (8x ST-17 3rd radius and 8x ST-11 double straights). I will not be using this track on the layout, as the consensus is that I should use Peco Code 55 track with Electrofrog points, but at least this gives a better idea of the size that the layout will be!
And this brings me to today!
I received a package and to my great disappointment, it was not complete!
The store has run out of cork and sent only one length of flexi instead of the six which I need to complete the outer loop. This means that laying the track is going to be delayed a few days.
Poo
Will post more as soon as progress is made!
