4ft x 2ft board layout. (DCC)

[Johnmay]

Hello all,
I hope this doesn’t come across as being too hopeless!!. Can anyone help me compile a list of all turnouts and flexi track lengths I would require for this layout please.
I thought I’d use peco code 80 or 50 flexi track ?.
Yellow indicates incline.
Many thanks

[Mountain]

Not sure but it looks like one may find the incline would need to be a bit steep to clear the first line that goes to a building. Further up the track where the track goes over the main lines would be fine.
Now my experience in N gauge is rather limited, but I do know that in this smaller scale most locos climb better than their 00 equivalents (Or they used to when Graham Farish was Graham Farish and the loco body I had was made out of cast metal and I believe other locos were as well as I have seen them climb).
So it might work, but one needs to do some experiments.
If it is an engine shed or a good shed, taking a reversed siding off the other lower siding to the right will give one a slightly higher inclined clearance potential so one can use the space where the building is. One will need additional wiring but it should work ok. It looks a nice plan. A catch or trap point would be an idea for the direct accessed siding on the top of the incline to prevent runaway wagons from heading down the incline. Things like that are to the railway scene as it is a requirement the prototype would have had in such a location. The idea is to derail them so there is less damage then if they carried on and hit an oncoming passenger train on the main line. We don't really need this in model form but it is a nice addition. Half broken points in ones collection can make ideal representations of this if trains can pass over the "Good" side of the point.
Regardless of my thoughts, it is a nice plan. Those who have spent more time in N gauge can advise on the incline. I do know that where it bridges the main line at the end would work in 00 so that bit would definitely work in N. (Though by nature, the shallower gradient the incline, the greater the length of train that can climb it).

[Johnmay]

Hi
many thanks for your informative response, very helpful. I had thought the incline would possibly be an issue, I think it is around 3% ?.
I do like the layout but there is little point in building in running problems. Back to the drawing board it seems.
Regards John

[Mountain]

The best way if possible is to experiment. Is why I recommend buying a trainset first as it gives an idea on what is or not possible. It can be enjoyable experimenting too!

So don't dismiss the plan. Just experiment to see if it works, or if you need to alter things to make it work.

I actually started out thinking along the lines of a 4x2 for 7mms narrow gauge, but then I was wanting it to easily fit in a smallish car. So it was reduced to around 3 1/2 ft x 2ft, but I wanted room for two trains to pass, so a second board was made. So for now my yet-to-be-finished layout is being stored. Have plans to build a third board and extend. I am letting my imagination go!
But even in 7mm scale, a layout in a space of 4x2 is achievable. The 4x2 is also popular for those modelling in 009 or H0e which share the same gauge as N (But in a larger scale). N is good for fitting in a small space.

[bnb]

One way to reduce the incline would be to set the crossover at the rear at say 2omm and the fall the main lines down to the station. This would bring the incline down to 2% or less.

[Johnmay]

I’m unsure what you mean by set the crossover?.
Thanks

[kebang]

Not exactly as you drew it, but presented on a 4x2 base. In Peco set track form (purely for my own curiosity!). From 0" to 2" it achieves a smooth slope over the incline of 3.1%. I'm not an expert in 'N' (or anything else for that matter ) but I think most locos will manage this.

This is a track list of parts used (Some straight flex track used for convienience)
Track
SL-300, N Peco Streamline Code 80 SL-300. Flex 1". (wood) 1
SL-300, N Peco Streamline Code 80 SL-300. Flex 4.5". (wood) 1
SL-300, N Peco Streamline Code 80 SL-300. Flex 5". (wood) 1
SL-300, N Peco Streamline Code 80 SL-300. Flex 12.5". (wood) 1
SL-300, N Peco Streamline Code 80 SL-300. Flex 22". (wood) 1
ST-1, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-1. Straight 3.43". 2
ST-11, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-11. Straight 6.85". 12
ST-12, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-12. Curve radius 8.98", angle 45º 4
ST-14, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-14. Curve radius 10.37", angle 22.5º 3
ST-15, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-15. Curve radius 10.37", angle 45º 7
ST-16, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-16. Curve radius 11.75", angle 22.5º 2
ST-17, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-17. Curve radius 11.75", angle 45º 1
ST-18, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-18. Curve radius 13.13", angle 22.5º 4
ST-19, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-19. Curve radius 13.13", angle 45º 1
ST-2, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-2. Straight 2.28". 2
ST-3, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-3. Curve radius 8.98", angle 22.5º 4
ST-4, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-4. Curve radius 8.98", angle 11.25º 3
ST-5, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-5. Right turnout 3.43". 22.5º 5
ST-50, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-50. Crossing 3.43". (right) 1
ST-6, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-6. Left turnout 3.43". 22.5º 2
ST-8, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-8. Buffer/Bumper 4

Track lengths
SL-300, N Peco Streamline Code 80 SL-300. Flex 35.98". (wood) 3.75'
ST-1, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-1. Straight 3.43". 0.57'
ST-11, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-11. Straight 6.85". 6.89'
ST-12, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-12. Curve radius 8.98", angle 45º 2.36'
ST-14, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-14. Curve radius 10.37", angle 22.5º 1.02'
ST-15, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-15. Curve radius 10.37", angle 45º 4.75'
ST-16, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-16. Curve radius 11.75", angle 22.5º 0.77'
ST-17, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-17. Curve radius 11.75", angle 45º 0.77'
ST-18, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-18. Curve radius 13.13", angle 22.5º 1.72'
ST-19, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-19. Curve radius 13.13", angle 45º 0.86'
ST-2, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-2. Straight 2.28". 0.39'
ST-3, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-3. Curve radius 8.98", angle 22.5º 1.18'
ST-4, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-4. Curve radius 8.98", angle 11.25º 0.44'
ST-5, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-5. Right turnout 3.43". 22.5º 2.91'
ST-50, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-50. Crossing 3.43". (right) 0.6'
ST-6, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-6. Left turnout 3.43". 22.5º 1.16'
ST-8, N Peco Setrack Code 80 ST-8. Buffer/Bumper 0'

Total track length: 30.13'

[kebang]

This s

hows the track piece numbers

[Johnmay]

Wow , that’s a superb bit of work you have done.
All the parts detailed/listed, I’m impressed. I understand re moving the crossover now.
Regards John

[bnb]

Make the height of the crossover (at the back of the board) 15mm above the baseboard. Then the mainline track can fall to the station area in both directions away from the crossover. This means that the incline is not starting at zero height and only has to climb 17 or 29mm to give clearance over the siding. Yellow track falls to the station, green track is on the incline.

[Johnmay]

Yes I see what you mean. Thanks