Creating a first layout.

[aleopardstail]

it is fun designing layouts, Anyrail (I use XTrkcad) etc are good for fantasy railways

you thought on how to control it? DCC is good but expensive as it needs newer generation models, can make wiring easier (if you ignore automation). note you can have point motors but flicking them byu hand is acceptable and works very well, ditto push rod stuff.

can also decide all this later

[centenary]

Anyrail is going to make this very expensive

This has become the long term goal. Need to break it down in to stages. The terminal station will actually be at the back and raised up

AnyRail is very good and the number 1 software Id recommend for track design.

I would caution about taking the track almost to the very edge of the baseboard per your AR plan. You might find you have little to no room for an embankment or walled terrace etc especially if you want a scenic back board. Ask me how I know (again!).

Seriously, it is one of the things I forgot about and wish I had not gone quite so close to the edge of my baseboards as I have.

[rreckless]

it is fun designing layouts, Anyrail (I use XTrkcad) etc are good for fantasy railways

you thought on how to control it? DCC is good but expensive as it needs newer generation models, can make wiring easier (if you ignore automation). note you can have point motors but flicking them byu hand is acceptable and works very well, ditto push rod stuff.

can also decide all this later

DCC is 100% the plan, that’s the next thing I need to learn about

[rreckless]

Anyrail is going to make this very expensive

This has become the long term goal. Need to break it down in to stages. The terminal station will actually be at the back and raised up

AnyRail is very good and the number 1 software Id recommend for track design.

I would caution about taking the track almost to the very edge of the baseboard per your AR plan. You might find you have little to no room for an embankment or walled terrace etc especially if you want a scenic back board. Ask me how I know (again!).

Seriously, it is one of the things I forgot about and wish I had not gone quite so close to the edge of my baseboards as I have.

Yeah, I had thought about that. I have space to add an extra foot to the board, so will likely do that to keep it away from the edges

[Mountain]

Hi
I'm planning my first layout but I'm undecided on gauge and layout. I have space for up to 8'x5', would I get a reasonable OO layout in this space or would I be better dropping to TT120 or N? I'm leaning towards N, purely due to the ability to create a more complex and detailed layout in the space I have and obviously there is far more availability of N gauge track, locos and accessories than that of TT.

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Here is N next to a very little H0 loco next to a small 0-16.5 loco. H0 is like 00 as it normally needs at least 3ft wide board or wider to turn in (a lot wider for larger locos in H0 or 00 scale, though this tiny loco can turn very sharp curves less than 2ft wide, though generally in H0 and 00 they can't, either due to their wheelbase or wheel arrangement, or due to the limitations of their couplings). N gauge tends to need 2ft to turn in.
The larger 0-16.5 loco at the back can also turn on 2ft wide boards, as about 96% of my 0-16.5 locos can. (I have yet to fit my preferred coupling to this loco to help it negotiate sharp curves).

20250105_040511.jpg (17.98 KiB) Viewed 1617 times

I just thought I would show the different sizes compared to an American N gauge loco. (N gauge is the smallest. The red and blue one with the tender).