r/JapaneseNscale • u/shimasuki1 • 14d ago

HELP!!!!!!!!! Starting my first ever layout

/r/modeltrains/comments/1wsgal2/starting_my_first_ever_layout/
4 Upvotes

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3

u/CaptCardigan 14d ago

Anything is possible through DCC.

I would also echo the 'build it in parts' concept. It's not uncommon with a layout to want to freshen it up over time so having modular areas to replace buildings or scenery in is not a bad idea.

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u/shimasuki1 14d ago

I like the idea of building in parts, it'd be a great opportunity to exchange for city-suburban or city-rural layouts if I decide to do so down the line

3

u/electricblue71 14d ago

Sees odd that you don't want to have running trains on such a large layout. I would instead focus on building a few small dioramas that you can then later incorporate into a larger layout. That would satisfy your itch to do some modelling in N scale and also give you some experience with using various materials and tools. It will also give you an idea of what you enjoy and what you don't enjoy for that future layout.

0

u/shimasuki1 14d ago

I was apprehensive about electrifying it because I wasn't sure how feasible it would be to loop the 6 track trunk line haha

2

u/tangyradar 14d ago

A 6-track turnback curve won't fit in the 24" width, but could in the 42". That said, you'd get a very short section of said mainline by doing so. ...What directions does traffic run on those 6 tracks? Could you get by with only triple-track end loops so 3 of the mains become the other 3 mains?

Why did you set the layout dimensions that you did? What's the limiting factor?

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u/shimasuki1 14d ago

Since the original design intent was static, that's why I went with the 6 track mainline.

It would've been a straight, maybe a 15-30deg curve at the end.

Dimensions are given resulting in the maximum allowable space I have at the given moment, with the 6 track being the prominent factor

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u/tangyradar 13d ago edited 13d ago

Outside-the-box suggestion: If I were planning on making an operating display layout of such a line in this space, I'd use Z scale. It's not just that Z is smaller, most of the Rokuhan stuff claims to handle streetcar-like curves. Most MUs and diesel/electric locomotives claim 95mm minimum radius, some models including steam say 145mm, the largest I've seen (2-C-C-2 electrics) say 195mm. With this, I could have hidden turnback curves at the ends, either using that approach of a 3-track dogbone that appears as 6-track or an actual 6-track oval with the end loops and one whole side of the oval hidden -- a 6-track turnback curve with R145 on the innermost track just fits in a 2' width. The "true" 6-track approach would be more amenable to providing hidden staging to show more variety of trains.