N Model Railroad Layout
So you’re into the miniscule trains, huh? You won’t hear an argument from me. They are soooo cooool!. Something about the uncanny likeness of miniatures really lures us in. Another wonderful aspect of these tiny trains is that they are so small you can for all intents and purposes fit them anywhere. Let’s think a little bit about how we could use them in different spaces:
2’ x 4’ N model railroad layout:
It doesn’t get any tinier than this. See that little table over there where you have that plant, that’s enough space for it. If we do this layout though, we are really constrained to just having the trains go around in a donut. The only other possibilities would be a figure 8 or concentric circles.
Pre-fab n scale scenic highlights:
N-scale is so small it is hard to work with. But there are several companies that offer pre-fab scenic accessories like buildings and trees. It’s more expensive and less fun but most people who like these tiny models learn to live with it. Atlas is a good first step for these highlights.
3’ x 3’ N Model with lake and bridge crossing:
A square 3’ x 3’ hobby space will really open up fun possibilities. I’ve seen some pretty complicated setups for a space of this size and larger. You will need a dedicated train table to do this, but if you place a lake at the center of your track you can have the trains circling it and crossing over its tributary at the edges. This makes for a really captivating scene in a really tight space. I wouldn’t advise trying it in a space any smaller than this however. I’ve never seen this work in a smaller space.
Every adventure commences with a first step and every model train empire with a basic loop:
Begin with a simple loop and increase, increase, increase. So you might set the ball rolling with a layout like our 3’ x 3’ layout and then when you are ready add another 3’ section to it. You might extend a mountain range down the length of table so that your train snakes along next to it and then crosses through a tunnel at its middle. Use your imagination to come up with curious detail. Little ruins or perhaps a chapel by the side of a ravine can really make for a varied and captivating scenic experience.
Even with the most handcapping of spatial limitations n-scale is still the best for really fitting the most amount of mind boggling track plan into the least amount of space. Challenge yourself to let your imagination overcome the spatial constraints of your space. If you find a particular landscape captivating, build it. Others are likely to find it wonderful as well.
Here is more information on N Scale Model Trains. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Model Trains.