Kunihiko Ikeda's layouts designs are absolutely beautiful. I purchased both books and I recommend them. The only problem is that I want to build them all. I really like the Brooks Terminal R.R. layout. Once I get one layout under my belt, I might start collecting the pieces for one of Ikeda's designs.
Steve, thanks for all your ideas . I think I’ve decided on a Kato double layout with the outer loop train running oval and the inner train loop with a small 3 track yard. The outer like desert/mountains and the inner more urban. 3x5 max , I think for portability.
Finding the perfect or best layout is hard. I finally found a track plan that had some basic design I was looking for and modified it for the interest I needed. Found a 5x12 HO scale layout and modified it to a 2.5x10 N scale layout. The original plan is from Kalmbach 101 track plans number 47. I eliminated the switch backs and added a hidden staging yard under the visible yard. Hopefully I will be starting on it soon, maybe. I first need to stop buying rolling stock. 😂
Go for it! And I know that you'll come up with all sorts of efficient ways to populate the area with buildings. It will be fun to watch the trains come on and go off stage.
Really enjoy your videos,and I get some great ideas,I definitely enjoy your small layouts,12 by 4 ft switching and 17 by 3 ft and etc. so many sites I see say small layouts start building small but end up big and for us limited space folks we love small and portable ,and usually 4 to 5 ft in length is great with max of 16 or 17 wide ,keep up the great work
I'm starting to work on a 33"x77" hollow core door too I found at Habitat For Humanity - Restore for $20. I like the concept of light weight and easy to modify along with durable. Thanks for the ideas you have shared.
So, I will use the door as a base, but not run wires through it. I'll have a couple layers of foam with channels cut out for wiring, and maybe have the whole thing hinged onto the door for easy access to the wiring.
Steve your videos are definitely inspirational and enjoy your channel I also subscribe to the Rasch Studios Layout videos,, also very well done and inspirational Tim
There was a great layout called the Kewaunee, Green Bay & Western from an N scale Yahoo Group many years ago that was designed on a hollow core door, is very urban, has great rail-marine operations features and also includes some switching puzzles. Can’t find a layout image online but I have a copy if you’re interested.
Make it 4×8. Then, you will be able to go a little wider on the radius. Plus, you will be able to use conventional size lumber to create a table for the layout.
I can only fit a 3.5’ width in the back of my car between the wheel wells so with padding that brings it closer to 3 feet. This is the biggest I can take to a train show without renting a van or something. Although that wouldn’t be a big deal I guess to do a couple times per year.
When viewing this I remembered the MRR Carbondale Central. That was heavily urbanized. I found an L shaped shelf layout that provides 13 locations to switch with a large yard. However, there is no loop nor hidden storage. I have a large collection of N scale billboard reefers. I have it in mind to build a grocers' cold storage district using early diesel boxcabs to do all the switching with one or two 0-8-0 switchers. I could add barge traffic for additional switching rotating cars off and on the layout. However, I do like to just let trains run. I may look into those kindle books as the Mason and Manchester looks interesting. Can you export track plans to an app like AnyRail?
Kunihiko Ikeda's layouts designs are absolutely beautiful. I purchased both books and I recommend them. The only problem is that I want to build them all. I really like the Brooks Terminal R.R. layout. Once I get one layout under my belt, I might start collecting the pieces for one of Ikeda's designs.
Yeah, they are all amazing!
The switching back and forth between the raw track plan and the "landscaped" plan, really clarifies things well.
funny im running my "desk express" train(which is a N scale layout on a computer desk) while watching this!
Steve, thanks for all your ideas . I think I’ve decided on a Kato double layout with the outer loop train running oval and the inner train loop with a small 3 track yard. The outer like desert/mountains and the inner more urban. 3x5 max , I think for portability.
Looks like a plan that's right in your wheelhouse, looking forward to seeing this come together
Enjoy seeing your progress on projects. So what ever your happy with ill watch
Love where your head is going with us can't wait to see how you get started with this 👍👍
Steve, that looks like a fun plan! Can't wait to see the build...
I too am a big fan of urban-themed layouts. My current one is more what I' call a "big town".
Looking forward to it Steve. You do fantastic work. One day, when I'm retired, I'm going to use your videos as a reference for my own Empire RR
Warte lieber nicht solange. Im Alter hat man sehr wenig Zeit.🤷♂️🤩👍🛠️
Finding the perfect or best layout is hard. I finally found a track plan that had some basic design I was looking for and modified it for the interest I needed. Found a 5x12 HO scale layout and modified it to a 2.5x10 N scale layout. The original plan is from Kalmbach 101 track plans number 47. I eliminated the switch backs and added a hidden staging yard under the visible yard. Hopefully I will be starting on it soon, maybe. I first need to stop buying rolling stock. 😂
Good luck!
Go for it! And I know that you'll come up with all sorts of efficient ways to populate the area with buildings. It will be fun to watch the trains come on and go off stage.
I love Ikeda 's sketches. Bsquiklehausen or Interurban Era (possibly both of them) tweeted about them once and they are so inspiring
they are really nice and so much better than I can do
Really enjoy your videos,and I get some great ideas,I definitely enjoy your small layouts,12 by 4 ft switching and 17 by 3 ft and etc. so many sites I see say small layouts start building small but end up big and for us limited space folks we love small and portable ,and usually 4 to 5 ft in length is great with max of 16 or 17 wide ,keep up the great work
I'm starting to work on a 33"x77" hollow core door too I found at Habitat For Humanity - Restore for $20. I like the concept of light weight and easy to modify along with durable. Thanks for the ideas you have shared.
Very helpful. Thanks.
I'm really interested in learning how you wire and how you do switches on a door layout.
So, I will use the door as a base, but not run wires through it. I'll have a couple layers of foam with channels cut out for wiring, and maybe have the whole thing hinged onto the door for easy access to the wiring.
I would love to see you do that.
Steve your videos are definitely inspirational and enjoy your channel
I also subscribe to the Rasch Studios Layout videos,, also very well done and inspirational
Tim
Yeah, the Rasch Studios layouts are amazing
I like several of your past layouts, but I think I may build something like this new one using cork and Peco 80 & 55 track
Long Island Rail Road, Montauk Branch featuring a dense urban environment and lots of water features: sadface...
There was a great layout called the Kewaunee, Green Bay & Western from an N scale Yahoo Group many years ago that was designed on a hollow core door, is very urban, has great rail-marine operations features and also includes some switching puzzles. Can’t find a layout image online but I have a copy if you’re interested.
I'll search for it. But Id love to see it if you can scan or take a photo of it and email it to me. stephen@steves-trains.com
Make it 4×8. Then, you will be able to go a little wider on the radius. Plus, you will be able to use conventional size lumber to create a table for the layout.
I can only fit a 3.5’ width in the back of my car between the wheel wells so with padding that brings it closer to 3 feet. This is the biggest I can take to a train show without renting a van or something. Although that wouldn’t be a big deal I guess to do a couple times per year.
When viewing this I remembered the MRR Carbondale Central. That was heavily urbanized. I found an L shaped shelf layout that provides 13 locations to switch with a large yard. However, there is no loop nor hidden storage. I have a large collection of N scale billboard reefers. I have it in mind to build a grocers' cold storage district using early diesel boxcabs to do all the switching with one or two 0-8-0 switchers. I could add barge traffic for additional switching rotating cars off and on the layout. However, I do like to just let trains run. I may look into those kindle books as the Mason and Manchester looks interesting. Can you export track plans to an app like AnyRail?
This is the one. Any chance of getting a track list please? 🙏
I'll try to get that added to the website track plans page sometime this week...forgot to do that!
@@StevesTrains Thankyou. 🙏
It is on the track plans page now: www.steves-trains.com/post/n-scale-track-plans
@@StevesTrains Thanks. That’s great. 👍
can you do a kind of build along with this one?
I'll definitely have videos of the whole process.
@@StevesTrains that is great, the layout looks awsume so might give it a try. Thanks Steve
layout books links do not work
Ok weird...they worked when I tried them, but maybe they changed or I left off a letter or something. I'll try to update them tomorrow.
Mmmmm some guys said that Big Boy does not handle 11" very well.
I'm sure it doesn't but I'm guessing it will do 12 3/8" even if not great.
@@StevesTrains you should be fine then! I can't wait to see what you do with the layout