Lost and need help

[stuy1982]

Hi all so i bought a n guage kit, some flexi track and other bits and pieces i want to build a layout but dont have any ideas on how i achieve this

I started a couple of years ago to build one i made a baseboard and free lanced some track onto it, i laid cork under track sections and pinned down

I really want a tunnel and an upper section so i set up some paper mache and set to work but after this all dried i soon realised the incline was to steep and i ran out of space to get trains up and down basically i lost interest and the board went to rubbish.

Now i recently found all my bits including an old 150cm x 95cm table for baseboard and want to start again but i have no idea where to start questions i have are below

How do i judge scale ie tunnels, canals, roads all confusing?

How would i form a canal? At present i got carried away and screwed slater latt on edge to baseboard thinking it would form a canal walling and then my idea was to lay more mdf off that height to start track higher but now i think i am wrong

How do i know what is an acceptable inclines?

What do i do to start do i layout my track the flat baseboard then build up or build up first then build my track around the board?

I have watched video after video and seem more confused i see some using foam and then others using timber cutoffs to hold track in air above what we would call ground(baseboard)

I seem to have big ideas and things i want but keep loosing interest because i cant get started my ideas in build are

A canal, tunnel, sidings maybe a station, small villages maybe some engine shed with industrial feel, maybe  inner and outer loops with track points to enter and leave track . I currently have 1 steam loco and 1 diesel loco


Overrall i feel i am constantly second guessing myself and dont really have anyone to ask also feel the reading and videos arent helping they are just annoying me when i watch so many different ideas then they stop with no follow up and show finished layouts salt to wounds hahaha


I really need some help guys so please get in touch. I am happy to send out my email address if people have info they can send


Thankyou for your time
Stuart

[Newportnobby]

I feel for you (and others in the same position), Stuart and it's one of the reasons I put this together...

https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=35556.msg416493#msg416493

Have a read of it but the main points I make are......

Create a track plan and don't leave it alone until you're happy with it.
Decide which track system best fits your plan.
Choose whether to have a solid baseboard surface or 'open plan' (baseboard under track areas only)
Don't be in a rush to progress a layout as frustration will just cause annoyance. If you want to just see trains run as a stop gap I suggest you get an oval of Kato Unitrack you can run stuff round on. It also comes in very handy for running in new purchases.
Never be afraid to ask questions - we all started out as novices.

[port perran]

Hi Stuart

As with Mick (NN) I realise just how confusing all of this is.
I can probably help with some of your questions, especially scenery wise. I have a small canal with a sea lock on my Trepol Bay layout and my Port Perran layout has a tunnel.
If you drop me your email address, I'll send on some more info.
If you prefer you can send me a Personal Message on this forum.
In the meantime, I can recommend following NN's suggested link as a starter.

Martin

[AndyRA]

Here's how I made my canal.



5mm plywood, cut out and then inset.



5mm balsa planking used to raise the canal bank. Rough stone chippings stuck to the canal bed.

 

More Balsa planking added to form slope down to the canal tow path. Thick paint used to seal the balsa/plywood joins in the canal bank.



Painting the embankments dark green before adding the grass.



Stones in canal bed were painted varying shades of light and dark blue to simulate sky/cloud reflections. Woodlands 'Realistic Water' added. The first layer dried slightly flat.



After applying the second 'fill' of water the stone base created the slightly rippled effect on the surface. (This was purely accidental, and I hadn't planned the water to be other than flat calm). 

 

Finished scene. I know some people prefer to make their canal water 'green'. I decided to go for blue instead. 

Andy A. 
https://www.facebook.com/WestCoastSouthernSection/

[jpendle]

For inclines 2% is the max I would recommend for long trains (6 or 7 bogie vehicles).

If you need the incline on a curve then make it less steep or make it a really big curve (18" radius).

For anything else, like a small loco and a couple of short wagons, put a some straight track on a piece of wood and see what the loco can manage as you slowly increase the gradient.

Regards,

John P

[stuy1982]

Thanks all for your replies that is such a relief I was starting to go mad

It seems the scale part was a challenge I may have been creating in my mind judging by the phoyos the canal is quite more shallow than I thought it would have to be

I have been on all day today creating a layout plan I will post on here if I figure out how to hahaha

[stuy1982]

This was an idea I had not sure if correct or will work so ideas welcome think I am going to stay on one level and add tunnels keep canal stroke River and allow trains to pass over on bridges might simplify the whole thing for now the sidings will be to left but app I used only let me use 50 elements as free

[honestjudge]

You could also check if there is s club near by and meet like minded people who could physically show you how to do it.

[Railwaygun]

You could also check if there is s club near by and meet like minded people who could physically show you how to do it.

Details of local clubs and rail shows

http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/events/local

RIl shows usually have 1 or 2 layouts under construction, which will give you ideas.

The idea of doing it with Unitrack is worth looking at

See this thread by another lost soul

https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=45069.0

[Newportnobby]

As plans go it looks unusual but would appear fun to operate and have great scenic potential.

[Caz]

Welcome to the forum and as Mick says, a very unusual plan.

I'm guessing that top left is going to be some sort of terminus as you have 3 points shown without any track connections.  If so, one you leave the terminus there is no way of getting back except reversing or have I completely misinterpreted your plan.

[Dickydcc]

I found you tube to be really helpful,  lots of "how to's". Also have a good look through this I forum, join the n gauge society.  PECO do some good guides & if all else fails go old school & get down your local library for some model railway  books. The important thing is to enjoy your hobby.

[stevewalker]

For inclines 2% is the max I would recommend for long trains (6 or 7 bogie vehicles).

If you need the incline on a curve then make it less steep or make it a really big curve (18" radius).

For anything else, like a small loco and a couple of short wagons, put a some straight track on a piece of wood and see what the loco can manage as you slowly increase the gradient.

Regards,

John P

I'd definitely agree with trying it, the differences between locos is immense. I kept to 2% and out of interest tried a few locos out. My GF 4F will pull 4 or 5 carriages up the incline; the Dapol 9F struggles with even a short rake of wagons; while the Dapol Britannia will comfortably start 14 coaches from a standstill (which means not only are all on the incline, but the last four or so are on a curve too)!

SteveW

[stuy1982]

Hi caz the idea in the planned track was to have the engine sheds to the left but the planning software was only free and wont let me add more track elements to complete lol my idea was use the blue track as main outer line and this track allows entry to the inner lines via points and to go homeand finish the day the yellow line could move onto red line then onto blue then come round over top and back into the termus/engine shed lines

Hope this makes sense i thought it made for some fun i leaves plenty to do when trains or running or if only two trains online it carrys to full loops which with will run without monitoring. When 3 locos on it becomes a layout with points, junction stops, starts stations etc etc

[stuy1982]

Oh and i found a local club popping in this week to get more info about them.