Need Advice

[willintas]

Hi,I have only ever done british layouts,but would like to do a Nth American/Canadian pine forest diorama type layout but have No idea what Locos-Steam and Diesel would suit the area.Tossing up between diesel or steam but need advice on locos that would suit.Pics would help too.Thanks.-I should add that by a forest diorama i mean log harvest and wagons.

[Bealman]

Our late and revered member Trainsdownunder was right into the American scene and would have been willing and able to assist.

However your idea sounds great and there is so much good gear available in American N.

Right now I'm thinking Kato and Microtrains rolling stock. 

[Webbo]

Hi,I have only ever done british layouts,but would like to do a Nth American/Canadian pine forest diorama type layout but have No idea what Locos-Steam and Diesel would suit the area.Tossing up between diesel or steam but need advice on locos that would suit.Pics would help too.Thanks.-I should add that by a forest diorama i mean log harvest and wagons.

I take it that you are interested in a logging railway. Most logging railways used narrow gauge (3' or something like this) and there are some modelling scales that approximate this (HON3, NN3). The equipment available for these scales is rather more limited than HO or N but does exist. The old logging railways normally ran steam and there are some interesting looking locos that are available for pulling the log trains. The Atlas shay is a standard gauge logging loco that has been released recently. There is a community who model logging railways and I think that a search on the web will produce some interesting layouts.

Webbo

[grumbeast]

Hi,  you're going to need to decide first whether you want to model Canadian or US as there is a difference.  What Webbo says is true as well, many logging roads were narrow gauge.  But you could also consider something a little more mainline with logging operations.  Most of this will be set on the west coast regardless of whether its in the US or Canada.

In N Atlas did produce a lovely 2 truck shay locomotive that would be perfect, but they are getting hard to get hold of.

If you go Canadian, I recommend looking at operations on Vancouver Island as it was primarily standard gauge and was run by CP in later years and the Esquimalt and Nanaimo.  try this website for all sorts of interesting info

http://www.encrha.com/

hope this helps, I'd go Canadian, but then I am biased  

Grumbeast

[Jon898]

In N Atlas did produce a lovely 2 truck shay locomotive that would be perfect, but they are getting hard to get hold of.


Grumbeast

Looks like Atlas have announced another run of their Shay:
https://www.nscalesupply.com/ATL/ATL-LocomotiveShay.html

Also, if you can find one, the Walthers sawmill could be a nice addition and reason for the logging:

https://www.nscalesupply.com/Wal/WAL-933-3236.html

[Webbo]

Here is a link to a thread on logging locomotives and what might be suitable. Have a look at the post by dknelson (a few down from the top).

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/196883.aspx

Besides the Atlas shay there are other N scale logging locos available. Here is a Climax loco kit at http://www.randgust.com/prod01.htm

Micro-trains makes a few skeleton log cars as does Kaslo shops (as a kit). Like Grumbeast, I endorse the logging railways on Vancouver Island. Besides the E&N and CP Rail mainline operators, a number of private logging companies ran shays and climaxes (and others) on their own tracks.

Webbo