Hey there!

Being an N scaler I look forward to your article every issue.  My first was the Atlas plan "Gulf Summit Lines and Susquehanna Valley Railway".  I just liked all the overs and unders of continuously running two trains.  That was '83.  Years later, and most recent history I endeavored to build the monster layout of 18 feet by 9 feet with a minimum of 3 feet deep...TOO much and it rendered the garage useless.  So I decided to scale back in the spare bedroom.  I found an HO layout, also an Atlas plan, called "The Central Midland".  I scaled this down to 'N' by basically dividing by two on all dimensions, which resulted in a 7 by 6 foot overall and 3 foot depths.  But this layout was short lived by the acquiring of the true man cave room, through much negotiation I might add. 

Okay so here is my point and beauty of N scale:  Now in my 10 by 15 foot room, properly fitted with big screen TV and sound, my layout is 2.25 feet by 15.5 feet long.  I find this size allows for long straights for watching the trains come and go, deep enough for interior track but not too deep allowing for a comfortable reach!  I finished the basic terrain per Joe's video and am at the stage of just finishing the Hump Yard turnout controls.  I am stuck on what industries to incorporate on this layout and I want to stay with 1950's transistion/diesels...do you have any suggestions?  Being in northern cal now I have a few WP engines, but I also have mixed SP and Santa Fe because I just like them as well.  I figured the length would allow for mountain terrain like WP but come down in foothills or even flat lands.  Or do you think my scope is too broad?  Help.

I really enjoy your column, keep up the good work and thank you very much!  Here's a pic of the layout plan:

Some good points in this article. However, I'm sure a lot of people go for the 'island' design, irrespective of size or scale, is that they like to be able to watch trains go round and round! Or, more likely, other members of the family do, whilst the owner is quite happy to just do switching! I've had both styles, although the N scale layout was 2' x 8' and was against the wall. Currently in HO with an around the walls layout, but for various reasons, am unable to have a continuous run. This is my first time with this type so will have to see how I like it. 

Brian

The loop on the left looks like it could be an industrial site. The triple spur arrangement reminds me of the Lever Bros. plant in Baltimore. You didn't show any sidings on the right, so I'd leave that as open country.

Bernard Kempinski

​

 www.alkemscalemodels.biz

 

Personal Layout Blog: http://usmrr.blogspot.com/

 

A few years ago Model Railroader ran a similar article which was the impetus for my latest layout efforts.  Its a lot like the Lafayette Junction 'C' formation but with some interesting blobs on the ends of the 'C' with room for loops giving me a folded dogbone layout for continuous running.  Staging is behind the view block on the central portion.  I cheated a little with my plan adapting it by adding some width to the ends & middle to allow for broader curves and more staging.  I had the room so what the heck, right?

I thoroughly enjoy these more advanced yet simple designs that go beyond the beginner 4x8 oval.  Keep up the good work guys!

If you are modeling the central valley on the left side of the layout, agriculture is big.  You could do a large packing house shipping out fresh fruit in reefers.  You could also model a Catapillar Tractor dealer receiving loads of tractors and construction equipment from back east.  Here in So. Cal, we have a lot of gypsum hills, so there are a lot of cement plants, I don't remember if the same is true of No. Cal.  I have also seen some large feed lots for fattening cattle before they go to the slaughter house along I-5 between Fresno and Sacramento, if I remember correctly.  I'm not sure what the feed lots do with the "cattle waste," but I wonder if a fertilizer plant would be found nearby?  The other industry that I know of in the area related to the agriculture were canneries where various fruits and vegetables were canned.  Lindsy has or had an olive cannery in the town of Lindsy.