N Scale Layout TFWorld R.R. Office Spur

Plan Layout Home Store Goal Phase 1 Step 1: $5 9.8% Locomotives SD70-M Rolling Stock Tank Car x2 Track none

This is my adventure into creating a small n scale layout for my office! It is also a new attempt at using the internet to fund my new hobby. All proceeds from this site go to creating my layout. I will be updating as often as I receive new parts or have new ideas. If you like to help out, please email me and let me know! Update 2/22/06: So sometimes life through you curves... Looks like my plans have changed. An office spur is no longer feasible, but hopefully within the next year, a 3x6 or 4x8 layout will be possible in my garage. Look for more information when it becomes available. Update 1/10/05: Just a small update on where we are for our current goal. As the traffic builds a little more each month, the amount goes up as well! Right now we are at about 9.8% of the $5 goal. While this might not seem like very good progress, the money is starting to steadily come in. I would really love to finally start working on this setup! Maybe I will aquire some parts for my birthday next month, but until then I can keep dreaming! I have finalized the rolling stock and will update the left hand pieces column shortly. Update 11/21/04: I have updated the phase 1 and 2 of the plan. Instead of buying a prebuilt bridge for the lake overpass, I am going to build a bridge modeled after a typical current prototype. I will take pictures of it the next time I am in the area of the prototype. I will post the sketches of it once I finalize how I want it to look. Also, I have changed the rolling stock a little. Instead of the Pulpwood cars, I will now just have boxcars and tankers. Finally, I am going to start posting the progress of each phase on the left in an easy to understand bar. It will show what % of each step in the phase we are currently at. For phase 1, step 1, the goal is going to be $5. Update 11/20/04: Another day, another locomotive... I recently found that Kato is going to be releasing the SD70-M in March. I found it at 4NScale.com for $76.95 while the retail is $110.00. Very good deal in my opinion! Here is a picture of the prototype engine that I am now getting: Update 11/19/04: I uploaded the both phase 1 and 2 of the layout. To build the second phase though, I will need to find the correct turnouts that will fit with the 9 3/4" radius I have to use. Also, I changed phase 1 now that I know the correct dimensions of the track. I am using Xtrkcad to draw the layouts. Update 11/18/04: Today I realized that finding the locomotive that I was thinking about, the SD40-2, will be much more difficult than I originally guessed. I have decided upon the AC4400CW model now which is also by Kato. Even though it will be physically larger than the SD40-2, it will have to suffice. It is a more modern locomotive and Union Pacific has quite a few in their inventory. Also, I believe that I have seen this version pass by where I grew up many times. Next time I am in the area, I will take some pictures and figure out the exact model numbers. Here is a picture of the 5714: Also, I have decided upon a layout that should work well when I build it in multiple phases. The first phase will contain 1 industry, a paper company. It will have provisions for 2 tracks next to the building. Also, it will have 1 main loop with connections to the next phases. Hopefully I will be able to model the first phase on the computer by tomorrow. You can view the progress by clicking on our layout link. You can check out the plan now as well. Once I finish deciding upon each section, I will update the plan with the information. Also, as I purchase the needed parts, I will also update the section to show what has been purchased and what is still needed. Update 11/17/04: I have decided on the locomotive I will run. I am still trying to determine what rolling stock I want to feature as well as the layout. Since the train company that I saw most when I was growing up was Union Pacific, I will showcase that company. The locomotive is going to be the SD 40-2 from Kato. Before I buy one, I need to find one since the production run is over. Here is an image of the #3401: I will add my own image once I purchase the locomotive. In the coming days, I will add the rolling stock as well as my layout. I plan on building my office system in 3 or 4 phases. The first phase will be the main section, about 2' by 3' and will be built in about 10-15 steps.