Episode 10: More Turnouts
Small layouts can be a lot of fun to build, and if designed well, can also be fun to operate.
While Dan is waiting for his train room to be completed, he designed this portable N scale layout. Dan & Nichole plan to take the layout with them when they travel in their RV.
The layout is designed to fit on top of the RV's dinette table, and can be stored up in the camper bed above the cab when not in use.
The theme for the layout is the small fictitious coastal town of Siren Creek. Two small railroads meet here, a standard gauge line and a narrow gauge line. The era is the first half of the twentieth century.
This layout is a challenge from a track laying standpoint, as Dan is building the layout with a combination of N and Nn3 track. Parts will be dual gauge.
Most of the track is handlaid. This takes some work, but it also allows the track arrangement to be very flexible.
In this episode Dan builds the last two mainline turnouts. One turnout is a partial dual gauge turnout, one that allows access to the standard gauge engine house track. The narrow gauge path is always along the mainline.
The second turnout is another full dual gauge turnout, much like the one Dan built in Episode 8. This one is curved. Since the build process is much the same as the first dual gauge turnout, Dan focuses on special issues that came up building one of these turnouts on a curve.
Even if N scale isn't your thing, you might find something useful in this video!
Join us for some model railroading fun!