MR's N Scale Salt Lake Route

[Sokramiketes]

Everyone knows that the track is nailed down right?

Jason

Yeah, but Dick actually finished the layout too.  How many of us rivet counters can say that?

[AlkemScaleModels]

I don't get all this negativity about the MR project layout. I think it is an great example of an N scale layout. Then you should consider that  it was built by an person without  previous N scale experience (I think), was built on a tight schedule and would not get to keep. I would rank in the top 10 percentile of all N scale layouts.   It shows that building a top layout is an attainable goal. It opened my eyes to the potential of Unitrak. It's a layout that I would have been proud to build.

[Bob Bufkin]

I wasn't going to get into the merits of what track to use but just have to.  Most people I know here are diehard code 55 and outstanding modelers.  I use Unitrack for my mainline and I like it.  Why - I have been out of the hobby for years and after joining Railwire I got the itch to get back into it.  Unitrack was a fast and easy way for me to set up running.  2.  I hate track laying, as I got older I just wanted to run some trains.  3.  I have a ton of older equipment which I want to run from time to time and Unitrack lets me do this.  I have replaced a lot of cars with lo-pros but it's too damn expensive to do my entire roster.  That being said, I also consider myself as a railfan more than a modeler.  Some things I'm good at, others not so much.  I JUST WANT TO RUN SOME TRAINS.

[AlkemScaleModels]

I wasn't going to get into the merits of what track to use but just have to.  Most people I know here are diehard code 55 and outstanding modelers.  I use Unitrack for my mainline and I like it.  Why - I have been out of the hobby for years and after joining Railwire I got the itch to get back into it.  Unitrack was a fast and easy way for me to set up running.  2.  I hate track laying, as I got older I just wanted to run some trains.  3.  I have a ton of older equipment which I want to run from time to time and Unitrack lets me do this.  I have replaced a lot of cars with lo-pros but it's too damn expensive to do my entire roster.  That being said, I also consider myself as a railfan more than a modeler.  Some things I'm good at, others not so much.  I JUST WANT TO RUN SOME TRAINS.

I can empathize with you. As I get older I am enjoying laying flex track less and less.  I am enjoying the hand laying the O scale track, but it is not for everyone.

Allen McCelland's good enough theory applies here. If one can build a layout that looks as good as the MR N Scale Salt Lake and runs just as well, you're ahead of most of the class.

[Wlal13again]

I used Unitrack for my door layout, painted and ballasted it and am very happy with it, this was my first (and so far) N scale layout and I wanted the track to be bullet proof. On the topic of the Salt Lake Route, at least MR is showing the world that N scale does exist..

[mcjaco]

I don't get all this negativity about the MR project layout. I think it is an great example of an N scale layout. Then you should consider that  it was built by an person without  previous N scale experience (I think), was built on a tight schedule and would not get to keep. I would rank in the top 10 percentile of all N scale layouts.   It shows that building a top layout is an attainable goal. It opened my eyes to the potential of Unitrak. It's a layout that I would have been proud to build.

QFT

[sirenwerks]

I used Unitrack for my door layout, painted and ballasted it and am very happy with it, this was my first (and so far) N scale layout and I wanted the track to be bullet proof. On the topic of the Salt Lake Route, at least MR is showing the world that N scale does exist..

They did a great job doing the same with the Clinchfield layout. It presented N as much less a toy than a small UP-based roundy-round does.

[John]

There is a similar thread on Atlas ..

This is just a different take on the code 55/80 wars.

As I have gotten older, I have adopted the "you model your way, I will model my way" philosophy. Just don't try to tell me what my way is.

Quite frankly, this stuff gets boring after a while .. do what makes you happy ..

[Denver Road Doug]

I'm not sure I get the Unitrack hate either.

Cringe all you want at the thought of building a detailed scene with Unitrack destroying the cred....can't say that I don't, either.  I use code 55 exclusively for visible trackage like many of you. (and I'm considering some code 40 on a few sidings if I can get my hands on some.)   But if you are only looking at Unitrack as a permanent part of your visible trackage, I think you're being a little shortsighted, and here's why:
-Functionally, the stuff has no equal.  You hear the words bulletproof, etc...well it's true.   As such, it's almost a no-brainer for staging and/or hidden trackage.  (you can even make a killer helix with the doubletrack viaduct trackage!)  It lets you easily reconfigure or add trackage, too...and if you have to replace a turnout...well you get the picture.
-It's great for track planning.  Setup yards and sidings before setting them in stone, so to speak.  Test for siding/yard capacity, switching problems, or other "you just gotta do it to see" kinda design issues.  Check specific radii for operational issues, or to ensure those autoracks can negotiate the lead track into the unloading facility for example.  Also good for testing uncoupling magnet locations, if you're into that.
-Good for testing detection and signalling as well.  If you've seen the Digitrax setup they have at shows you get the idea.
-It's FUN!  I have a small stash that I can setup just about anywhere and have a functional layout in minutes.  Makes for great "PR" moments.
-Testing.  This should be obvious, but Unitrack is a natural for testing locos, decoder installs, doing burn-ins, etc.  Can use it to test coupler behavoir too although Unitrack may be more or less forgiving depending on the situtation.

So yes, if you don't want it in front of the camera, fine.  But, the stuff has value, even in the "hoity toity" model railroading community.  

[flight2000]

(you can even make a killer helix with the doubletrack viaduct trackage!)  

Doug you're a genius.  I never thought of using the double track for a hidden helix.  Build the helix and glue the track in place.  Perfect radius the whole way around. 

I'll admit that I am actually going to build this layout for my 11 year old.  He wants it, so I'm going to get'er done before I deploy in July.  It'll help him focus (I think) on other things besides me being gone for a year.

Brian

[Sokramiketes]

I don't get all this negativity about the MR project layout. I think it is an great example of an N scale layout. Then you should consider that  it was built by an person without  previous N scale experience (I think), was built on a tight schedule and would not get to keep. I would rank in the top 10 percentile of all N scale layouts.   It shows that building a top layout is an attainable goal. It opened my eyes to the potential of Unitrak. It's a layout that I would have been proud to build.

QFT

I thought that meant "quit f'n talking" but it didn't make sense coming from you, so I had to urban-dictionary it: Quoted For Truth.  I'll second that.

[Sokramiketes]

The other thing I'm learning as I mature in the hobby, is that shiny object syndrome keeps me from having finished layouts.  It's easy to have grand plans for a huge layout, but how much can I actually get done?  One way to approach this is a modular club... if you can get a group of guys together that want to stick to a theme (I think Modutrak is doing this) then you can divide and conquer.  I'm also going to need a lot of help with the N&W Pokie Div home layout as the basement comes together.  But, I'm also really interested in modern day BNSF in Z scale.  I keep dreaming big about a Z scale Scenic Sub/Columbia River Sub modular layout in Z.  But, I really just need to do a hollow core door layout so I have somewhere to run some Z that's not just a loop of MTL track.  Because that I might be able to bite off, but that syndrome will get in the way sooner than later and I'll be off on another tangent. 

Small layouts to test out a theme are cool.  And this MR layout shows that splendidly.   

[Nato]

     No mention of the other fairly large MR N Scale project layout the BN Missippi Division. This was also quite nice and showcased what can be done in N. The Salt Lake Route layout is nice in it's own way. Shows that you can build a managable size layout in N. As for the Unitrack debate, the trend appears to be more and more modelers wanting ready to operate, whether it is pre built buildings, locomotives that are not kits, do not require detailing,cars that are prototype specific, but good to go out of the box, now we even get factory weathering. So it figures there are many modelers out there now who do not want to lay track,and complete pre scenicked layouts I'am sure are coming soon. I that bad? No not if it brings new model railroaders into the hobby and the Unitrack is no worse than the old sectional track that many of us started out with in the 1970's 80's infact having built in ballast improves it. It can be blended into the scenery with ballist .Nate Goodman (Nato). Salt Lake, Utah.

[conrail98]

(you can even make a killer helix with the doubletrack viaduct trackage!)  

What size radius were you thinking or using for this? The largest radius I see is 15" on their non-super-elevated  listing (I don't think you want super-elevated in a helix),

Phil

[UP1996]

I can't wait for the next piece.




Jason

LOL