Jersey City Industrial Railroad Micro-Layout

[avel]

Yeah I read about that,, that sucks. I don't know much about the condition, hopefully your Doctor has given you something to make it easier to cope with but without side effects that are worse .

[wcfn100]

So what's the basic philosophy on tie length? With Nn3 actually being about 41" gauge, do you lengthen the ties 5" or go with scale ties and live with the wide gauge rails (like O scale)?  I suppose this isn't as much of a problem with c25 but c40 is so wide at the base, it really effects how the track looks.

I'll most likely inherit my dad's Nn3 stuff (already started with some Nelson Grey stuff, and an Ophir depot kit) and I may try and do at least a diorama.


Jason

[Ian MacMillan]

I am very interested in seeing where this goes. I have long been a fan of narrow gauge....although I am more partial to Maine/NH 2' gauge.   I'm lucky there's isn't much Nn3 out there or it would be tempting... Bman's O scale on the other hand...

[DKS]

So what's the basic philosophy on tie length? With Nn3 actually being about 41" gauge, do you lengthen the ties 5" or go with scale ties and live with the wide gauge rails (like O scale)?  I suppose this isn't as much of a problem with c25 but c40 is so wide at the base, it really effects how the track looks.

One of the things I like about narrow gauge is that there's less concern to maintain adherence to certain "standards," as lines often defined their own. So, if the ties I cut aren't the "correct" length, I'm not inclined to fret about it. Plus, this is not intended to be an historically accurate representation of anything real; just a bit of fantasy done purely for enjoyment.

I am very interested in seeing where this goes. I have long been a fan of narrow gauge....although I am more partial to Maine/NH 2' gauge.   I'm lucky there's isn't much Nn3 out there or it would be tempting... Bman's O scale on the other hand...

I've wanted to tackle Maine 2-foot as well, and this may be a stepping stone in that direction. As for there not being much available in Nn3, you'd be surprised how much does exist. Of course, very little of it is RTR, but that's also part of the appeal for me, and one of the reasons I pursued Z. Narrow gauge carries a certain charm that standard gauge lacks; this does, however, become a slightly slippery slope, as there's a possibility of going too far and entering the realm of Malcolm Furlow, for instance. I hope to keep that in check.

[wcfn100]

One of the things I like about narrow gauge is that there's less concern to maintain adherence to certain "standards," as lines often defined their own. So, if the ties I cut aren't the "correct" length, I'm not inclined to fret about it. Plus, this is not intended to be an historically accurate representation of anything real; just a bit of fantasy done purely for enjoyment.

Well I don't believe any of that, but point taken.

I definitely look forward to seeing how it turns out.


Jason

[DKS]

Well I don't believe any of that, but point taken.

One of the many things I've learned being a member of a narrow gauge railroad museum is that 3-foot gauge tie lengths vary quite a bit, from 5' 4" to 7' 6", so this does offer some modeling latitude. That, combined with the narrow width of the Code 25 ribbon rail (.015"), sets my mind at ease with respect to laying convincing-looking track.

[Chris333]

Tom Knapp makes a Nn3 shay:

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but it's exxxpen$ive:
https://www.republiclocomotiveworks.com/show_item.php?ID=1263


As for track work. I just printout a Fasttracks template and go off of that 

[DKS]

As for track work. I just printout a Fasttracks template and go off of that

My plan is to build each switch as unique, with geometry designed to suit the locale. Half of the six switches are curved, with oddball radii, and one is a 3-way stub, so I don't think there are any handy templates for me to use. Anyway, tracklaying is something I enjoy quite a lot, and I'm really looking forward to this challenge.

[robert3985]

I've wanted to tackle Maine 2-foot as well, and this may be a stepping stone in that direction. As for there not being much available in Nn3, you'd be surprised how much does exist. Of course, very little of it is RTR, but that's also part of the appeal for me, and one of the reasons I pursued Z. Narrow gauge carries a certain charm that standard gauge lacks; this does, however, become a slightly slippery slope, as there's a possibility of going too far and entering the realm of Malcolm Furlow, for instance. I hope to keep that in check.

Very interesting DKS!  Nn2?  Hahaha...why not Zn3?  If anybody can do it, it'd be you.

I'll be following this thread for sure!

[Chris333]

My plan is to build each switch as unique, with geometry designed to suit the locale. Half of the six switches are curved, with oddball radii, and one is a 3-way stub, so I don't think there are any handy templates for me to use. Anyway, tracklaying is something I enjoy quite a lot, and I'm really looking forward to this challenge.

I was mostly talking about the tie width and spacing. Fasttracks may not be right, but it gives me something to go off of. 

[DKS]

Very interesting DKS!  Nn2?  Hahaha...why not Zn3?  If anybody can do it, it'd be you.

Actually, I've already been down this road. For a time, I'd toyed with the idea of reproducing the Pine Creek Railroad yard area in Z scale, foot for foot. I'd begun by photographing the track with a special camera jig...



I used these images to create templates:



I then handlaid track that was accurate to the tie:



I'd even started work on a Zn3 Shay, beginning with the crankshaft:



Ultimately I dropped the project, as I imagined I might be in my 80s before it was done, given the amount of work involved. And now I wouldn't be able to do some of the work. But I learned an awful lot doing what little I did. Plus, it gave me a glimpse of what Nn2 might be like, since Zn3 is fairly close to that in terms of gauge.

I was mostly talking about the tie width and spacing. Fasttracks may not be right, but it gives me something to go off of.

See above for how I plan to work this out. I already have a reference for a 3-way stub:

[GaryHinshaw]

I'm totally excited to see where you go with this David, but I've been stewing over your plan since you posted it and I have to say that I just don't 'get' it.  If you're trying to pay tribute to the Gorre & Daphetid, I think it's fine, but otherwise the twice-around plan seems at odds with a funky backwoods operation.  For example, I really can't picture how the scene with the branch line cutting between two tunnels is supposed to look, and the main scene in front looks to me a lot more like urban NJ than Appalachia. 

But if a not-quite-Furlow level of fantasy is an important element, then ignore my comment -- it will work fine! 

-gfh

[DKS]

Gary, I'm totally fine with your assessment of the plan. In truth, it was not intended to be a John Allen tribute per se; I simply borrowed his twice-around configuration, as I found it was an effective way of utilizing a compact space. The area where the branch cuts between two tunnels may likely be revised somewhat, but I think with the density of trees I have planned for the scene, it will be hard to tell just what's going on there. As for the "urban NJ" area, I think it will play out differently in execution than it appears "on paper." Who knows, I may be way off base, and it could be a complete flop. But I'll still enjoy building a flop!

[Ian MacMillan]

I've wanted to tackle Maine 2-foot as well, and this may be a stepping stone in that direction. As for there not being much available in Nn3, you'd be surprised how much does exist. Of course, very little of it is RTR, but that's also part of the appeal for me, and one of the reasons I pursued Z. Narrow gauge carries a certain charm that standard gauge lacks; this does, however, become a slightly slippery slope, as there's a possibility of going too far and entering the realm of Malcolm Furlow, for instance. I hope to keep that in check.

Yeah I'd have to do RTR. I see a lot of the stuff out there, and for me its just time right now as a Nn2 Maine layout woud not be my primary layout and mostly a showcase. Knowing tinkering in mini is your thing I know this Nn3 is right up your alley.

Right on with the Malcolm Furlow...his narrow gauge Mexican layout was more "art" then model railroad.

[DKS]

Been tinkering with the plan today, and I've taken the remarks about the branchline to heart. I've also started noodling with scenery ideas. My latest iteration may not be the last, of course...