Somewhere North Jersey

[dem34]

So after many, many non starter layouts I actually have attempted to buckle down and make one start to finish. The layout is basically going to be an attempt to make 2 "Vertical slices" of scenery for me to run my East Coast trains through while looking natural and not too much like a 2x4 board shoved in a corner. The end result is kinda model railroadified to keep things vaguely interesting while also accommodating what I own.





Around here was where my departure from my track planning software occured, one of the points of this layout is to use as much stuff I have laying around as possible and over a year and a half of getting into N scale I did a lot of experimenting. I eliminated some of the switching and made the inner loop make its turn earlier to save some track and avoid the layout being just a race track. Also made use of a small truss bridge I owned.



And here it is after the mains where complete. Layout has an overkill amount of wiring to it in the event I want to automate it in the future. And also the beginning of my "test spur" to practice rail detailing before ruining the rest of the layout.

[Chris333]

You have impeccable taste when it comes to boxcars 

[wm3798]

I'll be watching this with interest.  It's a little smaller than the space in working in, but the scope is about the Same...
Lee

[dem34]

Going to try to keep any posts from now weekly, or at least if there's anything big.

Lost this pic from last nights post, here's the layout with the sidings wired up. Little difference here is that the sidings are ME code 55 while every other part of the layout is Atlas code 55, not deliberate its just that the Atlas happens to be sold at my local Hobbytown and only one vendor at Edison's Greenberg show was selling code 55 track. Also of note, the crossover in the Urban section of the layout was eliminated so I wouldn't be forced to use under table switch machines or have an awkward ground throw and wire assembly 50 scale feet from the turnout. Secondary note, I may have directly copied Lee's design for PRR Catenary which is off in a corner.





Here is the process towards experimenting with the Rural siding. First in its "Raw" form with a simple ballast screening bumper.


Followed by just painting the rail a diluted Hull Red color.


And then going nuts with Monroe powders



End result was a bit heavier than I wanted and I doubt the other parts of the layout will get the same treatment but it at least complements these boxcars I picked up last week. Probably going to put down some weeds when the time comes to do the rest of the scenery.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

You are really onto something with that siding.

Here's my next recommendation. Leave no surface flat! Add some undulation everywhere. Gentle, but still there. The only flat spots in the world are man made (ok, I know that's not 100% but enough for us).

[dem34]

You are really onto something with that siding.

Here's my next recommendation. Leave no surface flat! Add some undulation everywhere. Gentle, but still there. The only flat spots in the world are man made (ok, I know that's not 100% but enough for us).

Oh definitely, anyplace that isn't going to get a road or a lot is getting a bit of sculptamold, still need to plan that out. Lot of it comes down to how the scenery divider pans out.

[Hawghead]

Al,

The spur looks good.  When you get some ground cover, bushes and weeds on the spur it will tone down the darkness.

Scott

[CRL]

Oh definitely, anyplace that isn't going to get a road or a lot is getting a bit of sculptamold, still need to plan that out. Lot of it comes down to how the scenery divider pans out.

Don’t forget that scenery goes down as well as up. You’re modeling on foam, so carve away to add drainage features.

[EmdFan]

Great little layout! As others have said that siding looks great. I'll be keeping an eye on your progress, I'm building something of a similar scope (27"x54"), and being a North Jersey resident for life (well, so far anyway) I am anxious to see where you go with this.

[wm3798]

The credit for the cat poles goes to @Lemosteam who did them in brass... I just copied his in styrene, and don't forget the most important bit, put magnets on the bases painted to look like concrete footings, then stick a couple of roofing nails into the foam to catch the magnets.  That way you can snatch the cats off when you're cleaning track... or running CNJ equipment!

Lee

[Point353]

The credit for the cat poles goes to @Lemosteam who did them in brass... I just copied his in styrene, and don't forget the most important bit, put magnets on the bases painted to look like concrete footings, then stick a couple of roofing nails into the foam to catch the magnets.  That way you can snatch the cats off when you're cleaning track... or running CNJ equipment!

Or, pretend that it's on the New York & Long Branch in either Perth Amboy or South Amboy NJ.

[dem34]

Or, pretend that it's on the New York & Long Branch in either Perth Amboy or South Amboy NJ.

Thats the forever layout.

Actually gonna see about varying things up with the overheads to make the two areas more distinct from one another.

Completely unrelated I was spurred to do research on the topic of Catenary types a couple minutes ago and and now thoroughly amused by the news that NJ transit's big investment for the 2020s is jury rigging Pantographs and traction motors to their Bi-Levels and using the cab cars as EMUs.

[dem34]

Alrighty, next update.
Little bit of planning, gonna try to put some kind of elevated highway as the "Disappearing point" for this end of this side of the layout. Maybe get some big road signs at the center point to give a better read on the layouts location.


Getting the filler ties glued in while also checking the trackwork on this end is bullet proof before ballasting. Also went ahead and soldered all joints on this half.



Before



And somewhat after. Didn't intend for this to be an all day thing...



Now with weathering. A LOT closer to what I had intended with the siding. 





Closer comparison

[wm3798]

Now you're having fun!  I like the weathered ballast.  Are you using washes or overspraying something?
Lee

[dem34]

Now you're having fun!  I like the weathered ballast.  Are you using washes or overspraying something?
Lee

Monroe powders HEAVILY diluted in rubbing Alcohol seems to work the best, the siding was done with water. Only issue is that it does temporarily weaken the glue that holds the ballast together and you need to make sure not to disturb it too much for a few minutes. I had to re ballast a few spots.