Jim’s N scale steam track plan is another example of how a layout doesn’t have to be complicated.
I know I keep saying it, but it’s also another good example of how having a theme for your model railroad can make all the difference.
Over the years, I’ve noticed the ones with them, always end up looking better than those without.
If you look at Jim’s pics, you’ll see what I mean – he’s based it on the 50s to the 70s, in the Pacific Northwest.
What’s more, if you read Jim’s narrative he touches on a wonderful part of this hobby – the learning curve.
He mentions his rookie mistakes, and what he’d do differently next time. But that’s okay – we all learn by doing. A little planning goes a long way, but until you roll your sleeves up and get stuck in, you won’t ever find out what you’re up against. It can be really frustrating – but bizarrely, that’s the fun too, as you can read in Jim’s narrative.
Each layout has its own unique problems, but when you solve it, that solution will stay with you until the end of your days. So when it crops again, and it will, you’ll be ready.
It may be years before you start another layout – or it may just be weeks – but you will want to do another one… one without the warts and pimples of the previous one.
A good example of this is derailment. Derailments blight us all at first, but with a little understanding, they can soon by ironed out.
There’s no hurry either – this hobby goes at your own pace. Many layouts take years. Here’s an example of O gauge layout that took just – with all the trial and error too.
Anyhow, back to Jim. Love his N scale steam track plan, simple and fun.
Next up, an 8×5 N scale.
Best
Al