r/nscalemodeltrains

Everything is under construction, the lot, the 33 story building, the streets, the L, and this- a self raising 350' luffing crane with jib. Don't look too closely, 'cuz the whole thing is half a bubble off (which is the nickname of my railroad). Also seen is the manlift in orange, in honor of a good O.E. and terrific friend for one job we worked in West Hollywood in the 80's.

For those that know, I was not kind to the operator of the crane...anyone see rest landings on the way up to the cab?

So this still has much to be finished, but it is one of those things that just don't get modeled. It's kit bashed, scratch and scrounged, and what ever I could find that looked like it'll do. Magnets inserted at top of tower mast and bottom of cab deck, so it does pivot, and hopefully won't break when I inevitably ram an arm into it.

A 2’ x 5’ expandable layout in the works. I wanted a layoff that gave me most track and complexity for the space. I was told 6” radius is for trams only (which it does run well) but runs my CB&Q F3A, C12, NW2, and C56 really well. I may pull the trigger on an older C50, which I imagine it’ll run as well. Longer passenger rolling stock don’t works, but most freight, hoppers, box cars, etc. work just fine. The grade is too intense so the whole layout is also on foam on the left as a counter grade.

The bottom track is removable as well for expandability in the future for larger radius bi direction oval track layout, probably for larger diesels. It’ll use a couple turnouts there in the future.

It’s not perfect, but good enough for me. I hope it gives inspiration to small space layout builders that don’t just want to run trams. It’s also really fun because obvious the grades don’t allow for super long trains, so finding the limit is fun.

Trial and error pays off! I put down foam and tried to texture it, but I didn't like it. So I tried to find a nice n-scale textured wall, and couldn't fine one i liked. So a google, YouTube, reddit crawl later, I attempted to make a "crustard" wall by pouring it onto aluminum foil. I think the texture looks great, but the modpode did not want to let go of the aluminum.

Slow and steady we go...

I have a 4ft x 7ft or 1219mm x 2134mm japanese passenger style layout that I have worked on for a few months now, and I am just looking for advice on any last changes to make to the track before I start working on scenery and structures. My plan is to have the front half be suburban/urban and the back half be rural.

One area that has me stuck is what to do with the front straight with the double crossover and crossing. Should I leave it as is or am I missing some potential in this open area?

Any help/advice is appreciated!

what is my plan: this is my first model railway build. I usually only build static models.

I Want to build a mountain scene with 2 levels. see my image. the outer 2 rails are the visible ones and the inner one is the not visible one. I was thinking to leave the middle hollow for access. my question is: will this work?(the middle numbers are not completely correct because scarm didnt let me reconnect the rails) I will use a N scale kato track. the layout is 1 meter by 1 meter. and if this works what kind of loco's would you recommand. I like german and british steam engines.

Runs a teeny bit slower compared to my other KATO Units, but is really nice

First purchase of what I’m sure will be many

Kato UP844 & water tenders in the picture with UP1982 providing dynamic braking at the rear.

Bought a Graham Farish GWR 5700 from vinted and she's rough. I have never diagnosed an issue with a model train so putting the feelers out to what people think the issue is here.

Current symptoms/chracteristics:

- Needs a push to get going

- Once going seems wobbly

- Loud

- Had the bottom plate off and everything is generally. clean

- No oxidisation on contacts, all look good (to me)

- no crawl speed, tension, binding?

- motor seems good, wants to go

I am pointing towards worn gears but honestly not sure.

Anything would be helpful!

Life has been demanding my attention in other areas. And somehow, the task of making hundreds of N scale grapevines hasn't been particularly appealing as a means to wind down in the odd hour here and there. But, there is progress. About 25% done I guess. Hang tight!

Arrived today, really hard to believe how small it is. The massive Arnold couplers will be swapped out for Kato's.

The Smoky Bear Fire Prevention Train just came rolling into town.