Newbie Track Layout - N or OO?

[Albion]

Hi all, I'm absolutely brand spanking new to this hobby so please forgive me for the newbie questions.

I have a space allocated by she who must be obeyed in all things (the spare bedroom - dimensions attached).

I am trying to work out the following (assuming the wardrobe doors can be closed most of the time allowing the space to be used) I'm figuring of having a space about 3.0mX2.4m.

Configuration of baseboards: i.e. have them against two walls, three walls or all around leaving the operator in the centre?

What scale given the size allowed? Ideally I would like a loop, mainline through terminus with branchline stations, allowing continuous and terminus running.

My bias is towards OO as this provides more options in DCC, especially with sound decoders etc, however I'm concerned that given the restrictions on Peco 75 curve radius this won't be possible, so I may have to end up with N gauge, which offers fewer options.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Regards

Alan

[mixa]

My aloted space is 12ft x 4ft and i am using oo plenty of room for twin track continuas all track sheets that come with hornby sets are no more than 6x4 regards Paul

[andy757]

I'm about to start my first OO layout. Previously, I created 2 N gauge layouts both located in garden sheds and now both sold.

This OO layout will also be built in a shed, 10ft x 6ft, and be based on 1950's BR steam. The location will be ficticious.

The base board will be effectively split in half with one half being modelled with scenary etc, and the other half just fiddle yards. The operating area will be in the centre of the board. There will one continous running track, bi-directional and will pass through a tunnel at each end of the board into the non scenic area. There will be a passing loop on this section so other trains can run onto the scenic area and goods yards etc.

I created the plan using xTrackCAD but I can't seem to upload the file to show here. I have PDF'd a copy but the file size is too large !!

Happy to email to anyone who might be slightly interested ;)

[hairyhandedfool]

Hi all, I'm absolutely brand spanking new to this hobby so please forgive me for the newbie questions.

I have a space allocated by she who must be obeyed in all things (the spare bedroom - dimensions attached).

I am trying to work out the following (assuming the wardrobe doors can be closed most of the time allowing the space to be used) I'm figuring of having a space about 3.0mX2.4m.

Configuration of baseboards: i.e. have them against two walls, three walls or all around leaving the operator in the centre?

What scale given the size allowed? Ideally I would like a loop, mainline through terminus with branchline stations, allowing continuous and terminus running.

My bias is towards OO as this provides more options in DCC, especially with sound decoders etc, however I'm concerned that given the restrictions on Peco 75 curve radius this won't be possible, so I may have to end up with N gauge, which offers fewer options.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Regards

Alan

Most of your railway plans have to be personal choice, and those choices determine the look, scale and size of the layout.

For example, do you want an end to end layout or a loop layout? Do you want lots of shunting or only a little? Perhaps you don't want any pointwork. Maybe you want as many trains as you can lay your hands on or maybe you want a 'proper model' with some trains running around it. All of these choices will point to a particular scale and design.

Then there is practicality, can you reach all the parts of the layout that you need to? Do you need the layout raised to waist height? Does it have to be packed away occasionally? or after every operating session? Do you need to build all the buildings for your chosen scene or can they be bought from the shop? And what of the stock? What is your Budget? Can you afford what you want/need?

These really are questions only you can answer, but they will help you come to some important decisions about your layout.

There is more available for 'OO' gauge, but so much more space can be made with 'N' gauge. That said 'N' gauge is smaller and more fiddly than 'OO' gauge, and as you point out, more for DCC.

I've had 'OO' gauge layouts for many years, but now my operating space is being eroded as 'storage' becomes an issue, and so I'm switching to 'N' gauge. There were two factors which helped me decide, money and space.

I may not get the 'N' gauge layout of my dreams right away, but with the money I get for my 'OO' gauge stock, I can pay some important bills and still have a respectable layout.

For many years I saw 'N' gauge as more expensive than 'OO' gauge, partly because 'OO' prices have been held back by less detailed models. but now as 'OO' models get more detailed, prices have risen and now 'N' gauge seems that much more affordable.

A Mk3 coach in 'OO' gauge from Hattons is £22, but in 'N' gauge is £17. A BRA wagon in 'OO' is £19, in 'N' gauge it's a pound cheaper. That may not sound much, but when you get to 10 or so coaches and wagons, it soon adds up!

I much prefer mainline running and long trains too, so with space reducing, 'OO' gauge was becoming a 'tail chaser' operation, 'N' gauge relieves that for a while atleast!.

I'm sure it all seems daunting right now, but sit down with a piece of paper and write down what you want and what you need, I'm sure half you decisions will be made for you.