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Here's my challenge: I have a utility room where I can use about 5 feet deep to the back wall by about 8 feet wide. The width will go from another wall to a door opening, so I can't change that. Depth can be shallower and possibly an inch or two larger if it becomes a problem. The layout will...

I realize this could go in multiple places (modular forum, scenery, here) but decided the N scale guys would be most interested in it. If someone feels it should be moved I won't be offended. ;) I was 'assigned' the task of creating a 2' module for our club to fit a space we wound up with...

I'm reading a terrific book of employee stories from working on the railroad during the transition era. A lot of the brakemen and firemen talk about setting 'retainers' on the train while in motion. I'm guessing this has something to do with brakes, but I'm not at all clear on what exactly it is...

I know. LL is not the favorite brand, but it's what I have... :p I've painted and detailed some F7A's and they look really nice. But, the one thing that is driving me nuts is the headlamp. It's just a big hole, with no lens. The bulb sits way back inside the cab and is too large to fit into...

I'm trying to put together a 3 loco set to pull a longer train comprised of Life-Like N scale F7's. In running the pair together last night and having some coupler issues, the two became separated. It is plain that one is much faster at the same throttle setting than the other. Is there any way...

This is on my N-Trak module. I'm constructing a scene of a metal fabrication facility. This is the superstructure for the overhead crane, just mocked up. I'd like to use the plastic base plates for it to keep the structure unitized, as this bit is rather flimsy and I'll probably remove it for...

I'm getting to the point with my module where it's soon time to place structures. Since the module will be transported on a regular basis, I thought it would be best to attach them in a permanent fashion instead of carting multiple boxes of things around and having to place them every time I set...

I'm modelling the Western Maryland, which like many roads in the 1950s used EMD F units. F7A's specifically. A few manufacturers have or do make F7s but I'm interested in the opinions of some who have them on here. What runs well, looks the best and so on. I will need B units also, and I think...

Quite by accident, I stumbled on a few local guys trying to get an N-trak club going. I'd actually considered doing a module when I first returned to the hobby last year but there weren't any clubs in the area. Anyhow, they have elected to stick with a simple 3 track system, no mountain division...

I started playing around with staining my rocks and general scenery today. It takes a little getting used to, but I'm getting the colors I want. It raises a few questions though for those who have used the concentrated stains (I forget what the kit is called). 1) Do you use it over all the...

Having jumped over the hurdle that was my fear of beginning my scenery, I'm now headlong into cuts and valleys on my door based N layout. :) Since the quantities needed are small, I've gone with the WS plaster cloth, which is great stuff. Easy and fun to use. However--:( Probably thanks to...

(Mods, please move the thread if I've posted under the wrong category.) After several rather frustrating weeks modifying the trackplan and getting nothing settled, I decided to take a break and build DPM's Apothecary building that I received as a gift. Since scenery and structures are 'my...

I remember reading a tutorial thread (I think it was on here) about how to use paper towels and Hydrocal for scenery. I can't seem to find it now. :rolleyes: Looking through the Walthers catalog last night for something else, I see WS offers a pre-made cloth you just soak in water and drape over...

I've been buying most of my N scale rolling stock via eBay simply due to cost. As a beginner, I needed to get trains up and running quickly. Much like a protottype railroad just starting out, I bought a lot of used and obsolete stuff. ;) Anyway, I have a selection of Atlas, Minitrix, and other...

I've lived in my present home for about 5 years. My neighbors to the south side were here before me, and through conversation long ago found out homeowner Randy was a train guy. When his wife asked us to keep their dog for a weekend so they could spend the time at Horsehoe Curve I should've...

I've been slowly collecting the pieces to start an N gauge layout, having abandoned model RRing in HO years ago. Yesterday, my Tec II from Ebay showed up, and a mad dash was made to the local train shop for terminal connectors. I have 2 Lifelike BL-2's that also came from Ebay (new) and one...

I'm pumping the board for it's input as I plan my layout. I'd rather make decisions now than after track is laid. :) This will be in N scale. I'm looking at doing something no larger than a typical hollow core door size. I found this site: Mike's Small Trackplans It has a lot of good ideas...

I'm just purchasing track, and in the planning stages of my first N layout. Before I buy any rolling stock or locos, I want to select what era, locale and road name to model. I've sort of been using Ebay to gauge (no pun intended) what is available, and wanted to run some thoughts by the...