i have a ho layout and i wanted to change it to n scale its 5'6"x10'9" so i was wondering what it would be in n thanks.
ho to n layout
- Thread starter railroader9731
- Start date
I usually work on 5/8 the HO size _ I know that N is effectively half of HO, but turnouts don't scale out at half size. So it comes out at approx 3'5"x6'8"
Shortliner(Jack)away up here in the Highlands
Shortliner(Jack)away up here in the Highlands
shortliner said:
You got it backwards Jack. He is going from ho to n so his effective size would be larger. If the size was doubled it would scale out to 11' x 21'6". Since it isn't quite double, I'm estimating off the top of my head that a layout drawn for ho to fit 9' x 18' would probably fit nicely. An ho design in the 10' x 20' range might be condensed to fit if it wasn't too close to a "spaghetti bowl". I think the first question to ask is what sort of equipment /era do you want to model, and consequently what is you minimum radius for mainlines and branches/yards? Once you estblish a minimum radius, you get a better idea how much railroad you can model. Is this an island style benchwork or around the walls. If it is an island style, is it in a room. A 5'6" x 10'9" layout would pretty much fill an 11' x 14' room. You could get a lot more railroad in the room by going around the walls on a shelf in the same area.
Ah, sorry - I thought he wanted to know what size that layout would fit into if it was done in N - apologies
Shortliner(Jack)away up here in the Highlands
Shortliner(Jack)away up here in the Highlands
Jack, on rereading his post, I'm not sure which one of us is correct. He may be wanting to change his ho layout to n scale and cut the size of his bench work down. We have given him both answers. so I guess we wait for him to jump back in and advise us what he wants to do.
i think shortliner is right the layout is drawn in ho scale and i wanted to convert it to n scale.
Okay - that is the size it will come out at - without seeing the trackplan I can't tell if it can be shrunk by another couple of inches each way - but try to keep the track a couple of inches at least from any edges, stops derailed cars/locos doing "Gravity switching" and you swearing, if you have a derailment
Shortliner(Jack)away up here in the Highlands
Shortliner(Jack)away up here in the Highlands
Now that we see the plan, there are some interesting considerations.
You won't be able to get inside the layout in N gauge; the aisles will be too narrow.
As an approx. 4x7 layout, you'll be viewing from the outside, and all the scenery will need re-jigging.
How much space can you swing? Keep the inside aisle as it is, but narrow the shelf width. Then you lengthen the runs and the sidings a bit.
(None of these comments apply if you're an anorexic supermodel.)
You won't be able to get inside the layout in N gauge; the aisles will be too narrow.
As an approx. 4x7 layout, you'll be viewing from the outside, and all the scenery will need re-jigging.
How much space can you swing? Keep the inside aisle as it is, but narrow the shelf width. Then you lengthen the runs and the sidings a bit.
(None of these comments apply if you're an anorexic supermodel.)
60103 said:
If you have extra space that you could move the layout into for emergency rerailing, you could build it on a single table 3'5" x 6' 8", and put it on rollers that would allow you to roll it out for access to the back if needed.
I'd be inclined to go the solid-top route with a divider down the middle, with a building disguising each end. With a max reach of 24", assuming you go for Russ's 4x7 suggestion, there is no problem. with working on it. You may also be able to add a couple more industrial sidings running into narrow alleys against tne backscene, increasing switching possibilities. It might even be possible to have the top end at a higher level and take a hidden track off the right-hand side, and feed around underneath to the left hand side, to give you continuous running when you wanted it
Shortliner(Jack)away up here in the Highlands
Shortliner(Jack)away up here in the Highlands
railroader9731 said:
Let's see where is my Scale Calculator?
5'6" = 66" which equals 479' HO, say 480' for ease. 480' in N takes up 36" in the real world.
10'9" = 129" which equals 936' HO, 936' in N takes up 70" in the real world.
So the new table would be 36" x 70"