Another addiction in hobbies

As stated began to rebuild my N-Gauge railroad that last saw the light of day in 1985. Spent so far over $1000 in three days, just to get started and begin rebuilding layout. All the 'old' trackage needed to be replaced, and to my aggravation the more modern scale rail profile is too small for the older and larger 'pizza cutter' styled wheels of my German N-Gauge engines and rolling stock. Even the German manufacturers have gone to the modern profile. According to several websites my equipment is more 'collector' than operational. And there are no replacement wheels to the size needed available because of the age of the equipment. Problem is only on the turnouts, and anywhere 'frogs' are encountered, large flanged wheel 'skip' and derail.

So here is the 'plan'. Going with the 3 4X8 tables connected in an 'L' with new equipment and the typical 'spaghetti' layout. And will make a separate 4X8 table with just a few loops for the German equipment. Have more than enough cantenary masts to do it as simple loops and maybe a 'station' with set locked turnouts.

The buildings are interchangeable, though German buildings can represent older typical East Coast cities and built up areas, just re-sign them in English (American). So no problem there, the KATO buildings are modular and already set up so a station section already has buildings as well as track, simple and easy for the US setup.

Momma and I agreed the layout will represent a Albany,NY to Lincoln,NE set up, a Northeast layout, going through a 'wall' at the 'L' with a Chicago picture background and then the plains to Lincoln. A coal mine in the NE, and grain tower in the plains. Sphegetti junctions in the NE and plains, D&H/CN freight units in NE, UP/BNSF freight units in plains, with an AMTRAK line between the two 'cities' on double track main lines. Will make the California Zeypher AMTRAK Lincoln/Chicago/Lincoln, and Lake Shore Limited AMTRAK Chicago/Albany/Chicago(all available by KATO)

Learning the DCC power wiring as I go, like the 'computer' aspect of DCC control rather than the old analog block systems.

This looks like a big money as well as time Endeavour, but fun is where you find it. Now how to squirrel away money for stuff so momma don't know, like any other 'addict'

Z scale way too small for me, almost went HO so I could see better what I was doing.

My lady friend's brother is in to trains. He makes his own model track and trains. He was president of train club. We always crack jokes at him.

Already did the math and using track planner software, $2700 in track alone needed. Then a $250 DCC unit and maybe need another, wiring, and then we get into all the new loco's and rolling stock, more buildings etc. I don't think momma really thought this 'get a new hobby' thing all the way through.

So far tables up and covered. I used a 'sand' colored low-pil fleech as cover, good base color and effective sound reduction of track. Momma has been working on repairing current buildings. All will be lighted again, street lights in the cities, all rail signals actually lighted per turnout indication as well as active 'blocks'.

Background scenery will be ordered, still have massive amounts of tree and bushes, so no real issue there.

Figuring $5000 and over a year before I am done.

There will be 10 units running, the two AMTRAK's, and the reamining main line freights and then the 'switchers'.

You get them in full sets with KATO
http://www.katousa.com/N/AmView/index.html
http://www.katousa.com/N/SS-Intercity/index.html


Edited by oldsoldier - 14 January 2013 at 10:02am

Some early design pics already in my start thread