Model Railroading > Prototype for Point-to-Point layout in New Mexico

I have a space that is 91" X 30" that will house my first layout in the new, downsized garden home. I'd like to create a modern, N-Scale point-to-point switching layout to allow for lots of operation. Plan to build it to be DCC only, and include sound and a fair amount of animation/lighting. Want the layout to look good in both daylight and after-dark modes. My favorite place on earth is the state of New Mexico, so I'm interested in modeling that region of the country.

If possible, I'd like to freelance the layout, but using an actual prototype as a strong-guide. While I hope to get back to the Land of Enchantment in 2015, I'd really welcome suggestions and photos of areas that might work for my needs. Any railfans out in NM who have a favorite spot that they think might work?

Perfect spot would have 2-3 industries served, and a lot of switching in a small area of the prototype. Desert landscape, without a lot of residential areas nearby.

Any help appreciated.

the Santa Fe Southern from Lamy to Santa Fe had a few industries and ambled to their interchange.

Apache Ry. further west

Plenty of small lumber / mineral shortlines too, look up the "cloud climbing" route.

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N1LF Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Perfect spot would have 2-3 industries served, and
> a lot of switching in a small area of the
> prototype. Desert landscape, without a lot of
> residential areas nearby.
>
> Any help appreciated.

Perhaps something like Hurley, NM on the Southwestern Railroad (formerly AT&SF):

http://www.trainweb.org/southwestshorts/swrr.html

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hurley,+NM+88043/@32.7000822,-108.1295165,989m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x86d8cc2325e451c3:0xc20dc535cfe0b033

These are both interesting suggestions. Terrain and industry wise, they're both spot on. One missing component is my desire to base my layout on a modern, class 1 operation. Otherwise, I fear I'll have a hard time finding DCC capable locos and rolling stock with sufficient variation to produce a realistic operation.

But it's possible that I'm not aware of all the offerings out there now in N Scale.

In a perfect world, I'll run locos with DCC and sound. To accomplish that right now, I think I'd need to stick to Class 1 operations such as BNSF, Union Pacific, etc, correct?

Just about any Kato locomotive can be fitted with a simple decoder in about five minuets each, sound on the other hand will take some time to install. Things like a RS-3 you will probably have to carve out some space in the fuel tank for the speaker. Bachmann is coming out with an SD-45 with their sound value in it and while I have not heard the N-scale version of "Sound Value" I have heard the HO version and I am quite satisfied with the sound quality of the locomotives. Some of the HO engines could use some added detail but for the price I think that they are very good values. Understand that the "Sound Value" decoders don't have the choices that a more expensive decoder would have they do have the basics, chuff / diesel sound, bell, horn / whistle and air compressor.

Time period is really up to you and how much you want or need sound. I personally have reexamined the whole sound thing and came to the conclusion that for one or two locomotives it is OK after that in IMHO it is just noise. I had about 20 locomotives with sound and they soon over powered the whole layout. I personally would rather have nice quite locomotives with a good stereo going with my choice of good music in the back ground than locomotives bell ringing, whistle blowing chugging /huffing and hissing.

Andre

If you haven't seen it, I'd suggest that the almost perfect layout to fit your description (N-scale, point to point, 2-3 industries served, and a lot of switching in a small area, Desert landscape, without a lot of residential areas nearby, but possibly a little long at 118") is called "Industry Avenue" - threads here http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/13976 and here http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/15708. The layout is being built in Germany and the original site, in German and English is at http://industry-ave.de/index.php/Konzeption:Konzeption with links to further pages about it, including this about the modules http://industry-ave.de/index.php/Module:Module



Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 10/17/14 07:00 by shortliner.

I had not seen the thread on "Industry Avenue". It's nearly perfect--exactly what I'd like to model myself. Desert landscape, minimal but highly detailed scenery, and some good switching action. Thank you for passing this along.

Has anyone seen similar track plans that I should consider?

No problem at all - glad to be able to point you towards something useful