Time Saver layout

[inobu]

I needed experience in getting a better eye for N Scale sizing. I mainly need to teach my eye and mind to sync itself to N-Scale. Seeing the CAD drawing and knowing how big it will look in real life is difficult. It takes time and repetition to acquire understanding. Kinda like we know what and how to reference inches but cannot readily associate mm and cm because we don't acclimate to the metric system enough. I built this in metric but based on inches if that makes sense.

So I started a Time Saver module based on the N-Trak concept.

I had a few problems but worked them out.

Here is the frame in its CAD form



It was a big ole production to get to this point and that story is written in the scenery section under

 

Pink Foam.
 

The theme (Disturbman called me out   ) is a sneaky way of not connection a main line to the layout. The concept is making it into a training facility  TSA (Time Saver Academy) with training building and TS yard on the layout.

I'm finishing up the turf laying and may add a few trees and other devices. The signs are next in line.

There is a main business sign and then the signs that categorizes the cars for the game.

Inobu

Something I forgot to add. If you have an airbrush setup then I would suggest getting a Touch Up brush.



Luckily I had a Badger 400. You can get them from Harbor freight for $15 to $40 dollars.
The air brush is for small things or highlights. When trying to use the airbrush to spray large terrain patterns the spray fan is too small and gives a streaky look. The touch up brush will give you a 5 to 7 inch fan which  represents 30 yards or so. This will yield a good color transition band. In essence you can paint 100 yards of terrain in three passes and gives a smoother terrain transition. I just got to figure out how to lay the turf in the same uniform manner. Another point it saves on material. Paint coverage is about half compared to a regular brush. 

I used the air brush to spray the ground cement. You can control the fan and amount of fluid. That bottle sprayed and dripped too much. Controlling the PSI and spray amount allows for more control. You have to watch the clogging. I had a bottle of water near by and just cycled the water through it when I heard the brush clogging up.

Edited May 31, 2017 by inobu

[Martijn Meerts]

Ah, time saver... No wonder the track plan looked so familiar 

[westfalen]

I like the idea of making a time saver a railway training facility, I'd never thought of that. It's the perfect prototype for such a thing because a real railway would have to be desperate to use a time saver track arrangement in a real situation.

[inobu]

I like the idea of making a time saver a railway training facility, I'd never thought of that. It's the perfect prototype for such a thing because a real railway would have to be desperate to use a time saver track arrangement in a real situation.

 

the only thing I could come up with.........lol

[inobu]

Well, I got caught up in a game/adjusting session and it was pretty challenging. I had to extend the track a few mm to accommodate the un-couplers and finish up the power feeders. In this version I used 40' and 50' cars with the 3-3-2-2-2 operation. I took me a few hours to do. I locked myself in a few times. It's actually really entertaining if you like operations and things.


 

 

 

I'm going to add a few more devices and the sign. I think I'm going to add a small free standing wall sign in front of the building.

The connections a little more versatile to hook up DC and DCC.

Next is the JR version and then I can play with the portal sizing.

Inobu

Edited May 31, 2017 by inobu

[KenS]

That's really nice scenery.  I like how the grass color and density varies.  Very realistic.

[nightshade]

nice module....