How to - Origami

So you’re into the little tikes, huh?  Well, I can’t say I blame you.  There is nothing so neat as little tiny trains.  These tiny beauties really can make for a captivating model training experience.  Another great thing about these little locomotives is that they are so tiny you can practically fit them anywhere.  Let’s think a little bit about how we could use them in different spaces:

The smallest N scale dimensions:

It doesn’t get any smaller than this. See that little corner over there where you have that ficus, that’s enough space for it.  If we do this layout though, we are really limited to just having the trains go around in a donut.  We could maybe do a figure 8 or have two concentric circles, but that’s about it.

Pre-fab n scale scenic highlights:

N-scale is so small it is hard to work with. Craftwork is not really feasible for these little guys but don’t worry, several companies offer lines of pre-fab accessories.  A good way of adding interest to your n-model railroad layout is to hand over your hard earned money for some of these and add them to your layout. Atlas is a good first step for these highlights.

Square setup:

If you can get just a small amount of extra space then you can make things a lot more complex.  I’ve seen some pretty complex designs for a space of this size and larger.  You will need a dedicated train table to do this, but if you place a lake at the middle of your track you can have the trains circling it and crossing over its tributary at the edges. It’s a lot more interesting than just a figure 8.  I wouldn’t recommend trying it in a space any smaller than this however.  The attempts I’ve seen to do this just don’t really succeed.

Add systematically to your track area:

Begin with a initial loop and connect, connect, connect.  You could set the ball rolling with a simple 2’ x 4’ table and then add to it so that it is a 2’ by 8’ long island type layout and then turn it into an “L” shape, etc., etc..  You might extend a tributary so that it is in the middle and then have your track criss-cross it as it moves down the table.  This is also a perfect way of adding variations to your landscape as you go.  Little farmhouses or perhaps a chapel by the side of a hill can really make for a varied and captivating scenic experience.

N scale gives you the most choices for the least amount of space. Challenge yourself to let your determination overcome the spatial limitations of your space.  If you find a particular landscape fascinating, realize it. The imaginative process is its own reward.

Here is more information on N Scale Model Trains. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Model Trains.

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