Comments on: Post-War To Pre-1960 Layout Question https://blog.model-train-help.com/2007/01/post-war-to-pre-1960-layout-question.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=post-war-to-pre-1960-layout-question Model railroads and model trains Mon, 26 Nov 2012 23:52:04 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Broadway Phil https://blog.model-train-help.com/2007/01/post-war-to-pre-1960-layout-question.html#comment-22 Sat, 20 Jan 2007 06:53:00 +0000 http://68.171.208.138/~blogmode/2007/01/post-war-to-pre-1960-layout-question.html#comment-22 You could halve an HO layout to get an approximation of N dimensions, but you will have to watch out for minimum radius, because N is not 50 percent of HO but 54.4 percent. Believe me, it makes a difference! If the HO layout has an 18-inch minimum radius, the corresponding value in N is not 9 inches but 9.75 inches. If you happen to be running small engines and 40-50 foot cars, you can accept the tighter curves.

A better rule of thumb would be to take 75 percent of the HO dimensions: a 4 x 8 foot layout thus becomes 3 x 6 feet. You get broader curves, and once you have adjusted the track spacing you may have room for a slightly bigger yard or more industry sidings, or you can go with the higher scenery-to-track ratio.

In any event, a published track plan or project railroad should be a guideline. You don’t have to do things exactly that way.

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