To enjoy running trains on a multivariant schedules in layout which looks as real as possible

I decided to make a N scale layout for which I have an L -shaped area with a width of 1 meter and a length of 3.7m and 3.6m measuring on the long sides. Below I attach the first versions of the plan of tracks and stations/stops with a request to honorable colleagues for favorable (which of course does not exclude criticism) reviewing this plan and commenting. As I said in the description, my objective is to enjoy running trains on a multivariant schedules in layout which looks as real as possible. Comcode conformance error (A tag, media_set, was not closed) at line 1

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Welcome, Mario

The layout will certainly give you a lot of scope for running trains. It looks good, but I am not an N-scale expert. I will let more experience modellers do the comments.

  Mario and Welcome.

Sorry for my late reply but I've been on holiday.

You seem to have a lot of track  in the plan, are these mainly passenger trains or freight? UK outline or something else?

Certainly looks to be interesting running.


Ed

Hi Ed,

I hope you had good holidays. I plan to run mainly passenger trains and occasionally small cargo, German DB, IV epoke.

Best,

Mario

That’s an impresssive track plan! I don’t have experience either with N or something that big. 
One thought though, can you reach that siding in the corner of the L?

D_Will said

That’s an impresssive track plan! I don’t have experience either with N or something that big. 
One thought though, can you reach that siding in the corner of the L?

From “Post #292,518”, 21st September 2025, 5:57 am

Good point, Darius. What or who is the siding serving?

Mario PL said

Hi Ed,

I hope you had good holidays. I plan to run mainly passenger trains and occasionally small cargo, German DB, IV epoke.

Best,

Mario

From “Post #292,516”, 20th September 2025, 4:42 pm

Yes thanks Mario.

The guys have made a good point about the siding.

What track system are you using?

Ed

Ed,

Access to the most distant points is an issue indeed. I work to solve it. I use Z21, AnyRail for planing, iTrain for running.
Does anyone know a way how to transfer AnyRail plan into iTrain file?

Best

Mario

My first thought was those curves are tight on a 1 metre wide board but then realised you are modelling in "N" Gauge.

Is this UK "N" Gauge or continental (I see you're planning Deutsche Bahn livery so presumably continental N) - rather stupidly, there is a difference !?

It looks very complex but the computer will handle it !!  I have minimal experience with AnyRail but absolutely none with any of the computer running systems …………………

Don't think anyone on here is using iTrain, Mario, there were a few using TrainController.

What make of track and rolling stock do you have.

 

Petermac said

Is this UK "N" Gauge or continental (I see you're planning Deutsche Bahn livery so presumably continental N) - rather stupidly, there is a difference !?

From “Post #292,529”, 21st September 2025, 1:06 pm

Petermac,

I have chosen DB because there is plenty of rolling stock (I prefer Fleischmann) but I use rails Peco 55 code, so you can say I am in between, sticking with 1:160 ratio.

Ed said

Don't think anyone on here is using iTrain, Mario, there were a few using TrainController.

What make of track and rolling stock do you have.

From “Post #292,532”, 21st September 2025, 1:15 pm

Ed,

I used TrainController and still have licence but it is awful when comes to automatic runs and schedules - it is very hard to make sure that trains stop in required place and the following run is distorted. This is because each locomotive has different speed curve and this does not seem to be taken into account by the TrainControler. In iTrain you normally calibrate each locomotive and that works good.

When comes to rolling stock I prefer Fleischmann but all other manufactures are OK when they do quality products from IVth epoch.

Mario

Hi Mario,

How is the layout going? What is the latest progress?

Cheers,
Claus

After some reflection I have decided to change the planes. I have simplified the plans and change shape to have better access to all places in the layout.  This is how it looks now:
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Are there enough sidings to store locomotives, carriages and wagons?

Hi Mario,

How are you going with your layout?

Hi Clauss,

Thank you for your interest. You are one of the few . The concept is evolving. Please see the attached plannes and am I sorry that the text is in Polish but you can easly figure out that above the station is citi area to be planned, the green are forsts, and yellow are timber and storage. In the top right corner you can see a train small stop  to serve a lumberjack habitat and a forester's lodge. When comes to sidings, I have too many wagons, caariages and locos to accomodate them all on the layout, so I had to relax this objective.

There are still some issues to be solved such as, for example, holding tracks for a sawmill and a wood warehouse but I slowly begin constuction of the layout.

I would appreciate your comments as I want to get max pleasure from making and using this layout.

Take care!

Mario


 

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Hi Mario,

The layout looks great with a lot of different routes for the trains to take. I am sure you are on the right track 😉