Customer Reviews

N Scale Model Railroad Track Plans

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3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(3)

 

 

This book is seriuosly flawed; for it gives the reader none of the planning details necessary to build, operate or maintain an N scale model railroad. (Even the ones in the book !!) What are the realistic curves for 60' box cars, a 4-6-6-4, or dome streamliner cars? Where are the power feeds, realistic block divisions, or decouplers? What are the switch dimensions, what is a "no. 4 turnout", what' a no. 6, what's the spacing for a ladder?? Three or four pages of technical data would have made this a useful publication for plans. Model Railroader, which usually produces good to excellent books, did a very poor job with this one. If your a beginner in the hobby, you will get better information from two or three issues of Model Railroader, itself.

I was very disappointed in this publication. I expected some workable plans for a small space (4x8). That is why I chose N scale. Most of the plans are for very unrealistic layouts on much larger tables.

Although I am not as critical as the previous reviewers, I do agree that this book could use additional information. I would suggest that potential buyers read the editorial review VERY carefully. If it doesn't say that something is in the book, don't assume that it is there. The only part of the ed. review that I disagree with is the first sentence. The review also states that it is for intermediate modelers so I would suggest beginners look to other books for the information they seek.

There are some interesting layouts to help you with your design ideas but don't expect complete plans (wiring information, complete track section requirements for each and every plan). This is a book about track plans (59 to be exact) and only track plans and those plans are lacking! However, I found that I enjoy looking at the plans and incorporating some of these layout ideas into my other ideas. There are some very intersting layout ideas in this book. Now it is up to me to figure out exactly how to make them work.

This book never claims to provide information about realistic curves for 60' boxcar, switch dimensions or ladder spacing. Again, only expect what is in the ed. review. I somewhat recommend this book but only if you are looking for more track layout ideas. If it had more information about each plan, then it would be a much better book.

Of the 59"layout plans".only 3 or 4 plans have engine escapes in yards or at least a near-by engine-train runaround.The rest of the "layouts" are only good for people who enjoy running their trains BACKWARDS for,as much as 90%,of the layout,to move a boxcar to a siding!!AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!