GNO South Western
The Layout

Hello and thank you for visiting my GNO Nscale layout page. Above is a schematic of the layout as it exists now. This was done on a CAD-type computer program specifically created for drawing track plans. The software title is 3D-PlanIt. It runs on both Windows and Macintosh, but having used it on both platforms, I can say it is more feature rich and less "clunky" when running on Windows.

If you have visited before you may recall that this is the second layout. The first one was a bit more detailed, offering more yard lines and sidings for industry, etc. The problem was my New Dash-9s from Kato could not negotiated the small radius turns the layout required. I suffered constant derailment of both the locos and the cars being pulled. Long-story-short I had to completely, utterly start over from scratch, ripping up all track and roadbed that I had laid over a 6-month period. I wish I still had the blow-by-blow descriptions and pictures.

The layout is 9 feet, 3 inches wide by 4 feet deep, although most of the layout is narrower, as you can see, being only 30 inches deep. The benchwork was all done in 1 x 3s, with the back edge resting on a board that is attached to the wall at the studs. I'll re-document the bench work later. With one end of the layout at the wall of the room sometimes it is a backbreaking task to work on it from just done side, however, everything is easily in reach.

The turn at the West End (as I call it) is 13 inches, smallest I dared make it after the first disaster. The sweeping curve coming right to left from the back wall is a bridge of hand-made construction using wood and foam. Again I lost all pictures document its construction, but there are photos under the Photo link. The line that runs along the back wall is a Reverse Loop. Polarity is automatically switched by my digital equipment. I run DigitalPlus by Lenz. I'llalso re-document that too.

At the West End are 3 curved switched, right in a row. The main one is the most north. The other two are there to allow my second loco to deliver cars while the other Dash-9 makes a loop around the layout. With a digital it's easy to run two locos on one track with not problems at all. If you have not considered it - I totally recommend you check into it.

The East End of the layout is untouched so far except for the laying of the track. The corner where the two walls come together will house a mountain with a tunnel going through. The mountain will be constructed after the background has been installed.

Anyway, this is a quick introduction to the layout out. I will start recreating page that I how will be helpful to you. Again thank you for stopping by, and come back soon.