Base Board

Hard Rubbish collection provided most of the timber for the baseboard.

The large pieces of timber seemed to be an old bookcase. There was a few meters of cross beams. And the purchase of 3mm MDF as the surface. On top of the surface is 25mm polystyrene.

Thus for budgetary reasons, the base board has been great. I choose polystyrene for budgetary reasons too. If I had more money, I would have purchased 'expanded' polystyrene. Thus, the 'budget' polystyrene is meant to be more difficult to work with, and is meant to bead more easily. Time will tell if this decision causes me grief.

Initially, the legs for the board was going to be an old Trestle Table. Originally, I only had 2 cross beams. However, when I placed the frame on the Trestle Table, the frame wasn't as stable as I wanted. So I added 2 more cross beams.

The idea was that the top of the polystyrene sheet is at the same level as the top of the edge boards. I then glued polystyrene to the top of the 3mm MDF. I used normal construction adhesive. I have since learned to read the labels on the side of the adhesive. I now know that not all construction adhesives bond with polystyrene. I now use a 'fast bond' construction adhesive, because the label states that it will bond polystyrene - this brand has a 'normal' construction adhesive, but this does not bond polystyrene.

Just to placate other members of the household, I painted the polystyrene immediately. First I had to choose a colour. So out comes the old sample pots to test some colours.

Decisions

To start with I need to set some parameters......

• Here they are:-
• Peco Flex Track and Points - Significantly cheaper than set track, especially the track with road-base.
• Metcalfe buildings - the era is correct for what I want, and they are cheaper than plastic.
• Able to upgrade to DCC
• Underlay - Aussie made Trackrite, picked up 10m at the Caulfield Train Show.
• Ballast - probably not going to have ballast.
• Tunnels - Peco single and double tunnel entrances.
• Bridges - decisions a bit later, once I have laid out a bit of track.
• Landscaping - foam 25mm thick, so two sheets thickness is the correct distance between two levels of n-gauge.
• Layout Size - approximately 2400 *1200
• Radii
• 250
• 280
• 310
• 340
• 370
• 400
• 430

So lets see how it all works out.

First Plan

So, now deciding on a complex looping layout, I was now time to put that idea into a plan.

The first change I made was to cut the Noch layout into 3 tracks rather than 4. This would cut down on points (expensive), track and bridges. Also, the need to run four trains at once is not very important.

Originally, I was going to use an old door. It was the right length (about 2400), but was only 820 wide. This width was too narrow, and didn't allow for wider turns, which would limit the complexity.

The length of 2400 also allowed me to have some extra area on the left. This will have a small lake with the double line crossing the lake with a bridge.

So this will be a tall complex layout, with tight turns. The tight radius means that long trains and large loco's will not work....... That's ok - I don't want the character of this layout to be trying to get the longest container/wagon trains. In fact I don't think I will have any diesel trains - steam only!

Planning

Needless to say I started my planning by surfing the internet. I looked at Youtube, web-sites, anything that could give me inspiration.

I eventually ended up on the Noch site. They have preformed layouts. I compared the HO and N gauge  layouts - eventually I decided that HO would be too big for my house / garage / shed. But I did like the complexity of these layouts. I wasn't interested in running long trains, so their layouts seemed perfect. Soon I started comparing the various N Gauge layouts, and felt the Baden Baden fitted my needs.

I could get the Noch layout - Baden Baden - for A$900. This seemed to break the budget before I even started.

So....... I decided to use the Baden Baden layout as a 'point of inspiration', rather than the end product.

The Idea

After many years of a Garden Railway, I have decided to move inside. With G and HO scale too big, I have settled on an N Gauge Empire.

My thinking has developed to have the following criteria for my plans:

• Complex - A complex layout, not just a couple of loops or a figure 8.
• Long Runs - 
• Small Trains - While not a Thomas type layout, it will not have huge long mining trains.
• Not too many points - To reduce the cost, not to have too many points (switches).
• Simple Scenery - running trains is the motivation, not modelling.
• Moderate Size - Fit into the front window alcove of my living room.
• Moderate Cost - Buy when on special, and watch the pennies.

Now my criteria has been set it is time for planning......