N Scale Layouts

Big Action for Small Spaces

This all started by taking our original N Scale layout and looking for ways to expand it. The result is a series of unique layouts offering maximum action in available space. Even those with very little spare room can enjoy excellent train action, using one of the layouts depicted here.

Go to the HO & N section of the main page to see photographs of this layout.
Our original layout fits in a 32" by 40" area, and features a lake, grading, viaduct-type trestle and 3 separate tracks.

( 3) Atlas-N #2700 standard #4 left-hand turnout
(17) Atlas-N R-9.75 30° curve
( 6) Atlas-N #2701 standard #4 right-hand turnout
( 4) Atlas-N 0.63in straight
(24) Atlas-N R-11 30° curve
( 8) Atlas-N 5.0 in straight
( 1) Atlas-N 2.5in straight
Total of 63 pieces of Atlas N-gauge track

This expansion of our plan will fit a 54 inch (4.5') by 40 inch area. It includes a small car yard and spur. Nice as a freight pike. It could also host short commuter-type runs with RDCs or Doodlebugs.

( 5) Atlas-N #2700 standard #4 left-hand turnout
(30) Atlas-N R-9.75 30° curve
(11) Atlas-N #2701 standard #4 right-hand turnout
( 4) Atlas-N 0.63in straight
(27) Atlas-N R-11 30° curve
(25) Atlas-N 5.0 in straight
( 2) Atlas-N 2.5in straight
( 2) Atlas-N R-9.75 15° curve
( 2) Atlas-N 1.25in straight
( 2) Atlas-N R-19 15° curve
( 5) Atlas-N track bumper
Total of 115 pieces 4 of Atlas N-gauge track

Here we have extended the outside track to make a layout fitting A 32 inch by 70 inch area. By adding turnouts to the center track, we expand into a long loop. It is great for freight, and superb for passenger/commuter type runs.

( 6) Atlas-N #2700 standard #4 left-hand turnout
(31) Atlas-N R-9.75 30° curve
( 9) Atlas-N #2701 standard #4 right-hand turnout
( 6) Atlas-N 0.63in straight
(20) Atlas-N R-11 30° curve
(24) Atlas-N 5.0 in straight
( 6) Atlas-N 2.5in straight
( 2) Atlas-N R-9.75 15° curve
( 3) Atlas-N 1.25in straight
( 2) Atlas-N R-11 15° curve
( 2) Atlas-N #2546 Warren truss bridge
( 3) Atlas-N R-19 15° curve
( 2) Atlas-N track bumper
Total of 116 pieces of Atlas N-gauge track

This pike is a humbler version of the one above, and fits a 30 inch by 57 inch area. It has two separate tracks. Good for local-type freight and passenger runs.

( 5) Atlas-N #2700 standard #4 left-hand turnout
(24) Atlas-N R-9.75 30° curve
( 6) Atlas-N #2701 standard #4 right-hand turnout
( 4) Atlas-N 0.63in straight
(10) Atlas-N R-11 30° curve
( 8) Atlas-N 5.0 in straight
( 1) Atlas-N R-11 15° curve
( 1) Atlas-N R-9.75 15° curve
( 2) Atlas-N track bumper
( 2) Atlas-N 2.5in straight
( 1) Atlas-N 1.25in straight
Total of 64 pieces of Atlas N-gauge track

The previous three layouts expanded on our original railway by extending to one side. Here we take our original pike and expand to both sides. This layout fits a 30 inch by 60inch area. More open space between tracks allows a greater variety in scenery.

( 5) Atlas-N #2700 standard #4 left-hand turnout
(24) Atlas-N R-9.75 30° curve
( 6) Atlas-N #2701 standard #4 right-hand turnout
( 4) Atlas-N 0.63in straight
(10) Atlas-N R-11 30° curve
( 1) Atlas-N R-11 15° curve
( 1) Atlas-N R-9.75 15° curve
(12) Atlas-N 5.0 in straight
( 2) Atlas-N track bumper
( 2) Atlas-N 2.5in straight
( 1) Atlas-N 1.25in straight
Total of 68 pieces of Atlas N-gauge track

This layout takes the previous one and goes deeper. It takes up 36 inches by 60 inches. You get a little more action, and a lot more open space for good scenery work.

( 7) Atlas-N #2700 standard #4 left-hand turnout
(27) Atlas-N R-9.75 30° curve
( 5) Atlas-N #2701 standard #4 right-hand turnout
(10) Atlas-N R-11 30° curve
( 1) Atlas-N R-11 15° curve
( 1) Atlas-N R-9.75 15° curve
( 5) Atlas-N 0.63in straight
(17) Atlas-N 5.0 in straight
( 3) Atlas-N track bumper
( 5) Atlas-N 2.5in straight
( 2) Atlas-N 1.25in straight
Total of 83 pieces of Atlas N-gauge track

This is a small layout that can be squeezed within a 24" by 48" area. It has enough open space for decent scenery, and is great when space is at a premium.

( 9) Atlas-N 5.0 in straight
(12) Atlas-N R-11 30° curve
( 3) Atlas-N #2700 standard #4 left-hand turnout
(18) Atlas-N R-9.75 30° curve
( 3) Atlas-N #2701 standard #4 right-hand turnout
( 2) Atlas-N R-9.75 15° curve
( 6) Atlas-N 2.5in straight
( 2) Atlas-N track bumper
( 1) Atlas-N R-19 15° curve
Total of 56 pieces Atlas N-gauge track

Suppose you built the above layout when space was tight, and now you are in a place where you have room. If you wanted an L shaped layout, you could add the loops shown in the lower right 3 x 2 foot area. Or you could take on a 4 foot by 5foot area by adding the spur line to the sidings in the lower left corner. This is just an example to show how an N scale layout can be expanded as space permits.
This entire layout uses a 48 inch by 60 inch area.

( 9) Atlas-N #2700 standard #4 left-hand turnout
(42) Atlas-N R-9.75 30° curve
( 5) Atlas-N #2701 standard #4 right-hand turnout
(19) Atlas-N 5.0 in straight
( 3) Atlas-N R-9.75 15° curve
( 8) Atlas-N 2.5in straight
( 6) Atlas-N track bumper
(12) Atlas-N R-11 30° curve
( 2) Atlas-N R-19 15° curve
( 1) Atlas-N 1.25in straight
( 6) Atlas-N 0.63in straight
Total of 113 pieces of Atlas N-gauge track

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Go to the HO & N section of the main page to see photographs of this layout.	Our original layout fits in a 32" by 40" area, and features a lake, grading, viaduct-type trestle and 3 separate tracks. ( 3) Atlas-N #2700 standard #4 left-hand turnout (17) Atlas-N R-9.75 30° curve ( 6) Atlas-N #2701 standard #4 right-hand turnout ( 4) Atlas-N 0.63in straight (24) Atlas-N R-11 30° curve ( 8) Atlas-N 5.0 in straight ( 1) Atlas-N 2.5in straight Total of 63 pieces of Atlas N-gauge track
	This expansion of our plan will fit a 54 inch (4.5') by 40 inch area. It includes a small car yard and spur. Nice as a freight pike. It could also host short commuter-type runs with RDCs or Doodlebugs. ( 5) Atlas-N #2700 standard #4 left-hand turnout (30) Atlas-N R-9.75 30° curve (11) Atlas-N #2701 standard #4 right-hand turnout ( 4) Atlas-N 0.63in straight (27) Atlas-N R-11 30° curve (25) Atlas-N 5.0 in straight ( 2) Atlas-N 2.5in straight ( 2) Atlas-N R-9.75 15° curve ( 2) Atlas-N 1.25in straight ( 2) Atlas-N R-19 15° curve ( 5) Atlas-N track bumper Total of 115 pieces 4 of Atlas N-gauge track
	Here we have extended the outside track to make a layout fitting A 32 inch by 70 inch area. By adding turnouts to the center track, we expand into a long loop. It is great for freight, and superb for passenger/commuter type runs. ( 6) Atlas-N #2700 standard #4 left-hand turnout (31) Atlas-N R-9.75 30° curve ( 9) Atlas-N #2701 standard #4 right-hand turnout ( 6) Atlas-N 0.63in straight (20) Atlas-N R-11 30° curve (24) Atlas-N 5.0 in straight ( 6) Atlas-N 2.5in straight ( 2) Atlas-N R-9.75 15° curve ( 3) Atlas-N 1.25in straight ( 2) Atlas-N R-11 15° curve ( 2) Atlas-N #2546 Warren truss bridge ( 3) Atlas-N R-19 15° curve ( 2) Atlas-N track bumper Total of 116 pieces of Atlas N-gauge track
	This pike is a humbler version of the one above, and fits a 30 inch by 57 inch area. It has two separate tracks. Good for local-type freight and passenger runs. ( 5) Atlas-N #2700 standard #4 left-hand turnout (24) Atlas-N R-9.75 30° curve ( 6) Atlas-N #2701 standard #4 right-hand turnout ( 4) Atlas-N 0.63in straight (10) Atlas-N R-11 30° curve ( 8) Atlas-N 5.0 in straight ( 1) Atlas-N R-11 15° curve ( 1) Atlas-N R-9.75 15° curve ( 2) Atlas-N track bumper ( 2) Atlas-N 2.5in straight ( 1) Atlas-N 1.25in straight Total of 64 pieces of Atlas N-gauge track

	The previous three layouts expanded on our original railway by extending to one side. Here we take our original pike and expand to both sides. This layout fits a 30 inch by 60inch area. More open space between tracks allows a greater variety in scenery. ( 5) Atlas-N #2700 standard #4 left-hand turnout (24) Atlas-N R-9.75 30° curve ( 6) Atlas-N #2701 standard #4 right-hand turnout ( 4) Atlas-N 0.63in straight (10) Atlas-N R-11 30° curve ( 1) Atlas-N R-11 15° curve ( 1) Atlas-N R-9.75 15° curve (12) Atlas-N 5.0 in straight ( 2) Atlas-N track bumper ( 2) Atlas-N 2.5in straight ( 1) Atlas-N 1.25in straight Total of 68 pieces of Atlas N-gauge track
	This layout takes the previous one and goes deeper. It takes up 36 inches by 60 inches. You get a little more action, and a lot more open space for good scenery work. ( 7) Atlas-N #2700 standard #4 left-hand turnout (27) Atlas-N R-9.75 30° curve ( 5) Atlas-N #2701 standard #4 right-hand turnout (10) Atlas-N R-11 30° curve ( 1) Atlas-N R-11 15° curve ( 1) Atlas-N R-9.75 15° curve ( 5) Atlas-N 0.63in straight (17) Atlas-N 5.0 in straight ( 3) Atlas-N track bumper ( 5) Atlas-N 2.5in straight ( 2) Atlas-N 1.25in straight Total of 83 pieces of Atlas N-gauge track
	This is a small layout that can be squeezed within a 24" by 48" area. It has enough open space for decent scenery, and is great when space is at a premium. ( 9) Atlas-N 5.0 in straight (12) Atlas-N R-11 30° curve ( 3) Atlas-N #2700 standard #4 left-hand turnout (18) Atlas-N R-9.75 30° curve ( 3) Atlas-N #2701 standard #4 right-hand turnout ( 2) Atlas-N R-9.75 15° curve ( 6) Atlas-N 2.5in straight ( 2) Atlas-N track bumper ( 1) Atlas-N R-19 15° curve Total of 56 pieces Atlas N-gauge track
	Suppose you built the above layout when space was tight, and now you are in a place where you have room. If you wanted an L shaped layout, you could add the loops shown in the lower right 3 x 2 foot area. Or you could take on a 4 foot by 5foot area by adding the spur line to the sidings in the lower left corner. This is just an example to show how an N scale layout can be expanded as space permits. This entire layout uses a 48 inch by 60 inch area. ( 9) Atlas-N #2700 standard #4 left-hand turnout (42) Atlas-N R-9.75 30° curve ( 5) Atlas-N #2701 standard #4 right-hand turnout (19) Atlas-N 5.0 in straight ( 3) Atlas-N R-9.75 15° curve ( 8) Atlas-N 2.5in straight ( 6) Atlas-N track bumper (12) Atlas-N R-11 30° curve ( 2) Atlas-N R-19 15° curve ( 1) Atlas-N 1.25in straight ( 6) Atlas-N 0.63in straight Total of 113 pieces of Atlas N-gauge track