4′ x 8′ N scale track plan
A huge urban terminus station. Long parade routes. City. Countryside. All on a 4×8 size. You think that’s impossible? See this N scale track plan. I call it “The Fake Terminus”:
What is it all about? Of course this is not a real terminus station. It’s all fake. Model trains can run out on the back side and then enter the impressive parade route in the foreground. Or vice versa.
Prototype-oriented model railroaders will stone me now, but this track plan is not designed to couple and uncouple locomotives like in a real terminus station. It’s just fun and fantasy!
I’ve built this layout in 2008 with Fleischmann N gauge tracks. Actually on 2 x 1 meter, which is a bit smaller than the 4′ x 8′ size. It worked fine for many years.
But today I would choose a 4 x 8 size and the Kato Unitrack system as presented in the following track plan. Thanks to a larger size, curves and S-curve sections are smoother.
Let’s reveal the secret:
4×8 layout with KATO N gauge Unitrack
One route makes a 180° turn within the large platform halls. So is it a “terminus” station after all? Anyway, train operation can be as follows:
- Front in, back out.
- Front in, front out.
- Back in, front out.
- And since freight trains in a terminus station are nonsense, there is a bypass for them on the upper left corner
Got it?
Facts
- Size: 8 x 4 ft. This corresponds to 243.8 x 121.9 cm
- Tracks: Kato N gauge Unitrack
- No curved turnouts, no double slip switch crossings
- No electric reversing loops
- Easy to build: All tracks on one level, no gradients
- 2-track mainline with concrete sleepers
- Superelevated curve, KATO turnouts with wide radii
- slight deviations possible. Track planning software isn’t 100% accurate. Use KATO 20-050 “expansion track” to close gaps in the track plan (marked in pink) or adjust straight tracks to size manually More: How to cut KATO tracks (YouTube)
Concept & Operation
Let’s untangle this spaghetti heap. Oldschool analog model railroaders will appreciate the simple concept of two ovals. Each loop has some sidings and its own electric control station:
Watching model trains running round and round on loops can be hypnotic, isn’t it? And since we are in an urban setting, an overhead catenary line seems appropriate.
The blue oval offers directional traffic on the 2-track mainline in the foreground. Here it is shown as right-hand traffic. But that depends on the country in question.
The green oval either makes a 180° turn within the station hall, or you choose the parade route in the foreground. The crossing in the green oval is a standard common crossing. It does not create a reverse loop. If using a double slip switch, extra wiring is necessary to avoid electrical short circuit.
In addition, you can operate a commuter train as a shuttle:
By the way: I don’t know why this simple idea became so popular in Germany. There are many replicas of this N gauge model railway layout.
More on my German Website: Modelleisenbahnanlagen
(Today we would probably say: “That idea went viral … ” ?)
Tracklist
Download this track plan here:
Download PDF (private use only)
Donations welcome!
Why should I opt for a 4 x 8 layout?
Disadvantages
Impressions
This N gauge model railroad layout has two covers that provide a lot of space for design elements. The photo above shows a view to the left cover with city and station building.
On the right cover I placed some countryside scenery:
(Uhm… where are the tracks?)
The lids can be easily lifted off to access the tracks underneath.
Our fantasy sees a staircase leading from the city down to the platforms.
But please: Don’t call this layout a subway!
Inspiration for this layout gave me Munich Central Station. It’s a huge terminus station right in the heart of the Bavarian capital. In front of the station halls is the “Hackerbrücke”, a popular place for trainspotters:
Hackerbrücke in München. Foto: © Bernhard Sedlmaier – stock.adobe.com.
More: Munich Terminus Station
And, yes: Overhead line is fake, too.
Videos of this layout see here on my YouTube Channel