Harbor track plan N scale
Many model railroaders like harbor layouts. A port offers scenic ambience, varied train operations and interesting challenges for model building. Here a track plan on 3′ x 7′, designed for KATO N gauge:
What is it all about? The German river “Rhein” is known worldwide for its romantic valley with castles, tunnels and vineyards.Thus a good inspiration for an N scale model railroad layout with a river harbor. This track plan on 7′ x 3′ is interesting in two respects: It allows excessive shunting as well as fine trainspotting.
On level 0 is the harbor. The quay facilities are generously dimensioned. We see ships, cranes, warehouses, industry and long sidings. So always enough to do.
Level 1 features a simple oval with a station as is usual in the outskirts of urban areas. As the oval has no incline, long trains can run there. It’s a busy main route; an overhead line with catenary seems appropriate.
The station building is placed above the tracks as well as the city. Local trains or commuters stop on track 1. Long-distance trains pass through on track 2. The station also has an extra siding to park freight wagons that either come from the harbor or have to go there. This job is usually done by an extra shunting locomotive that serves the port facilities. The loco has its own diesel filling station.
And since we are on the Rhine, a romantic castle and vineyards are a must. A backdrop with an easily accessible staging yard completes this N scale harbour layout.
N gauge track plan harbor
Facts
- Size: 7 x 3 ft. This corresponds to 213,4 x 91,4 cm
- Tracks: KATO Unitrack N scale
- Two levels, connected by a ramp
- Shadow station behind a backdrop
- Some straight tracks must be adjusted to size. More: KATO length modification (YouTube)
Download this track plan here:
Download PDF (private use only)
Harbor track plan: List of pieces
Enough tech-talk. You wanna see something:
Harbor layout N scale
I’ve built this N scale harbor layout some years ago with Fleischmann tracks. Actually on 1,90 x 95 cm, which is a bit smaller than the 3′ x 7′ size. Although this layout looks challenging, it was easy to build and worked fine for many years.
I have reproduced this track plan for KATO Unitrack on exactly 3 x 7 ft., because it’s a popular system and very suitable for this track-plan idea, too.
Enjoy some impressions:
