• N gauge shelf layout track plans

N gauge shelf layout

Shelf layouts have a slim size, even in N gauge. After all, the whole scenery has to fit on a narrow board in front of a wall. So what should we show on such a small area? Here’s a track plan idea that fits 4 feet x 16 inches.

Shelf track plan N gauge 4′  x  16”

N gauge shelf layout track plan

What is it all about? This N gauge shelf track plan provides shunting operations galore as well as amazing impressions of a river harbor on small 4′ x 16”.

There is no continuous run. Instead, we have a lot of sidings. So this harbour is a switching layout. Our shunting loco fetches wagons from the 1-track fiddle yard at the upper left corner and distributes them to the various destinations of the port.

An old canal forks off the quay. Two small bridges should give appealing impressions here. We also see industry, silos, warehouses and a scrap yard. In the background some low-relief buildings.

You would have to create most of the buildings yourself, so this N gauge shelf layout is kitbashers’s paradise. Some cranes in particular should make for interesting model building.

The long track for the fiddle yard runs somewhat hidden behind a huge industry building. As this track is placed at the rear end of the board, it could also serve as a connection to another model railway segment or module.

N gauge shelf layout tracks

Facts N gauge track plan shelf layout

  • Size: 4 ft. x 16 in.
  • This corresponds to 121.9 x 40.6 cm (approx.)
  • Type: Switching layout
  • Tracks: Fleischmann N scale (tracks with ready made ballast bed)
  • Slight deviations in measurements are possible. Track planning software isn’t 100% accurate
  • No slopes / inclines
  • 6 turnouts, no crossings
  • Only curves with attractive wide R4 radius
N gauge shelf layout track list

Download this track-plan here:

Download PDF (private use only)

Why should I opt for a N gauge shelf layout?

  • Perfect for your shelf

    N gauge is the best compromise between prototype fidelity and space requirements.

  • Do the 180° turn

    No problem with N gauge tracks. Most N scale manufacturers have standard curves that allow 180° turns on a shelf with 20” depth. So you can build a shelf layout with a runaround loop.

  • Too big is too big

    A 180° turn on 20” is almost impossible with larger gauges like HO

  • Too small is too small

    Many model railroaders consider Z scale to be too tiny, too unreliable and not very true to the original

  • L-shape, U-shape

    No length restrictions. Let your shelf layout run along the whole wall

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