Quite stunning. His backgrounds seem to transition seamlessly. This is also a great example of using prototypical approaches emphasized with 'less is more'.

Thank you, I didn't know about the 1996 issue. I actually just about the December 2011 issue on Ebay for less than $4 USD, which I was happy to spend...now to hunt the other.



You can never have too many US boxcars! :)

-Brandon

The backdrops are simply fantastic!

I found it. Sorry Paul. As you have already mentioned, it was the March 1996 issue.

The 5x7 layout is also featured in a how to book, Scenery for Your Model Railroad.

Triggered by this topic,i just bought Marklin 3062 and 4062,the F7 Rio Grande units.
Used but good condition,total Euro 150.-.

Here's one set of pictures of the 5x7.

http://nscaleaddiction.b...-from-mike-danneman.html

I deleted the redundant link.

I found the track plan, see attached. Excellent use of scenic divides to great many smaller but still "big enough" scenes. I like how simple this track plan is, yet excellent execution.



-Brandon

I'm not sure about the mountains near the bottom, but I recall the clouds and sky were painted.

I have also started to realise that the 5 x 7 feet layout in H0 scale requires only a couple of Marklin C rail switches,which is cost efficient.
Keeping it simple and sticking to R1 and R2 radius,it would require 2 pieces of 24612,1 piece of 24611,and 2 pieces of 24671.
For the rest,i guess with 50 pieces 24188,50 pieces 24130,and 50 pieces 24230 you will come a long way to get the loop closed.
European bumper track does not exist in the USA,i think Marklin 24001 (10 pieces) is a good alternative.
All in all i think i will give it a go and see those Marklin Rio Grande F7 units run!

Probably the highest expense goes into the countless trees on this layout!

http://assets.catawiki.n...e4-96ab-96fe82c25a15.jpg

I thought someone asked about the other locomotive units used in the 5x7 layout. In case you're still interested they are EMD GP35's and 30's.

Busch (article no. 6499) offers a low price package of 100 "Stecktannen" (ca. 60-110 mm tall) which sells for around EUR 35 (plus freight):
http://www.busch-model.c...id=6499&sprach_id=de

By clipping the branches, the slim look of Rocky Mountains conifers can be matched with reasonable effort.


Tree trunks can be extended using round 3 of 4 mm dark wooden sticks from a DIY shop after - carefully - drilling a hole into one long end of the stick (processing at own risk of course) - see screenshot.

Source: http://www.modellbahn-do...n/Supern_400_Tannen.html

Rio Grande Days at the Colorado Model Railroad Museum.
I like the bridges!

Appearntly for the background trees on the Moffat Road layout, he used "bumpy brown chenille") to create trees (probably works better for N scale), by painting it and gluing ground cover to it. I didn't know what "bumpy brown chenille" was, but here it is:

https://www.amazon.com/C...ille-Stems/dp/B007FUGLX8

In general with trees, one can find cheap trees that don't look very good. These work well in the background, or with additional groundcover glued to them to enhance the look. If you spend a little more for a few nicer trees in the foreground, it sells it better.

-Brandon

MTH make 3e+ (tree rail models) of D&RGW F3s (two A units and 2 b units available), and also a D&RGW steam powered challenger. They made a number of GP35s, but unfortunately none in DRGW livery. However, they made a lot of liveries that were black, and would not need too much effort to convert to Rio Grande colours. I'm currently sitting on a MTH 3e+ GP35 for PRR, on which I am hoping to modify the livery for Rio Grande service soon. Generally with Rio Grade you don't see a lot of single engine trains, so 2 or more locomotives is more typical. However, the MTH models are powered on all axles and have four traction tires, so I am considering eventually adding some dummy GP units fit with Marklin wheels to complete the look.

-Brandon

Approx. costs of C track (used but good) for this layout is Euro 300 to Euro 350.-.

If i would decide to use 2 rail Trix C track,what would be your favorite USA brand for locomotives and rolling stock?
I mean a compromise between detail and reliability.

Would also like to know best options to obtain USA style signalposts.

Much obliged.

Paul

Upon second thought,better leave radius 1 out and use radius 2 only.
Work in progress.

I wish =(. I have looked at the MTH models, they are not set up for "easy service" like most Marklin locomotives. It's possible to get them apart, but I think a shell swap done at home would be challenging and also expensive. As per my usual project backlog the MTH GP35 PRR to DRGW conversion will surface someday...

-Brandon

Let's say, not totally wrong, but for sure not right. US models have different wheel sets and - except for some four axle diesels - require larger curve radii than European models, which might be a toxic mix. Two rail equipment (Kato and Athearn) on my layout tends to have disagreements with turnouts. Only Frateschi of Brazil rolling stock runs flawlessly.

One could adapt (or rather mutilate) Maerklin C track for hybrid operations: By cutting with pliers the underneath connections between the two outer rails and thereby isolating them, one could use C track for both, two and "three" rail operations. Two rail controller feeds the isolated outer rails while Maerklin controller feeds middle spikes and one outer rail. This would require further treatment of turnouts and separate sessions for two rail and Maerklin equipment. Again, this would degrade the precious Maerklin C track.
;o)

I did not know that,learning all the time.
In my mind 2 rail DC was pretty standardised so that all sorts of DC locomotives,having agreed wheelflanges,could run on Trix C track.
I better stick to good old AC Marklin and hope that they will bring out more USA models in future.

Here a photo comparing Maerklin (left) versus RP25 (right) wheels: Note the flanges. Maerklin looks pizza cutter-like in comparison to the more prototypical RP25 wheels, but that keeps the Maerklin ones on track.

My experience is that the RP25 "drop" into C track turnouts.

You are almost correct, Marklin C track uses code 90 rails, Trix C track uses code 83 (IIRC).

My 6 x 7 ft H0 scale Maerklin C-track interpretation.


I introduced a hidden distribution level - interweaving two reversing loops using sprung turnouts - for reversing (and temporary layover) of a train; the curved turnouts at the gate to the pretzel underworld need motors and are to be remotely controlled - see lower level plan.

Like that trains can either circle into the same direction (by "ignoring" the underground pretzel) or reverse their direction, thereby pretending to depart to and arrive from a distant destination. Because of the underground pretzel, I could not match the original 5 x 7 N-scale dimensions...The pretzel arrangement is "long" enough to allow an EMD F7 A-B-B hauled six-coach California Zephyr or alternatively an EMD F7 A-B-A freight train with nine tin plate box cars plus caboose to turn around. Thanks to the Maerklin "three-rail" technology, the return loops do not cause a short circuit (unlike two-rail systems where "+" and *-" rails would touch each other).

The visible passing sidings on the upper level accommodate the same train lengths as the underground pretzel, i.e. an EMD F7 A-B-B hauled six-coach California Zephyr or alternatively an EMD F7 A-B-A freight train with nine tin plate box cars plus caboose

Assuming that the height distance between the two levels is 8 cm (7.5 cm clearance + 0.5 cm baseboard), the ramps stretching from lower level curved turnout to upper level turnouts have a gradient of 3%, respectively. From an aesthetic point of view that is acceptable and a piece of cake for Maerklin US locos. Lower level curved turnouts are on level ground, while the upper level curved turnouts are the last track segments on the ramp, respectively, i.e. the upper level station tracks are all on level ground. At the beginning of curves, there are wider radius "easement" for better looks of trains moving. No R1 curves used on visible mainline stretches.

Here is the full track plan plus track inventory.

Well, then you had enough space for this proposed extension of the Mike Danneman N-scale layout. The two initial segments are kept at the respective ends (lower right and upper right).

The spirals between coal mine and power plant are by the way an application of the empties-in/loads-out arrangement described here:
https://www.marklin-user...ecific-wagons#post514371

Ak,

Do you know if this was ever built?

-Brandon