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Background
The TNSF is the result of a lifetime interest in trains, and the experiences from living next to the E&N Railway on Vancouver Island in British Columbia.
This is the second layout of the TNSF.
Era
The era for the layout is the 1970s and 1980s when locomotives were diesel-powered. Back then, a Budd car travelled on Vancouver Island from Victoria to Courtenay and back every day. Freight trains were not very long and they made the trip once or twice a week. Also, every freight train had a caboose.
Configuration
This is a point-to-point layout.
Scale
The TNSF is N scale (1:160). With limited space to build, there is no room for anything larger.
Measurements
Bench size | : | 320 cm by 80 cm |
Min. mainline radius | : | 30 cm |
Min. track spacing | : | 3 cm |
Max. grade | : | 1.5 per cent |
Layout height | : | 110.5 cm |
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Benchwork
The benchwork consists of frames made from 1x4 lumber, with 2x2 legs attached and braced with 1x2 lumber. The table top is half-inch plywood.
Benchwork for the original TNSF layout
While the benchwork is measured in imperial, everything above the sub-roadbed is in metric. The main reason for this is that the math is a lot easier.
Portability
The layout is built with portability in mind and it does not touch the wall. Once the table top is unbolted from the frame it separates into three pieces. The benchwork is held together with bolts and wing nuts and can be disassembled into pieces less than two metres long.
Roadbed
The track sits on N scale split cork roadbed. HO scale roadbed is the correct width and thickness for streets.
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Track
The track is Atlas flextrack, code 80 nickel-silver rails with black ties. The turnouts are made by Peco; they have medium and curved radii, as well as electrofrogs for a realistic look.
Digital Command Control
DCC was the obvious choice for a power source as it allows for smooth operation of multiple locomotives.
Types of Trains
The plan is to have two freight trains and a Budd passenger dayliner running, along with a yard switcher in the railyard.
Road Names
The TNSF runs mostly the Canadian Pacific Railway road name. The rolling stock is not exclusive to one company and there are some freight cars with other road names, such as Canadian National.
Coupling
On this layout, engines and rolling stock are equipped with magnetic knuckle couplers.
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