The Canadian National Layout

I have come up with 2 layouts for the Canadian National N scale train table. The basic designs are pictured here. The two looped sides are firm in the designs. I intend to add more straight track to the center of the layouts adding more length to the straight away making the layout a lot wider. 

After careful consideration I believe the top plan shown above shows the most promise and will most likely be the one I will use. That plan has the longest straightaway and I believe will be easier to maintain. I am keeping my options open to add a larger radius curve to the outside of this plan so I can add another track with an independent transformer for another train.

Accumulating The Parts

I currently have a small amount of track and I am working on getting some more. There are the 2 locomotives I have my eye on mentioned in a previous article. Mountain Town Hobbies in Mt Pleasant Michigan is holding 2 boxcars for me. and I am looking out to find more rolling stock with Canadian National Railway markings. So far I am finding my efforts to put together an N scale Canadian National layout to be challenging. I have yet to figure out what the layout will look like and where I am going to put it.

Walthers Is Producing N Scale Canadian National GP38-2s

Due in this December Walthers is Producing Two N scale GP38-2's. They would be just what I need for the N scale Canadian National layout I am putting together.

Canadian National

Walthers Part # 929-50303 and # 929-50304
N scale, not currently in stock at Walthers, Expected: 28-Dec-2014 (Limited Run)
* Based on Units in Service 1977 to the Present 
* DCC-Ready Mechanism with Insulated Motor 
* Clip-Fit PC Board 
* Blomberg M Trucks 
* Heavy Die Cast Split Frame for Pulling Power 
* Five Pole Motor with Flywheel 
* Directional LED Headlights 
* All-Wheel Drive and Electrical Pick Up 
* RP-25 Metal Wheels 
* Micro-Trains(R) Knuckle Couplers 

In the 1960s EMD identified a need for a medium-horsepower roadswitcher with no turbocharger for improved reliability. With the rack settings on its 16-cylinder 645 prime mover set at a very conservative 2,000 horsepower, tried-and-true traction motors and other proven components the GP38 sold well, but the addition of easy-to-maintain modular electronics made its successor, the GP38-2, the runaway favorite. "Dash 2s" could be found on mainline freights and locals, handling yard and heavy industrial switching, even moving commuter and long-distance passenger trains! In recent years, they fetch a pretty penny on the used locomotive market - if their original Class I owners ever get rid of them! Many have been rebuilt and still serve their original owners, others have gone on to shortlines and regional roads. 

I figure I would need both of them to pull the amount of rolling stock I am planning to include in this layout. I have set aside a few pieces at Mountain Town Hobbies in Mount Pleasant Michigan that I will be picking up as soon as I collect enough empty pop cans to be able to pay for them.