Update: N Scale Station Planning and Design

In this video, I will show you how I used Google Maps and Earth to plan and create foam mock-ups of Union Station and Aldershot Station. I 3d print details for the station platform, and I experiment with scale as I learn that a 24-story building is big… really big…
#nscale #gotransit #modelrailroad
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[@Chandwell]

I have used the Google tools for years but never knew you could see the elevation in the bottom right! That is an incredible tip! Thank you! -Michael

[@NScaleDystopia]

I only but recently discovered it as well. Thanks!

[@RetroRoboland]

This is so well thought out. The buildings are that much bigger than The Dystopia layout. Great work. Look forward to the next update.

[@NScaleDystopia]

Thank you very much!

[@TheRobertSterling]

Looking good. Coming along nicely. Putting the condo building up, sure puts it in perspective,it's huge. Nice to see the comparison. Cheers

[@NScaleDystopia]

Thanks 👍

[@normanrowe2831]

Hi. Great to see an update on what your thinking is in regards buildings. I look forward to your next update. Take care. See ya.,

[@NScaleDystopia]

Thanks, you too!

[@rm709]

Excellent tips about Google Earth. Thank you!

[@joaquim8498]

Really nice work. I like how the project is taking form and how it looks. Nice video edition too. Thanks to share.

[@NScaleDystopia]

Thank you very much!

[@WeltenbauerClub]

Oh yes. This is awesome. I love the gigantic building 😅

[@dndsl3436]

Looks to be coming along well. Great use of Google Maps and Earth for measurements. Wikimapia also works for distance measurements.

[@NScaleDystopia]

I shall investigate Wikimapia!

[@h.a.9880]

Oh yeah, the buildings once more really make this project shine in a new light. That 6-lane road bridge thing and the small houses on the right hand side work really well, as does the main station, but I agree, that to-scale building to the left is taking up way too much space and blocks the view a bit too much. "Compressing" that building will do wonders to make that entire looping area get some breathing space. It's amazing what small stand-ins achieve in such a project, the platform details already make this look cool! It's kind of cool to see how "artistic license" is applied in such a project: You can't just shrink down a building to the correct scale, it might still be a bit too large, so you also have to condense it down... and then you also have to pull that off without disturbing the design too much, or else it might look weird.

[@NScaleDystopia]

I'm really enjoying thinking about how to scale down buildings. Artistic license is absolutely correct as simply scaling. The buildings doesn't work... You need to alter them to capture the essence of the building , just not make a smaller version of the original.

[@patapscofallsdivision2579]

I too am excited to see structures and scenery. Looking good so far!

[@NScaleDystopia]

If I could just get this cursed wiring done I'd be already building structures... Soon!

[@timf2279]

That 24 story condo is huge. I have bought a few things from Outland and have been happy with price and quality. It's coming along and I get the burned out from laying track. Keep up the good work enjoy your videos.

[@NScaleDystopia]

I think the Outland models are great value - I realize now how conservatively sized they are - but still great little buildings.

[@timf2279]

@N Scale Dystopia They make good filler buildings. Also, they kit bash easy.

[@RandomWombleP]

Looking at the mock up and the map (not knowing the station at all beyond your images and google maps) one thing that it seems to me you might have missed is that the track level at the station is at a higher elevation than the side street level of the station building, the bottom unwindowed area on the side is not needed if the station sits at platform height instead of having sunken sides. You may have accounted for this but it looks like that is not the case and that may make a difference to your happiness about the proportions.

[@NScaleDystopia]

You're exactly right. The station entrance sits a story and a half below the track level. I'm going to play with some designs, but I'm likely going to reduce the height of the overall station as well as the width of the center portion. You have a keen eye!

[@GoViaorgohome]

Love it. I could only imagine the footprint of the CN tower and skydome.

[@NScaleDystopia]

If you go to Little Canada in Toronto, they modeled the Roger center and the CN tower in N scale for an HO layout.

[@GoViaorgohome]

@@NScaleDystopia I am yet to go but I have seen pictures. Looks neat.

[@railwayjade]

I hope you wll at least 3D print a street car - think it will look awesome! Thanks for the update, your work is great as always

[@NScaleDystopia]

I 'think' there is a suitable streetcar available from Kato... :)

[@railwayjade]

@@NScaleDystopia is it a dummy though? Surely it will be a bit of an expense for a static bridge scene? Unless..... you are sneaking in an operational street car track too! 😁😁😁😁😃😃😃😃

[@vincenthuying98]

Cool exercise. These mock-ups really give a great sense of scale. Especially the one of the condominium. With the around 40% representation of the Union station you seem to be on point. However, I humbly think a lower elevation would do the structure more justice. It seems much higher than the prototype. Might be because the length only represents two fifths of the actual structure. Also, for a more in-depth look at the station, the structures for the platforms covered with some ‘mock-up’ roof might help to determine the model height better. Love the vid. For a next drill job with your hole saw, just put the battery drill on the low setting. That will truly help to control the sawing action of the hole saw. The fast setting isn’t really necessary for holes above 5/4”. Lastly, as soon as you drilled the first millimeters into the plywood, it’s possible to do away with the pilot drill. Or replace it with a much shorter one. That will prevent accidents from occurring. Cheerio

[@NScaleDystopia]

Thank you for leaving such a detailed comment! Your note about the elevation is completely accurate. I had reduced the structure's width, but neglected to reduce its height, resulting in it appearing excessively tall. I have made multiple revisions and am nearing a version that I am pleased with. You are absolutely right about the hole saw. I was given multiple suggestions to begin the cutting process with the center bit and then remove it to complete the job. I was impatient. 😉

[@BPCustomCreations]

Nice progress! Is the secret weapon a laser cutter? Surely that would help with structures

[@NScaleDystopia]

Pew Pew! (Correct)

[@MMRails]

Ok, hear me out. Trolley tracks. They need a trolley. A layout within a layout. If anyone can do it, you can. Thanks for showing the mock up process. Very helpful.

[@NScaleDystopia]

I may or may not already have a street car sitting in a virtual shopping cart. Waiting for me to hit the buy now button...

[@SkysTrains]

i love how you seem to be a railfan who is like me, seems to prefer passenger trains over freight

[@NScaleDystopia]

Passenger trains are a rail fans dream!

[@forbeshutton5487]

I'm looking forward to seeing how you do The Royal York (behind Union Station on your layout) and if you have a go at Fort York...

[@NScaleDystopia]

The Royal York is definitely on my list for backdrop buildings. I 'think' it may be quite the challenge to scale it appropriately - but it would be fun!

[@the_BRD_sub_byDonHennessy]

“may be purchasing a secret weapon” he says, what ever could it be. Cheers

[@NScaleDystopia]

'tune in next time to find out!" #pewpew

[@cuebj]

He's human! I commented previously about the competence with full size tools and materials. But that holesaw error... I didn't laugh, just tensed up as the saw went in without checking and double checking while knowing I could yell a warning! Now to get out the diamond core drill and buy a variable speed angle grinder to cut 115mm hole in bathroom wall to reposition the extractor fan. No cables or pipes but there might be some brick wall ties to look for. Portals are good. I've got some placed discreetly in a few floors and walls in our house to help access to cables and pipes. Surprised very few other people do it

[@NScaleDystopia]

I was in such a hurry to create the access hatch I never considered the consequence of error... At least it was repairable!

[@mrlightbulb6567]

What are your (possible) plans to construct union station.

[@NScaleDystopia]

I'm still working on the best way to construct large buildings at a small scale... I haven't figured this out yet, but I've been researching how architects do it and I have some decent ideas

[@TheyMakeItLikeThat]

Good thing you had an access hole so you could fix the turnout you damaged drilling the access hole 😂😂

[@NScaleDystopia]

Listen here. Smart guy... 😉

[@TheyMakeItLikeThat]

@@NScaleDystopia 🤣🤣🤣