FAQs, Frequently Asked Questions by NKP Layout Services for Design, Planning, Building and Maintenance by NKP Creative Services, Inc.

How much do model railroads cost?
Can you do just a plan for me?
Can I build the railroad myself?
Can I do my own plan or use a published one?
Can I get a shelf layout?
Do you do other scales than HO?
How long does it take to build a layout?
Do you have ready-made layouts?
Can you make just a part of a layout?
Do you build on-site?
What does ROW mean?
Does DCC cost less?
Should I use DCC?
Do you buy and sell layouts?
Can you remove a layout for me?
What are "finish" levels?
What about "Museum Quality" I see often?
What about structures?

Generally, considering all the variables, an adult-level model railroad costs about as much as a car, with much the same choices.

Yes. Initial discussions would determine not only the design parameters but how finished you want the plans. Usually for a flat fee.

We do all or part. This means we can build it for you, assist you or you can take over at any point.

Yes. NKP can vet it for practicality from both an operational and construction stand-point, or modify it to fit your space. Generally it is better to fit a plan into a larger space.

Yes, compact, operationally dense layouts are a favorite of ours.

Our primary experience is HO and O gauge hi-rail. Each scale has it's own idiosyncrasies and to meet our standard of operational excellence we tend to stick with what we know. O gauge non-scale layouts are no problem, as are N layouts. Sorry, no Garden, Z, S or European-style or Marklin will be considered.

Strictly depends on size and complexity, which are not necessarily the same. Location can be a factor as well as budget, from a month to years.

No, all our work is custom to order.

Yes, like a key junction, a hidden yard ladder or a stopping section that can be then inserted into other construction.

Pre-fabricated construction is a speciality of NKP. We usually build elements in our shop and deliver and install them. Shop time is less costly than on-site time. Larger layouts then can be built over a longer time schedule. This is especially advantageous to fit the new RR baron's schedule and/or allow his hands-on participation.

We use ROW often to substitute for "RIght-Of-Way". A term taken from the prototype. It includes trackwork, related mechanisms and the area supporting it all.

DCC is recommended in all situations because it brings affordable sound to operations, a true 4th dimension to our modeling. It is easier to implement from the beginning.

No, usually more. Ads seem to indicate "simple and easy" wiring but in truth the wiring for any decent size layout an be every bit as complex as conventional DC, just different.

Assuming you mean other than what we would build, not usually. I have not yet seen a layout salvageable to any degree of completeness except for some scenic elements, electro-mechanical elements and of course, rolling stock. That all assumes it's up to standards.

We can demolish layouts, typically for estates, etc. or to make room for a new layout, but we are not salvagers by trade.

These refer mostly to scenery and detail:
Rough - Ballast and basic colored hardshell
Medium - Some scenic elements and basic structures
Fine - The level most seen in magazines, weathered, detailed
Finescale - A contest-level attempt to reproduce the prototype in scale

This refers to a level of finish, usually taken to mean of a quality and accuracy appropriate to a museum. An even higher level would be contest-quality, usually only practical for the modeler to do himself due to the extreme level of detail and finish, thus time, required.

We can build structures. We also have many modelers that will build to order. Many structures are available ready-built today, fine craftsman structures are a joy and a theme may require something totally scratch-built. Ditto for trees, vehicles, etc.