NOCH Pre-formed Layouts
Noch pre-formed train layouts are both very popular, and are also among less understood products, stirring a lot of interest and also causing some confusion among model train enthusiasts. I receive a lot of questions about these from customers, so this guide is an attempt to answer all your questions regarding this NOCH product line.
"One of these days I will start building my dream layout!". And yet this day never seems to come for so many. There are plenty of reasons for that: building layout requires much planning, skill, patience, and, above all, time. If you have all of these prerequisites, then these preformed layouts aren't for you. But for so many modelers NOCH layouts offer excellent German made "shortcut" - a professionally made layout platform with finished terrain and bridges (in most cases included). Add Marklin, Roco, Fleischmann, Rokuhan track (other manufacturers also supported) and you are ready to run trains in the matter of hours! And then you can add more details at your pace: buildings, stations, trees, figures and cars.
Shown: finished Baden-Baden Layout
Important fact: NOCH Layouts are not "what you see is what you get" when it comes to photos of finished layouts. You don't get track, structures and those trees. And if you see trains on those photos - well, trains are not included. :-) Here is what you get: sturdy preformed layout board with mountains, grass, tunnels and bridges. You also get instructions with detailed track plan. And suggestions for the rest of scenery.
Setting up bridges and adding track is not difficult. Still, increasingly we handle requests for completely finished NOCH layouts. Our finished layouts feature Euro Model Trains exclusive EMTZ line of built up structures , interior and street lighting, trees and shrubs - the works. Contact us for details.
Available Preformed Layouts
NOCH makes layouts available in HO, N and Z scales. All these layouts can be extended on the left, on the right, and in the front; we will go over all possible configuration options one by one.
Another important aspect to keep in mind is availability of sturdy and great looking aluminum frames made to fit and support main layouts and and all possible extensions.
This is a great option (unless a trip to the lumber yard and construction of a support table is something you really, really wish to engage in).
Aluminum frame fits neatly into the idea and spirit of getting trains to run on the beautiful platform as quickly as possible, so definitely consider investing in it.
- HO Gauge Layouts
- N Gauge Layouts
- Z Gauge Layouts
- Briefcase Layouts (N&Z)
- Silvretta Layout
- Mittenwald Layout
- Königsfeld Layout
- Extensions & Aluminum Framing
Silvretta (220x140x52 cm). 86"x55"
Very impressive layout with lots of mountains and tunnels! NOCH provides several available options to extend Silvretta layout. On the left side, there is 80120 Turntable extension:
There are two available right side extensions for Silvretta; one of them is very impressive 80140 Industrial Harbor:
The biggest Silvretta installation would be Harbor right extension, Turntable left extension and mandatory front extensions, as pictured below:
Another option to extend Silvretta on the right side is 80150 Storage Yard (120x140x46 cm): 47"x55"x18"
Shown below Silvretta configuration with right Storage extension and left Turntable extension
This installation measures 14' x 55" (without front extensions)
Note that shown front extensions 80121, 80101 and 80131 are optional.
Storage Yard brings us capability to have shadow (storage) yard beneath Silvretta layout! Shadow yard is a capability to store on tracks below layout more trains, so you can run trains from main layout down to shadow yard, and up again, providing you an ability to rotate trains in and out. To implement this, you get aluminum framing (later about those) and a storage yard board (no longer offered by NOCH, this is DIY), add a helix and viola! OK, to be more specific, to get your trains from shadow station up to main layout and back you will need:
1 x 53004 Helix and 1 x 53104 Helix Add-on (provided that you use the extension board Shadow Station 81960)
Let's now talk about aluminum framing. It is lightweight, yet very sturdy support for NOCH layouts and it is a must if you plan to setup Shadow Station as previously described. Consult the chart below for aluminum frame support guide for Silvretta and optional Turntable and Storage extensions:
For Silvretta layout without extenstions you will want item number 62220
For Storage Yard extension you will add item number 62212
For Left Turntable extension you will add item number 62210
As already mentioned, in this configuration front extensions are optional, though they do add quite a bit of playability.
If you opt for front extensions, then you will want aluminum supports 62230, 62240 and 62231 as shown above.
But if you opt for Harbor right extension, then you are looking at different/additional configuration.
Consult the chart below for aluminum frame support guide:
81610 HO "Mittenwald" Layout 79" x 47" x 16"
A lot of fun in the Alpine Foothills!
The preformed "Mittenwald" Layout is one of the top items in the NOCH product range.
Its design particularly shines because of the impressive mountainous area on its left side.
Below is the delivery form for unfinished "Mittenwald" layout. Bridges are included.
Shown above: Königsfeld layout with optional extensions.
81580 HO "Königsfeld" Layout 63" x 40"
A Train ride trough the middle of Franconia.
The preformed "Königsfeld" Layout offers a romantic idyll in the best possible model railway format.
The intricately designed railway tracks run through the romantic Central German Uplands in view of many sights: a medieval German small town with a church, a peak with a fortification, a small stream with a lake ideal for swimming and bathing (suitable for running water), an old brick-and-mortar station with freight shed, and, last but not least, the beautifully curved bridge.
Mittenwald, Mühltal and Königsfeld layouts can be extended on the left and on the right side. Extending Königsfeld and Mühltal requires front extension for main layout, part #81980
On the left side there is available 81950 Turntable Extension 27" x 47"
On the right side there is available 81970 HO Right Extension 39" x 47"
Complete installation of medium/small HO layout with extensions.
Front extension for main layout, part #81980
Aluminum Framing for Medium/Small HO Layouts
84830 Baden-Baden N scale Layout 69" x 39"
Baden-Baden Layout
Large Station, High Bridges!
"Baden-Baden" is a particularly attractive layout with a lot of rail operations which can met even the expectations of technically-experienced model railway enthusiasts.
There is a romantic City located in a realistic landscape resembling the German Central Uplands. The main attraction is the impressive station with more than 5 tracks and two platforms.
There is also an engine facility with 6 storage sidings and a shunting hump connected to the station.
You may even use Long Trains on the especially spacious track layout. Six tunnels, four bridges and one mountain track with a secondary Station allow you to re-create a very realistic train Operation on your model layout. Furthermore, there is even a completely functional railway crossing and a stream with a dam that may be operated with running water.
84810 Traunstein N scale Layout 49" x 27"
Traunstein Layout
Right in the Midst of the Bavarian Alpine Foothills...
The Alpine Foothills in the most convenient format. The "Traunstein" Layout has the ideal size for your fascinating rail operations. It allows for a lot of variety and model railway fun with its two track currents, two bridges and its four storage sidings. The medieval small town, the small freight station, and the small stream flowing into the lake create an attractive Alpine atmosphere.
85880 "Cortina" Z gauge Layout 40" x 27"
Cortina Layout
The interplay of mountain and valley, rock and water is the charm of this landscape, which is also crossed by an interesting railway line: the precast area »Cortina« in lane Z. Removable mountain peaks facilitate the installation. Two siding and a large lake with stream (suitable for running water) complete the system, which incidentally is also suitable for the installation of a functional catenary.
84810 "Traunstein" Layout 49" x 27"
Traunstein Layout
Shown: finished Traunstein Z layout with Rokuhan track and EMTZ buildings.
Right in the Midst of the Bavarian Alpine Foothills...
The Alpine Foothills in the most convenient format. The "Traunstein" Layout has the ideal size for your fascinating rail operations. It allows for a lot of variety and model railway fun with its three track currents, two bridges and its four storage sidings. The medival small town, the small freight station, and the small stream flowing into the lake create an attractive Alpine atmosphere.
Railway Fun Always and Everywhere!
Never miss your beloved hobby when travelling. Safely packed and ready-to run in a briefcase, your model railway will always be part of your journeys.
All briefcase layouts are made of high-quality NOCH structured hard foam, hand-painted and nicely decorated.
Briefcase layouts include all the scenery you see on the photos, just add trains!
Briefcase layouts can be operated with 9v battery (not included) or with AC adapter with US120v plug (included).