You can follow along by reading Model Railroader's January ... and time periods can be swapped if desired. Having the track plan in N scale provides open room and plenty of space for mainline ...

The Athearn N scale F89-F TOFC flatcar, part of the Genesis line, is offered with and without a trailer load in four paint ...

though I model it after it was converted to standard gauge. You didn't just imagine that N scale track is used in HO scale, though. N scale's 9mm gauge comes out to just about 30½" in HO scale.