First Layout Design

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Hi,

Can anybody give an extended explanation of: This “Squares” Business. This is the section at the beginning of Chapter 7, “Layout locations and shapes”. From John Armstrong’s “Track Planning for Realistic Operation”. I’m having trouble grasping the concepts he is explaining in figuring how to calculate the dimensions of the “square”. I am working with an 8 x 12 area and planning on 30 inch radius curves. Has anyone used this method? Any info will help.

Thanks, Mark

2

I’m going a bit from memory, but the square is the size of the radius, plus the track spacing, plus (I think) a little bit more. The idea being that it gives the size necessary for a mainline with a passing track (or double main). Figuring out the size of your space in squares normalizes it realtive to your track plan objectives. Then you can look at the various shapes he talks about, and see if they will fit in your space, with your radius.

In your case your squares will be about 3 feet, so you have a bit more than 2.5 x 4 squares.

3

I just checked his book and your memory is pretty darn good: radius + 2x track spacing.

4

I use Microsoft Visio for layout planning (and all kinds of other stuff). Someone told me about the squares method, so I created a simple square object in Viso and then drew a quarter circle of my minimum radius on it. I then made copies of these squares and placed them in the areas where all of my curves would be. I then connect the curves with the straight (or tangent) track to get a good roughed in look at what kind of space I need for my track plan. Hope this helps more than confuses things! Jamie

5

The only real difference between this and the squares method is the addition of 2x the track spacing to the square size. This allows the layout to accomodate more than just basic track, while maintaining the radius standards. It’s a great idea!

6

s=r+2c

That is, the length of one side of the square is equal to the minimum radius plus twice the center spacing you plan to use. So, you are modeling HO scale (presumably) with 30" radius curves and a center spacing of probably 2 inches, so it would be

  • s=r+2c
  • s=30+2(2)
  • s=30+4
  • s=34"

So the sides of your squares would be 34" long.