i very new and green I am not into trains but love the idear to build a model railway layout in HO gauge I have the room and the skills to build a layout 35 foot long 6 foot to the left and up 10 foot ,sort off a u shap but shorter on one side Now for the fun stuff, Can I lay track how I like and as much as i like lots here some there I like the idear off a turn table and 2 very large, lets say loops and 2 yards ect ect so as far as the lay out goes is there rules the only think i know is not to sharp on the bends, solder joints and thats about all
and must suit dcc as well
sorry new to posting as well thanks for taking the time to read and to those with help many many thanks itsback
The best way to start out, in my opinion anyway, is to download one of the free track-planning software packages. I used the one from Atlas at http://www.atlasrr.com which is very basic, but that’s all I wanted. In HO, you want to avoid curves sharper than 18-inch radius, and it’s better to make them even larger if you have the room. The software will help with things like that. There are other free packages around, too. If you look around the forums you’ll find references to them.
You might also want to check out some of the books available at train shops. I started with the Kalmbach book on Benchwork, which is the frame used to support your layout. There are a lot of options, and it really will pay off to do some planning well before you take that trip to Home Depot for the lumber.
By identifying your space and figuring out the shape of your layout, you’ve already taken a good first step.
You’re about where I was this time last year. Now, I’ve got most of my track down on my 5x12 foot layout, and I’ve been putting in scenery and constructing buildings. It has been the most enjoyable project I’ve taken on in a long time.
And here’s the first bit of layout-design advice: Don’t make any part of your layout more than 30 inches (2 and a half feet) from an edge where you can reach it. That’s about as far as you can reasonably expect to stretch and be able to do anything.
For rules and spects go to www.nmra.org
They set up all the spects that you will need including DCC.
Good luck
Mike
I agree with MisterBeasley, the Atlas track planning software is a great place to start.
If you want to learn more about DCC wiring and requirements, these sites will help you:
http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips/dccprimer/index.htm
http://www.wiringfordcc.com/
http://www.loystoys.com/MiscHTML/dcc-topics.html
These sites have pictures and explanations of doing benchwork, weathering cars, and other modeling tasks.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/137793353/1300555227055249160CpifsB
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/
Layout design planner – the how’s and why’s – this is mostly text. Not real helpful to those of us who need pictures.
http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/~smithbf/BFSpages/LDSIGprimer/TOC.html
Whatever you are doing, it has been probably been done before and someone here will know how.
Enjoy
Glenn
One that gets overlooked a lot is the dreaded “S” turn. watch out for them as they can reak havock with your rolling stock. They like to sneak into turnouts palced after curves, crossovers, and yard leads alot.
Buy “Track Planning For Realistic Operation” by John Armstrong. Some of the best money you’ll ever spend on your layout.
Also, this is one of my favorite sites for planning;
http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/~smithbf/BFSpages/LDSIGprimer/TOC.html
Tons of good stuff there.
Pour some of your newfound enthusiasm into learning what you will enjoy the most about your future layout. Since you have only identified the turntable so far, it would seem that you have much to do.
I don’t say this to be brusque. I say this because I made the mistake of jumping in head first. Now I am in the position of having to correct mistakes.
Read lots. Make a list of organized notes and questions as you read. When you run into road blocks, then you can ask us for our advice…and that is all it can ever be.
I heartily endorse pcarrell’s advice about Armstrong’s book. Please read it.
-Crandell
for track planning try www.sillub.com You can get XtrkCad there. XtrkCad is easier to use and more capable than the atlas software and it is also free.
Before you plan your layout figure out what you want to run. If you want to run big steam engines or modern giant diesels you will have to plan for that because they need larger curves. If you only want to run smaller units you can have smaller turns.
I have been designing layouts for over 60 years and the most important thing that I learned was this: Whether freelanced or prototype the essence of a good layout design in my opinion is that it replicate how a real railroad functions.
The railroads function is to move people or goods from one place to another as expeditially as possible. It doesn’t start from point A and end at Point A. It starts at Point A and ends at point B. Point A can be a terminal, an interchange with another railroad, a port or some other end destination. Point B can be the same. Trains NEVER run from Point A to point A or vice versa. There may be branches to other cities, coal mines or what have you along the way. No train that proceeds to the West returns from the East.
Before wasting your time drawing a layout, try drawing a schematic track plan. A point to point layout must either have terminal facilities at each end and a means of reversing direction whether it be a return loop or yards and a turntable or wye. If you want industrial or passing sidings sketch them in where appropriate. When you are satisfied that it is true to prototype practice you can then place Point A where you want it and then wrap the schematic around your space in whatever plan works. You may lengthen or shorten some sidings, tangents and generate some curves, etc., but now you will have a layout that makes sense for real operation. No trains will be chasing their tails (railroads don’t usually run in circles) on your railroad. Feel feel to freelance or follow prototype as you wish but design a RAILROAD not a toy train set. By drawing a shematic FIRST you will save countless hours in erasing, redrawing and changing.
Another consideration is the era that your railroad will be set in. In some ways, it’s easier to model the modern era, because there is so much equipment available, and you can get your inspiration from just walking or driving around. On the other hand, if you go back 30 or 40 years you’ll find that cars and engines were smaller, so you can get away with smaller curves. Another 20 years takes you back to the 1940’s, where you can run nothing but steam engines and you will be right in step with the times. Beyond that, you’ll find some great examples of layouts going all the way back to the balloon-stack engines of the Civil War.
Hi itsback
A couple years ago I posted a question “How many layouts have you built and what did you learn from them?” Check it out and learn from our mistakes.
(click on the highlighted words for the link)
thanks for the help now my printer is in overload mode “just like me” will spend more time reading thanks all
itsback