Hi
This is my first poll and i would love it if you could vote.
Many Thanks
Pavariangoo
P.S - Just incase you were wondering ,no option 7 isnt a real option! ,but you can choose it if you want[:)]
Pavi: You might want to expound on what the poll is about as some will berate you for lack of details.
With that being said I did a rough plan and started laying track in hopes of what I drew would work. So far, so good but elevations are a sore point.
Fergie
Thanks for responding to my pole!
Many thanks
Pavariangoo
Over the years, I have always designed my own layouts for good or bad. As they have changed, I have had to get rid of features that I really liked because the new changes didn’t leave room for them. That’s the bad. The changes expanded the look and feel of the railroad. That’s the good. 
In the early 70s, I built a 4x8 HO layout for 3 of my boys with an over and under feature and two spurs. It worked well with only minor problems. Since that experience was so good, I never worried about following someone else’s plan. However, your mileage may vary…
http://cid.railfan.net/eci_new.html
PS - For some ideas on what to do and watch for in building a layout, you might want to visit the NMRA ‘Introduction to Model Railroading’ pages at: http://www.nmra.org/beginner/
I design my own layouts. My first one was based very closely on a 4x8 in John Armstrong’s book “Track Planning for Realistic Operation”. Since then I use track plans for inspiration, but work out my own design based on space available and my desires at the time.
Enjoy
My layout started as just a place to run trains,but is now leaning more towards a 'working"railroad with a reason for it’s existance,
I bought every track plan book I could find. Non was what I wanted, as the ones I liked would take years to build. I needed a track plan for my kids that I could do quickly. Thanks to finding this forum, I had so many helpful people, that I borrowed from Randy R plan, and combined it with a KATO plan for N scale. Have half of the benchwork done, then I will tear down the 4 x 8 track and build the 14 x 8 track. Also have temp layout in living room, so the kids and I don’t go through withdrawels.
Tim
I planned everything out then realized I might not be living in this house too much longer so I joined a club instead.
Jesse
My first layout was out of the Atlas track book. I felt the problems were worked out and it was a very enjoyable experience.
I gave it to a woman at work that had two small boys and it felt good.
Jon - Las Vegas
I really felt like having an ice cream, because I would otherwise need to check several of the other choices. When I first started out about 30 years ago, my brother and I each received a train set for Christmas. We both set these up and promptly began to try different arrangements by combining our track. Soon we had a couple switches and a 4x8 table and used a track plan from a book, that we modified, as I recall. That is long gone now, and I am just returning to the hobby after several years away from it. I now have a bunch of Kato Unitrack that I set up and tear down as I feel the urge (normally with no particular plan in mind), allowing me to operate my trains and to alter the track configuration. I have recently designed my own plan for where I plan to build my layout, but haven’t yet laid any of the track for it.
So, in a nutshell, I guess I touched on all the choices, except the “haven’t decided yet” option, which is where I was a few months ago!
Have fun.
I design my layouts as I go…I have never used a plan of any type except that is in my head.I simply lay the track in place and work it around till I like what I see and still within prototype guide lines.I then use caulk to draw the out lines of the track then proceed to lay the track if I am using Homasote.If I am using cork then I just follow the track out line and nail the cork in place and then proceed to lay track…[:D]
I always have designed my own layouts. That way half way through I can look at it and say to myself, “Self! What were you thinking when you decided to put that track there.” I also never measure to see if there will be room for that awesome coal tower that I want to get from Walther’s until after the track is complete. That way I can tear it all out and start over… That may be why my latest layout has been in the building stage for over 20 years.
I would have voted for “feel like an ice cream”, but I don’t know what an ice cream feels like???
I took what I liked from a bunch of layouts and then added them all together.
Oh, I see we’re back to Fluff again. Ah well . . .
My first layout I built with a trackplan from MR. Ever since then I Have designed my own to fit my space
I combined and altered two existing track plans - an expanded (18" to 24" radius) version of the old “HO Railroad that Grows,” combined with the “Switchman’s Nightmare” plan from “101 Track Plans.” I wanted something that would provide a lot of switching activity but that could eventually be expanded to form one terminal of a larger railroad. I’m not finished (basic track plan is done, wiring complete, but still have to elevate the “Air Line” over the center of the layout), but I’ve enjoyed every aspect of it, and I’m looking forward to the next stage.
My one and only is freelanced, and designed by me. I made some mistakes, but don’t regret, for one minute, the experience of building it as I saw it in my mind. I even came close to the imagined version, but did have to adjust my concept as realities interposed themselves. My grade was too steep, so my lofty trestle bents were never brought to light (darn). The track is a fair bit less trouble-free than I had imagined, but believe me when I say that I’m getting lots of experience fixing it.
I am in the proces of designing my own, and I am trying to model after New England RR’s. However, I feel that I will not be able to cover the routes within the 10 X 20 space that I have. So , I will have to vary somehow as I go.
Poll doesn’t show anymore, just the results. Where did it go ?
Tim