Questions on the MR track plan database

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

How far back in time does the track plan database go? I’ve only found layouts as far back 07.

Does the database include only layouts from MR magazine?

Does it include layouts from annual planning guides as well?

Do we have access to all the layouts as a MR subscriber or is a fee required to review a larger collection?

Thanks!

2

I’m a subscriber, and I went back to June, 07. How much farther do you need?

If you want every track plan back to the first issue, you need to subscribe to the All-Time Digital Archives.

Mike

3

I’m looking for a layout from 1998 to 2003 period. I don’t recall the name and forgot whether it was MR mag layout or a special publication layout. I did sign up for the free 24 review of the MR archive. Not knowing a layout name, I had to review each issue individually from 1995 to 2003. No luck…

4

If you describe the layout, someone may be able to help you narrow down the options.

5

The original plan was a 4x8 in HO scale. (somewhere int 1995 to 2004 period) It had a yard with 4 tracks on one side. The other side had a gas station, a restaurant, a grain elevator, fuel depot, and another industry. In the middle of the narrow part, there was a road that went up a hill and crossed a bridge over the yard. Been a number of years ago so don’t remember any more… Thanks for any help!

6

That sounds like the Red Wing layout from Model Railroader December 1994. A version of this layout was built by the Gateway Division of the NMRA as a project.

If you do an Internet search for “HO Red Wing”, you’ll find many references. I did an HO 4X8 version for a client that eliminated the unrealistic switchback industries and changed the setting.

There have been a number of forum threads on this layout, including this one:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/89714.aspx

And of course, any HO 4X8 will be better built a little larger (like 5X9 or 5X10) to allow for more flexible radii and a wider range of equipment.

Good luck with your layout.

Byron

7

Awesome, that’s the one I have been looking for! Thanks Byron, you’re aces man! It is interesting that you’ve actually made a few modified versions of the Red Wing layout. I like the Red Wing on my 5x9 layout because:

  1. Gives me a yard to play with and develop a first time control panel with tortoise,

  2. Gives me continuous running for when I just want to watch trains go around, to break in engines, and to test Rail-pro system.

  3. On top of the hill, my graphic designer son will build a BMX trail through the woods. The bridge will not be installed.

  4. To solve the switchback issue, I’m going to move the town buildings to the other side of the road and install the industry close to the mainline, using a somewhat similar track arrangement in town as your modified design. Will test on one of the free software packages.

Thanks again Byron for finding the layout and for all your fine contributions to our hobby!

Best, Rick

8

I’m glad to help. Building 5X9 will be an important improvement over the HO 4X8.

For these island-style layouts, allowing the yard to be outside the oval allows the yard to be longer and more useful (which is one of the attractions of this plan in the first place). But that really cramps the radii if constrained to an HO 4X8.

The wider 5X9 benchwork will help.

Byron