Does anyone know were to get small/medium track plans for a beginner? if it is a book please state the name of book and the author thanks.
The Kalmbach book on small smart and practical layouts by Iain Rice is one choice. Rice has a new book on medium size layouts. Check out the latest and back issues of Model Railroad Planning magazine also
Atlas publishes track plans, mostly of an older style but time tested. Most hobby shops that sell Atlas track have their books too.
Dave Nelson
Try Mid-Sized and Manageable Track Plans, by Ian Rice. It just hit the shelves, so it should be easy to find.
One of the many enjoyable parts of model railroading is building the pike. This includes designing your own track plan. Then you can fit your preference into your available space instead of trying to adapt someone else’s design.
I recommend John Armstrong’s ‘Track Planning for Realsitic Operation’ published by Kalmbach. This gives a number of basic track topology ideas as well as the rules for designing reliable trackwork.
I picked up a copy of this book about a week ago and just finished it today. I am in the planning stages of my 1st layout and picked it up due to all the references on this forum. I have to say the book is an excellent reference for designing a layout. I am now in the process of going back over my prelimenary drawings and modifying them based onthe information I have gleaned from this book. I would certainly recommend this book to anyone planning a layout.
I was wondering, if you are modeling narrow gauge, and have a full road map of the line, but dont have the space, how can you prototypically shorten the line? I am in to OO scale, and my issue is that the line is in scale, 504 feet, and I only have a 20/30 foot barn to work in. Could some on give me some pointers?
20x30 is 100 feet around the 4 walls, at 1% grade you could go around the walls 5 times and rise 1 foot each time (world’s biggest model RR helix?), but you’d need a ladder on wheels to follow your trains.
A more practical approach is to chop out huge intermediate portions for modelling purposes (like the rest of us) and model only the significant details along the route to make it shorter. With all that space a series of peninsulas jutting out from a wall (or inter-digitated frrom opposite walls) with walkways between them will give a few hundred feet of back and forth run - not your 504 feet, but plenty long anyway.
Sure wish i had that kind of space…
Further to talyllyncal
Or make dual level peninsulas, then you will get the 504 feet, and not need a ladder.
How about DDC, How does it work out? In a nut shell?
Another excellent source for track plans is Kalmbach’s “101 TRACK PLANS” - compiled 30+ years ago, and still in print. excellent source of lots of plans, all sizes. Smallest is 1x4’ (Apple Creek Junction).
For “lots” of RR in small space, use “Selective Compression”, as discussed above. Important things like yards, sidings, Eng. Terminals, modeled reasonably close to scale, w/ size reduced, (ex: proto siding 1/2 mile long, model @ 5 to 10 ft.), and distance between yards, etc cut drastically. Also, just model what is important to YOU.
DCC - YES! it WORKS!. Most companies have a “starter” package. Get the biggest, strongest one you can afford. Allows for expansion to the future. I use DIGITRAX. Get to know your hobby shop that supplies it, and join a local club for practice, experience, etc.
Have lots of fun!
randybc2003
Does anyone know were to get small/medium track plans for a beginner? if it is a book please state the name of book and the author thanks.
The Kalmbach book on small smart and practical layouts by Iain Rice is one choice. Rice has a new book on medium size layouts. Check out the latest and back issues of Model Railroad Planning magazine also
Atlas publishes track plans, mostly of an older style but time tested. Most hobby shops that sell Atlas track have their books too.
Dave Nelson
Try Mid-Sized and Manageable Track Plans, by Ian Rice. It just hit the shelves, so it should be easy to find.
One of the many enjoyable parts of model railroading is building the pike. This includes designing your own track plan. Then you can fit your preference into your available space instead of trying to adapt someone else’s design.
I recommend John Armstrong’s ‘Track Planning for Realsitic Operation’ published by Kalmbach. This gives a number of basic track topology ideas as well as the rules for designing reliable trackwork.
I picked up a copy of this book about a week ago and just finished it today. I am in the planning stages of my 1st layout and picked it up due to all the references on this forum. I have to say the book is an excellent reference for designing a layout. I am now in the process of going back over my prelimenary drawings and modifying them based onthe information I have gleaned from this book. I would certainly recommend this book to anyone planning a layout.
I was wondering, if you are modeling narrow gauge, and have a full road map of the line, but dont have the space, how can you prototypically shorten the line? I am in to OO scale, and my issue is that the line is in scale, 504 feet, and I only have a 20/30 foot barn to work in. Could some on give me some pointers?
20x30 is 100 feet around the 4 walls, at 1% grade you could go around the walls 5 times and rise 1 foot each time (world’s biggest model RR helix?), but you’d need a ladder on wheels to follow your trains.
A more practical approach is to chop out huge intermediate portions for modelling purposes (like the rest of us) and model only the significant details along the route to make it shorter. With all that space a series of peninsulas jutting out from a wall (or inter-digitated frrom opposite walls) with walkways between them will give a few hundred feet of back and forth run - not your 504 feet, but plenty long anyway.
Sure wish i had that kind of space…
Further to talyllyncal
Or make dual level peninsulas, then you will get the 504 feet, and not need a ladder.