Designing Model Railroad Layouts
Now that you’ve played a little with your new train and setup a few basic designs, you should start thinking of some better model railroad layouts (yes, it’s time). Even before you get started with any benchworking, you should have a layout in mind so you get an idea of the size of the train table you will need.
Now you could just start snapping some tracks together on the floor or on top of a piece of plywood, but what if you want something larger and more intricate than you have pieces for? The answer is to design your own track plan.
Methods of Designing
Manual Drawing
This involves sitting down with a pencil (not a pen), a big eraser and a lot of paper. First off you can just start out by doodling, drawing different designs that you think would look good. Then when you have some drafts doodled out you can get serious and start designing to scale.
To make sure your track plan will fit into the area you have to work with, it is best to use graph paper so you can assign a scale to those little square blocks. For example, if the scale you want to use is 1 inch equals 1 foot, then each of those ¼ inch squares on the graph paper would represent 3 inches.
Of course, using this scale would mean that the biggest layout you could diagram would be 8 ½’ x 11’ because of the paper size. Now for most that’s a pretty large layout, but if you have room to spare and want to design something bigger then just use a different ratio or larger sheets of graph paper.
If you are going to have more than one track level, you should get some tracing paper to place on top of your first level draft and draw your 2nd level on that. Same process goes for a 3rd level. Having various levels on different sheets of paper allows you to change one of the levels without messing up the others.
If you have an idea of what type of structures you will be using (buildings, mountains, water) you can also place a scale replica of those in your plans to see how they interact with your train tracks.
This is an ongoing process right up to the time you start assembling your tracks and even after that. As you begin putting your tracks in place you may find something you didn’t take into consideration and your plans will change (no problem… you have a big eraser).
Computer Software
You may spend many hours, days (dare I say weeks?) planning perfect model railroad layouts only to wind up with a room full of drafts that may not work out the way you envisioned it. This is where software has its advantages. It allows you to build a virtual layout on your computer screen that can take many little nuances into consideration.
Naturally, there is going to be a learning curve involved that may frustrate some users but a few of these programs are fairly easy to learn. If you start by planning simple setups then you will quickly get the gist of the software and the commands you need to create your project.
Depending on how long it takes you to adapt to the software you can have a finished working draft in a few hours. Not only will your track plan work, and fit your space, it will also provide you with specific track requirements so you know exactly what pieces you will need. With some software you can also add multiple levels, scenery and even diagram your wiring and see your entire plan in 3D.
Now the commercially available software will run you some $$$ because they have all sorts of bells and whistles, which are really great, but here are some FREE software versions. Just click on the underlined links below.
AnyRail – Like their homepage says it is an easy program to learn, although it’s rather limited. Read the getting started section of their manual and choose your layout size, measuring unit (inches, mm, cm), train scale and track type. Then just drag and drop the tracks to make your layout, it’s very simple (Windows only).
RightTrack – This is an “Atlas” track planning program so naturally it features only “Atlas” built tracks for N, HO and their trains O scale products. It has more of a learning curve than AnyRail (Windows only).
RailModeller – Hey Mac users this one’s for you. Can’t tell you much about it, I don’t have a Mac, but you can check out the demo on the homepage (Macintosh only).
Cadrail – If you can figure out how to use it, the features of this software are comparable to commercial versions. Wait a minute… this is a commercial version, but you get a free demo. The only difference with the demo is that you can only save 60 objects in your drawing, other than that it is fully functional (Windows only).
I really don’t think you need to buy any software as you have a variety of free options to choose from. There is everything from plain and simple to complex and full-featured.
Internet
There are many sites which have model railroad layouts for you to view. Some plans are not as detailed as others, but they might give you an idea for a design you want. Still, you will need to figure out your specific track requirements and see if it will fit the space you have.
Books
There are quite a few books out there that show track plans. Many of them only cover a specific scale like HO, N or O or they don’t show very many layout designs. There is one book I know of that provides you with a way to convert their layouts to match your scale size if they are not the same. At least you’ll be able to see how much space the layout will take up in your scale.
This book is called “101 Track Plans”
Model Railroad Clubs
A great way to learn about railroading from really dedicated fans who are more than happy to impart their knowledge. You’ll be amazed at some of the layouts these enthusiasts have assembled. Don’t be shy to ask questions, even they were beginners at one time.
Outsourcing
There are companies that will design and build your layout for you anyway you want it, including the benchwork and all the scenery. It’s not time-consuming… it’s not frustrating… it’s not cheap.
I guess we all have an idea of what our dream model layout would look like. Chances are it would be pretty big, highly complex, really impressive and almost impossible to build (hey, I said almost).
It just comes down to being realistic and understanding what you can afford, how much room you have and what size model railroad layouts you are physically capable of building.