How did you design your layout?

Put the tracks together and make it fit the table I have.

I decided what I "had" to have and then prioritized them.

 

1. Minimum 072 curves

2. Double-track mainline

3. No duckunders

4. Minimum aisle width of 36"

5. Big city passenger terminal

6. Large freight yard

7. Bridges

8. Upper level

 

Worked with my available space using Atlas RR software and used Atlas track.  Made minor changes as I went along.

 

Art

Good morning

I decide on the shape of the layout first,IE island, around the room or? Then just start building might be some rough drawings somewhere, I know once I start laying track I will change things. Never looks the same as the drawing Then change it again once its running. All my bench work, track and scenery is modular. Pretty much 2x8 foot sections.

 

Clem 

I did not use track planning software.  I planned my layout by drawing and studying it in graphics in Powerpoint.  

 

I don't use track planning software because: a) it would take time to learn, b) using Powerpoint is just what I do, c) I did not intend to use standard size pieces - I was willing (and did) cut and fashion many, many custom pieces to fit, so many of the features of track planning software in tracking and keeping you honest in fit, etc., were not needed.    

 

So I laid out the schemes I wanted to by just drawing it in Powerpoint, using a scale map of the train-room and bench-work and sort of "hand drawing it" in .ppt graphics, then checked to make sure it had acceptable diameters for curves, and okay inclines for climbs.

 

My layout is on the small side (13x13), and I had to cram a lot into it. I couldn't use planning software because I have a Mac and all the software runs on PC.  I first did several different pencil drawings to scale, with a track planning stencil, with different configurations of benchwork and track. I selected one and laid out the benchwork on the floor with masking tape. I laid sectional track and accessories on the floor to see how it would look and how everything would fit together. I didn't have the track for the Standard Gauge loop on the outside so I just left room for it. I played around with the track arrangement for a couple of weeks until I was satisfied with it, then started building benchwork. 

 

Here's the mockup on the floor.

 

 

 

And here's how it turned out. Still a lot to be done, but pretty close to the original plan. The passing siding has been replaced by a full loop. You can see in the foreground where a lift-out section fits in, matching the tape outline on the floor.  The curve diameters are: STD-87, 0-72, 0-63, 0-42.

 

I used RR-Track.  I initially just worked with the main lines and must have done 20+ variations (around the wall, island, combination) and multiple levels (one, two and three) until I had something I liked.  Or at least I thought I liked.  Went back to the original 20 designs multiple times looking for one that gave me everything I wanted.  Concentrated on three designs over about a year and have been refining the one I liked the best.  I must have over 300 RR-Track files, many with only small changes from the previous design.  I go back to these files every now and then for ideas I had forgotten.

 

The last big change was going from O72/O81 curves on the double track main line to O90/O99 curves (still have a couple of O81/O90 that I could not get bigger).  I'm glad I had a software program to help me since all tracks had to move a bit. RR-Track also helped me determine the best place to run my grade between the two levels.

 

I found I liked planning with the software.  Making things come out perfect without any kinks in the track was a challenge.

 

Ron

 

PS.  For those that might want to know, I use Atlas curves on my double track main line to get 4 1/5 inches center-center.  All other track, except for two Atlas double slip switches in my passenger terminal throat, are Ross switches/track and Gargraves track.  I am concerned about the operation of the two Atlas switches, but they match up much better with Ross #5s then does Ross' #4 double slip.

Winged it. Placed the track down & see where it led me.

I used RR-Track as well.

I went through many variations before laying track and got it to fit on the first try.

Now I've moved and am going through the iterations of design in RR-Track again.

Lots more space this time, it makes it HARDER !

Why? Because I now have so many possibilities. I hate making decisions like this.

Attached Barn is 32 X 40. Stairs up to level I get are steep and along one wall so I finally rules out around the walls. Besides I'd need a fortune in track.

Looking at 16 X 40 walk in folded dogbone with lots of elevation.

Will have double mains, mostly rural look.

Looked at available space, decided minimum radius available for that space, decided what operations should look like and built.  Completed construction, learned what I wanted did not work, pulled the faulty section out, re-built and now have a working track plan and layout.  

I used RR Tracks software and played it for almost a year. Obviously that wasn't an everyday task, but since we didn't have a commitment for the rooms yet, I had time to work it on. I had about 20 different plans I kept playing with, eliminating most of them due to curves and the engine facility. The engine facility being the focal point, and 072 curves being the minimum, with 3 separate mainlines for running trains. Originally the upper 2 mainlines were going to be separate from the bottom level, but using RR Tracks allowed me to figure out a way to connect the bottom track to the top tracks, and have reverse loops for both levels, in both directions.

 

The only limitation we have discovered on our track plan, is the length of train on the lower level using 1 of the reverse loops. We had to have the reverse loop, but were quickly running out of space. You just can't take a long train around that reverse loop because you will run into the side of your own train.  

 

 

The only thing we changed so far is the diesel service tracks and building location. Because of space limitations from moving the TT closer to the front, to allow longer lead tracks to the RH, the diesel service tracks now come in from the right side, behind the RH. The diesel building sits long ways from front to back, on the front right side of the layout where that open space is.

 

We haven't even began working on the industry tracks on the left side of the layout, so that may change just a bit due to building location and spacing.

RR Track as well

I started with powerpoint for the track and added additional benchwork to existing shelving. Then it expanded and a second level added.  After I had the most of the room filled I became a member of this forum and I am continuing to try to correct some of the many, many mistakes I made while still being able to run trains.  I now have it on SCRAM and I will --- one day---- take it all apart and start again...  Currently still having fun adding details and running trains.

No track planning software but I did use CorelDraw to make sure things were done in scale. 

But I started with just the things I wanted, space I had. I just dreamed it out until I had a basic idea. Then did the plan in Corel to scale things out. I used this to build benchwork.....but before the benchwork was finished I started making changes as designs in the virtual world do not always translate to the real world the exactly the same as you may think. 

And as I now start cutting roadbed supports and lay them out I see changes again. So I keep making new generations of my Corel file to reflect most of them. I do better in real world designing then virtual alone.  A mix of the two works best for me.....and I know more changes are coming!

 

Here is a sample of what the Corel plan looks like. Just an FYI

 

After reading some of the replies and based on my own experience, I would suggest this...whatever you do DON'T start by saying "What's the minimum radius I can use".

 

It should be "What's the largest radius I can use".  I wish I had done this, I can actually get 090 curves on my layout instead of the 072 curves I used.  Passenger cars, long rolling stock, and large engines will look much better.

 

Also, DON'T limit yourself to radius switches, take a look at the numbered switches to see if they'll fit.  Another thing I wish I had taken time to learn.

 

I used the free Atlas program (no longer offered) to get a good idea of what to expect, but once I started laying track changes were necessary as the Atlas program came with libraries of Atlas track and I used Gargraves/Ross track to build my layout.

 

If you start off expecting certain things (like using 054 curves) then you'll probably look no further to see what other possibilities there are.

I'm still trying to design a layout.  I first used SolidWorks, but have since moved to SCARM because it's easier and free.

I first took into consideration the available space. I wanted to incorporate into the track plan as many main lines as possible, all running long passenger trains. Then I wanted to incorporate my large Christmas in The City collection, a large waterfront area, a 6 ft suspension bridge going over the water, a roundhouse and turntable area, and a storage yard for passenger trains not in service.

 

Taken into consideration the above, the design was comparably easy. We did do a modification to the layout last year to incorporate a large new train station and we relocated the refinery with many additions to it.

How big is your new room?  I just recently moved and had to take down my layout.  I have a spare 3rd bedroom that is 9'6" X 10' and you have kind of piqued my interest to do something similar. 

I have always drawn out a plan on 1/4" graph paper, then laid it out on the floor like Southwest Hiawatha, then built my benchwork to suit.  If it's more complicated I make templates for my top with red rosin paper.

I after scribbling layout ideas on paper for almost two years, I saw a layout in an old Model Railroader magazine that I used as the foundation for my layout build.

Bit by bit.

Like Chugman I had a set of 'givens' or requirements:

 

1) Use my vast supply of O tubular.

2) Use my many 022 remote switches

3) Have 072 blocks to be able to run larger engines

4) Enable the push button operation of most of Lionel's operating accessories

5) Fill my 16 x 16 space

6) Have reverse loops for both 022 and 072 blocks

7) Utilize track actuated accessories where possible

8) Use Lionel track, trestles, power and control

9) Don't worry about scenery

 

 

Emptied several boxes of track on the homosote and began forming a trackplan.

Something kinda like this only substitute a piece of Atlas O track for the tail.

 

 

I do a lot of drafting at work so I used AutoCAD, I'm using 2013 now. I figured out the room/area I had to work with, built blocks for the track sections and worked in what I thought I wanted at the time. I do all my work in 2D as this is how I build things at work, like all my bridges I built from scratch.

Dan

I used RR-Track also. My want list used the entire basement and probably would have made making the house payment difficult. Not to mention my wife wanting some space in the basement for her stuff also. Needless to say I have made some massive cut backs. I have not come up with a plan that I really like that fits the reduced size yet.

 

It's my first real layout and I imagine there will be many changes after using some of the track plans I have so far. I really don't expect to get it all correct the first time so I am going to just experiment for a while on a table the size of my starting space (6'x16'). I do have room to expand and at least double the size as the budget allows, so I am planning for this to take a while.

 

I really like Roman's post above, and may be trying his methods soon!

Well as I got to planning my last layout, I considered what I wanted to do and what area I wanted to represent.    I was a commited Pennsy fan by then, and I wanted to do that and to represent an area that had some meaning to me.   My family first settled originally in Southwest PA. 

 

Then I like locals and switching and small towns.   I realized that any PRR main line was at least double track, and the main in Pennsylvania was mostly 4 track.    So I decided rule that out in O scale!.     I looked for a single track line that would have fairly heavy traffic and I found the Southwwest Branch that ran from Greensburg to Uniontown with a connection to Brownsville in the Mongehela Valley.   

 

So I chose that as my area/line to model.   Unfortunately I designed the track plan and named the towns before I had enough information.    The line goes through Connellsville and I assumed that would be the "big" town.   It turns out that Connellsville is dominated by the B&O (and now Chessie).   The WM, PRR, P&WV, and P&LE got into there also.   But the big town for the PRR was Scottdale about 10 miles north.   

 

Anyway all that gave me an idea what the scenery would look like and I free-lanced the track plans in the towns because the prototype ones would be way too big.

 

At the time, I had drew some sketches and worked the measurements to get the mainline in my basement with an around the walls and a peninsula up the mmiddle.  I was able to maintain minimum 30 inch aisleways too.   After that I freelanced the trackwork in each of the 3 towns and the yard area.    I put 9 staging tracks inside the pennisula to represent the connections to the outside world - Mainline each direction, and Shire Oaks yard in the Mon Valley.

Poorly

I found a layout plan on line that I liked and modified it a little.I have added on to it a couple of times.

I used RR-Track to do the main track layout. I use AutoCAD to do nicer things like the touch control panel that Joey Ricard showed us that Kevin Hunter from Barrett Hill Trains is building.

Very good question, I started by gathering concepts that I wanted to incorporate into the railroad. My wife likes continuous running, I prefer continous running and classification yard switching operations. This was the first decision, the layout would have both continuous running and a large classification yard with a drill track. Second consideration, single or double main tracks, I chose double track, East and West main tracks. Next type of track, switches and uncouplers, I chose Gargrave Phantom tin plate track, Gargrave uncoupler and Gargrave and Ross switches.I also referenced a number of Kalmbach publications for the model railroad benchwork, track plans and how to build a model railroad for realistic operation, many of these publications can be used for any scale, decide if you are running steam,diesel or both, you will need servicing facilities, there are other issues that have to be decided, what is the available space for the layout, single, double or triple level operation,etc.
I would highly recommend that  you should spend some time on deciding what you want in your layout, make track sketches, and if it would help ask a friend in modeling railroad or Forum member for their opinion, their are many knowledgeable people on this Forum, and from my experience the layout concept is not cast in stone, as you start building the layout you will make changes, everyone including myself has made changes.
Enjoy your model railroading experiences.

Paper & Pencil on Graph Paper

     I started my layout in 1983 with Lionel O Gauge Tubular Track. In 1998 we moved from a house built in 1932 to a house built in 1936. In 1998 we added a 600 square foot addition to the house, with a modern basement under this part of the house. This is the trainroom, with no washing machine room. This makes it all Man Cave. The layout was moved to the new location and it was made a lot larger. About 25 feet by 10 feet. A U-Shape in this foot print.

    Change from Lionel Track, with wooden ties under the tubular track, to K-Line Track, with pins and black center rail. Plastic ties, see photo. I used to order the track from a K-Line Super Store. 

    I used a plastic template, see photo. The drawing was done in pencil on graph paper.

I have ben thinking about doing a drawing, with one of the following computer programs, because they will work on a Mac, with no other software.

http://www.haddonsoftware.com/emexinfo.html   For Mac

http://www.railmodeller.com/   For Mac

SolidWorks?  Wow, that's very expensive 3D CAD design software, and definitely overkill for track/layout planning.  Hope you didn't buy it just for that purpose, LOL. 

I'm with Lee, in the sense that I used a non-train-specific software that I'm already familiar with.  In my case it was MacDraft, a fairly simple and quite intuitive 2-D drafting application which has been around for a while; I had used it for years designing spec houses. 

 

Being very familiar with the application was the biggest consideration, I can draw very fast in MacDraft, it's second nature by now, and I enjoy the interface.  

 

As Lee said, I also knew that I was going to be custom-cutting my track and didn't need most of the the track-planning features. I didn't want to have to be conforming my design to standard templates, this was all freehand and from scratch.

 

Planning the layout in MacDraft was a very fun stage and I enjoyed it tremendously.  It was about a 6-month period, constantly changing and re-visualizing it (the final printout of the layout that I used for construction was "version 11.2").  When I reached the point where the changes were just minor refinements, I decided it was time to build.

 

The printout (at 3/4" = 1' scale) on my plotter was 24" x 40", this is much reduced, click to enlarge somewhat:

 

 

 

 

I used scarm . many tries before I picked one.

I regret to say that I chose a general idea, a G shape around the room, then built the platform to match/fit the space.  Once the tables were built, I just started fitting track, I wanted two loops.  Both are dog bones and the inner is really a single line with switch reverse looping at each end.  I threw in a switch yard in one end that has become a two level passenger station.  The main problem in my eyes is that most of the layout is only about 24" wide which is not to good for industry s and accessories.  It serves my needs though for now and I am adding a third loop elevated with wider curves.

I only use paper and pencil for track planning. I learned long ago the value of using a scale such as 3/4" to the foot. That makes 1/16" = 1", then a regular ruler has your scale. If your space is small enough, 1-1/2" to the foot is even better. You can draw a plan that you can easily measure from.

 

I always start with the benchwork, and design it with aisle space and reach depth in mind. From there I come up with a concept for the mainline, then fill in with industries. It's a little different when you're trying to recreate a particular piece of a railroad versus total freelance.

I started to dabble in a CAD program and on paper, then switched over to RR-Track to keep me honest, as this is my first real layout. I use/used it to do many that would fit my available space, and once I had one I liked, I mocked it up in the space. Turns out the trains didn't run all that well with some derailing issues at certain points, so I modified that mock-up until things ran pretty smoothly, then all that got put back into the drawing, and at this moment, here's where it stands.

 

 

Built the table space first and the stared at it and imagined and just started putting track down.   Stared at it again and more imagining  and moved track and buildings around.   Stared some more and......................................

 

 

Simple, a sketch on a piece of paper, no programs, no graph paper, just a simple sketch and then laid the track on the floor before building layout structure. 

 

Steve, Lady and Tex

Well....I am a little old fashioned so I drew the layout plan freehand on a piece of paper.  I wanted to take advantage of the space in the room as much as possible so my planning included around the room bench work but a central island.  So essentially I have a folded dog bone plan in the center of the room that is integrated with an around the walls plan....all drawn up without the assistance of any CAD type program.  From the free hand drawing, I made another one using graph paper so that I could scale the bench work since I knew I wanted 072 minimum curves.  All of the track work was drawn by hand once I determined the width of the bench work on the graph drawing. 

 

Then...I built the bench work transferring my track locations from the graph drawing to the bench work directly.  I did this several ways...  Where I had table top, I drew the track work directly on the table top.  Where I had open areas I used tape, string, etc.  As it turned out, very few adjustments were needed while transferring track locations on the drawing to the layout itself....

 

Alan