How did you design your layout?

I used a track planning software (rr-track), and went through many versions and iterations.  Even after all of that time, I still made one change while actually constructing the layout - an opportunity to improve the visuals.   Most of the layout went as planned using the software - and I am happy with the result.

It’s hard to believe that the Passaic, Raritan, Neshaminy, Delaware and Lehigh (Reporting Marks: PRND&L) is so old that it predates much of the design software available these days.

 

I started out old school, laying out track (what bits I had of it) on the basement floor and using colored chalk to mark locations, table edges, etc. Once I firmed on the exact size and location of the layout structure, I then experimented with the track on the tabletop.

 

This was not a fast process – a major redesign occurred just six years ago – but it was a lot of fun doing it this way, and I would do it again. As Edison said, I learned some very useful lessons from things I tried that didn’t work.

Years ago, I designed a corner HO layout by actually drawing the final layout full size on pieces of paper taped together on the floor and then built the bench work and "cookie-cutter" plywood track support on top of the pattern on the floor.

 

When I recently decided to rip up the entire operating HO layout and build a new O guage layout on top of the existing bench work, I used SCARM to design the track plan to fit the space available.

 

SCARM is free, easy to learn and to use, has a decent 3D function, and can provide a complete list of the track needed from the plan.  It has also been very helpful in considering changes or future modifications.

 

I know that the layout (attached) is somewhat simple, however, it is very easy for my grandkids to operate the two trains without mishap.

I have found this thread really interesting and informative.  What amazes me are the forum members here that created complex layouts with pen and paper.  I really envy you.  There is no way I could have done that.

 

In my earlier post I did not mention my goals.  I have a pretty long list, but mostly they centered on two main goals.  One of these goals was to have a large loop of track so I could continuously run long trains if I wanted to (loop running).  Another goal was to have a layout where I could do some switching with local freights to/from industry tracks, with a usable yard to make/break trains.  I wanted out and back operation.

 

In the space I had, these two goals worked against each other.  That is why I looked at many different layout configurations.  I decided that I would have a small town yard on a busy main line.  My long trains would be through freights and express trains, and various types of passenger trains (long-distance/ commuter/ accommodation).  These trains would be parked in my staging yard and come out for a lap or two, drop off/pick up cars at the yard, and go back into the staging yard.  Finding a place for the staging yard was a major problem, forcing some compromises.

 

The yard needed to be set up so trains can leave in both directions for out and back operations.  I have industries along the main lines and a way for the engine to run around the cars so they don’t have to go all the way around the loops.

 

I do not think I could have developed the yard and terminal area for this without the track planning software because a secondary goal was to fit into this area as many operational features as possible.  There are many short (cut to fit) pieces to make the track smooth with no kinks.  When I actually lay the track, most of these short sections will go away as a lay longer pieces of flex track.  Here is the schematic of the yard.

 

 

 

Here is what the yard looks like in RR-Track.   It is very crowded with track with few scenic possibilities.  That is okay by me; I will have plenty of scenic opportunities on the rest of the layout.  I do not think I could have developed this plan without the capability to easily do numerous small changes, then easily go back if the change did not work.  ADDED:  FYI: I run right hand traffic on the double track mainline, and the extra trackage supports reversing loops.

 

Ron

Well, compared to all the intelligent planners who contributed ahead of me here on this thread, I can see I am sort of the "anti-planner" oddball. Yup. Not trying to sound "fresh," but planning never occurred to me. I swear (but didn't "swear" during any of its construction.)

 

I simply, and in this order:

1. asked my new bride if the whole rest of our new house was furnished to her satisfaction; Answer: Yes!
2. asked if she'd mind if I took over the basement for a train layout; Answer: "So long as you leave a pathway so we can get to the furnace and laundry-room." Yes!
3. ordered enough plywood (twenty 4x8, 3/4", finished-on-one-side sheets) and pre-cut 2x4s (for frames, cross-bracing, and legs) to fill-up every inch of the entire basement that was to the left or right of the pathway to utilities and the exit door to the garage, and passageway to the cellar stairs.
4. promptly got intimidated by the amount of all that lumber when it was delivered, and said, "Uh oh."
5. got to work constructing the first "table," of 4x8' dimensions; attached the legs (total time: 1hr.); couldn't right it myself; asked my wife to help me get it onto its legs. She did so. Voila! Victory! Any intimidation about all the lumber awaiting me, stored in the garage, was immediately gone.
6. the righting of the first table, by the both of us, made my wife an ally, not simply an observer. That has made all the difference.
7. smelled the fragrance of all that fresh lumber and never looked back.
8. bought tons of track and waaaaaaay too many switches (o-72s and o-27s - I have no idea why!) and kind of rolled around atop the conjoined plywood table units, each carriage-bolted to its neighbor(s) and wallowed around in the glory of all that acreage, changing the track configuration about a hundred times!
9. then, I bought train magazines and tried to learn how to make the whole shebang look like something other folks could enjoy along with my wife and me.
10. we've been happy ever since. And didn't plan a bit of it.

FrankM

P.S. Attached is a photo of how that construction looks, with the miniature world of Moon Township crafted upon it.

Tracing paper and a scale ruler.

 

I built the room under the attic truss and lined the wall with tables. Then I played with track until I arrived at a plan that allows two trains to run on separate lines. I had to work around the 2 sunlight tubes that pass through the room and the 24" knee walls. I tried to use AnyRail software but I never mastered it and just laid track to get the most action. 

Hello All,

I had a rough idea of the overall dimensions and found a plan in the Atlas O layout book (#16) that approximated what I had envisioned. That plan was inputted to RailModeller on my Mac. Changes were made to allow a double main line and the sidings were rearranged to fit. This gave me a parts list of the Gargraves trackage and Ross switches that I could give my LHS to obtain for me. I now have a 8 by 24 foot layout under construction.

I started out with SCARM to figure out how much track I would need. Bought all the track and than just kind of went with it. I think when you start stacking levels on top of each other, overhead drawings become hard to follow and the 3D rendering is kind of deceiving. I didn't like how the display looked in SCARM and if I'd of had any confidence in the 3D rendering being an accurate representation I probably wouldn't have the display I'm operating today.

Moonson, that's it! Bingo. Jackpot. You nailed it.  That's what this is ALL about.  Thank you!

 

 

I used RailModeller which made it easy.  I spent many months going through iterations and revising the layout size. The software made the revisions very easy and quick to make.   I had certain features that I wanted to incorporate.  After a while I realized I could not get them all in the space available and was able to be selective.  I am now starting the benchwork so we will see how well the design holds up.

 

Al

Totally designed the whole thing with RR-Track software.  I made changes many times before I ever laid track and still made some during the laying process.  The RR-Track drawing also was changed to reflect the final result.

.....

Dennis

I came from a slightly different direction. 

 

My "train building" is a 16x20 "stick built" building in my back yard.  It was built in the mid 90s for an HO layout and when I moved into 3 rail several years ago, I already had the benchwork in place.  So, I designed to fit the available shelves. 

 

The benchwork had an around the wall shelf that went from 30 inches wide on the two long walls to about 36 inches on one narrow wall and only 18 inches on the 4th wall.  There is a 48 inch by 12ft peninsula that runs from the one 36 inch wide shelf into the middle of the room.  (Entry is via a duck under.)

 

I envisioned a small rural setting with one town (hey, it is 3 rail and requires a lot more space for structures and curve radius than HO) with a semi hidden staging track.  But I never could find a practical use for the peninsula and was not excited about demolishing the peninsula simply "because".  At the time I was using the Atlas free track planning software.

 

About that time, my friend and fellow Oklahoma modeler Andre Ming (OGR member laming) was working on an urban setting switching layout and it was as if the clouds parted and the sun shined on me, leading me from the darkness of HO and finally into the bright land of 3 rail. 

 

Using common sense and the same Atlas freeware track planning software, I made several attempts to design my layout and eventually, a continuous run switching layout (with track that used the peninsula for the stockyards and meat packing district along with some general industry.)

 

What I learned (having been an HO modeler) is that a 4x8 HO layout can fit nicely in 8x16 as a 3 rail layout...but if you "spread it out" to an around the room layout, you also have room for a peninsula and you can plan to walk with your train...AND everything is within "arms reach".  My aisle is a U shape space that is 36 inches wide allowing for "me"...and my nickname on stage, "Fat Tony"...is truth in advertising.  Thus, having that much aisle space is a good thing.

 

I definitely agree with Bob Delbridge that you should opt for the largest curves you can.  Yes, you can put a lot of O27 or O31 on a 4x8, but you can put a much more appealing track plan in a larger space.  I settled for O-72 since that would be 18 inch radius in HO which is tight, but adequate.  Granted, I would have liked a larger diameter curve, however, I already had bench work that could accommodate O-72 but not larger.  Besides, the trade off would have been shorter tangent track which would have altered the pass track length and all sorts of other issues.

 

It is all about the compromise we are willing to make.  I am very glad I passed by O-54 and "satisfied" with O-72.  So far...

Combination of RR Track 5 & laying it out by hand. My layout is in one end tight to 3 walls and 1 side of living room ( no basement,  attic,  spare room, & garage too drafty & cold in winter)  so I had to develop my track plans to fit my limited space.  Dealing with 4'8" deep & 8'6" wide with an "L" extension of 6' wide & 3'8" deep makes it very tight to do reversing loops, I am using Lionel Fastrack 0-36 for everything  and curves except for a pair of MTH Realtrax O-31 curves to fit inside the Fastrack curves. Have base top of layout at 24 inches so I can climb up onto to build. When I do manage to get it all built it will have 3 levels.  Train 1 only runs level 1, train 2 (my MTH Protosounds 2 with cruise control) will run level 1 with a incline to level 2 with reversing loops both levels, train 3 will only run level 2 with reversing loops, & a trolley will run level 3 with stop/start stations and reversing loops. Did it both by RR TRACK 5 and laying out pieces on plywood in garage on sawhorses and doing measurements to make sure it will all fit. Because of accessibility issues with having to be able to get up on the layout and low ceiling I can't have hatches to access layout I probably will not be able to do a lot of scenery but I would rather have the trains running than scenery.  Just hope the knees hold up long enough to get it built and running trains sometime in the future sooner than later. Forget Prototypical on this layout, just getting them running would make me happy!

In my dreams! I even ran trains on it before building the layout. Then I made a plan using RR Track software. After building the tables, I found that the tracks did not fit like the plan, so I made it work but it appears like the plan.