Teen Association of Model Railroaders

Why Do You Want to  Model?

If you want to have a 3' x 3' circle in N-scale, single block with a SD70MAC hauling 40' box cars - do that! If you want a 1930's logging line, do that too! Every modeller has a different intention for their layout. I hope with this article we give you ideas how to do what you want, not tell you what to build. Also, we won't have all the answers, but I hope that with a little advice you can build something you enjoy. If you have questions you can contact us on the forums, the NMRA website, and your local hobby shop dealer can also be very helpful.

Operations

Whichever design you choose feel free to use "artistic license" to modify the layout from the prototype to work how you want or need it to work to fit, or be in your budget. Some general categories:

1. Out and back: The train leaves the terminal and proceeds around a line which ends up back at the terminal. The one terminal may be operated as if it were two different terminals, one at each end of the line. The scheme works best of the four for small spaces.
2. Division point: Trains proceed to staging in each direction out of the terminal. The terminal is a "division point yard" where all trains stop and crews are changed. This requires a reasonable mainline run on each side of the yard before going into staging. This scheme typically works best in large spaces, and is especially suited for railroads where mainline running is the operations goal.
3. Main terminal: One end of the terminal immediately plunges into staging, the other end connects to the mainline run portion of the layout before going into its own staging. This scheme works especially well for combination mainline run/switching oriented operators.
4. Branchline: The terminal is on a mainline "oval loop", the other part of the oval is hidden staging for mainline trains. A branchline connects to the main at the terminal, and meanders off into the countryside servicing local industries. Mainline trains drop off and pickup cars for the branchline, left at the interchange terminal. Obviously a switching-oriented design.

Prototype

Are you recreating something that already existed in the real world? If yes, do some reasearch about it and places similiar to it to find out what you want to include in your layout. Pick the year or era you wish to model. Feel free to use the artistic license to modify the layout from the prototype.

Space

Space is something few of us have enough of. So after you've decided what you want to model, when you want to model, you need to come back to earth and ask 'how can I model that in the space I have?' The answer will likely require a change on scale or a serious refactoring of the  trackplan and objectives.

Cost

Like space, cost is another thing many modellers have trouble with. You're going to need to scale back a few things or plan to not complete your layout for months or even years depending on your finances.

Scales

HO is considered the most popular with N being most popular for the teen age group.

As many modellers find, the different scale is all about trade offs. With smaller scales you can typically run longer trains but they also typically are harder to switch with. The cost for the detail in the smaller scales is also higher. However, the larger scales are also a lot of money because of the larger amount of materials.

• Space (Spare room? 2x2 or 16x40? Around the wall or one piece of plywood?)
• Operations (Switching, Branchline or Mainline?)
• Prototype (Are you re-creating something that exists?)
• Era (Year, 1900s? Current?)
• Cost (Pick a cost effective scale for the size of layout you're hoping to build)

Modules

Also consider joining a local modular organization. Their are some benefits, such as costs are typically lower, you get your benchwork together quickly because other people in the group have done it the exact same way. Some downfalls include that some only setup at shows, your track has to enter and exit at a specific point. But for a lot of clubs the benefits outway the downfalls, especially when you're new to the hobby.

 Here are some additonal general guidelines:

• Don't plan a layout to please or impress anyone but yourself.
• Read every track-planning book you can get your hands on, and carefully examine every published track plan you see, whether it's for your scale or not. A town that occupies a tiny percentage of someone's huge layout, may have the perfect track arrangement for the principal town on your smaller pike.
• Don't cram in as much track as will fit. You'll be happier in the long run if you omit some track to make room for scenery.
• Regarding aisles and access space, the consensus of opinion is that you're better off with aisles that are too wide than too narrow. Most of us don't get narrower as we age.
• Don't make a switching puzzle out of every yard and industrial location, unless you (and your fellow operators) really like switching puzzles. The prototype doesn't do it that way unless they absolutely have to.
• Don't put any track out of easy reach. "Easy" means you can put all the cars of a derailed train back on the track without strain. If you need wide benchwork, make it lower to compensate.
• Don't assume that your layout has to have a yard and/or an engine facility. Many layouts, especially small ones, don't need them and could put the space to better use as industries or scenery.
• Scenery can be impressive without soaring mountains, deep tunnels, and towering timber trestles. A simple truss bridge over a creek can look great on a small layout with short trains.

Tools

Links

1. http://ldsig.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page - The Layout Design Special Interests Group
2. http://www.gatewaynmra.org/designops.htm - NMRA standards and tips on how to build a layout
3. http://www.naisp.net/mfischer/m_train5.htm - ideas of mistakes to avoid