After hours of time, both at home and (ahem) at work, reams of paper, Atlas RTS 8.0 to help, I've come to the realization that I have the track design skills of a turnip.
Therefore, I'm asking forum members for recommendations for a track design person and/or firm who will be able to make sense of my mish-mash of ideas.
Any help is appreciated!
Len
rockythegoat wrote:I'm asking forum members for recommendations for a track design person and/or firm who will be able to make sense of my mish-mash of ideas.
Here's a good one: Model Rail Services ...
I know the proprietor Byron well, and he often posts comments here on the MR forum. I kind of consider the mantle the Dean of Track Planning, John Armstrong had ... has passed to Byron.
Joe Fugate Modeling the 1980s SP Siskiyou Line in southern Oregon
i dont use model rr design places because i sent a few of them forms over a month or two ago and no sort of responces from any of them yet.
Well if you haven't already, take a look at the various track planning books out there, especially the ones by John Armstrong. Don't worry so much about trying to find a specific track plan to use, but rather read them to understand more about how to plan a layout - picking out the industries you want, determining what kind of railroad you want etc.
Maybe think less about designing a really good model railroad, and concentrate more on finding the right prototype to model. Once you know what you want to model (BNSF mainline in the Rockies, N&W branchline in the fifties, Chicagoland commuter lines in the 1970's etc.) it will allow you to narrow your focus on reproducing what the real trains did, rather than just coming with a clever model track plan.
Remember that unless you're an unusual guy, the "final" layout plan you have is probably not what your model railroad will look like. Once you start laying track and putting buildings and scenery in place, ideas will come to you that you would never have had just doing drawings on the drawingboard, and new kits may come out for industries you wouldn't have thought about modelling beforehand. Just worry about getting the general idea of what you want to do down on paper, the overall size and shape of the layout etc., and accept that changes are a part of the creative process.
Texas Zepher wrote: rockythegoat wrote:I'm asking forum members for recommendations for a track design person and/or firm who will be able to make sense of my mish-mash of ideas.What format are your mish-mash of ideas in? Are they electronic so they could be attached to e-mails.
Some of the documents are and I'll try to load the stuff I have.
jfugate wrote:Here's a good one: Model Rail Services ...I know the proprietor Byron well, and he often posts comments here on the MR forum. I kind of consider the mantle the Dean of Track Planning, John Armstrong had ... has passed to Byron.
Thanks! Byron had already made my short list.
wjstix wrote:Well if you haven't already, take a look at the various track planning books out there, especially the ones by John Armstrong. Don't worry so much about trying to find a specific track plan to use, but rather read them to understand more about how to plan a layout - picking out the industries you want, determining what kind of railroad you want etc.
You name a track planning book from Kalmbach or Carstens published in the last 25 years and I likely have it. To quote one of the great philosophers of our time, Austin Powers, "It ain't my bag, baby!" I just can't get the stuff to flow so it makes sense from any point of view. I understand it, just can't get it all to link up and make sense. Probably the same reason why I don't/can't sing, play a musical instrument, or can paint or draw to save my life.
I know a track designer would be of immense help, however, I'm having some sticker shock with what it will cost. NOT SAYING THEY AREN'T WORTH IT OR HAVE SKILLS, AS THEY CERTAINLY DO!!!! (No flame wars or other drama, please.) Obviously, as the sage pointed out, they have more skills then me in this arena and they do provide a valuable service. I just need to get my mind wrapped around the process and the cost before I take that leap.
Plus, I will need to convince "She who must be obeyed" the value of this purchase, if that is how I decide to go.
Rocky,
Sorry you're having problems. I'd second Joe's recommendation of Byron Henderson. However I can definitely understand sticker shock. Having tried Atlas RTS many years ago, lets just say that I quickly went on to Cad Rail and then to 3rdPlanit. But even the best CAD program won't design something for you.
Might I suggest an alternative?
Go measure your layout space in excruciating detail and prepare a scale drawing of it showing walls, doors (and which way they open), windows, pipes, posts, ceiling clearances, steps, other floor obstacles (and you'll need to do this anyway to use a commercial design service).
Then prepare a list...
1) My desires for owning/building a model railroad are
( ) railfanning
( ) construction
( ) realistic scenery
( ) photography
( ) realistic operation with ___ friends
2) I want to freelance and create my own railroad ( )
I want to model the following railroad(s)
____ ____ ____ ____ with ____% prototype accuracy
3) I want to model the era of _____ to _____
4) I want freight operation ____ %
I want passenger operation ____ %
5) When I think of the model railroad I want to build I see _____________________
Then post this stuff and see whether anyone has some suggestions for you. You'll get asked all these questions and more by a commercial designer anyway...
Regards,
Charlie Comstock
Have you made a list of what you want for your layout (specific RR, era, location, industries, etc.)? Are there specific scenic features you want (mountains, plains, rivers, forest, etc.)?
You need to have some sort of idea to begin with.
Do you have a space already in mind where the layout will go with fixed dimensions and potential barriers/obstacles?
Have you picked a scale (HO, N, G, O)?
Do you have any sort of track plan in mind that you can post so we can help?
Is this your first layout?
Are you interested in operations or railfanning? Or some mix of both?
Give us some more details than just "I suck at track planning, make me a plan."
-G-
edit: looks like Charlie and I posted almost the same thing at the same time
Lateral-G wrote: Give us some more details than just "I suck at track planning, make me a plan."
This is my third layout, not happy with my previous two. Been in the game over 30 years, so I can build it and maintain it, once I get it! And I wasn't asking for track planning help per se, although I appreciate all of the offers and may still go that route here on the boards, but, was asking for advice on designers as I was curious on if that route is one to take.
Should it not pan out, I'll gladly bare my soul of "givens and druthers" to all y'all.
Hi Len,
I am also on my 3rd layout and did not like the first two. So, I looked through a lot of track planning books and magazines. I found a handful of plans I liked. Then, I took each plan and altered it to my space requirements, adding and deleting track, etc., and finally settling upon my new "plan-bashed" design. This took a lot of research looking at lots of different plans.
Yours In Model Railroading,
John
Littleton, CO
I engaged the services of a trackplanner / LDSIG member via a referral from another layout designer who was booked for a year in advance.
I had previously started a"conversation" with Byron - he's a great guy and is also committed several months ahead.
My advice is diligent internet searching and email queries. Good luck
BCSJ wrote: Rocky,Sorry you're having problems. I'd second Joe's recommendation of Byron Henderson. However I can definitely understand sticker shock. Having tried Atlas RTS many years ago, lets just say that I quickly went on to Cad Rail and then to 3rdPlanit. But even the best CAD program won't design something for you.Might I suggest an alternative?Go measure your layout space in excruciating detail and prepare a scale drawing of it showing walls, doors (and which way they open), windows, pipes, posts, ceiling clearances, steps, other floor obstacles (and you'll need to do this anyway to use a commercial design service).Then prepare a list...1) My desires for owning/building a model railroad are ( ) railfanning ( ) construction ( ) realistic scenery ( ) photography ( ) realistic operation with ___ friends2) I want to freelance and create my own railroad ( ) I want to model the following railroad(s) ____ ____ ____ ____ with ____% prototype accuracy3) I want to model the era of _____ to _____4) I want freight operation ____ % I want passenger operation ____ % 5) When I think of the model railroad I want to build I see _____________________Then post this stuff and see whether anyone has some suggestions for you. You'll get asked all these questions and more by a commercial designer anyway...Regards,Charlie Comstock
We could make it a contest. Winner gets the largest city (or largest industry) on the layout named after them !!
wjstix wrote:We could make it a contest. Winner gets the largest city (or largest industry) on the layout named after them !!
Bwa-ha-ha-ha!!!! If you guys want to play it's a deal. As much as I'd like to, I am not going to be able to use a designer. I can't justify the cost to the "Boss" and to be honest, justify it to myself, even though I know I would get a very good product.
OK, here's the deal. The winner will get a major industry or structure (their choice) named after them. Why, it could be considered a...here it comes...wait for it...........
"A major award!" (No, it won't have to come from France, so it won't be frah-gee-lay!)
Should there be a tie, the winners will each get something named after them.
I'll open a new thread and title it "Layout Contest - Get Something Named After You!"
This could be fun (or not) but, what the heck, keeps us off the street and it beats working.