I have been slowly planning a rebuild on the layout. so for some ideas and inspiration, I have been looking at trakplans online. I have found a problem. most of what I am finding posted are the old spaghetti bowl or centre consol round and round. nothing really railroad orieneted. designed more for running. arailroad. there is the occassional 101 track plans book plan that appears. are there other search terms that result in better plans other than the old spaghetti bowl? keep in mind I am looking for the angle of inspiration than building an existing plan.
shane
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
Have you used the search term 'point-to-point?'
Gallery - The Track Planner
Best Model Railway Track Plans - Best Point to Point Model Railroad Layouts - YouTube
Hello All,
John Allen the “Wizzard Of Monterey" on planning:
"A model railroad should probably start with a concept. Why? Because much knowledge about railroading, experience in model railroading, and thought are required before a proper concept for a model railroad can be formed. These requirements are seldom possible on a first pike. Mine was no exception." - -John Allen; Gorre & Daphetid Railroad.
As I've posted before...
Considering WHAT you want to model can sometimes be more important than HOW you model it.
My suggestion is to think about what industries/era- -steam or diesel/location(s), you want to run your trains through, rather than looking at a track plan and reverse engineering it to your satisfaction.
When I was presented with a blank slate of a 4'x8' space for HO my first thought was not what can I fit in that space but rather, what industry could be best represented with the compromises I'm faced with?
You can base a switching layout on a portion of a vast steel mill, or you can condense a mainline passenger service in the same space.
Modeling every aspect of a railroad can be almost impossible- -see my signature.
Modeling what and how you want to run your railroad is easily attainable, with the caveat of compression.
Without knowing WHAT you want to model I, and others, can't advise you on HOW.
That can be the most daunting task of deciding on a pike.
I wish I had a better answer to your inquiry.
Yes, we can assist, but the decision is ultimately up to you.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
My 1st mentor told me to aim for less track and more scenery/industry. It makes sense. Avoid the spaghetti bowl entirely.