Layout Design Help

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know of a good start-to-finish book that will guide me in building a large layout? All the track plan books I have by Kalmbach are just that - track plans. Nothing re: bench work, wiring, etc. The layout I am planning will be about 22' x 8', with two levels. All the start-to-finish books I have seen are for 4x8. Thanks for the help!!!

[Anonymous]

Matt,

I think you should buy at least four books if you are going to build a layout as large as you are planning.

1) How to Operate your Model Railroad by Bruce Chub
2) Track Planning for Realistic Operation by John Armstrong
3) Easy Model Railroad Wiring by Andy Sperandeo
4) How to Build Model Railroad Benchwork

If you are considering a DCC system instead of block wiring then you should buy a book on that subject as well but I recommend buying the 'Wiring' book anyway. There are many other books I recommend but I think these are essential.

Good Luck - Ed

[BR60103]

Matt:
Ed's covered almost everything. You will also want a copy of the latest edition of Scenery for Model RRs by Bill McClanahan and maybe another one.
If you want step by steps on a large railroad, you need to look through old issues of Model Railroader -- there are occasional features on building railroads.

David the Platelayer