Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Accessing the track plan database

1547 views
9 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 7:20 PM

Maybe not all list the track you need,  but they give you the option to download a PDF, which you can save and do with as you wish.

Ya know, I don't really need a track plan, my small layout is built and running, but I guess what gripes me is the stuff you pay for, because of whatever the web issues are, is not availiable, and it seems to be a constant problem.

Look at the archives.  I think it was about $30 or more to get the archives access, I have read in here that those that do it on a monthly basis, are not getting charged, good for them, I paid for a years worth.

It would be nice to have it all fixed.  New subscribers come in here looking for answers, and they find out that things not working is the norm.

Mike.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 5:23 PM

 I've looked at lotsof plans in there and they don;t tell you the track you need. Very few are made with sectional track. It's just like the plan as published in the magazine, it may sya the minium radius and turnout, it MIGHT tell you the brand of the turnouts used - but in a custom layout there may be one or two other brand turnouts used to get a specific fit.

 Probably better that the archives are open, so you can go read the FULL article on the layout. which outside of ones that were presented in the original magazine as just track plans, will have a lot more info.

                                      --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 2:25 PM

Yes, you can scroll through the whole list, but when you click on a plan you like, you get the screen shot box I posted.

I we have to wait it out. Confused

Mike.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Sebring FL
  • 842 posts
Posted by floridaflyer on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 1:38 PM

I now understand your problem, you can access the plans you can't down load. I tried to down load one and was told the site was not available. 

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 1:30 PM

rrinker
So what happens when you click on Find my subscription?

You go to a page that ask you to fill out some info on your account, such as zip code, email, name, account #, etc., you need to fill out at least 2 areas.

Then the next click takes you to your subscription information, where it shows what you subscribed to, when you subscribed, when your last issue will be, your contact info, etc.

There is no "Access Code".  That is only for people using Zino, Nook, Apple or Google Play,  and for them, it tells you where to find your code.

I called MR CS, and surprisingly, got through right away, and a young lady named Lisa Marie, explained to me that the web people are having problems with updates, and they are aware of problems with magazine subscribers having difficulty accessing "Subscriber Extras", and that the Digital Archives is still open to all, until everything gets fixed.

The list of track plans does show what year and month, in MR, where the track plan was published.

Subscribers are supposed to be able to click on the plan they see in the data base list, and a page comes up where you can download a PDF with the complete plan, along with what track is needed.

Mike.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 12:53 PM

 So what happens when you click on Find my subscription?

                                      --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 9:29 AM

floridaflyer
everything worked fine.

Good for you, not here!  I've tried through the "subscriber extra" link, and the link under Model Railroad Tools.

Sure, I can look at the drawing, but when I click on it, to down load the PDF, I get this:

And I am a magazine subscriber.  Many others having the same problem.

I've tried in Fire Fox, IE, and Chrome.

Mike.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Sebring FL
  • 842 posts
Posted by floridaflyer on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 9:19 AM

Tried to get in a minute ago, no problem, searched a couple types of plans, everything worked fine.

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 8:48 AM

Hi Bobbie, welcome to the forums.  I guess everyone missed this, and, as a new member your post are held up a couple of days, but anyway,  the problem you are having is nothing new.

There have been multiple problems with the web site, and this is one of them.  I'm a subscriber, and I can't access the track plan data base, along with many other people.

You can try calling MR customer service, but that usually resolves nothing. 

They seem to be constantly trying to fix things,  I don't know what else to tell you, as it's been a frustrating few months for many of us.

For a kind of work around, go to the data base, find the plan you like, look at what issue and year it was published in MR magazine, than go to the digital archives (which is free to all right now, as problems have interupted this feature also, so they opend up for all to use) find the magazine, and look at the plan there.  By clicking on the article, it will enlarge so it's easier to check it out.

Good luck!

Mike.

  • Member since
    June 2015
  • 2 posts
Accessing the track plan database
Posted by BOBBY GRIFFIN on Friday, January 25, 2019 8:40 PM

I am unable to access the track plan database. It says that it is only available to subscribers even though I’m a subscriber and am logged in. Anyone else have problems or know how to fix my problem.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!