Help with Track Planning

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CNW Jay

give me the demionsions. of the layout and i can plan one for you[:)]

Yes, give US the dimensions. Your goals, what prototype, landscape, any equipment you already have and want to use, and I am certain there are bunches of us out here that will do it for free. Or we could even do it by committee on the form. There is one for layouts.

[Anonymous]

give me the demionsions. of the layout and i can plan one for you[:)]

[selector]

Good advice, Tom. I agree with starting 'doable', learning a few druthers (because we all get 'em in this hobby), and then enjoy the planning of the dream.

Most common druther: larger radii in the main curves.
Second most common druther:shallower grades, meaning stay away from grades higher than 3%.

Most common mistake: building anything resembling a layout without doing a TON of homework. As me dear ol' Dad says, "Sin in haste, repent at leisure."

[tstage]

Bad aim,

If this is your first layout then I would strongly suggest that you forego the "perfect" layout and settle for a more simpliflied and smaller layout. A 4 x 8' is a reasonable starter size and you can learn a lot along the way without having to spend a googob of money or time. Get your feet wet and learn.

Just a suggestion. Check out the Atlas RTS sofware on the Atlas web site: http://www.atlasrr.com (Click on RTS download on the left side of the screen) The sofware takes a bit getting used to but it is handy to have because it gives you some hands-on layout experience with trying out layouts that you can alter and save to your hearts content.

Atlas also has and makes layout "kits" that can purchase. You can view them on the Atlas site, as well. (I believe there are about 36 of them.) They range from a basic oval and one side spur to some very elaborate and complicated over and unders. It's definitely worth a look.

They even tell you what track you need to replicate the plan - using Atlas track, of course. It may also help give you some ideas on what you like and don't like. Visiting other sites is also an inciteful way to learn but can be overwhelming and/or discouraging - depending on the amount of detail the modeler has poured inito his or her layout.

Bad aim, again, keep you first layout a simple one so that you can run trains early on and not be so wrapped up into the details. Think of it as "on the job training" for your next "perfect" layout.

Tom

[IRONROOSTER]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mark_in_utah

QUOTE: Originally posted by wenjclute

I'm doing my first ever lay out. It will be HO scale and I have a some questions. what is the distance between roadbed that are on a straight line. Also the distance on 22", 18", and 15" raduis between road beds. I may have to use a 15" raduis ,180 deg. on the main line. What sort of problems might I have.

For HO scale, plan on a minimum of 2" on center between parallel straight tracks. For curves you have to add more. How much you add depends on the length of cars and locomotives you plan on running. You need enough seperation to keep the inside and outside trains from clipping each other. For a 28" curve I planned on 2 1/2" on center seperation.

I'd definately steer away from that 15" radious curve in HO. Most manufactureres will give you a big thumbs down on that one. Short cars will track it, but most locomotives of any kind will complain or derail. 18" minimum, and MUCH bigger preferred. Stick to a 22" minimum radius for reliable operation if you can. Also remember that stuff will looks screwy running on a sharp turn. Once you can see the outside rail under a car or locomotive, then all realism goes away.

Mark in Utah

NMRA on their site has a page of recommended curves for different equipment http://www.nmra.org/standards/rp-11.html for 15" radius you want 4 wheel locos and 40' or less cars. As Mark says, you want the largest radius possible. Not only do the trains look better, but they operate better. OTOH if 15" is all you can manage then go for it, you'll just run short cars and locos.

Enjoy
Paul

[trainboyH16-44]

Give your room specs and what you want in a layout to me, and I'll design it for free. But you have to give the request to me soon, as school lets out in 3 weeks. After then I might not have a computer until september, but I just might get one soon. I design them using templates in Paint.
Matthew Hicks
[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wenjclute

I'm doing my first ever lay out. It will be HO scale and I have a some questions. what is the distance between roadbed that are on a straight line. Also the distance on 22", 18", and 15" raduis between road beds. I may have to use a 15" raduis ,180 deg. on the main line. What sort of problems might I have.

For HO scale, plan on a minimum of 2" on center between parallel straight tracks. For curves you have to add more. How much you add depends on the length of cars and locomotives you plan on running. You need enough seperation to keep the inside and outside trains from clipping each other. For a 28" curve I planned on 2 1/2" on center seperation.

I'd definately steer away from that 15" radious curve in HO. Most manufactureres will give you a big thumbs down on that one. Short cars will track it, but most locomotives of any kind will complain or derail. 18" minimum, and MUCH bigger preferred. Stick to a 22" minimum radius for reliable operation if you can. Also remember that stuff will looks screwy running on a sharp turn. Once you can see the outside rail under a car or locomotive, then all realism goes away.

Mark in Utah

[Anonymous]

It also works to think of a simple track plan that fits what you want you want to do with your space, then change it and add on to it as you lay track. Another way is to pick a track plan out of a book and change it and add on to it as you go.[;)]

[Anonymous]

I'm doing my first ever lay out. It will be HO scale and I have a some questions. what is the distance between roadbed that are on a straight line. Also the distance on 22", 18", and 15" raduis between road beds. I may have to use a 15" raduis ,180 deg. on the main line. What sort of problems might I have.

[JohnT14808]

Good Luck with your planning, bad aim.....and WELCOME to the forum!!!

[pcarrell]

Atals has "right track" planning software and its a free download. It uses atlas track so you are assured that it will fit with their track, and its close enough to other brands that its not a big deal.

It takes a little getting used to but its not bad, and the price is right!

[Anonymous]

There are lots of web sites out there that can help you. Just Google "model railroad track plans".

[Anonymous]

Cool Thanks!

Just give me a few days and I'll email it to ya! thanks!

[selector]

Or, and I only offer this in the spirit of good will, there are several regulars on line here who would be happy to take a look at your dream and offer suggestions for tweaking. If you post a sketch or digital representation, we will 'have at it' over a couple of days to help you to get the best out of your dream.

Welcome to our home! [:)]

[cuyama]

You'll find the websites of a few folks who will do custom model railroad design on the NMRA's "custom services" page:
http://www.cwrr.com/nmra/Manb-Custom.html
There are websites for many different services on this page, but a few custom designers' sites are among them.

Full disclosure, my own humble site is one of those:
http://www.modelrail.us

MR magazine also carries ads from a number of these and other custom designers / builders each month. Some will do designs only, others only offer design as part of a larger custom layout building project.

Regards,

Byron

[Anonymous]

Would you know of someone in particular?

[Anonymous]

I think it is possible to have someone design your track plan, but it may cost a bit.

[Anonymous]

Well, I understand that track planning takes alot of time and effort to create the "perfect" one. Well, I am horrible at it (all mine track plans are too "dreamish".) Is there a company that offers its time to help people create track plans? Thanks!