layouts

[Anonymous]

I am a greenhorn to HO. I a copy of l westcotts HO primer. In this book is a layout called nescher & south mineral rr. Is there a more detailed description of how to build this layout. Also I have a copy of How to wire your layout. On page 40 is a layout that looks very interesting anyone know where I can instructions on how biuld this layout. Any help on getting layouts with instructions would be a great help.

[ereimer]

it's highly unlikely that there are more detailed instructions on how to build those layouts . to find the sort of info you're looking for you'll have to look at something like http://store.yahoo.com/kalmbachcatalog/12121.html
or http://store.yahoo.com/kalmbachcatalog/12236.html
there are several similar books at your LHS or direct from the publishers .
there are also many books of layout plans , and books specifically about benchwork construction . and several times a year Model Railroader magazine will do a complete layout construction article .
another great place to look for construction tips is the link at the bottom of peoples messages here , there are a lot of great construction photos on peoples web sites that can show you as much or more than any book i've seen

you'll find there is an amazing amount of reading you can do , the real trick is to not just read about it , but to actually do something !

[ARTHILL]

Look at lots of plans. Get a good diagram of your space. Then incorperate the details of what you have seen and rework until it does work. I finaly ran blue masking tape around the floor full scale until it was close. What I have is the best of 4 or 5 mag articals plus some ideas of my own. Take a few weeks to think it through. Then build something knowing that you will probably rebuild some of it rather soon. All this creativity is part of the hobby.

[selector]

Yes, I also did the clear-off-the-floor-space and lay-tape-to-show-layout-shape-and -where-the-rails-would-go tricks. It may seem hokey, but it sure gives you a bird's-eye view of how things will look, and what limitations you might encounter. And, in all fairness, if you share the place with another person, it gives them fair warning that you intend to make use of that much space.

Aah, to be there once again.

[cuyama]

If you are talking about the layout on page 40 of the Easy Model Railroad Wiring book, it is the Sanaxis and Phrax. On page 35 of that same book, it tells you that the Sanaxis and Phrax is Plan 42 from the book 101 Track Plans for Model Railroaders (Kalmbach, 1956, still available).

As others have noted, there is no detailed explanation of how to build this and many other published layouts, but it will basically be the same process as for other layouts which are described in more-detailed books and articles. The trickiest part for many people, the DC wiring, is all explained in Easy Model Railroad Wiring for the Sanaxis and Phrax.

Any of the more modern "How to Build an HO layout" books from Kalmbach would have plenty of information on how to lay track, build scenery, etc. This information is also repeated each year in various issues of Model Railroader magazine, so back issues at a friend's place or at the library might provide all the information you need. A project layout series of articles usually begins in the December issue each year. These are usally very detailed with a lot of step-by-step instruction.

In addition, the NMRA has an online beginner's layout guide at:
http://www.nmra.org/beginner/

Some good advice you have already received would be to look at a few different books and layouts before you choose one. While island layouts with pop-up access holes like the Sanaxis and Phrax have been popular in years past, a lot of newer designs provide better access and more realistic appearance. One issue is the actual "footprint" required by an island plan vs. the area for trackwork. I wrote a bit about some of these ideas on my web site.

One other thing to watch out for in some published track plans is that the pieces and parts don't always fit as drawn. Curves are drawn very sharp, turnouts (track switches) may be drawn more compactly than commercially available components, and spacing between tracks and between track and the edge of the layout may not be sufficient.

Good luck and have fun.

Byron