Okay, I'll admit it. I am a sucker for track plan books. I own lots, including the classic original 101 Track Plans (1956) and modern ones like 102 Realistic Track Plans (2009). At train shows I hunt down and buy the old sectional track books put out by Atlas, and the many Kalmbach beginner and project layout books from the 70's and 80s. Sure, many of the ideas and techniques are dated but I consider them hisorical and I like to see where the hobby came from.
I have borrowed from the library 48 Top Notch Track Plans (1994) and enjoy it, though I have seen many of the articles in MR already. I have not yet seen 101 More Track Plans for Model Raildoaders (2010). Before I buy the "101 More" book I was wondering if anyone who has both can comment on whether the layouts in "48 Top Notch" are also in "101 More," or is it worthwhile to purchase both books?
Thanks.
Ben
PS: I see that 103 Realistic Track Plans (2013) was recently published, and I will need to get a copy of that too!
Modeling the D&H in 1984: http://dandhcoloniemain.blogspot.com/
I own both the 48 and 101 books and without having looked at them for a while, I recall there isn't a lot of duplication of the 48 in the 101.
However, I think all of the plans in 101 have come from MR articles over the years, so you have probably seen most of them if you are a steady reader of MR. Despite this, I think 101 is a good buy since the track plans are in one convenient book.
- Douglas
Hi there,
Unless you are really short on cash, just buy it. This is a pastime and if I count the hours I spent reading these books, I get a lot pleasant milage out of them. One thing: although I find these books invaluable, they are still insufficient for designing a good layout from a maintenance and operations perspective. Many plans have long tunnels, switches that are out of reach, complicated pull-outs, etc. Reading this forum and my own experience has shown that complicated trackwork such as some of those described in these books are likely to be difficult to manage.
Enjoy the homework, it's all part of the fun!
Simon
Personally, I really enjoy looking through the plan books - I think I own most of them. While they have appeared before in Model Railroader or Model Railroad Planning, having them together is very convienent. Plus they include the best ones (at least one person's opinion).
Enjoy
Paul
Benjamin MaggiOkay, I'll admit it. I am a sucker for track plan books.
Interesting, I only have one track plan book, Linn Wescott's classic 101 Track Plans, I still consider it the best of the lot. I plan to illustrate my own track plan with the same 3D ink drawing technic.
Have fun with your trains
Thanks everybody. It looks like I might need to get both! Up until a couple of years ago I would photocopy any track plans for HO layouts in MR that would fit in a 12x12 room and I put them in a binder. With the MR online index, and the compilation of layout plans in these books, my work is now much easier.