Is your layout based on a "project layout?"

[Dave Vollmer]

Hi!  I would like to hear from other who have based some or all of their layouts on a published plan or "project layout," either from Model Railroader or some other magazine (or an Atlas track plan).  If so, what did you do the same?  What did you change?  How is it working out for you?

My layout is based on Lou Sassi's N scale Mohawk Division.  The story ran in the early 90s, and is in the Second Edition of Kalmbach's Small Railroads You Can Build.  I changed the theme from 1970s Conrail in upstate NY to 1950s Pennsylvania RR in central PA.  I changed a few sidings, too, but the trackplan is essentially the same.  Here are two overall pictures (you may have seen the first one from another post of mine) of the layout.  For more photos, construction log, and track plan click on my website in my signature block.

I look forward to hearing from you!

[Anonymous]

No, our layout is from the imagination of a seven year old.  But some day I can see us get serious about following some "project"

Most importantly, very nice job on your layout.  It looks great.

[dgwinup]

I model in N scale.  When I decided to build a small layout, I looked at the Terrains for Trains pre-formed layouts.  I liked the basic model, and decided to do it in a mirror image.  Just as I began construction, I found an old article about John Allen's original layout trackplan.  To my surprise, it was the SAME layout I was building.  Apparently, Terrains for Trains had used Allen's layout, but with a reversed trackplan!

Later on, I added on to the layout.  I was going to use another Terrain for Trains trackplan, but I modified it for my own purposes and it doesn't look anything at all like the Terrain for Trains module.

I am planning a larger layout in a 12x11 bedroom.  I can use an area about 12x9.  I am looking at many trackplans from all over the internet for ideas.  My original thought was a double decked layout using the room as a nolix.  I haven't abandoned that idea, but it could be expanded if I decide to use a duck-under or removable bridge.

Nothing on paper that I could post.  Most of it is still knocking around in my head.  Maybe someday soon I'll get a big hammer and knock some real plans out of my brain!  LOL

Darrell, quiet...for now

[jrbernier]

  In 1966 I built an HO railroad based on the old Model Trains/Model Railroader PH&C series from about 1962.  This was my first scale HO model railroad(17 years old), and it is still one of my favorites.  I did not follow the plan exactly(The 'project' layout was basically 4' by 6' with a pair of 2' wide extensions), and I started with a 5' by 9' sheet of 1/2" plywood(old table tennis setup).  I was going to build a reduced size 'Ma & Pa' project layout, but landed a job in the LHS and could then afford the extra turnouts!

Jim

[trainfreek92]

Hi guys. I am building 4x8 N scale layout with a extension to make it 4x11 with a 36x32 backwards L Peninsualla (Sorry about the spelling) I started with a plan from a Atlas track book from the 60s. I forget who wrote it but I think it the book was called 9 N scale track plans(ring a bell to anyone?) So I also forget what the RR was called but I know the pics showed a Burlington Engine. The original plan was a 4x8 layout. I original planed to only change a few things to make it easier to build for me. I changed the mainline so it did not have a reversing loop. I did not want to wire it as I had never did any wiring before Now I actaully like wiring! I also changed the freight yard. And the sidings. I changed the mainline more when I decided I was going to build a extension. Really the only thing that is the same is the location of freight yard 1 on the layout. So now I am done tracklaying on the 4x8 portion of my RR and did a little grass/tree work. I am not going to do anymore scenery until the my other section of the layout,has tracklayed on it. Wich is going to be a door that my dad is going to get for me. (he works for a lumber yard) So I am going to divide my money into a few types of things to spend it on. I will have seperate piles of money for Track, Locomotives,Rolling Stock,Scenery,And the Big E train show. Plus money that I save and for other stuff that is non RR related. My layout is based on New England RRs. Mostly Maine Central,Boston and Maine,Bangor and Arrostook,Guilford,Rutland/Green Mounatin/Central Vermont. But I have cars from other Railroads also. I do not have any pics yet but now that my mom has a camera I will post some pics some time. So thats my currently under construction RRs story. Dave nice layout it looks to be very nicely built. Tim

[trainfreek92]

Dave also good job on your site!!! Very nice.

[mlehman]

My very first layout in the early 1970s was based on the HOn30 Elk River RR (I think that's what they called it) series that ran circa 1970 in RMC. I got it mostly scenicked, but me and HOn30 were both a little ahead of our times. I was 15 and still had a lot to learn about model railroading and the tiny little AHM locos and equipment were pretty difficult to get running well.  Fortunately, before I got too frustrated, dad got reassigned to Germany and my layout was toast. I still have some of that stuff buried somewhere, but me and HOn3 get along much better.

The Elk River could serve very well as a plan for On30 with a little adjustment. It and Bob Brown's On2 Maine waterfront modules featured in the circa 1968 MR are what got me into narrowgauge modeling.

[Anonymous]

My layout is based on the Turtle Creek Central from MR in 2003.  I have added a few feet in length (the original is 4 X 8, mine is 4 X 11).  I haven't changed much else except to put in a couple of extra sidings. 

Construction on the layout is on hold, pending the possibility of a move in the near future.

[Anonymous]

In the early '60s I acquired a Kalmbach book titled HO Railroad That Grows based upon a 4 X 8 Linn Westcott project railroad - The Great North Pass Railway - from MR in the mid-50s.  The railroad was essentially an oval with two reversing loops, one on the lower level and the other which took an "airline" route across the center of the railroad.  Was a good begining layout and I contemplated building it in HO.  When I switched to N-Scale in the early '80s I did build a slightly modified version in that scale.  I stayed with the 4 X 8 and the 18 inch radius curves but was able to get about 50% more industrial trackage.  I discarded it after about three years of operation.

I am getting ready to design and build a new layout and am again eyeballing this HO Railroad That Grows - this layout will be portable with three 54 inch by 72 inch platforms configured in an el shape.  I propose to continue using 18 inch radius curves.

[tomikawaTT]

Dave,

Beautiful job on the layout.  Is it foldable as well as portable?  Hopefully, the layout I'm just getting started on will come somewhere near looking that good before the 2012 Olympics, at least in a few places.

My very first Japanese-prototype layout was actually a John Armstrong track plan published in MR in the 1950's.  It was basically an oval of track with passing sidings along front and back, with a switchback branch up to a mine.  (After all these years the title of the article/Armstrong's name for the railroad escape me.)  The entire pike was called the Tomikawa Tani Tetsudo, a name which has persisted to the present.  Size was 4x10 (I think) and mine was built on open framework with homosote spline roadbed, adhering to the published dimensions.  That layout succumbed to military change of station orders shortly after the first train ran and before any scenery could be added.

Every layout I have been involved with since has been based on prototypes I have seen, either in person or in photographs.  Somewhere in my massive collection of miscellaneous data is a bulging folder of prototype track layouts and rail trivia, the result of nine years of active railfanning in Japan between 1957 and 1970.  (Some time was lost because of Stateside assignments and active participation in the Great Southeast Asia War Games.)

The final overall concept of the "imaginary prototype" JNR Nichigeki-sen and its connections jelled in 1965.  All of my efforts since have involved using selective compression and calculated omission to adapt my master plan to whatever layout space I had available.

Chuck  (modeling the spirit of Japanese railroading in September 1964)

[conagher]

I've built many HO & N layouts over the years with several loosely based upon project layouts or featured layouts such as Lou Sassi's Middle Division, Dave Frary's Pennsy Middle Division, Linn Wescott's HO Railroad That Grows and two of Dave Methlie's: Maggie's Cover & Deer Mountain.....and liked 'em all but it seemed each one had something lacking and I couldn't figure out what. And then I saw Dave Vollmer's layout and realized its slightly modified (from Lou's) but simple design and excellent scenery placement was what I'd been looking for with both running trains and switching opportunities on a small operating layout. Thanks Dave.

[dxr8007nz]

Hi!  I would like to hear from other who have based some or all of their layouts on a published plan or "project layout," either from Model Railroader or some other magazine (or an Atlas track plan).  If so, what did you do the same?  What did you change?  How is it working out for you?

My layout is based on Lou Sassi's N scale Mohawk Division.  The story ran in the early 90s, and is in the Second Edition of Kalmbach's Small Railroads You Can Build.  I changed the theme from 1970s Conrail in upstate NY to 1950s Pennsylvania RR in central PA.  I changed a few sidings, too, but the trackplan is essentially the same.  Here are two overall pictures (you may have seen the first one from another post of mine) of the layout.  For more photos, construction log, and track plan click on my website in my signature block.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Is that 4 x 8 feet ?

I like your layout look great

[Dave Vollmer]

Is that 4 x 8 feet ?

I like your layout look great

Thanks.  Nope, it's built on a 36" wide by 80" long (so, 3' x 6'8") hollow-core interior door.

[fwright]

Actually, I've done almost nothing but.

My first HO layout was the 4x6 Simplicity and Great Plains from Atlas as a teenager.  Track was laid exactly as per plan.  Was demolished before starting scenery for assisting my father with a bigger layout, an enlarged modification of the Atlas Grand Trunk Western.

First layout when I got out on my own was a start of a 4x8 loop-to-loop that appeared in MR in 1967? (not "layout that grows", this had town and oval connection on upper level, lower reversing loop tunneled underneath for most part)  The article contained suggestions to start with an oval and gradually grow it to the final plan.  That suited me, as this was my first attempt at hand-laying track.  Gradual was good.  Set my era for 1920s.  Before I got to scenery stage, a move forced me to cut the table to 4x6.  My big lesson from that layout is that small track plans with reversing loops in the main line usning conventional DC (no DCC back then) are not particularly fun to operate because of the constant attention to toggle switches - with a 4x8 loop-to-loop being about the worst.

Next was my version of the 1957 MR project railroad, the 4x6 Tidewater Central.  The plan is overly simple, so I added spurs, a turntable, and then a branch on a steep grade to pass over the main and continue on an extension (never built the extension).  Cookie-cuttered the track and used dyed plaster on fiberglass window screen for scenery shell.  I set the layout in coastal Oregon, and called it the Picture Gorge and Western.  As I laid the track, I wanted to follow Ben King's "living history" of a layout.  The layout would start in 1877 (this was in 1977) and advance the era continously, remaining 100 years behind the actual date.  Due to scarcity of money, knowledge of eras, and especially time (with the coming of kids) the "living history" could not be maintained, and layout was broken up in the 1982 move.  However, I would still like to redo my plan (staying put at 1900), but blown up to 5x8.  This would serve as the harbor terminus for the standard gauge in my latest scheme.

The MR 1966 project layout - the Sierra Pintada - has always been intriguing.  I would like to incorporate a version of it as a terminus of my narrow gauge line and the interchange with the standard gauge in my grand plan.  However, the plan has serious access problems if set against the walls in a corner as intended.  I may try to use it for inspiration in my final plan - the narrow gauge wye and the transfer yard being the features to capture.

The Portage Hill extension of the famous PH&C project would become the other standard gauge terminus and interchange with the SP in the Willamette Valley in my grand plan.  Nice compact yard and terminal for a turn-of-the-century short line.  However, in light of my expanding knowledge of how a yard works or is supposed to work from this forum, I am going to review the plan for revisions to better suit operations.

Finally, my version of the Gum Stump and Snowshoe (MR, Sept '63) will be the port terminal of the narrow gauge line (this will be the first section of my grand plan to be built).  I am expanding the plan from 1x6 to 2x8 to provide for reasonable slopes between elevations, and of course, changing it to narrow gauge.  The lower terminal will be sized to provide a full-size Inglenook puzzle should I be in the mood.  The 2 inner lower terminal tracks will terminate at a small turntable (because I like turntables!) and to provide a runaround so the layout can be run with one lokey when desired (I stole the latter idea from somebody else, just don't remember who to give credit).  The outer lower terminal track will be on a dock for the cargo transfer to the last of the coastal schooner trade.

There are lots of other plans I like, and would love to incorporate portions of.  But I have come to realize that is very important to limit the scope of my grand plan due to $$ and more importantly, time.  So I have narrowed it down to the 4 key sections, the remainder will just be main line linking these sections in my yet-to-be acquired large train room.  If space, time, and $$ (and additonal operators) eventually permit,  I can always add some intermediate towns. 

Probably just babble to most, but it's my story.

Fred W

[BRAKIE]

In a word NO! I was inspired by the Clinchfield project layout to invent my own coal hauling short line in Appalachia but,that's where the similarities ended.

[nbrodar]

Early on I built, a few layouts from Atlas Plan books; SImplicity and Great Plains (track laid and badly sceniced); the Waterlevel Western (a move intervened and I never finished laying track); and Grade Crossing Deluxe (track laid, but I moved again before I could finish the scenery.)  

My favorite though, was the Southside Connecting switching layout.  I incorporated this one in to a larger layout, that I acutally finished.

Nick

 

[Anonymous]

My layout is based on the n-16 Atlantic longhaul from Atlas. I added  a few more siddings.  Here is a link to the plan http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/757/DSCF0131.JPG

[Hoople]

I am building the HO scale project railroad that the staff of MR did in 91-92

 

The cripple creek central.

 

I just got $145 for my birthday (it's tomorrow, but my aunts leave today, so I got the $$ yesterday.)

And scenery is on the way.

[ukguy]

VERY nice lookig layout Dave,,, definately makes me look at Nscale again...... and I like the plan very much too, it would give me something to actually see to completion while I decide w.t.h I am doing with the rest of my life. In answer, no I've never done a project layout, but I think you may have just inspired me.

Have fun & be safe
Karl.

[MidlandPacific]

Yes - I started with the track plan for the "HO Railroad That Grows," and modified it considerably, increasing the radius on the principal loop to 24" and the minimum radius on the flyover reversing loop to 22".  I then took the plan for the "Switchman's Nightmare" from Linn Westcott's "101 Track Plans" and added it on the same side of the layout as the lower reverse loop, with the yard lead connected to the main loop between the two switches for the reverse loop.  This increased the size from 4'x8' to 5.5'x10', and allowed me to use #6 switches throughout, with one exception (I added a small yard inside the reverse loop, with a pair of #4s).  I pitched the recommended order and built and wired the entire thing at once, leaving the scenery for later; wired it for dual-cab control with 23 separate electrical blocks.  As how-to books go, that has to be one of the best-written manuals I've ever come across: I wired the whole thing, from start to finish, with the book open in front of me and it worked perfectly when I threw the first switch.  I was in a bit of a hurry (I wanted to get it working before the baby arrived), and it was not a terribly time-consuming project; I went from first cut to dual-cab operations in about a month. 

[Cannoli]

Great looking pics of your layout Dave, you are much further along than I am. :)

My trackplan was inspired by #32 from 101 Track Plans for Model Railroaders which I then modified to better fit my needs. It has worked out great so far!

[ModelTrainman]

Great looking pics of your layout Dave, you are much further along than I am. :)

[trainfreek92]

wiking2-your RR plan comes from the same book as my orginal. now its heavily modefied. I was considering building the one you did but opted not to. Tim

[tgindy]

I am beginning a new layout now that "the rugrats" are out of college.

It will be based upon a sectional track "The Chippewa Central" plan from Model Railroader (December 2006), Basic Model Track Plans (2001), and; most recently in a M.R. supplement, "5 Compact Track Plans" where I found it.

The free-lanced layout will be called the Conemaugh Road & Traction, or CR&T, circa 1956, where the CR&T will be n-scale traction (NCat standards => http://www.teamsavage.com/ncat/ncat.html) with PCC and box motors. The layout will probably be DC-wired because it is primarily interurban traction with live-wire overhead. The "Road" part of CR&T permits the potential of perhaps a B&O interchange doodlebug or small mill switcher. Traction is also a nice fit for a smaller track radius and 40' freight cars.

The Chippewa Central plan has two layout side sections of  24x24" each with a connecting section of no less than 12x24" in n-scale, and; a "DPM buildings-friendly downtown area" on one 24x24" section with industrial sidings on the other 24x24" section.

The Chippewa Central plan will be the core of the CR&T with spurs for future locales on either side of this track plan => one for coal, and the other for a mill, and; including on the way a destination for carbarns and a drop-off at a Class I passenger station => all of which are not in the Chippewa Central.

The CR&T layout will eventually be surrounded by a second mostly shelf Pennsy double-deck layout which will incorporate DCC. The 1956 era allows mostly diesel with a smattering of K-4 steam. The DCC will permit "automatic-pilot" running if so desired while operating the CR&T layout portion.

Thus, the end result of the Chippewa Central starter plan will be the CR&T located in the valley and surrounded by the Pennsy which briefly stops down in the valley with a common Pennsy-style union passenger station for the Pennsy and CR&T passengers.

P.S.: Nice Pennsy touches on your PRR Middle Division layout like the small two-story interlocking tower, the ballast difference from mainline to the sidings, and potential for mainline spur expansion.

[R. T. POTEET]

jrbernier;

I remember that old Portage Hill and Communipaw series from 1962-63 but I sure can't remember who the author of the series was - maybe Joe Kunzelman or something like that.  It started off in Model Trains sometime in 1962 I guess and when Kalmbach ceased publishing Model Trains later that same year the series was picked up in Model Railroader.  I never have seen the first half of the articles but would like to one of these days because the articles which appeared in MR were very interesting and well written.  Several years later Kalmbach used several of the photographs from the Model Railroader articles in one of their "How to ....." books. 

[jrbernier]

  The PH&C is in one of their 'how to' layout books..'Popular Railroads you can Build' - starts on page 44.

Jim

 

[Anonymous]

My HO transition era layout is based on a several features I wanted in a model railroad.

1) I wanted to have at least one train run unattended on the main, while I was doing yard switching. This makes one aware to not foul the main and make certain switches are reset after use by the second train.

2) I also wanted to be able to shift cars from one manufacturing plant to another, again while an unattended train was running on the endless main.

3) I also wanted another train to use the main with the unattended train running on it, either going the same direction as the first train or to travel a short distance in the opposite direction.

I achieved all my objectives with my current layout. I can easily operate three trains and or switchers concurrently with my 18 month old DCC layout.

[Lady of the Rails]

Hoople

I am building the HO scale project railroad that the staff of MR did in 91-92

 

The cripple creek central.

I am in the process of starting to build the Cripple Creek Central.  I started it in Mid Oct.2011.  I wanted to do this layout as it looked like a well laid out track plan that would allow our family to be able to do the parts of the model railroad that we each enjoy.  I like building structures and putting them into their settings, my Husband likes running trains and is looking forward to building some box cars for the layout and our kids at the moment just like to see the trains running.  Mind you our son likes putting his nose into everything trains.

We needed to make our slightly different to the book as we are using PECO track as it is what is easily available where we are.  So we didn't even have a list of track that was needed.  We know how many points we will eventually need but that was where we started.  We now have most of the track and we will buy more as we start to work through the projects in the book.

I am looking forward to the process and I have started a blog to document our progress. It is at http://ladyoftherail.wordpress.com, hope you may come by for a visit sometime.

Tracy

[galaxy]

Dave Vollmer

Hi!  I would like to hear from other who have based some or all of their layouts on a published plan or "project layout," either from Model Railroader or some other magazine (or an Atlas track plan).  If so, what did you do the same?  What did you change?  How is it working out for you?

GREAT to see you back Dave!!!

Hhmm...mysterious. All the pictures on your post have been "X"'d out.

When I was a child / pre-teen / teen, we had a "3 ring circus" layout based on a layout in the venrerable 101 Track plans for Sectional track in O/O27 that allowed for three trains to run on three different interchangeable loops {I assume one for me, one for my younger bronther, and on for my father but her rarely ran trains with us once it was set up.} It was two 4x8 formed in "L" shape. I modified it over time but still kept the 3 ring circus going, just altered the track layout within the 3 rings.

My current HO scale mini layout is the common loop-within-a-loop {interconnected by switches] with a 4 spur yard and a 2 spur engine servicing facility inside the center loop.

So I guess you could say I have had several layouts based on published plans, though I don't know if the 4 spur yard and 2 spur engine facility are common in the 2 interconnected loop plans...seems to me one ot two spurs are included, but not yards. SO that may be my "creative addition."

It works just fine. I can Consist one train inthe inner "yard", then send it out to the outter loop for Highball, then assemble a second train in the yard...and Highball it on the inner loop. The only thing is it really does "foul the main" on the inner loop when I assemble the trains! Then I can deconsist the trains one by one and send the engines back to the engine house/service facility for service. Nice littel set up in a 3.5 foot by 5.1 foot HO scale layout!!!

Enjoy your day and hope to see more of you Dave!!

[steinjr]

 Old thread, resurrected by a new poster ....

 Stein