How much planning did you do before the 1st rail was laid?

[Anonymous]

Mine is combo of 2 and 3. My last layout had lots of hidden staging, 2 levels and grades so I worked the whole thing out down to the exact track piece count. Mocked it up full size in cardboard, which showed me what didn't work. I was very happy with the results. The plan did exactly what I had envisioned it doing at the time. There were some revisions as I went along, but nothing major. I completely finished, sceniked and detailed this layout (L shaped 16'x4' -3'X9'). The problem was that my idea of what a layout should do changed over time. Revisions to the layout weren't possible so I had to tear it down and start over.

The new layout is a double deck (22'X13') with a third level for hidden staging. Planning for this one has taken about 4 months using templates and paper. I am now ready to mock it up in the space to make sure it works.

I have a friend who has a single main Narrow guage layout who changes his track plan as he scenics his way around the room. I feel it is harder to take this approach when there are multiple decks involved that must match perfectly in spots in order for the layout to work at all..

Guy

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005
...I know what I want to do, and I know what I need to do, because its on paper...

No offense Elliot...but isn't that what Dubya said regarding those WMD reports he was given ....????[;)]
regards; Mike

[Anonymous]

im wrapping up the planning stages on mine. Its been about 2 months. I will start construction this week

[tomwatkins]

Quite a bit. First I drew an accurate measured drawing of the layout room. Then I doodled for awhile to see what might fit. I was also looking at lots of trackplan books for ideas. I got a set of CTT's one inch to the foot templates and gridded paper. and started drawing. Lots of paper got wadded up and went in the trash. Since the paper isn't cheap I drew a one inch grid on a piece of tracing paper and had lots of copies made. After I had what seemed like a workable track plan, I made another copy and used it to plan the benchwork. Once that was done I started building.

The basic plan has worked out well and the concept has stayed the same. However there have been lots of changes worked in along the way. Some because new and more accurate information about the area I'm modeling came available and I decided to incorporate it. Some because I wasn't happy with how some of my locomotives operated and looked on certain parts of the layout.

Have Fun,
Tom Watkins

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by fiatfan


Fergus, thank you for starting this thread. I am finally able get past the block that has been holding things up!

Tom

My pleasure except knowing what I know now, If given the chance I would have done it differently. If there is a next time I'll definately put alot more into high end planning this way I won't have to worry about excessive grades and abrupt transitions. And before anyone says it the answer's NO. I'm not going to tear down and start over again![:D]

[bruce22]

considering that it was 55+ years ago it is difficult to remember!!!

[Anonymous]

The question is wrong and I was curious as to the answer of this question. The question you pose is "How much...." implying how long or how many track plans. Instead the answers you give us are "What tools did you use..."

[BRAKIE]

I don't use a track plan since 99% of my layouts has been branch lines or industrial switching layouts(NOT the switching puzzle types) so I work my track around till I like what I see and spike it in place. At the industries I laid my track to the industry instead of trying to fit the industry building to the track..

[Anonymous]

A 2-3 combo, don't wanna know how much paper I went through...
But it was worth it because now that starting construction it fits together well.

[RedLeader]

I strated buying an Atlas planning book, and bought the material list. After that, I expanded by letting the track take were ever it wanted. No plans (for the expansions), no software, no nothing. Just the thought of: "Wouldn't it be nice if..." or "What about if...". If it worked, it staid, if it didn't then it went off. Just like that. The best things happen by accident! Like the day I accidentaly steped on a wood ramp on broke the whole darn thing, now there's a beautiful wood truss bridge that crosses the "goegraphical accident", a very nice touch with a lot of drama.

[decapod39]

Used Pencil and templates to draw initial plan to scale, and to establi***he potential areas for towns, stations, and yards. Began to visualize/daydream specific layouts. As track was being laid, additional new ideas kept coming.

[randybc2003]

On which layout?
My first, I grabbed some track & laid it down. It was good. On my second, I graphed, figured, finagled, and finaly laid down what I thought I wanted. It was good. On my third, same again, w/ computers working this time. It is good. On my most recent work, again, all of the above, with track work in hand.
One thing I have learned. Don't get caught in the paralasis of analysis. Also, the best (laid) plans of men are often subject to reality - ie: you go where the trackwork lets you. The dreaming, sketching, planning, are all necessary - try out different ideas, but you must still be subject to the rule of reality of trackwork.

[n2mopac]

My layout began with inspiration from a real place, namely the industries along the BNSF right of way through Saginaw, TX. I sketched and dreamed for 3 years, knowing that I had no space to build it but also that I would be moving soon. When I did move last summer to a house with a full, unfinished basement (perfece!!!) I put those sketches and dreams into a scale plan on graph paper using templates. That took about a month to complete. I started building benchwork ing October which is not complete except for the backdrop and fascia. The trackplan went through one "minor" revision and I am sure will be tweaked here and there as I go, but those three years of envisioning and sketching really paid off when I went to plan in an actual available space.
Ron

[FriscoFool]

At one point or another during the five years prior to retirement and moving full time into the "future home of" my pike, I did all of the above. Primary tool; however, was Cadrail, an excellent layout design software program. Also highly recommend the NMRA Layout Design Special Interest Group primer and John Armstrong's book "Track Planning For Realistic Operation".

Although my model railroad empire still exists only in my head, I have started on the benchwork. I have documented my "planning" on my web site:
www.geocities.com/FriscoFool2003

[medic_149]

still in the planning stage. since this is my first layout, trying to get as much help as i can. I have modelar cardboard and atlas track templates. the templates are actual track size, minus roadbed. so I am actualling laying out in true ho scale. at least this way, I will know what will fit and what wont, before i spend a dime on the track.