track plans.

[Anonymous]

does anybody have a track plan they do not need i really need one please do you have one you can upload for me i am a rookie modeler, and can you explain some of the stuff on it? please! i need this![:(]

[Darth Santa Fe]

What size of a layout are you thinking of doing? I have a 4' x 7' with two loops of track with a switch connecting both loops. It's a pretty simple track plan that's easy to do.[:D] If you want something more complicated, you might be able to find a small book with some track plans in it.[:D]

[Anonymous]

a 4x8 track plan thanx.

[Anonymous]

HO scale

[Anonymous]

LOL - sounds like we are in the same boat fellow newbie - Im trying to come up with my first HO layout myself.

[Anonymous]

lol

[pcarrell]

If you've got a bit more room here's a 5x9 in HO that I collaborated on with some guys here on the forum a while back.

Click to enlarge

I just noticed the roundhouse is a bit off center on this one.

And here's some other variations of the same plan....




If that doesn't work, let us know what your givens and druthers are and maybe we can help design one just for you.

If you'd like to design your own (it's not that hard really), might I suggest you check out this site ( http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/%7Esmithbf/BFSpages/LDSIGprimer/TOC.html ) to kind of narrow down what you're after. It will also help in trying to determine how tracks are laid out and why, this way you end up with a layout that will work like it should.

Let us know if we can help, OK?

[Anonymous]

That is mine. It is more or less for an intermediate modeler, but it could be modified vastly to accompany a beginner. Let me know if you like it and if you do, I will create a modified one without a mountain. If you like it, than by all means, go ahead and use it...the only condition is that you don't take credit for creating it.

Thanks(And hope mine helps),
Todd

[Anonymous]

what is the green line stuff?

[Anonymous]

pcarell, i do not understand yours. what is the circular thing and the big line thing i started crying last night cuz i could not find a track plan i liked and understood. if anymore people give more track plans put the supplie list on. thanx.

[Anonymous]

OK. You have the enthusiasm and excitement part down, but you need to remember to breath! You either need to get a beginners' book (I don't have one to refer to in HO, so I can't make a recommendation), or possibly look here http://www.nmra.org/beginner/ .
There is a 4x8 beginner project there, step by step.

Good luck!

[pcarrell]

The circular thing is a Turntable. You drive a loco onto it and then it turns like a lazy susan so you can change the direction that the train faces. The building next to it is a Roundhouse. You store loco's in it. Think of it as a train shed. The diagonal lines that go all the way across the layout is a scenic divider. It splits the layout in two, allowing two completely different and isolate scenes in a very compact area. For instance, the side with the yard and the Turntable could be a big city scene. The other side of the divider is a small town way out in the country.

trainmaster,
I admire your enthusiasm. It's inspiring really. I'm a bit concerned that you might get in over your head and become frustrated though. You are wanting to build a layout, and that's great, but you need to know the basics if you're going to have any real chance at success. Like anything in life, you need to have a basic working knowledge of something before you can get much out of it. We will be here for you every step of the way, but I'm not sure that what you really need right now is a track plan. If you did get a plan, and succeeded in actually building it, what would you do with it? How do trains operate, and why do they do the things they do? I'm not sure you know these things. Maybe you do, and I'm not seeing it, but the questions you're asking don't reveal that.

I'm not trying to put you down, not at all. I want to help you have the greatest chance of success.

Look, we all started with basically no knowledge. We've all been there. It's cool. But to make it to a goal, you have to know what that goal is. The questions you're asking are great ones, but they tell me that you are just starting out.

When just starting out, you need knowledge. Think of knowledge as a tool. It's an indispensable tool. You can't do the job properly without it. This is the case here. Now, knowing that this tool is indispensable, wouldn't you want the best one you can get?

Let me put it this way, I started out knowing almost nothing. I built a track plan and got trains running. but I didn't have a clue what I was doing or why. I was frustated and gave up for a long time. But I loved trains, and so I learned more about them. After I learned some stuff I built another layout, a much better one. I was much happier with that. And the rest is history as they say. The reason I tell you all of this is that I'm trying to spare you all the frustration and disappointment that I went through. It looks to me like you're headed right for it.

Please, take my advice. Read some things about trains. Some things that interest you, and some things that aren't quite so interesting. Find out what you like and don't like. Get a copy of John Armstrong's "Track Planning For Realistic Operation". It's not just for track planning. It describes what trains do, why they do it, and how they do it. Or visit some of the web sites I've given you on this thread and your other one.

I can't urge you strongly enough. Please, do some reading before jumping in head first. Become "armed and dangerous", then you can really take on the world!

[Anonymous]

1.)SLOW DOWN

i know how u feel i am just getting started to but u need to slow down and take ur time

2.)if u plan ur own u get exatly what u want

for atlas track use atlas right track free ware

D

[NS2591]

I suggest you try and get the Model Railroader back issues that have the Turtle Creek Central Layout. Its a nice basic layout that has a fair amount of operation to it. Also its a 5 part series(if i remember correctly)In each issue they cover a certain thing. Its not too complicated. If you didn't want to river or the tunnel just leave them out, and Welcome to the hobby. You do need to take your time if you don't you could wind up getting upset. The other thing about the turtle creek central is that they cover pretty much every part of building a layout. Another thing make a trip to a hobby shop, and talk to them for awhile and people can help you. I have created a layout based off the turtle creek central. It doesnt have a mountain, I did leave the river in becuase I love watching my trains cross over bridges. If you want it just post a reply here asking for it. I'll have to scan it.