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Layout Design Articles

10 Tips of Staging Yards

The author provides some hints and tips for how he has dealt with designing and building a storage yard for his layout, covering benchwork, how to position turnouts, dealing with the height of switch motors and multi-deck set-ups, electrical connections, and occupancy detection.

5 Hot Micro-Layout Ideas

This article covers five small switching layouts. They are: loading beer at the Coors warehouse (uses a traverser table just like the prototype), the mighty micro helix (three-turn helix with a 6-inch radius), the 3-D sector plate (a movable piece of track that can be moved between three levels of layout), the audience-participation layout (allow them to create a part of the scenery of your layout), and the wall-mounted, flat-panel layout (a 3-D view of a small mining operation where cars are moved between levels).

A Hump Yard for the Sacramento Division Part I

The authors describe their plan to add a hump yard to their layout. Includes a proposed track plan, and several layout photos.

A Layout Design Grows Up

After introducing his model railroading hobby history, the author describes his current 20'x20' S and Sn3, two-level layout. Includes photos of the current layout, still under construction.

A Modular Switchback Trackplan

A trackplan designed for HO-scale, could be built onto three two to two-and-a-half foot wide tables measuring no more than eight-and-a-half feet in length. It represents steep grades that run up into a mountain from a town below. Great for shays.

A New Twist On...

Try a different way of setting up a Christmas train in the livingroom.

A Perspective On Track Planning

The book "The V & O Story (How the V & O Was Built: How it is Operated)" by Allen McClelland, was the inspiration that got the author into the hobby.

A Perspective On Track Planning

The author describes common errors made by those starting their first layout track plan.

A Perspective On Track Planning

The author takes a hard look at what it takes to develop a good plan for your layout's track.

A Perspective On Track Planning

How to deal with selective compression when you are a prototype modeler.

A Scale in Two Cities

The track plan for a small, standard- and narrow-gauge layout initially intended as the B.T.S. display layout, and designed to fit within the space of a show booth, while still allowing walk-around space.

A Track Plan for the Keokuk Junction Ry.

The author presents his track plan for modeling the Keokuk Junction in a 14' x 22' space in S-scale.

An HO Track Plan For A Home Office

This 9' x 11' home office layout features two return loops, yet allows for easy access into the room's features and to the computer that is stored under the layout. The track plan includes a some yard and several sidings and spurs.

An Idea of Split Level

The idea is for a 45-degree wedges between two back-to-back layout levels. Includes a diagram to show the concept.

An Ideal Prototype Shortline for S

The author proposes modelers look at the Winchester & Western Railroad located in rural northwestern Virginia. Includes prototype photos, a description of their history, and a suggested S-scale track plan to fit a 12'x18' space.

An S-Plan

The author shares a design of an S-scale layout that could fit in a 12'x13' spare bedroom. The article provides switching suggestions, construction methods, and covers control and scenery topics.

An S-Plan

This article presents the modular concept for the Pennsylvania Railroad's Horseshoe Curve in S-scale. Includes a proposed track plan.

Assistant Editor

How does one decide which prototype railroad, era, and location to model?

BNSF - Wichita, Kansas

The author covers how he started designing his 24"x24" garage layout. Includes detailed track plans, and a sidebar on a vertical transfer table.

Build A Layout

The author proposes a 12'x13' layout based on the Lewisburg & Buffalo Valley Railroad, which was a 42-inch narrow-gauge logging railroad in central Pennsylvania, but using standard-gauge track components. Includes a detailed track plan, and prototype information.

Building a Model of a Model

The author built a 1/4th-scale model of his planned W-shaped layout, so that he could test the ideas and see what the end result might look like. Includes the current track plan, and photos of the model built out of 2" foam board.

Building and Operating the St Agnes Railway

The author covers layout design in the simple double-track oval layout and the operating potentials it offers.

Coffee with Don Rosa

The author describes the new layout he is planning on building in some dedicated space. He is an American Flyer collector, as well as an A.C. Gilbert toy collector, so a space for the layout and his collections are planned.

Collaborative Design for Model Railroaders

The author shares his experiences designing a layout in the UK that is based on a freelanced US-based layout, while having never been to the US. Feedback from people on the Internet allowed him to catch some mistakes, and fix issues before they became real problems.

Come-and-go Layout Design

The idea is rather than modeling the entire layout, only show a portion of the layout and have staging or loops hidden from view. It is more of a theatrical experience to have trains appear and disappear. Although less scenery is necessary, still a fair amount of space is needed to implement these designs. Various track plan ideas are presented.

Compact Yard Design for a Branch Line Railroad

The author describes the key features an engine yard typically holds, and how to model that in as small of a space as possible.

Customise Your Industries, Products, Cars, and Operations

Philosophy and ideas on how to make your layout be more than just a storage place for your built or purchased models.

Design a Better Layout

Article covers studying the prototype, preventing the spaghetti bowl layout, developing scenes, operations, providing people space, backdrops, staging, track interaction with roadways, viewing height, and sticking to your design criteria.

Developing an Industrial Scene...It's All About the Details Part 1

The author describes the Bemis Custom Plastics facility, and the team track siding found at their location. He next develops a plan for how to model that siding. Includes many prototype photos of the facility, and the sketch of a possible model layout.

Dinner in Dime Box?

A switching puzzle. Might be a good idea for adding to a layout.

Double Duty Layout Design

The author describes how he designed his modular layout that fits in his garage. Includes the track plan and a few construction photos.

E.B.T. in Sn3! Part II

In this installment, the author covers his design and planned operation for the new S/Sn3 EBT-based layout. Includes a two-page track plan, and several prototype photos.

Easements for the Learning Curve

The author had people over to his layout to review layout-presentation ideas he has implemented. He learned to just watch what his visitors did to help improve his layout. Operating may be a way to extend the owner's enjoyment of his layout when the layout's projects are complete.

Easiville Shortline RR

A track plan design idea for a 4'x8' layout using AF-compatible track.

Easiville Shortline RR

A design diagram is presented for building a layout using A.C. Gilbert sectional track that fits on a 4'x8' sheet.

East Broad Top Underway

Some Sn3 track plan ideas.

Easy Real Railroads Supplement

Modeling a prototype layout may be easier than a freelanced one.

Easy Real Railroads... Special Supplement

Using photos from modelers' layouts, the author describes common patterns that prototype modelers use in their layouts.

Erv Rahr's Layout Plan

Erv Rahr sent in his proposed track plan, and Jeff offers his design ideas to improve the plan.

Evolution of a Trackplan

Tom discusses how his design for his layout evolved and what lessons he learned.

Finding That Perfect Track Plan

The author describes unfolding some basic rectangular track plans to create walk-in layouts.

Folding Layouts

A layout with fall-down hinged sections of track that are out of the way when the railroad is not actively running.

From the Observation Lounge

Determining how to place buildings in a town scene.

From the Observation Lounge

Thought on how to combine HO- and S-scale into one layout.

From the Observation Lounge

Scene separation and view blocking is discussed.

From the Observation Lounge

The author describes his process for coming up with designs for his new S-scale layout.

From the Observation Lounge

How to design a control panel for your layout.

Getting Real

The author shares how he has made many changes to his layout, and his current plan is to build a yard, but he hasn't figured out how to get to that yard. The idea was to do a whole-room helix. He created a to-do list, and shares photos of the project to implement this idea.

Getting Real

This column has a rotating set of authors, with Marty being the original one. He shares what he has learned from building his layouts. Large layouts aren't a panacea. A new layout is under way after a move.

Grand Dreams in 50 Square Feet

Includes prototype narrow gauge photo from 1909.

How to Plan Your Layout

Making a case for the linear, segmental layout design. Includes information about what prototype you want to follow, what type of operations do you want, and what kind of commitment do you want to make toward the layout.

Imagineering

One of the authors shows how he accomplished scenery depth on a shallow-depth layout using the layering technique and forced-perspective. The other author has very deep scenes, but still allowed for easy access to all parts.

Interchange At RO Tower

Designing a large and small railroad interchange. Includes layout photos, and trackplans for the Lancaster, Ohio OM&SS - V&O interchange, and a small interchange.

Introducing the Allegheny Midland Part 1

Tony describes his now famous AM, how he was inspired by Allen McClelland, the rational for the layout, and the track plan.

Jeff's Junction

The author introduces the article on the BC&G and why it is an excellent shortline to model in S-scale.

Jeff's Junction

For those who just switched to S-scale, here is a reality-check, and a prioritized list of how to go about getting started in designing and building a layout in S-scale.

Jeff's Junction

Using the rough lengths of a 10-car train in S-scale, one can figure what will and what won't fit in a layout space before beginning the benchwork.

Jeff's Junction

The author makes the case that good track planning is a skillset lacking in the world of S-scale modeling. He lists some good designs, why some designs are bad, and tips on how to improve a design.

Jeff's Junction

How to decide which prototype railroad to model in your layout.

Jeff's Junction

The editor explains why this issues is focused on track planning for S-scale layouts.

Jeff's Junction

The author urges everyone to start considering getting away from the 4'x8' layout and the extremely-tight curves that such a shape requires in S-scale. He makes the point that even HO-scale modelers no longer use that default layout style.

Jeff's Junction

The editor opines on what it might take to switch from a steam-era layout to a 1970s/80s-era layout in S-scale.

Layout Design

The author visits Matt Gaudynski's layout, The Milwaukee Road Beer Line, where Matt describes how he went from layout-concept to benchwork of his operations-oriented layout. The article includes a bit of history of how the railroads built their lines to get out of Milwaukee. Includes track plan and many photos of the layout under construction. The layout has hand-laid track, N-scale Caboose Hobbies turnout throws, and NCE DCC.

Layout Plan for a Santa Fe Branch Line

The late author discusses how he developed a track plan for a client, Jared Harper, to model the ATSF Alma District in a 13' by 19' space.

Layout Planning Fundamentals

This introductory article covers how to design your own trackplan. It discusses dealing with curve minimums, turnouts, track centers, grades, clearance, and using templates.

Let's Promote History

The author proposes six ways to model railroading history, listing the positives and the negatives of modeling each, and how it might appeal to people new to model railroading or new to S-scale.

Lewisburg & Buffalo Valley RR

The author proposes a design and a construction method for modeling the Pennsylvania L&BVRR, which was narrow-gauge in the real world, as a standard-gauge U-shaped layout that might fit in a spare bedroom.

Logging Modeling

The author discusses options for modeling a logging railroad in several scales.

Looking for a Layout Project

The author introduces the prototype West Jersey Short Line railroad, and offers an around-the-room, shelf-style S-scale track plan for modeling this line in a spare bedroom. Includes two prototype photos.

Mainline Through the Mountains

The master of track design discusses how he met his client's requirements for modeling a portion of the Southern Pacific's Shasta Route. The article includes diagrams for the mushroom-style, 22' x 45' layout.

Meet the Mushroom

This article introduces the now famous mushroom design where both levels on a double-deck layout are at an ideal height simply by having a step-up platform for the higher elevation. The solution is embedded in an article about how he designed a large layout for one of his clients.

Model Your Own S Town: Zachow, Wisconsin

A brief history and an aerial photo show that the town could be modeled, in its entirety, in S-scale.

Modeling Railroad Competition Layout Design of the NEW and the O&LD

A busy trackplan with two competing railroads are discussed, with suggestions on how to model them.

Modeling the Reading's Bethlehem Branch

This article discusses this branchline. The author presents two track plan designs (one 22' x 22' and the other 11'' x 22'). Included are prototype photos and prototype track diagrams.

Modeltopia

What about modeling something that isn't possible in real life?

Modifying A Master Modeler's Layout Design

The author comes up with a design that is an improved version of Frank Titman's original Delaware and Western layout. Both are shown in the article.

Mount Gilead, a Town on the Move

Designs for various custom modules that allow the author to build a layout that can be moved.

Musings from the Editor-at-large

The author moves often and he gets asked the question often, "How do you get started with a new layout space?". He gives his thoughts on this issue.

Narrowgauge

The author describes a stand-alone logging layout's design that fits in a 4' x 8' space utilizing Sn3 track and equipment.

New England in a (Big) Bedroom

A large bedroom track plan modeling the Housatonic's Canaan to Pittsfield line.

New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal

Norfolk & Western's Washington Extension

This article proposes a 12' by 12' N-scale layout for modeling the N&W mainline in eastern Virginia in the early 1950s. Includes the double-deck trackplan, and a schematic map of the prototype area.

On With Stumpy Stone

The types of layouts people build and how to decorate them.

Planning a "Walk-in Island"

The author describes why he designed his layout the way he did featuring the PRR's Shamokin branch. It is an island design with several peninsulas.

Principals of Railroad Ownership

The author describes his fictional model railroad history such that it fits the available equipment in S-scale, while still maintaining true to a prototype. A could-have-been, or might-have-been idea. Includes a track plan for his 25'x46' layout.

Proto-View

The author suggests the Winfield Railroad as a shortline that could be modeled in S-scale. It covers the purpose of the railroad, what kinds of equipment it used, and it includes prototype photos and a suggested track plan.

Prototype Modeling

The author proposes that we should all be prototype modelers to some extent, and he shares a few ideas to help us in that direction.

Publisher's Musings

The author has dismantled his large, basement-style layout, and is now taking the one-module-approach. He describes the differences between the two, and answers a few questions he has gotten about his new approach.

Publisher's Musings

The author makes an argument for larger layouts, and how one might approach building a satisfying layout that grows over time.

Publisher's Musings

The author discusses his TOMA approach to layout construction.

Railroading in 3-D

Railroading in 3-D... More of the Story

Railroading in 3-D... Putting it Together

Railroading in 3-D... Putting it Together

Rails Through Lake Country

The author discusses the trackplan he developed for the Northern Pacific in Minnesota layout.

Reverse Running

The author is making the case for designing a layout to only have one peninsula, rather than two or three, for the maximum straight track possible in a given rectangular room.

Reverse Running

Studying modernday railroading for the upcoming TOMA project, the author admits to being drawn to switching to a modern era.

Reverse Running

It is better to have a smaller layout that runs well than a larger layout that runs poorly, is the theme of this article.

S Track Planning

How to integrate industries that have a purpose into your layout's design. Several track plans for switching areas are included in the article.

S Track Planning Part 1

Various rough sketches are provided to give ideas on general track designs one could use in a bedroom, garage, or basement.

S Track Planning Part V

The author shares a track plan converted to S-scale of an O-scale layout by draftsman J. Harold Geissel published in the August, 1939 Model Railroader.

S Track Planning Part VI

The author presents an S-scale version of an O-scale track plan originally published by Model Railroader magazine in the 1940s.

S Track Planning Part VII

Jeff took an O-scale layout built by Frank Smith of New Jersey in the 1930s, updated the design, and scaled it to fit a 15' by 33' S-scale layout. It is an around-the-walls design intended for a basement. It looks like a point-to-point design, but a single hidden track connects the two ends to allow for continuous running.

S Track Planning Part VIII

The author revisits a design published in 2007 that is currently being implemented with some minor modifications. It is a twice-around loop with yard facilities spread out across two peninsulas.

S Tracks

The author helps dissuade negative thoughts that prevent people from building a layout.

S Tracks

The author presents the idea of a "train layout" as a 3D sculpture.

S Tracks

How to decide which curve sizes your layout needs.

Santa Fe Citrus Line in a Garage

The author discusses the design of his double-deck layout.

Short Line with an Interurban Heritage

Valley City Street & Interurban Railway as an HO switching layout. Has some interesting track arrangements.

Single Era-Area Modeling - A Planning Decision

The author proposes ideas that can help you move from the collecting stage to the actual narrowing-down of items that you will really use on your "dream" layout.

Slim Gauge Observations

The author shares an introspective about the direction of his current layout.

Staging Solutions

Various staging solutions are described, such as using cassettes, sector plates, turntables, and traversers.

Starters

The author discusses the idea of a walk-around layout.

Starters

The author discusses the pros and cons of having your layout up much higher so that you are more looking into the scenes, rather than over the layout.

Swapping Rails

Sometimes the same track and buildings can be used to model in Sn3, On30, and HO.

The 'S'traight & Narrow

A recent move has prompted the author to start a new narrow-gauge-focused layout. In this column, he reviews the things he learned from his previous layout, and the plans for the new one. A track plan is included.

The 'S'traight & Narrow

The author moved again, so the previously-shared layout design is revisited with some new ideas. Includes the new, new track plan.

The Appalachian Southern

A double-deck HO-scale layout for a medium-sized room.

The Basic Buildable and Complete Railroad

Designing a workable layout. The author takes the reader through the steps of designing a layout.

The Buffalo Creek & Gauley Railroad

A complete history of the BC&G railroad, a description of Brooks Stover's 32'x28' layout, prototype photos and track plans, and two suggested S-scale track plans for modeling this railroad, are covered in this article.

The Central Vermont in N-scale

The Country Crossing

This is a design for a 15'x42' layout that features more rural scenes.

The Delaware & Lehigh RR

This design of a point-to-point layout features light bridge traffic and is set in the Delaware River Valley between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. To simulate bridge traffic the author designed interchange boards to hold up to three 50-foot cars

The Eastport & Highland

The hypothetical design and construction of a 12'x13' layout. Includes a track plan.

The Hazzard County Short Line

A track plan and operational scheme for a 4x8 layout.

The Ideal S Layout

The author presents the S-scale version of the 1940s Ideal Aeroplane & Supply Company's portable layout to promote their HO-scale structures. Includes the S-scale version track plan.

The Ideal Workbench

Items to think about as you design space in your layout for your modeling construction.

The Lewisburg & Buffalo Valley Railroad

This prototype railroad was narrow-gauge (42"), but the proposed track plan is for a standard-gauge version. Includes the track plan, and suggestions for how to build it.

The Limited Modeler

The author continues to refine his plans for his new layout based on new prototype information he has found. Includes many period photos of the Fremont, Ohio area. Includes cabooses.

The Limited Modeler

The author continues to update his plans as new prototype information comes to his attention, including updating a caboose, engines, and his track plan. Several prototype photos are included, as well as model photos.

The Limited Modeler

The author states that he has built 9 layouts and is about to start his tenth, and he is tired of starting over again. He covers his latest track plan (shown) for modeling the NYC in Fremont, Ohio in the 1910s to 1920s, and dives into the things he has learned that he likes and doesn't like and how that will impact his new layout. Includes photos of his previous layouts.

The Limited Modeler

The author shares his trouble deciding on which year to model, and building a layout that might shift between different years for a particular operating session.

The Lowell & Southern Railroad

The idea and trackplan for the S-scale layout is based on a slightly-modified version of the real 5-mile shortline near Lowell, Illinois. Using a GE 44-tonner as the locomotive, the author describes operation, and the types of equipment that could be used on such a layout.

The Magic of Illusion

The author describes, and shows through photos, what you can do to make your layout scenes seem larger than they really are, such as forced-perspective, accenting the vertical, capturing history, etc.

The New West Jersey Railroad Part 1

The author shares his plan and design for his new layout to be built in a 12'x27' space.

The Pine Creek Railroad

The track plan included with this article shows an S-scale layout designed for a 12' x 13'6" spare bedroom, and thoughts on how to build it.

The Road to Enchantment

This article describes a potential track plan based on the Enchantment branch of the ATSF.

The Sierra Silverton RR

An almost-around-the-room point-to-point layout with some interesting switching track.

The Southern Railroad of New Jersey

The author describes the prototype railroad and then presents a 14'x16' layout design suitable for either American Models hi-rail or scale track.

The Story Behind the Bear Creek & South Jackson

Chip interviews Charlie Comstock about his three versions of the Bear Creek & South Jackson, including how he set up some of his famous photo shots. The article is accompanied by track plans for his version 1 and version 3 layouts. A special diagram shows the space-saving wye.

The Straight & Narrow

The author continues his layout design ideas for an East Broad Top-based Sn3 layout (see June 2002 Dispatch). Includes a map, several prototype photos, and several track plans.

The Third Street Industrial District

A hypothetical 2 x 10 foot switching layout is described here. There are 15 buildings, many of which are served by the railroad. The track plan was designed to allow for future expansion.

The Virginia & Truckee in N Scale

Model Railroader magazine invited people to submit their track plans for an N-scale layout that was no larger than 5- square feet and fit in a 12' by 16' area. This article is by the person who won the contest. The layout design is set in 1876 and models the shipping of gold and silver found in Nevada.

The Virginian in HO and N

The author provides suggestions for how to build a layout that does justice to the Virginian Ry in both N- and HO-scale. Includes a trackplan for both scales and prototype photos

The Yard is a Railroad Sorting Machine

Two of John Armstrong's model railroad yard designs are shown, while the author discusses the various functions that take place in a yard.

Timesaver Switching Layout

A track plan with a bit of accompanying text shows an idea Roy Hoffman has for a Timesaver-based design for a home layout.

To Loop or Not

The author asks whether or not your layout should be a loop of some kind?

Total Layout Design

This article discusses some basics for designing satisfying model railroads. Topics covered are design decisions that affect operating and scenery.

Towards a New Penn Creek Valley

The author shares his thoughts about the compromises we all have to make when designing a new layout.

Towards a New Penn Creek Valley Part II

The author describes the thoughts he went through developing a design, track plan, and realistic integration of his layout into this available space (he had several options). Includes a sketch of the track plan.

Track Planning Part III

The author shares a track plan he enhanced for Luther Stephens that measures 15'x22'.

Track Planning Part IV

The author takes an HO-scale plan and converts it to a 20'x14' S-scale version. He provides a description of what could be used to implement it in S-scale.

Track Planning with a Computer

The author discusses how he used a CAD program to create the track plan for the current layout construction series of the BN N-scale layout. Two different layout ideas are discussed.

Track-plan Conversion from HO to S

The author describes what it takes to truly and accurately convert an HO-scale track plan into an S-scale one. He provides several handy look-up tables.

Train Room Confessions

Having completed the club's Sn3 layout, the group to which the author belongs is thinking about their next project to tackle. This article provides some preliminary thinking, considering the various lessons learned in the past.

Train Room Confessions

Having completed the club's Sn3 layout, the group to which the author belongs is thinking about their next project to tackle. This article covers thoughts about planning for benchwork, based on past experiences.

Twist on a FallenFlag You Can Build

The author expands John Allen's initial layout (which he later incorporated into his large layout) such that the design would work on a 6' x 10' layout in S-scale. Includes three different designs for S-scale.

Two Track Plans for an L-shaped Space

Two track plans are described for building a switching layout in an L-shaped corner.

Urban Switching in HO

A track plan of a 12 by 16 feet layout is presented that can be used for inner-city modern switching operations. It is a G-shaped design with a swing gate bridge.

Welcome to Table Rock, Arizona

The author describes his planned fictitious layout.

What's Your Fantasy Quotient?

A bunch of California S-scale modelers got together to determine the fantasy quotient, which is not about how close your layout matches the prototype, but how close your layout matches your imagined eventual design.

What's Your Story

Developing a story behind your layout gives it purpose and meaning.