Everybody loves model railroad
track plans. So I've collected some of my smaller designs (and a few larger plans) on these web pages. Most of these are custom
track plans in HO or N scale that were commissioned by a client.
All of these designs are copyrighted
by me. I'd be happy if anyone would like to build one of them as-is or in modified form -- please let me know if you do. But all other rights, including publication in any form, are otherwise reserved.
Just click any of the images in the right column for the story of each layout design. I hope you enjoy them.
"Best of the West" railfan sampler in HO
Capturing the essence of famous railfan locations like Tehachapi and Cajon in a very large space seems straightforward
enough -- until more and more favorite scenes are added to the mix! This somewhat unorthodox large HO layout is designed for a full floor of a commercial building, but there are interesting ideas for layouts of any size.
Tight-quarters HO logging layout with continuous-run
A small space, but relatively large radii were the constraints for this HO standard-gauge logging line in a spare bedroom. But hand-laid turnouts and a John Armstrong trick came to the rescue. I even created a 3-D view -- very rare for me!
Click the image for layout details
Beautiful custom-built HO layout
While many of my designs are under construction by my clients, it was a unique
treat to recently visit one of my plans that has already been finished quickly and expertly by custom model railroad builder Rick Fortin. The mid-sized HO layout is full of neat scenes and ops potential … one might even call it a "layout vision fulfilled".
Click the image for layout details
Large N Scale layout set in the Pacific Northwest
N scale
is not just for small spaces, as this large operations-oriented layout demonstrates. Visible staging, interchange tracks, and plenty of industrial switching create realistic urban, rural, and
mountain scenes and operations. A variety of Pacific Northwestern railroads can be hosted realistically on the proto-freelanced
Cascade Southern.
Click the image for layout details
A little layout I can call my own
Who says the shoemaker's children have no shoes? OK, well it's just a little N scale shelf switching layout, but it's been fun to run while I work on the bigger layout.
Click the image for layout details
Relaxed and Realistic Great Northern in HO
This HO mid-sized sectional layout design project was unique: rather than asking for the maximum we could fit, my client wanted to include fewer elements but
leave room for broader aisles and more realistic scenes.
Click the image for layout details
Small shelves, real yard -- could it fit?
Once in a (very) great while, the configuration of the benchwork is the best place to
start with a design. This space-saving N scale switching layout is based on the real-life Sacramento Northern's Yuba City Yard and had to fit into a very tight corner on both existing and new shelving. The resulting design is being built now and should be a fun challenge to operate.
Click the image for layout details
HO track plan offers room for craftsman kits and ops
This HO mid-sized layout was based on the client's desires for "believable scenery with interesting operations". Once again, a spiral
peninsula increases running room and offers more space for the client's fabulous craftsman kit structures.
Click the image for layout details
HO "Slim Princess" in a spare bedroom
This HOn3 mid-sized layout combines real-life locations with interesting operations on both narrow and standard gauge inspired by the famous Southern
Pacific Keeler Branch in the shadow of the Sierra. The layout is designed to be built in stages with interesting operating
and scenic possibilities at each phase.
Click the image for layout details
Modern-era PA layout designed for operation
This mid-sized N scale layout is inspired by the real-life Reading & Northern, but is proto-freelanced to provide more operating interest in less space. Reflecting modern railroading practices, most of
the industries are large.
There's literally no room for a layout in my client's small condo. There is a garage, but it's
minimum-sized and the car must be parked there most of the time. T-TRAK to the rescue! Two compact N scale modules provided the small yard / industry switching operating pattern I like but can be easily stored. And because they're modules,
they can fit into a larger layout at a show or a future larger home.
Click the image for layout details
HO engine service shelf layout based on "Switchman's
Nightmare"
An imagineered
crossing of the Canadian National and Northern Alberta Railways was the inspiration for this mid-sized HO track plan. The layout includes the crossing itself with interchange, typical small towns with signature grain elevators,
and plenty of operating potential.
Click the image for layout details
"Junior" and "Senior" designs for the Hoboken Shore in HO
The client's household moves meant this layout was redesigned a couple of times. One version
is an HO shelf switching layout, the other a larger HO switching design for a spare bedroom. Read about both here.
Click either image for details on both layouts
N scale switching
layout folds to store in 1'X3'
This neat little shelf switching layout was published in Model Railroad Planning 2005. Based on a real-life railroad, the Alameda Belt Line, the design
could also be built as a fixed layout in N or HO scale. The track plan provides an abundance of realistic switching
action in a minimum amount of space.
Click the image for layout details
Diesel. Freight.
Pacific Electric? And all in a compact shelf ...
When some folks hear
the words "switching layout", they immediately think of a switching puzzle like the Timesaver. But with a little more room,
it's possible to build an HO shelf switching layout that offers a more realistic challenge and is based on a prototype, to boot. This compact layout replicates Pacific Electric's
unique "Orphan Branch" that served a few busy shippers in the San Fernando area of Southern California (it's like, the
Valley, Dude!).
Click the image for layout details
Plausible N scale design for an HO scale branch?
One of the ways to add interest to a layout is to imagine unmodeled locations "beyond the benchwork"
represented by staging. ATSF service to Hamilton City is one such "virtual" location we developed when Rick Fortin and I created
the operations plan for his ATSF 4th District HO layout. But could a transportable N scale layout bring this virtual location to life?
Click the image for layout details
Better than an HO 4X8: Around the room in 8X10
See the space,
not a rectangle. An HO 4X8 model railroad layout requires an area of at least 8'X10'. So what if we take that area
and arrange the HO track plan on shelves around the room? Broader curves, wider aisle, it's all good!
Sometimes the
limitations of the overall space and obstructions mean that a rectangular Island-style model railroad just can't fit.
But by curving track and benchwork to place the layout at the walls and the people in the middle, an interesting HO track plan can still be found.
Click the image for layout details
Switching branch based on HO Unitrack (and craftsman kits!)
This "bonus" branch shelf switching HO layout was designed to fit over the staging for the main deck of a large layout. Built on roughly two-foot-wide shelves
across a 30'+ wall, this branch offered a switching challenge and a home for existing craftsman kits already
mounted on scenicked dioramas.
Click the image for layout details
"Ops at the Shops" in N scale
An Internet forum discussion inspired these three variations on a theme -- a realistic display
for some of the Walthers "backshop" structure kits in 2'X4'. Even in this small space, there's room for some operating fun.
See all three layouts ...
Click the image for layout details
California shortline switching track plan
I developed this plan for myself, but never built the layout. The N scale switching layout would have featured the Ventura County Railway and connections with the Southern Pacific in the 1950s. The plan combines
shelf layout sections with freestanding lobes to best utilize the space and share the garage with a car.
Click the image for layout details
"Al-turtle-tive" approach for an extension to a 4X8
Jim Kelly's HO Turtle Creek Central HO 4X8 project layout was featured beginning in
the January, 2003 Model Railroader. A new series is beginning in the January, 2005 MR describing a
2'X6' extension. While Mr. Kelly's version is a very appealing and scenic approach, I started to think about an alternative HO track plan that might offer more operating interest.
Click the image for layout details
SMVRR in 18' X 20' with X-Factor staging
Santa Maria, CA is famous for its produce, its tri-tip barbecue, and the four railroads
(of three different gauges!) that once served the area. This layout focuses on the standard-gauge Santa Maria Valley and is more fully described in my article in Model Railroad Planning 2004.
Click the image for layout details
Pittsburgh over the workbench in less than 30 sq. feet
This N scale layout is to fit over a workbench in a space of 3'X10' or less. We started
with the client's pencil sketch and ended up with a nice little railroad. Read the details ...
Click the image for layout details
HO scale Logger for public display
This 2'X8' HO shelf display layout was inspired by a request for layout design ideas on the Internet. While primarily intended for display of logging gear at
train shows, a bit of operating potential is included as a bonus!
