Introduction
Before I get into my rules for a successful model railroad, let’s start with a little context. My passion for model railroading began in the early ’80s when I was fourteen. I modeled for several years while participating in a local club and a railway historical society. But as adulthood took over, priorities shifted, and model railroading was packed away, literally. That box stayed sealed on a shelf for nearly forty years, only to be reopened now that I’m in my mid-fifties.
Before I could start designing my dream model railroad, I needed to establish my rules for a successful model railroad. Establishing a plan based on my situations requirements and restrictions, was a must for me as theirs a wide range of options and different paths I could take. That said, I needed to have a clear understanding of them of the direction I will take. This article details how I created a foundation using some basic information and following a few best practices will make the journey much smoother and more enjoyable.
Negotiating For Land Access & Right-of-Way
In August 2019, my wife and I bought a 1970s fixer-upper. We saw its charm, its quirks, and most importantly, its potential. It was intended to be our forever home, a place to settle into and retire. Like most homeowners, we immediately started planning how each space would be used and what DIY Projects would lay ahead.
During a moment of mutual weakness, I agreed to do all the home remodel work. In return, my wife gave me full freedom to quote; “do what you want“. That was all I needed to resurrect my long-dormant love for model railroading.
Impact Studies Begin
Since getting the green light, my layout has existed only in hopes and dreams. As I logged completed projects into My Home Remodeling Journal, I began to establish my rules for a successful model railroad. I thought about what I wanted, considered where it could actually go and how I could get there.
Living in Florida presents a unique set of challenges because we don’t have basements. Most modelers here convert their garages into air-conditioned layout rooms. But that wasn’t an option, as my garage is serving as a fully outfitted Woodworking shop and the nerve center for our home revitalization efforts.
Eventually, after long negotiations consisting of compromises and a bit of groveling we agreed (the wife agreed) that the living room could become my dedicated hobby space. It made sense, it’s the third-largest room in the house, and no one else in the family wanted to claim it. I’d love to tell you it’s the perfect spot for a massive dream layout, but it’s not. Still, being located just off the front entry does make it a convenient space for welcoming layout visitors.
The Room Restrictions & Parameters
Designing a model railroad layout in a 12′ x 24′ room presents unique challenges because the space is actively used. Given frequent passage through the room, strict, non-negotiable design parameters have been self imposed:
- The room must effectively house both a hobby desk, the layout and enclosed storage to minimize visual clutter.
- The layout must seamlessly integrate into the existing décor, maintaining an aesthetically pleasing and unobtrusive presence.
- The layout must be installed in a manner that is conducive to recent renovations, be easy to disassembly while leaving no damage behind when removed.
- I wanted a “shadow box style” layout with integrated cabinetry, maximizing storage efficiency and da’core.
- Large organized storage for locomotives and freight cars.
- Storage must also include space for building materials, scenery supplies, detailed parts, and other hobby essentials.
- A clean and sleek layout fascia with no visible throttle holders, signage, panels, protruding switches, or clutter-gathering shelves.
Establishing Layout Guidelines
With the initial room restrictions and parameters ironed out, I could move forward with some layout guidelines. Establishing some basic layout guidelines adds to my rules for a successful model railroad. To keep the process on track (pun intended), I started with some of the most common questions that most model railroaders ask one another.
Answering the following questions were vital for clarifying my vision, setting boundaries, and defining goals. The questions include:
- What scale, era and location will I be modeling?
- Will I use manufactured trackwork or will I be handlaying?
- Will I use signaling, train control or automation systems and what about sound?
- What type and style of operations will there be and so on…
These are just some of the initial considerations for me to keep in mind during my planning and design phase. I’ll be carefully thinking through each one, as I move forward.
Scale, Era and Location
I previously modeled in HO scale and currently have a significant investment in rolling stock and locomotives. Maintaining the investment makes it sensible to continue modeling in this scale.
My vision for the era is what I describe as ‘dynamic,’ allowing for changes on demand, covering the period from the 1970s to the present. This “interchangeable at will” concept means the era can be shifted simply by changing out a few buildings, signage, signaling, vehicles, rolling stock, and locomotives to portray different time periods.
For example, an operating session in 1975 with ‘Railroad A’ could occur one month, then transition to 1990 with ‘Railroad B’ after a merger the next month, and subsequently shift again to the mid-2000s with ‘Railroad C’ following another merger. While this may appear extensive, it ensures that my small layout is not restricted by time, but only by location. This allows mirroring the natural progression of a real railroad while granted me the ability to model what I want and when without have to rebuild the entire layout.
My location will consist of a proto-freelanced regional short line in the Eastern United States. Given my past modeling experiences and existing knowledge. I’m considering my take on the Tuscola & Saginaw Bay Railway (TSBY) of Michigan. I’m inspired by the Mike Confalone’s, Allagash Railroad so my layout will feature a late winter to early spring theme. I really like the scattered patches of melting dirty snow Mike modeled on his layout. Brings back a lot of childhood memories for me.
Trackwork
In my early model railroading days as a teenager, I was lucky enough to have several Master Model Railroaders® in my peer group. They taught me a lot about kit bashing, scratch building and hand laying track.
There has been a lot of innovation in both production and hand-laid track since the 1980’s. Some years ago, I was able to pick up a Kadee Spiker and over a thousand sticks of new old stock 36” Shinohara nickel silver rail. I got it all for next to nothing on eBay. Because of this, I will not be paying $40 per switch (current market price in Mid-2025). I will hand-lay all my track including turnouts. I’m considering jig options from Proto87, FastTracks and Oak Hill Track Supply. But it’s looking like I may just go old school (Jig Free) and save the expense all together.
I have an affection for four-axle frist and second-generation EMD locomotives. Most of my running will be straight and flat. I’m planning for a minimum radius of 24” and 0% grade. I will be using Code 70 for branch lines and Code 55 for spurs. Track will be super-detailed with joint bars, tie plates, de-railers and other details appropriate for the line.
My Ideal Track Plan
My ideal track plan should include the following:
- A yard that includes locomotive servicing, car repair, and a private transload facility.
- Industries must be distinct from one another and have the ability to send and/or receive carload traffic. The types of cars used for each industry should be different from one another to ensure a variety of rolling stock on the layout.
- An interchange track/tracks will be used specifically for picking up and setting out rolling stock as it enters and exits the layout from storage drawers.
Signaling, Control & Sound
I must admit that signaling is uncharted territory for me and will require more research as my layout planning progresses. In reality, most shortlines operate in what’s known as “dark territory,” given my projected size limitations, having centralized traffic control is impractical, to say the least. But where’s the fun in not modeling signals?
I would like some form of signaling, perhaps an automatic block signal. Maybe block detection at the yard entrance/exit or switch indications along the branch line to a spur. This would add some visual interest and color, not to mention I could use the money saved from building my own switches to purchase a couple of signals. The finalized track plan will provide the answers.
When it comes to control, digital is the way to go, especially when starting a new layout build. Digital Command Control (DCC) is simply, easy to install and offers unique operating and sound possibilities. I will be using DCC, I just haven’t decided on a brand yet. I do know, however, that I want the most realistic experience possible when it comes to train control. The only solution for this is ProtoThrottle.
Since ProtoThrottle is currently only compatible with three DCC protocols, that narrows down my brand choices. With the implementation of DCC comes the advantages of adding sound equipped locomotives, rolling stock and more. I’ve already decided on ESU LokSound for locomotives and Soundtraxx SoundCar for rolling stock and Iowa Scaled Engineering’s Squealer for track side effects.
Operations
The anticipated layout may be small in stature, but that doesn’t mean it has to be small in capabilities. The primary focus will be on switching operations, and as such, the Java Model Railroad Interface (JMRI) is anticipated to be my program of choice. All operations will be scheduled based on a fast clock. JMRI will be used for generating switch lists for both the yard and local crews. It will also generate moves to and from car repair along with on and off the layout.
Not sure on the details yet, but the on/off layout moves will be to and from the under layout storage cabinets. For example, a drawer would hold five 36” rows (or the length of track for JMRI purposes), totaling 20 storage rows. JMRI will generate occasional and random traffic to and from these rows, identified as: Cabinet ‘X’, Drawer ‘X’, Row ‘X’. Each drawer will only accept a single classification of car, ensuring that every drawer remains neat and organized by car type.
JMRI will also be tasked with tracking equipment through the use of RFID tags from TrainTraxx or LocoNet Transponders. RFID tags can be mounted to rolling stock wheel sets and be read by under-track scanners. This will allow for physical tracking of movement both on and off the layout. Maybe even rolling stock resistor wheelsets for triggering block occupancy. I haven’t made any final decisions, so well just have to wait and see.
The ability to have up to three operating crews would be nice, as I would like to share my layout through regularly scheduled operating sessions. Crews would consist of one engineer and one conductor. There would be an east local, a west local, and a yard job. Crews could be made up of only one person when using a remote-controlled locomotive. Crews could work from their smartphones. Engineers would be issued a ProtoThrottle, while conductors receive a tablet, penlight, and switch/un-coupling pick for their session.
Room & Layout Lighting
Finally, in my ideal world, all room and layout lighting would be synced with the fast clock. This could animate lighting from dawn to dusk through nighttime and back to dawn. I would also like to include the occasional April showers or thunderstorm with room-wide sound effects and lighting that would occur from time to time. This would provide full sensory immersion into the layout and its operations. I don’t have any ideas on how to implement this but, I’m sure spending some time in the Arduino and WLED forums would facilitate some answers.
Final Thoughts
There’s no right or wrong when it comes to grounds rules for a successful model railroad layout. What my dream consts of may not represent yours. Make your model railroad yours and enjoy the process along the way.
I hope this article helps you in creating your own ground rules for your situation, limitations, environment, hopes and dreams. With that said, having a foundation of basic information and following a few best practices will make your journey much smoother and more enjoyable. Until next time…