My Guide to Model Railroad Planning
There is no right or wrong when it comes to model railroad layout planning. There are many layout planning options and lots of different paths one can take. However, some basic information is needed, and some best practices should be followed. But first, let me provide a little background and history on my relationship with Trains.
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 railway historical society. Once adulthood set in, priorities changed, and model railroading went into a box. That box stayed on a shelf, closed for nearly forty years, only to be reopened now that I’m in my mid-fifties.
In August 2019, my wife and I purchased a 1970s fixer-upper. We saw all its charm and potential. The house is intended to be our forever home, a place where we could retire. Like most home buyers, we started making plans for what each space would be and what DIY Projects were in my future. During a brief moment of weakness for both of us, I agreed to take on the remodeling, and my wife willingly gave me the freedom to, and I quote, “Do what you want” with one room so my passion for Model Railroading could be resuscitated.
Since I initially received the green light from my wife (The household CEO) a couple of years ago, the layout planning has been all in my head because I have been completing Home Remodeling projects. During those projects, I was trying to figure out what I wanted in a model railroad and where it would go. Living in Florida limits the model railroad layout planning process, as building in a basement is not an option because we don’t have them. While most Florida modelers convert their garages to air-conditioned layout spaces, this also was not an option because my garage has been faithfully serving as a dedicated woodworking shop and hub for the home revitalization program.
It was mutually agreed upon that the living room would become my dedicated hobby space. It made perfect sense because it’s the third-largest space, and no one else in the family wanted it. I would like to be able to tell you that it’s the ideal space for a mega dream layout, but at least it’s located right off the front entry, making it ideal for layout visitors.
My Layout Room Restrictions & Parameters
You would think that model railroad layout planning for a room roughly 12′ x 24′ would be pretty straightforward, but I consider it active living space. Because we walk through the room multiple times during an average day, I have set some strict, non-negotiable parameters for myself when it comes to the design.
- The space must be aesthetically pleasing while blending into the surrounding décor and not looking out of place.
- The room must house both a hobby desk and the layout while providing ample enclosed storage to minimize visual clutter.
- Benchwork will be constructed in a “shadow box style,” incorporated into custom cabinetry for maximum storage.
- It must have safe and secure under-layout cabinetry for dedicated off-layout storage of locomotives and rolling stock. A capacity of around 300 pieces should be the goal.
- Cabinetry must also accommodate building materials, scenery supplies, detailed parts, and other hobby supplies.
- The layout must feature a clean and sleek-looking fascia. No throttle panels, no switches, no signage, and no shelves to collect stuff.
My Layout Planning Guidelines
Once I had ironed out the initial logistical wrinkles of my self-imposed restrictions, I was able to move forward with the layout planing process. This step was crucial because I knew that a solid foundation would help me avoid mistakes down the road. To keep the process on track (pun intended), I began asking myself some of the most common questions that model railroaders often pose to one another.
These questions help clarify vision, set boundaries, and define goals. By answering the following, I hoped to better understand my own direction and make more informed decisions. Some of the key questions include:
- What scale, location, and era will I model?
- Trackwork
- Signals, Control & Sound
- Operations
These are just a few of the major considerations that come to mind when layout planning. By carefully thinking through each one, I hoped to set a clear path forward. Here’s what I’ve come up with so far.
Scale, Location, and Era
I previously modeled in HO scale and currently have a significant investment in rolling stock and locomotives, making this a financial no-brainer. Given my modeling skills, limited physical space, and prior knowledge, a proto-freelanced regional or local short line located in the Eastern United States would be ideal. I admire Mike Confalone’s Allagash Railroad and would like to create a late winter to early spring theme with spotty thawing snow on my layout.
I envision my era as “dynamic,” allowing for changes on demand, ranging from the 1970s to the present day. The era would be “interchangeable at will” simply by swapping out some buildings, signage, signaling, vehicles, rolling stock, and locomotives to depict different times. For example, I could have an operating session set in 1975 with “Railroad A” this month, and then next month, it could shift to 1990 with “Railroad B” following a merger, and then shift again to the mid-2000s with “Railroad C” after another merger. This may seem like a lot, but with this approach, I don’t feel my modeling will be constrained in time, just in place. From a prototypical standpoint, I’m simply mimicking real life.
Trackwork
In my early model railroading days as a teenager, I was lucky enough to have several Master Model Railroaders® as my peer group. They taught me a lot about kit bashing, scratch building, 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 for next to nothing on eBay. Because of this, I will not be paying $40 per switch. I will hand-lay all my track including turnouts. I’m considering jig options from Proto87, FastTracks and Oak Hill Track Supply but its looking like I may just go old school (Jig Free) and save the expense all together.
I have an affection for four-axle second-generation EMD locomotives, so I’m planning for a minimum radius of 22” on curves with no grades. I will be using Code 70 for branch lines and Code 55 for spurs. Track will be super-detailed with joint bars, tie plates, derailer’s and other details.
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,” meaning they do not have centralized traffic control using signals. 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 automated signaling, perhaps an ABS 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 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 locomotive, 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) will 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 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 read by under-track scanners. This will allow for physical tracking of movement on and off the layout. Rolling stock would have resistor wheel sets for triggering track jointed block detection, if used.
The ability to have up to three operating crews would be ideal, 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 can be made up of only one person when using a remote-controlled locomotive. Crews will work from handheld touch-screen tablets or their smartphones and will be issued a ProtoThrottle, tablet, penlight, and switch/un-coupling pick for their session.
The operational track plan shall include the following specific elements:
- A yard that must include locomotive servicing, car repair, and a private trans-load facility. JMRI will generate the moves to and from car repair and trans-load.
- 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 is used.
- An interchange track will be used specifically for picking up and setting out rolling stock as it enters and exits the layout from storage drawers. Off-layout storage will consist of under-layout cabinets with drawers. 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.
Room & Layout Lighting
Finally, all room and layout lighting will be synced with the fast clock. This will animate lighting from dawn to dusk through nighttime and back to dawn. I am hoping to include the occasional thunderstorm with room-wide sound effects and lighting that will occur from time to time, providing full sensory immersion into the layout and its operations.
Well, that’s it. I hope you enjoyed reading My Model Railroad Planning article as much as I enjoyed the process of sharing it with you. Please consider giving it a thumbs up and sharing it with someone. Your support means a lot! If you want to stay informed and receive notifications when new Trains Content is published, please consider subscribing to my Newsletter. By subscribing, you will ensure that you never miss out.
