Model Railroad Planning

[StevieB]

Every year about this time Model Railroader publishes its annual Model Railroad Planning magazine. Not that I am into railways across the pond, but there is always some good stuff in it, once you get used to the differences between them and us e.g. railways, language, etc. Once there was a piece about the design of pointwork to get rid of buffer locking, etc, not that American rolling stock has any, and I have applied its principles in the design of my layout which is slowly beginning to emerge. Unfortunately, we are only at the baseboard stage!

Stephen

[Glenderg]

Have to agree Stevie, the annual is a firm favorite of mine. Some lovely wharf/quay side track ideas they always have, especially in the mega-basement layout designs at the back. Plus the drawings are works of art in their own right. Richie.

[patrick]

I have been reading Model Railroad Planning since the first issue in 1995 and it has greatly influenced the design of my railway. Any of Tony Koester's (MRP editor) books are highly recommended.

[201bhoy]

Every year about this time Model Railroader publishes its annual Model Railroad Planning magazine. Not that I am into railways across the pond, but there is always some good stuff in it, once you get used to the differences between them and us e.g. railways, language, etc. Once there was a piece about the design of pointwork to get rid of buffer locking, etc, not that American rolling stock has any, and I have applied its principles in the design of my layout which is slowly beginning to emerge. Unfortunately, we are only at the baseboard stage!

Stephen

 

Any chance of a few pics of the layout, even if it is only at early stages? Always interesting to see a layout develop!

[Warbonnet]

I can add a +1 to this. Well worth a look for those who are looking to embark on a new layout build. And it's not just basement empires either, there are some nice layout ideas for smaller sizes. We can learn a lot from modellers of all different backgrounds and apply them in an Irish context.

[BosKonay]

I asked google and got this

 

http://www.kalmbachstore.com/modeltrains-railroading-model-railroading-special-issues-model-railroad-planning.html

[patrick]

http://mrv.trains.com/videos/issue-preview/2013/12/video-model-railroad-planning-2014-issue-preview

 

Here is a video preview of the 2014 issue.

Edited March 6, 2014 by BosKonay

[Shinkansen]

I can add a +1 to this. Well worth a look for those who are looking to embark on a new layout build. And it's not just basement empires either, there are some nice layout ideas for smaller sizes. We can learn a lot from modellers of all different backgrounds and apply them in an Irish context.

 

Totally agree. I buy the occasional issue of 'Model Railroader'. They have an interesting approach across the water in how they do things. Plenty for us all to learn from. Particularly like the way they do scenery, especially for port/industrial sidings on Layout. Their current project 'Rice Harbour' comes to mind.

 

Some of those 'basment empires' are pretty epic alright. Some serious $$$$$$$'s thrown at them!!!

[David Holman]

Agree with all that has been said, plus also worth keeping an eye on other hobbies too. The war game and military diorama folk have some great ideas, while for the US scene and ideas to inspire generally Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette is always worth a look.

[patrick]

Here is an interesting site for all those into model railroad planning.

Edited May 1, 2014 by patrick

[patrick]

http://mrsvc.blogspot.com/search/label/Layout%20Design

 

Here is that link again. I hope it works this time!

[jhb171achill]

Having once had a (small) G scale garden railway, I'm still interested in such things. Some of the American ones have to be seen to be believed. There are numerous YouTube clips showing things like a "Big Boy" hauling over 100 freight cars. I don't think that would even fit in my garden, let alone get a run round.