Choose or make a track configuration

Well, assuming you have a scale picked out (let's stay away from the more-advanced narrow gauges, for now), its' time to choose the track plan, or track configuration. Many companies make published plans, such as Kalmbach and Atlas. You may copy these, adapt them or invent your own plan. Since most plywood sheets come in 4' by 8', this is a good beginning area for mounting track. See benchwork. Also, any of the layouts I have included for you to download will work. See track plans.

What if you decide to design your own layout? Use a compass for drawing the curves, and a ruler for drawing the straight tracks. For switches, estimate where the branch switches off. You can also use computer railroad designers, such as EditTrak, Atlas' RightTrack and XTrkCad. All offer free demos on the Internet, so download a copy today! See Atlas ,  Abracadata

Make it up as you go!

No matter how exact you are in designing the layout, when the actual track components are laid there will ALWAYS be some difference in the design.

Another way to design a layout is to gather all the track that you have, and just loosely place it on the layout board. The advantage with this is that you can see the plan in full scale, and you know that everything fits before you nail it down. It's called going free-lance.

I also find it helpful to leave places for change. As you progress in railroading, I often find that it is better if you plan for a little change before you're done designing. To leave open for room could be as simple as making an open area for the yard you eventually want there. Perhaps you don't have the time or money to go all out now, but if you have a layout to be built in stages, you can surely save yourself a lot of grief.

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