PLANNING A LAYOUT

The planning stage of a layout is important if you want to include major scenic details such as a coal mine or cement works. There are so many options for buildings these days, you really need a clear idea in your head before you even begin think about track configuration. The examples below are just a tip of the iceberg to what is available these days.

These structures and many like them need their own infrastructure of road ways, rail sidings, goods sheds, etc.

These structures make a good layout great but at a cost the mine head gear alone is over £35, so if you are working to a budget this expense may need justifying against a main line terminus for example.

Don’t be afraid of “borrowing” ideas from exhibitions or magazines, if you like it, incorporate it into your layout with an added siding or a separate Coaling stage just to make it more personal.

There are a couple of track planning software programs available, the first being XTrkCad this is a Computer Aided Layout Design program for Model Railwayers aimed primarily at the US modeller it can easily be adapted to OO scale and British track. XTrkCad is completely free to download and use . This coupled with a easy interface makes this a very good option. Your layout can be designed altered and printed to any size. The figure below shows the overall interface. I would rate this program as 10/10. (Click here to see bigger picture)

  Click here to go to XTrkCad home page

Another design program worth looking at is Cadrail A demo version is available from their web site at http://www.sandiasoftware.com/   A sample drawing is shown below This software is $59.99 just for the basic version and then you have to buy add-ons not good V.F.M. when XTrkCad is free.

The next software option is Winrail designed specifically for the UK market with Hornby track loaded into the demo version which is downloadable from here www.winrail.com As you can see from the screen shot below the interface is pretty much similar to XTrkCad

Using any of these programs will allow you to plan properly the amount of track needed to complete your layout and hence give a good idea of your budget targets.
Hornby also produce a track planning program called VR2 which has received favourable comments from modelling forums. But again this is a cost item and should be included in your budget figures. A copy of the first version, Hornby VR is actually distributed free at the this time with boxed train sets, so an evaluation could be made using this.  

BUDGET

Budgeting for your layout is a crucial part of the planning stage. You may have the best track plan in the world but if you can only afford a single 0-4-0 engine and a solitary 3 plank wagon then running your layout will be pretty boring. Many hornby dealers give discount for members of the hornby collectors club, so joining this before you start may pay dividends and you get a free collectors tank engine every year. Shop around for bargains, ebay is an especially rich source of model railway products. In the forum I list any likely good deals on a weekly basis so check back regularly to bag that Flying Scotsman you have been after.

Alternatively Hornby produce a track mat which are always available on ebay

Check out the items below

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