This article covers five small switching layouts. They are: loading beer at the Coors warehouse (uses a traverser table just like the prototype), the mighty micro helix (three-turn helix with a 6-inch radius), the 3-D sector plate (a movable piece of track that can be moved between three levels of layout), the audience-participation layout (allow them to create a part of the scenery of your layout), and the wall-mounted, flat-panel layout (a 3-D view of a small mining operation where cars are moved between levels).

A trackplan designed for HO-scale, could be built onto three two to two-and-a-half foot wide tables measuring no more than eight-and-a-half feet in length. It represents steep grades that run up into a mountain from a town below. Great for shays.

The idea is rather than modeling the entire layout, only show a portion of the layout and have staging or loops hidden from view. It is more of a theatrical experience to have trains appear and disappear. Although less scenery is necessary, still a fair amount of space is needed to implement these designs. Various track plan ideas are presented.

Article covers studying the prototype, preventing the spaghetti bowl layout, developing scenes, operations, providing people space, backdrops, staging, track interaction with roadways, viewing height, and sticking to your design criteria.

A switching puzzle. Might be a good idea for adding to a layout.

Tom discusses how his design for his layout evolved and what lessons he learned.

A layout with fall-down hinged sections of track that are out of the way when the railroad is not actively running.

Includes prototype narrow gauge photo from 1909.

Making a case for the linear, segmental layout design. Includes information about what prototype you want to follow, what type of operations do you want, and what kind of commitment do you want to make toward the layout.

Designing a large and small railroad interchange. Includes layout photos, and trackplans for the Lancaster, Ohio OM&SS - V&O interchange, and a small interchange.

Tony describes his now famous AM, how he was inspired by Allen McClelland, the rational for the layout, and the track plan.

The late author discusses how he developed a track plan for a client, Jared Harper, to model the ATSF Alma District in a 13' by 19' space.

This introductory article covers how to design your own trackplan. It discusses dealing with curve minimums, turnouts, track centers, grades, clearance, and using templates.

The author discusses options for modeling a logging railroad in several scales.

The master of track design discusses how he met his client's requirements for modeling a portion of the Southern Pacific's Shasta Route. The article includes diagrams for the mushroom-style, 22' x 45' layout.

This article introduces the now famous mushroom design where both levels on a double-deck layout are at an ideal height simply by having a step-up platform for the higher elevation. The solution is embedded in an article about how he designed a large layout for one of his clients.

This article discusses this branchline. The author presents two track plan designs (one 22' x 22' and the other 11'' x 22'). Included are prototype photos and prototype track diagrams.

This article covers how the author came up with a track plan based on the prototype. The plan is for a 16' by 20' HO-scale layout. Includes prototype and model photos.

What about modeling something that isn't possible in real life?

Designs for various custom modules that allow the author to build a layout that can be moved.

A large bedroom track plan modeling the Housatonic's Canaan to Pittsfield line.

This article proposes a 12' by 12' N-scale layout for modeling the N&W mainline in eastern Virginia in the early 1950's. Includes the double-deck trackplan, and a schematic map of the prototype area.

Prototype photos of BNSF trains. This is a huge, half of a two-car garage, with four levels. The layout is operations oriented. Shows track plans. Includes photos of cardboard mockups created.

The author discusses the trackplan he developed for the Northern Pacific in Minnesota layout.

Valley City Street & Interurban Railway as an HO switching layout. Has some interesting track arrangements.

A double-deck HO-scale layout for a medium-sized room.

This design of a point-to-point layout features light bridge traffic and is set in the Delaware River Valley between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. To simulate bridge traffic the author designed interchange boards to hold up to three 50-foot cars

A track plan and operational scheme for a 4x8 layout.

Items to think about as you design space in your layout for your modeling construction.

An almost-around-the-room point-to-point layout with some interesting switching track.

A hypothetical 2 x 10 foot switching layout is described here. There are 15 buildings, many of which are served by the railroad. The track plan was designed to allow for future expansion.

Model Railroader magazine invited people to submit their track plans for an N-scale layout that was no larger than 5- square feet and fit in a 12' by 16' area. This article is by the person who won the contest. The layout design is set in 1876 and models the shipping of gold and silver found in Nevada.

Two of John Armstrong's model railroad yard designs are shown, while the author discusses the various functions that take place in a yard.

This article discusses some basics for designing satisfying model railroads. Topics covered are design decisions that affect operating and scenery.

The author discusses how he used a CAD program to create the track plan for the current layout construction series of the BN N-scale layout. Two different layout ideas are discussed.