| You can find all types of track plans that can be | | | | things for the foundation of your railroad. Probably the |
| downloaded to your computer. Some of these track | | | | most used is plywood. You can start by covering your |
| plans are free. One place to find free track plans is | | | | bench work with the plywood for a sound foundation. |
| Atlas Railroad. Atlas also offers a free download on | | | | If you have rivers running through your layout you may |
| their web site that allows you to create your own | | | | want to cut the plywood where your rivers will run and |
| track plans using their track. Although the most fun | | | | remove it from your layout. You may also need to cut |
| way is to create your own from scratch. This way | | | | into some of the cross members on your bench work |
| you have a one-of-a-kind layout. The first thing when | | | | allowing your river to be deep enough. If you have to |
| preparing to build a layout is to figure out how much | | | | cut very deep into your cross members make sure |
| space you have for your model. Once you have the | | | | you reinforce them with more boards. |
| dimensions of your layout you probably need to sketch | | | | Now that you have your foundation you can start |
| these on a piece of paper. Now you can start thinking | | | | building your terrain. To build mountains or hills you can |
| about what gauge and era you want to model. The | | | | build these up with Styrofoam or use screen wire |
| next step would be to decide if you are going to have | | | | covered with Spackle compound either one will work |
| mountains with maybe tunnels, or bridges crossing | | | | well. While designing your terrain remember that the |
| streams, or rivers. Also you may want your rail | | | | grade or rise of your train track should not be over 4o |
| crossing over a deep valley or maybe an interstate | | | | at maximum but the best is from 0o to 3o which |
| highway. You will also, need to consider why your | | | | means that for a 1% grade your track rise 1" for every |
| railroad exists. Your railroad needs a purpose like | | | | 100". Another thing to keep in mind is that on your main |
| hauling raw materials to a factor or hauling coal from a | | | | lines you do not need sharp curves. Having sharp |
| mine or timber from the forest. | | | | curves is probably one of the main reasons trains |
| When you have all the information you need to start | | | | derail. The best track to use is flex track. This way |
| your layout, you will need to start drawing this | | | | you can make sweeping curves that make it easier |
| information on paper to get a rough idea of what you | | | | for you locomotives to navigate around, but also give a |
| have. Once you have a drawing to work from you | | | | more realistic look to you layout. No matter what |
| can build the bench work for your railroad making it | | | | never give up and always have fun with model |
| stout and sturdy. Now you can use several different | | | | railroading. |