Another fun use of Google maps is to see the footprint of structures and tracks that are either gone or no longer in use. Can be an interesting scenery feature to model a few small sections of abandoned rails.
Great Video Andy! I think many of us fall into the trap of "Software Designs" when it really is so simple and practical to just start drawing... I love the idea of starting with a profile view of the line and then applying it to the benchwork. Excited to see the benchwork video next. All the best, John
Thanks John! I have used tools like AnyRail in the past. They are fun to use but its very easy to spend ours inside the program... Thanks for watching! Andy
Great outline for a research process. My preference is more toward the freelance end of model railroading, but even then researching the prototype is important. Very interesting to begin with the straight line diagram of the tracks. I wish you'd spent some time on how you arrived at your bench work footprint. I've found this isn't always a simple choice. I hand drew track plans for years, but very recently have switched to computer design using AnyRail. There is a learning curve, but I haven't found it burrdensome. I've learned the computer approach prevents me from unconsciously cheating on what will actually fit in the spaces I have.
Great video, I really line the idea of drawing the track chart at the bottom of the plan as a deference. The biggest thing when hand drawing a track plan is using graph paper and drawing it to scale. Ideas of what will actually fit hit reality when you use a tape measure.-Tom
Very nice Andy, I too enjoy the research part of model railroading and have enjoyed learning about the Marsh Line. Its a very interesting part of the C&NW and certainly small enough to model well. In addition to the great suggestions you provided for resources i have also used historic USGS maps and Historic aerial photos (NETR online is one of many resources for these). Finally, Sanborn fire insurance maps can also be helpful for track configurations and building arrangements. Looking forward to seeing the Marsh Line in operation! scott
Well based on what i have seen of your work so far i am sure it will be a very realistic looking railroad. Cant wait to see an old CNW Geep rumbling down the rails to serve some customers!
Track planning is fun! Unfortunately, no matter how much time, effort, and detail one goes into planning track locations on benchwork, there will always be that one under the table turnout machine that absolutely needs to be in the same space as a roadbed or scenery support beam.
Turnouts are easy. Take one of each size you plan on using and scan it into your computer system. (left/right at this point do not matter) Take one of the scanned files and insert it into a paint or photo program, and make many copies of it there. (Should have many copies of one turnout, say a size 6) Print out one sheet. Measure the length of the real turnout and the printed one. Using the length of the printed turnout calculate the new printing size ratio so the final print is the size needed for your scale track plan. Since all of the turnouts on the sheet are (let's say) Left-handed used the software to "flip" the image into right-handed turnouts. I model in N scale. A #7 Atlas code 55 turnout is 6 inches long. If I use 1-inch = 1-foot for my drawings, my printed #7 turnouts need to be 1/2 inch long. On a 3/4" = 1-foot drawing the #7 turnout would be 3/8". Using this method it is easy to design in any scale that is best for the space at hand. The smaller the space being used, the larger scale I use. I tend to plan Free-MoN Modules at 2" = 1 foot.
