Model Railway Planning Service?

[Masbroughlad]

I am getting very close to building a model railway! I have the space, lots of ideas, books, magazines, planning tools etc, but.... Struggling for inspiration for the final design.

Does any business offer a service that would plan a layout for you, if you gave them dimensions, requirements (Eg. Stations, main lines, branch lines, yards, depots, bridges, tunnels, multi - level etc.).

Can anybody help please? I have a good size space 11' x 7' with a corner cut out for the door/ entry / operating area.

Cheers in advance.

 

[Smudger105e]

To me, there are quite a few questions that you have to answer yourself, before any design can be considered.

Initially you will have to identify, which scale/gauge is your preference. I assume it will be 00 but could be N or O, as well as what stock and or time period you choose.

You will then have to identify what you want from your layout. For example, do you want a roundy roundy to run long trains, or an end to end branch line. Do you want to shunt a yard, forming trains, or just operate passenger trains? Or maybe it would be a maintenance depot? You might also prefer that the trains take a back set to the scenic side of things?

Also laying out track will need consideration of electrical supplies, DCC, isolation sections, powered points, signals.

Are you goinf to take your layout to exhibitions or will it be fixed in its location?

I'm sure that there are people on here who will make suggestions, but would need more information regarding your hopes and aspirations regarding your project.

But above all, whatever you choose to do, enjoy doing it and enjoy operating it!

 

[Tim R-T-C]

Best recommendation, look at the Peco planning books. There are loads available and they use listed Peco track pieces so you can easily price up and buy the stuff you need.

Usually have lots of variation in rural and urban as well as ancient and modern designs.

There are firms that design and built layouts for you, see ads in any modelling mag. But obviously they can work out costly.

 

[birchesgreen]

Planning it was half the fun! Why not get a design software like Rail Modeller and play around with different layouts? When i designed my layout what i ended up with (and started building for real) was quite different to my original ideas.

 

[crispy1978]

I'm a newbie as well (you'll see my post on here too!)

You've got a space about 6x mine (jealous!!) - but I agree with the planning of it yourself to start with, or at least having a go to see what you want. Must admit it's tricky knowing what diameter you need for a loop in what gauge, etc (I had no idea!) - but there's plenty of help on here, other forums and online in general.

Good luck!

 

[tjlrailblue]

Someone on a model railway forum who is into designing layouts might help you out

Some model magazines have layout plans in too i noticed

Good luck with it


Tim