Big Book of Model Railroad Track Plans | Bob Schleicher

Big Book of Model Railroad Track Plans | Bob Schleicher | Not necessarily what it seems...

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Big Book of Model ...

	Big Book of Model Railroad Track Plans Bob Schleicher MBI, 2003 - 272 pages average customer review:based on 4 reviews view larger image
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For the model train hobbyist, this incredibly detailed book features 81 model track plan options. Each project description includes technical advice and prototype photos that will inspire any model railroad enthusiast. Projects feature likely obstacles that might be encountered during construction and helpful tips for getting it right the first time. Line art diagrams, layout routes, dimensions, and even photographs of the finished layout are included.The book is organized into six sections: ,The Best Plans for Your First Layout ,Shelf Style Layouts ,Bedroom-Size Track Plans ,Track Plans for Larger Spaces ,Staging Yards and Holdover Tracks ,Modular Model Railroad Plans

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Very good

An excellent book about designing a small to medium layout. Many track planning books assume that we all have huge basements and rarely focus on smaller spaces, like a spare bedroom.
At first glance, a number of the plans seem similar. When you study them closer it becomes clear how a plan can be transformed by adding an around-the-wall shelf or changing a part of it. I think this sort of evolutionary designing gives a lot more insight into the design process.
The shelf layouts are nice and show how you can build a layout in a very compact space. They look more like British designs, which usually have a visible station and some staging sidings.
The room-size layouts pack a lot into a modest room. By adding a second deck the operations are substantially increased albeit at the cost of more complex construction. There is a relation between the space and the amount of model railroad that we want to fit in. If you want to squeeze in more mainline run in a small space, sooner or later you have to consider multidecking. It's up to the reader to decide if the extra effort is worth the trouble.
This brings me to the observation that most plans in this book feature point-to-point type operation. The emphasis is on smaller lines like shortlines, logging railroads or secondary lines of larger railroads. A logical choice as this sort of railroad is far better suited for a small room than trying to model the Union Pacfic mainline in HO in a 9x9 room. If this isn't your cup of tea then this book is probably not for you.

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Not necessarily what it seems...

This book does contain a multitude of track plans. The plans overall, however, tend to be sub-par. This is most evident when you compare this book to those written by the Late John Armstrong, or the track plans published in hobby magizines.

The book is helpfull, however, in planning for staging operations and seeing how one can best ultilize avalible space. It is a good book if one is just getting started in the hobby, and needs some ideas to start from. More advanced model railroaders may only get mild amusment from the book.

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