One question that we get asked over and over from model railway beginners is : What model railway layout should i choose? and How do i design a model railway layout?

Our first step is to always point these model railway beginners to the following blogs post : Model Railway Layout Guide

Next step is for them to ask themselves what type of layout they would like.

In many cases our “model railway” enthusiast has already bought a Hornby set and may already have a model railway layout that they can use. The basic model railway layout is just an oval that will generally be quite small. One of the downfalls of an oval model railway layout is that they don’t look very realistic. I find that you can make it a little more realistic by adding extra scenery and maybe even part covering the track so it looks like the trains have “gone!”

Next week, I will be going into more detail about model railway layouts.

huge layouts can be very difficult at the start

Remember

Do not let yourself get overwhelmed by those huge layouts – even the famous John Allen, the Father of modern model railroading and John Armstrong started out on 4×8 plywood. I am certain there are many on this site and other sites too who all have been at the starting point of a 4×8.

Next steps

This weekend go to your favorite local hobby shop (aka LHS) and check out the assortment of Kalmbach’s “How To” reference books for model railway trains. The library of “How To’s” runs the gambit from Z scale through Garden Railway. Each category covers the “How to Start and Build” to the more advanced for the DCC crowd. (Definitely not me – not with seventy-five diesels that would have to be over hauled…)

Magazines

You need to check out Model Railroader magazine. What you see in this magazine each week is just a sample of the “How To” series they have compiled over the years. The first category is the Beginner’s list and on down from there.

Complicated Layouts

Most of all, keep in mind, those “complicated” layouts you have looked at in MR and other model railroad magazines, all had to start somewhere.

Even mine started in a one car garage in Texas before moving up here to Colorado. Speaking of one car garages, how much space you have to work with will determine future expansion plans. Your threshold word was “simple”. Mine, although fills a 1,000 + sq ft basement is a simple wrap around the wall plan with a staging yard from which I can start and end my operating sessions. When you look at those large layouts in the magazines it’s hard to imagine there is a logic to the madness.

One last piece of advise: Research what you want to do and use the Model Railroader magazine as a guide for your planning. You will then learn the fundamentals of track Planning which applies to any size layout you can imagine.