Customer Reviews

One Hundred and One Track Plans for Model Railroaders (Model Railroad Handbook, No. 3)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have had this book since it's first publishing over twenty years ago and it still inspires me everytime I look through it. Back then Mr. Westcott didn't inlcude 'N' scale, but the book provides so much information on how to re-calculate the dimensions not just for his layouts but for any designs you might wish to try. It also outlines parameters by which you can design your own layouts.

I think I have bought this book 3 or 4 times in my life. It has been around for a very long time. I have never built any of the layouts presented within but it has served as a great idea book from time to time. That's really what it is for.

This book first made its appearance before the advent of N scale but the tables have been updated. Each plan gives scaling dimensions for N, TT, HO, S and O. Try finding anything else with TT information!

The sizes present range from simple bookshelf layouts and small plywood tables to large building club layouts. A good idea can be had from anywhere. The book is still around because it remains and will probably always remain a source of inspiration or daydreams.

Linn Westcott was a master when it comes to model railroading and his track plans emphasized that fact. This book in it's first edition provided me with numerous ideas for my railroads in various scales over the years. Highly recommended.

I purchased this book back in about 1984 or so. I was getting ready to build my dream railroad, and I needed ideas.....I found loads of ideas in this book!!! I picked bits and pieces from several of the plans in this book, and combined them to come up with that dream layout!

I used plan #46 The Jordan Valley RR, as the basis for my layout. However, it was too narrow, so I 'stretched' it out 2.5 feet further, making it 12' x 10.5'. I also needed a freight yard and engine facilities, so I added onto the plan on one end to include a 10' long yard and service area.

I made a few other adjustments to track placement here and there also. Added in several extra industrial spurs, extended extra mainline trackage on another addition. And various other things. This was the first layout that I ever built without any sectional track. I had never used 'flex-track' before, but I did on this layout! I never knew it could be so simple! You can do so much more with 'flex' than with sectional you'd be astounded! If you're a 'sectional' user, give 'flex-track' a try....you'll love the ease of use as well as the results!

Using 'flex' is like playing "connect the dots". Lay out your turnouts and crossings where they need to be, and then pencil in the connecting tracks. Once you have everything the way you want it, start the roadbed and track installation. Don't be afraid to experiment and try different things! Model railroading is fun!!!

I built my 'dream layout' in 1985....and it hasn't changed much in all those years! A few minor tweaks here and there, but no major changes to the original. The only major changes have occurred in the freight yard and engine facilities, and that wasn't until last year (2008), as they had never been completely finished...all that's left to do now is some scenic work!

So if you're considering build a new model railroad layout, or you're looking to tweak or modify your existing layout, grab this book for some great inspiration! You won't be disappointed in the least!!!

Happy Railroading!

Not a lot of pages here and the track plans are universal to some degree - making the book OK of you are looking for rough ideas. Bottom line is that beginners will benefit far more from this book if combined with some track planning software. There are far better resources on the internet for designs and concepts. Save your money unless this is selling for under a dollar or less, used.

I have several copies of this book in my library so I can always have one at hand. Some of them have worn out covers because I refer to them so often. It is loaded with ideas for designing ones own track plans. There are layouts for shelves, the ubiquitous 4x8 sheet of plywood, shelf around the room, fill the room, and monster unlimited space layouts. I agree with earlier reviewers that it is a must-have for anyone serious about model railroading. Some regard the actual plans in this book as "old school". This might be true, but the ideas are still there and are timeless. In contrast for "new school" plans one could also consider the excellent books by Iain Rice.

Don't expect it to contain plans that will be a one-one match with sectional toy-train tracks, it was written when people laid their own track tie, by tie, and rail by rail. Also don't get this book expecting it to contain step-by-step how-to instructions for building each of the plans contained within the covers. Some of these plans simply cannot be built with sectional track on the market today. This is much more an ideas book. If one wants exact piece-per-piece track plans there are many books of that type on the market. Atlas comes to mind. They print several books with plans to exactly match the track sections that they manufacture.

Excellent manual, but it should list suppliers of odd materials such as the 15 degree crossing. I am trying to build plan no. 15, and can't find this particular crossing.

Linn Westcott was likely the best thing that ever happened to model railroad publishing. Too bad that Model Railroader magazine's present editorial people don't measure up to Westcott's standards. That said --- This book is perhaps a good thing to study if you're just getting into model railroading, but be advised that it contains very dated track plans. Most of the contents were published in Model Railroader in the 1950's and although a few have some excellent ideas, there have been so many new track planning concepts in the last half century that you'd be well advised to look elsewhere before adopting any of the plans in this book.

Mr. Wescott has a great introduction to this book with many great instructions, guidelines, and tips for building your layout. The vast array of sample layouts really triggers one's imagination, but at the same time offers a realistic overview of what is truly possible in the space availiable. As most will only build one or two layouts in their lifetimes, an expensive computer program really isn't worth the investment. This book is really all that one needs for planning and building a great layout. It is adaptable to nearly all scales and he gives excellent conversion charts for the measurements in the different scales. I have found it an indispensable guide.

I used this book about 18 years ago for a very small N scale layout - 2.5' x 3' - since I lived in an apartment at the time. I have received many compliments on my layout even though it is now in the basement of my house next to my husband's O scale layout that is 17' x 9' and has been shown on home tours. As others have mentioned, the book covers how to make each of the layouts in all sorts of scales from N to O.