Customer Reviews

48 Top-Notch Track Plans (Model Railroader)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Each of the 48 layouts is presented (typically 2-4 pages each) with a concept description (why build this layout this way and/or how it is operated), a scale track plan, and a perspective drawing of the layout (or a featured scene from the layout). These are not track plans for sectional track, they do not have step-by-step assembly instructions (Kalmbach Publishing has other very good "track plan" books which take that approach), and the plans do not come with a "parts list" to build them. Almost all of the plans are for modelers with some prior layout construction experience and are intended to give you inspiration for your layout design, or as an intermediate-complexity track plan to build as your layout. For those modelers interested in track design, it presents a wide variety of different layout design approaches by dozens of other modelers.

Book has a lot of 4x8 plans in it, along with a handful of shelf types and large layouts. The plans are not the step-by-step method. If you want to be walked through every step, then don't get this book. However, if you have some experience, most of the plans have track section joints marked so you can figure out what it is you need. I used the book to get ideas for my medium-sized layout, taking things from all sizes of layouts. This book is probably more geared for the intermediate modeler.

As the other reviewers so aptly point out, this book provides more layout-inspiration than actual step-by-step instruction, and is not an "all-in-one" book. However, I found it invaluable as a source of ideas. The "Buzzards Cove" coastline scene was exactly what I was seeking for my small (3X5), novice N-scale layout. None of the other books I'd consulted offered anything like it. It's a simple enough matter to apply the suggested scenery to one of the more detailed, step-by-step books showing an identical track plan. In fact, one of the problems I've had with basic track-plan books is that they just show parts and wiring, and do not incorporate grade-changes or scenery. This book fills the inspiration-void.

Another reviewer said they thought the book offered plans that were too far above the abilities of most average modelers. I would have to agree, but still this is a valuable resource for those who might be hitting a wall when planning their layouts. It offers a more than a few neat setups for various types of railroads. Modeling a cityscape, but lost the imaginative juices? Well, you can page through this book and find more than a few ideas that will help you get back on track. Still, you need to be slightly more advanced than the newbie modeler to get the full value of this book. Get it, enjoy and learn.

Be forwarned, this book merely reprint articles from past (and some may say ancient) issues of Model Railroader magazine. An expert model-railroader could probably create some of them, however, for a novice this provides little more than ideas for layouts. Also, many of the plans are for HO and N scale, with very few O scale layouts.

Overall, I'd say there are better layout books out there for you to spend your money on.

This was NOT a good book, unless you are of a highly advanced level in model railroading. All the "layouts" were poor paintings, which you couldn't envision easily at all. This was not a good book.