Customer Reviews

Track Planning for Realistic Operation: Prototype Railroad Concepts for Your Model Railroad (Model Railroader)(3rd Edition)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you want to build a decent layout, are just curious as to how real trains operate on real tracks, or want to know why tracks are setup the way they are, this is the book for you.

This book was recommended to me as an essential read by a friend, and he was absolutely right.

The first part of the book focuses on real trains, yards, switching, sidings, passing, mainlines etc. The second part of the book applies that information to the world of model railroading.

The worst part about this book is it will make you want an even larger space for your railroad so you can incorporate all the stuff you read about :-)

John Armstrong is the leading expert in railroad operations as it relates to model railroding (although well known in model railroading, he also has written books used for training by the real railroads). This book explains actual railroad operations in great detail, making extensive use of illustrations and photos, concentrating on operations typical in the 1920-1970 timeframe. John then shows you how real railroad track design and operation applies to the design and operation of model railroads, with 18 different model layout track plans as examples. This is a must own book for modelers interested in operating.

John Armstrong (a professional layout designer)gives all the info you need to design your layout. The first half of the book looks at actual railroad operations; the second half tells you how to translate these operations into a layout. A sample layout is designed step-by-step to show his approach to layout design.

John Armstrong is one of the best known names to the model railroad hobby. He has written extensively but this book is his finest work.

A person interested in railroads finds himself caught up in lots of detailed scenes and complex trackwork. Armstrong explains what it all does and why it is arranged in the way it is. He does this by explaining railroad practice in the real world and then by looking at the problems faced by the modeler. He does so in a lucid and interesting manner...for the first half of the book.

While the first half of the book is dedicated to teaching about how railroads operate, the second is intended to teach how to model them effectively. He explains broad general concepts and then refines things and explains them in easy stages. He knows where the pitfalls are and he points out solutions.

This is a useful book for anyone from beginner to advanced but especially the beginner.

This book will teach you exactly what it claims. Numerous prototype examples are used throughout the book to give the reader an insight into how you can design a realistic track plan. This book has helped me to better understand why prototype railroads arranged track in certain ways. Excellent book, highly recommended.

Excellent review of real railroading designs and concepts that can be applied to the model railroad. More helpful than a book of layout diagrams since it gives you the concepts and principles that you can modify for your own layout.

When most books try to show you complete layouts, the approach on this book is by far the most comprehensive study on railroad operation. No complete track plans, just operational aspects, yard planning, industrial branches and everything to bring your concept alive.

If you're serious about building your own railroad and has already set your mind on a specific era and is going to start planning the operation, or want to improve your already finished layout, this is the book for you.

This is a classic book anyone designing a model railroad layout should read first. Mr. Armstrong provides a lot of information on how real railroads are designed and operated. He also provides you with ideas on how to use that info in designing your own railroad. I am currently designing and building a small HO layout (4X8) and he has helped me sidestep several potential mistakes and come up with a plan that will be more interesting to operate. The early chapters I found to be a bit dry but by the time I got to the middle of the book I was sold on its value.

John Armstrong is a master when it comes to realistic track planning. This book provides information the modeler needs when planning his model railroad. Nicely illustrated with numerous photos. A must for the model railroader's library.

I don't think anyone in the model railroad hobby can say enough about the contributions of the late John Armstrong. His layout designs are masterpieces of getting the most out of a given space and working with the tradeoffs we all enevitably face. The book gives an overview of prototype operations and then goes into countless ideas and pointers for design and operation. I found the section on curve planning (p. 76), schematics (Chap. 8), and laying out an "easement" (p. 116) particularly useful. I recommend this to anyone planning a first layout or for anyone building a second layout after messing up their first. It is a good companion to "Classic Layout Designs," also by John Armstrong.