Track Plans without a narrow focus:

If you have an eclectic collection of rollingstock, or if your visitors bring their own rollingstock, then a layout that has operational possibilities for a wide selection of rollingstock Types is desirable. The layouts drawn here continue with the goal of keeping turnout count to a minimum. Great attention was placed on fitting the track into the minimum area possible, while also for operational variety cramming in a large assortment of destinations that require differing types of cars. Whenever possible expand these layouts (or eliminate destinations) to get more open space.

Recreation Room Layout

The following track plan is a classic ping-pong table sized "Tinplater" track plan [EXAMPLE], that has been reworked to meet minimal 3rail O-scale standards of wider radius curves and shallower grades (5" absolute, 6" preferred, minimum clearance under the bridge), in order to accommodate the longer locomotives and rolling stock that are a part of modern railroading. Wider curves also allowed the addition of a short interchange spur in the layouts corner (which fans of Lionel military cars should note forms a "T" with the outer loop). To prevent potential vertical coupler parting on the grade, it is recommended that you stay with the oversized lionel-style couplers.

While on the surface the plan is little more than two connected ovals on which to watch O-27 sized passenger equipment and fantasy animated cars in action (try to leave 36-42 inches of isle space around the layout for better viewing), some real railroading Operations potential has been incorporated. For example, you could spot a dining car on the short outer loop interchange spur. When the passenger train comes by, it can split its train, add the diner into the train's middle, then recombine and continue on its way.

O-scale Playtime Layout     O-scale Playtime Layout 3dView     O-scale Playtime Layout Schematic
Playtime Layout (*.pdf) - 5' x 9'
~ Playtime Layout (zipped *.scarm) - (Atlas 21st Century Track)


Main Line Junction

The following track plan was conceived for "Hi-Railer" detailing. It represents a rural main line junction with minimalist station, where freights pass through and passenger trains split and join [EXPLANATION] like Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited. Although a staging-to-staging "walk in" layout, this pike is easily modified with a "duck under" to also allow continuous running. The layout is designed primarily for through freight and passenger train watching amidst a detailed non-railroad background, enhanced by gentle inside-viewed curvature, the ability to handle long full-O-scale trains, and a partially obscuring scene [EXAMPLE] for Eastbound trains to pass through.

O-scale Main Line Junction     O-scale Main Line Junction 3dView
Junction (*.pdf) - 9.25' x 16.75'
~ Junction (zipped *.scarm) - (Atlas 21st Century Track)


Commuter Terminus

The following long shelf track plan represents a large towns passenger station, shoehorned amidst light-industries. It was imagined for a shared (storage/dryer/sofa/etc. underneath) full basement wall, but could instead be built as an integrated portable Club Module set. The left and right layout sides are bounded by roads that cross the main line at grade (passing beside the readymix plant and the commissary), where trains from staging will have to whistle. Not shown are the required staging tracks on the left side of the layout. Staging can be of any design imagined, ranging from a short single fiddle track, to a major yard on a potential continuous loop traveling back to the right side of the layout. Rather then having the staging extend onward to the left, the Readymix Plant can be the shelves end, and the Main Line could instead turn downward (so staging would be a reflection of the passenger yard).

The station is assumed to be a terminus for commuter trains heading out to the left, and merely a pause for Amtrak trains passing through. All of the destinations along the layouts front edge are realistically large, but only implied through the technique of "suggestive omission". Industries were chosen so as to provide destinations for an extremely wide range of rollingstock Types. Because the food maker only manufactures animal feed [EXAMPLE], it can be serviced by antique vat cars and wooden reefers no longer suitable for other use. Note that trains crossing the food makers private industrial track to access the Freighthouse/Express spur will need to deploy a flagman.

O-scale Commuter Terminus     O-scale Commuter Terminus 3dView
Urban Congestion (*.pdf) - approximately 2.75' x 24.75' (1.75' x 8.75' peninsula)
~ Urban Congestion (zipped *.scarm) - (Atlas 21st Century Track)


Truck Semi-Trailer Dogbone Shelf Layout

The following dogbone track plan is a permanent shelf layout that is simultaneously portable. While it could be permanently installed within a (now rare) mall, it was designed to fit perfectly against one of the long walls on the inside of a cargo semi-trailer (see page 12 in the book "Creative Model Railroad Design") of the type pulled by big-rig truckers. Although it can be operated alone, it makes a great club pike, especially since it can be transported by anyone with a Class-A license to the parking lot of public events (because it is capable of unattended continuous running) in order to attract future hobbyists. The urban track plan incorporates numerous destinations (including three distinct passenger stations and one inferred off-layout passenger terminal) for the majority of railroad car Types that a clubs members might own, and it can comfortably accommodate multiple operators and serious Operations if so desired.

O-scale Truck Semi-Trailer Dogbone Shelf Layout

O-scale Truck Semi-Trailer Dogbone Shelf Layout 3dView
Shelf (*.pdf) - 3.5' x 40'
~ Shelf (zipped *.scarm) - (Atlas 21st Century Track)


The Burlington in your Basement

The following island track plan is an upscaled 3rail O-scale rendition of a well designed Operations Oriented HO-scale diesel era layout. It is a careful translation of another modelers actual HO-scale model railroad [EXPLANATION], which appears to itself have been based upon Plan 19 [EXPLANATION] from "101 Track Plans for Model Railroaders". The tall business district buildings and subtle grades [ESSAY] effectively act as view blocks to obscure the big ovals, which makes the layout appear even larger. Although primarily a freight layout, the Amtrak station accommodates visits by a through Amtrak and/or regional passenger train.

Being a layout that "grows", you can first build the 8' x 12' (e.g. exactly three plywood sheets) double oval island in three expanding stages. Although the baseboard is large (leaving lots of room for scenery), the tracks are easily reachable. If desired later as time, finances, and skills increase, you can add the optional Scribner Yard peninsula (along with the yard lead, OmniSource scrap dealer, and connecting turnout on a narrow strip of extension to the island) as the massive fourth stage. The engine house with its overhead crane also serves as a R.I.P. track. Whenever possible, leave yard tracks 2 and 3 clear as a runaround (the ovals function as the runaround on the island). Small license was taken in shifting downward the outer oval turnout to the yard lead, converting the branch lead to a Track Scale, repurposing the caboose track as the branch lead (note that this lead offers a good location to fiddle a car on/off the layout), and now using yard track six as the caboose/M.o.W track.

O-scale Burlington Island Layout     O-scale Burlington Island Layout 3dView     O-scale Burlington Island Layout Schematic
Burlington (*.pdf) - 8.25 x 12.25 rectangle with 4.25 x 10.75' peninsula
~ Burlington (zipped *.scarm) - (Atlas 21st Century Track)


Suggestion: The lead to OmniSource would make a suitable location to park (e.g., visibly stage) a passenger train until it needs to travel to the station.