Adapting Track Plans

Most Published Track Plans from after the middle of the 20th century have been conceived in HO-scale, with N-scale a close second. While there have been many fantastic layouts created, they do not necessarily upscale well to 3-rail O-scale. Sufficient space is the usual issue, but even small track plans can be problematic. While the gap between the facia and the nearest track-center can be safely reduced to only 2-inches, reach to the interior track often becomes too great (32-inches is the recommended maximum), requiring the adding of access pop-ups [EXAMPLE]. An often overlooked issue is the enormous size [EXAMPLE] of O-scale structures. A building that was not an issue from the HO "helecopter viewpoint", can become a major view block in O-scale.

Upscaling does has advantages though, such as the ability to reliably increase track grade slightly. The unique 3-rail wide-swinging coupler mounted trucks allow cars to negotiate tighter radius curves [EXPLANATION], a possibility otherwise only available with Traction in other scales. As such, you do not have to upscale track plans exactly, and can incorporate somewhat tighter curvature. [TIP: curves look better when viewed from the inside of the curve.]

   + = Example shown in HO or N scale


Platform: Permanent Outdoor Layout

A big advantage of building in the back yard is that a published track plan that was too big to fit in your home will now easily fit in your garden, and in many cases can even be stretched to include additional track between stations. Better still, the track plan can usually be untwisted into a less convoluted schematic, with the staging or return loops relocated from being stacked underneath the layout, to being on a peninsula off to the side.

When evaluating published track plans for outdoor construction, the better choice is usually a simple layout schematic featuring main line running with few sidings, such as the ones often drawn for N-scale. The following track plans are examples of good candidates for converting into an outdoor layout suitable of circling the perimeter of your garden.

+"More Railroads You Can Model" (*.pdf book) = page 23 features an excellent adaptable track plan of the B&M's Gloucester Passenger Branch
+"Railroads You Can Model" (*.pdf book) = page 36 features an adaptable wine industry short line
+ Connecticuts Danbury Branch (*.pdf)
+ Logansport and Indiana Northern (*.pdf)
+ Trona Railway (*.pdf)


Platform: Permanent Indoor Layout - [SMALL]

Although a linear Shelf-layout offers considerable advantages, most traditional Lionel layouts were built in an Island or Bagel configuration, due to their use of fixed control panels that prevented the layout operator from walking beside their train. The construction of a Small layout nullifies this restriction, as virtually any layout shape can be viewed in its entirety from a fixed location. Taking advantage of the third dimension is a clever way to gain some more layout surface. The space constrained British have perfected the Small Layout concept to the point where their British Track Plan Books [EXAMPLE] feature Small and Micro Track Plans almost exclusively.

  "Realistic Track Plans for O-Gauge Trains" (*.pdf book) = all plans were designed specifically for 3-rail trains
+"Track Design for Scale Model Railroading" (*.pdf book) = page 63 features an adaptable track plan of the CNJ Newark Terminal
+"Track Planning for Realistic Operation" (*.pdf book) = page 102 features an adaptable nineteen-twenties passenger terminal in a compact space
+"More Railroads You Can Model" (*.pdf book) = page 49 features an adaptable Beer Belt Line with passenger station
+ A One-Turnout Layout (*.pdf)
   Cleveland Flats (*.pdf)
+ Commuter track plans (*.pdf) - {features two adaptable commuter track plans for compact spaces}
   Engine Terminal and Car Shop (*.pdf)
+ Pittsburgh Plate Glass (*.pdf) - {adaptable single-industry layout}
   Shelf Railroad featuring a Staging Elevator (*.pdf)
+ The Brooklyn East River Terminal Railway (*.pdf) - {an excellent Hi-Rail layout for a classic O-27 steam trainset}
   The Linear Yard (*.pdf)

Platform: Permanent Indoor Layout - [MICRO]

3-rail enthusiasts who live in studio apartments should consider contructing a Micro-layout [EXPLANATION] instead of a static Diorama (or nothing at all). While they can be built to the high standards of a diorama, they could instead be quickly constructed (and reconstructed) at minimal cost and effort. Either way, a well conceived micro-layout (about eight square feet or less in O-scale) can offer a lot of railroading action.

+ Indian Nations Micro-challenge (*.pdf)
+ Designing small shelf layouts for operating fun (*.pdf)
+ Small track plans galore (*.pdf)