text: Calling All Stations...: Episode 2: Design
  A very useful website I found was www.freetrackplans.com. Name sort of does what it says on the tin. It gives ideas on Hornby track layouts on certain pre-given sizes. If you go to the geometry section of the website it also gives advice on curve diameters - which played a part in helping me confirm the size of my layout. If this wasn't enough help FreeTrackPlans also links you over to a program called 'AnyRail4.' Which is a free* track planner tool you can download.
  The dotted line denotes where the board splits in two. I plan at this point to nail down anything that doesn't cross this dotted line and keep the middle straights lose for easy dismantling. This setup also allows for a great deal of future proofing. In theory another piece of wood can be added in the middle when/if more space becomes available to me.
  The long term goal will be to have a town scene in the centre of the board with a modest village style station occupying the straight section of the track towards the bottom of the oval. The siding will act as a wagon yard for the station. The sidings at the bottom of the board will allow for further stock storage and possibly some depot style buildings. At this point I will mention that I do need a liiiitle bit more track (for the 3rd radius curve) which is slightly depressing as I have ALOT of other spare track left over. However, this layout looks like it will really work so I'm going to run with it. Off to B&Q Leah and I go.
  I opt for 12mm ply wood. To make it seem like I made an educated man-decision this was because I felt MDF would probably put up a fight against a measly track pin. However it will still be durable and strong. Sundeala and Chipboard were also options however I'm told by google and model railway forums that these are prone to warping in heat fluctuations if not built on a frame. I'm not going to build a frame, mainly because this means more money on tools - but more it's a case that I can't be bothered. It's useful to note that my flat has recently been fitted with a new boiler freeing up some storage space. and providing a location to store the boards at a constant temperature.
  Thankfully B&Q will helpfully cut your wood to size. Although the annoying bloke at Beckton Park will be confused as to why you don't want the offcuts. Why do I need them?!
  First of all though, the track needed a damn good clean. It had amounted 6 or so years of premium grade dust and was hindering the running of trains to a mere stutter (much like the central line if you lean on the doors). To clean them I used Hornby's track cleaning rubber. Luckily I already had one, and despite me thinking it might have disintegrated over the years it still performed the job perfectly. (I'm also surprised that the changing temperature in the previously mentioned parents loft hadn't damaged the track. The day I collected it was sweltering!).
  At Cutty Sark - The first two sets
  and last to sets of doors will not open...
  You'll notice at this point that I have very 'modern' trains, an exBR Sprinter, an East Coast Mainline 225 (in former GNER lively) and an EWS loco. Most modellers try and set a theme/locations or a period for their models. Whilst I have modern trains running here, I do have steam too. My cunning plan is to make the town scene as neutral as possible so I can run either if I want to have a theme.
  Posted by Andy Carter at 01:35
  Labels: Hobby, Hornby, Model Railway, OO Gauge, Planning, The Main Layout, Track Layout, Track Plan, Trains