Layout Planning 1 and 2 - Space and Scale

In Layout Design Process 4 - Railroad Modeling I identified that the layout design process can be broken down into three primary functional areas: Concept, Structure and Layout Detail.

Structure. Structure identifies the parameters within which the layout must be designed. It is broken down into two main elements: 3) resources available to build the railroad, and 4) layout planning.

Under the element Layout Planning, the following areas are considered:

1. Space - the amount of space you have to dedicate to your layout.
2. Scale - the physical size of the locomotives, rolling stock and structures youre going to model.
3. Operating Style -
4. Shape - the shape of the layout.
5. People Oriented Parameters - specifications to be followed in the design of the laout.
6. Layout Oriented Parameters - specifications established through the layout concept process that will be used in the design of the layout.
7. Scenery - the type of scenery (including the absence of such) that will be incorporated in the layout.
8. Control - the electro-mechanical control of the locomotives, the turnouts and other facets of railaroad control as part of operating the layout.

Space

Scale 

The second area of consideration in Layout Planning is Scale. Scale of the railroad model is its relative size in proportion to the real thing.The model railroading hobby presently has 6 common scales. HO scale is the most popular, N scale is second in popularity. Space is a controlling factor with respect to scale only if the available space is so limited as to make an operating layout in such a space impractical.

I have been model railroading off and on for 50 years. I started with HO scale and have modeled and operated primarily in that scale. I have had the opportunity to operate N, HO, S and O scale layouts and I find that my personal preference continues to be HO scale. 

 

The next blog will discuss operating style in the layout planning process.