Structure - Overview

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, and 4) layout planning to build the railroad. At the end of the structure phase you should have identified the scale and size of your layout and a series of 'given and druthers' you wish to achieve in the track planning process. 

Under the element Resources Available, the following areas are considered:

1. Time / Energy / Commitment
2. Skills/Experience
3. Money
4. Space

 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 -how the owner/operator wants to interact with the layout.
   
4. Shape - the shape of the layout.
5. People Oriented Parameters - specifications to be followed in the design of the layout.
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.