0.1.1 Armstrong's Given and Druthers

'Givens and Druthers' is a phrase originated by the late John Allen relating to how a model railroader should balance the list of things that can't be changed (like room size, budget, etc.) with the wants and desires of what s/he would like to be included in the railroad during the layout planning process. we need to decide which aspects we're most interested in, and those on which we're willing to compromise.

In John Armstrong's 18 Tailor-made Model Railroad Track Plans, Chapter 1, Givens and Druthers in custom railroad planning is 5 pages long.  Armstrong was a custom layout designer and he used the Given and Druthers process as part of his layout design questionaire. As he explained it, the intent of Givens and druthers was to clarify the goals of the railroader's layout design interests. and determine the operational interests and priorities. Givens are the parameters that can't easily be changed. Druthers are the choices that the need to be made, from a wide variety of possibilities. That's all. They're useful terms when we speak of the compromises that will be made when layout planning.

Armstrong's Original Givens and Druther's Format

(Railroad Name)
Scale:
Gauge: (Std, Narrow)

Prototype: (the railroad you want to model)

Era:
Region:
Railroad:
​

Space: Describe Space e.g. basement, bedroom, etc. Provide diagram showing Overhead clearances and any obstructions or limitations.

Governing Rolling Stock: (Biggest planned). This was to identify the locomotives and rolling stock to be modeled for determination of technikcal specification in design for matters of reiabity or appearance.

Relative Emphasis: (move the V) This was to identify the owners preference for maximum track (spagetti bowl effect) versus scenic realism (sincere design). For mailine running versus switching, this identifies the owners interest in type of railroad.

|______________________V_______________________|
Track/Operation .............................................................Scenic realism

|_________________________V____________________|
Mainline Running ................................................................... Switching

Operation Priorities: (rearrange as required). This was to identify the owners interest in railroad operations. 

1. Passenger Train Switching
2. Helper District Operations
3. Main-Line Passenger Train Operation
4. Long Freight Train Operations
5. Engine Terminal Movements
6. Local Freight Operations

Typical operating Crew: ______
 
Eye Level (Owner) ___In.

Once the information is assembled, then the determination of what is possible within the available space and devising the track plan can be advanced. 

A review of the LDSIG layout design process shows the influence of Armstrong's influence in the layout design process.