This is the way I have always done track plans since I was 5 years old. Man it is hard to find those track stencils lol thanks for sharing your tips as I will use this for the next layout!
I think i just stepped into the Wayback Machine and transported back to 1970 when i was a drafting student. Using pencil, architects scale, t-square and electric eraser to do my homework. Tim, that was an awesome demonstration on how to do it the old fashioned way. Great job!
I have been watching your videos for a few years now. I've thoroughly enjoyed watching them. I was recently gifted some track, and now that I am fully retired, I am setting a goal for myself. By January 1st, 2026, I am going to teach myself how to build a layout. I hope to have at least a working layout with the beginning stages of scenery. I'm taking a lot of inspiration from your videos. Hopefully I can show you some progress pictures along my journey. Also, I have no experience with model railroading, so this is going to be interesting!!
That’s great. Glad you find the SC inspiring. I would suggest picking up some Lance Mindheim books from Amazon. Also Thomas Klimoski has a great book on How to build the Right Size Layout. I have an article on my layout in the 2025 issue of Model Railroad Planning. Tim
A track plan, no matter if it is hand drawn or using a computer program, is just a guide for the actual trackwork. Your eye will tell you if things look "right" or not when you start placing the track down. The key is to draw things to scale to make sure it will fit. Lots of model railroaders over estimate the angle of the diverging route for turnouts on hand drawn track plans. Your hand drawn track plans are very nice and I look forward to seeing the progress on your new sections.
Hi Tim, it just goes to show all you need are basic Technical Drawing tools and you can get the work done. In place of freehand, a set of French Curves would be useful for drawing the Easements. I've wanted to see your Layout Design techniques, since first I saw your Track-plan in earlier vids. I enjoyed watching this very much, thanks for posting.
Tim, After watching the inauguration, that you consider adding a covered hopper labeled either American Gulf Railroad or American Gulf Coast Railroad. I would be most interested in your choice of color, graphics and logo. Love you railroad and RUclipss, Phil
Neat!! Presumably, these are track centerlines, and the 2" track separation gets slightly larger on curves. What, no superelevation? (chuckle). You are often very close to the benchwork edge, and presumably will install some barrier at the edge to prevent cars and locos from decorating the floor in a derailment. Lookin' forward to Pt 3.
Just outstanding Tim. Really enjoying this series and it is helping me in so many ways to consider options for my layout extension. Thanks for your efforts! Scott
Thanks for this series Tim; it is really interesting watching how to do a track plan by hand. While I used software for mine so far (being younger and a programmer does bias one towards that, haha), it's cool to see an alternate way to do it. Look forward to seeing the final part(s) of the series.
John Armstrong would approve. Wonder how many of your younger viewers will understand the model railroading reference. Showing my age here. Great video.
wow tim... you're 'cutting in" parts of your old layout into the new layout???... that's a challenge some folks have tried to do that, but it was just too much of a hassle... but it looks like you're on the right track, planning and measuring everything out FIRST... also got another car movement question for you... can you explain what an "IN-BOND " shipment is and can you give an example of it?
Thanks! Be sure to tune in next week and I’ll show how I plan on incorporating some prototype design elements into the plan. I’ve heard of In Bond shipments but sorry I can’t give any examples.
An “in bond” shipment is imported cargo that is still under the control of US Customs. It is held under secure conditions. Many years ago I was a trucker for a short time and would have containers loaded onto my flat bed trailer at the container import dock which I would deliver to a “bonded warehouse”. The entire trailer with container would need to be placed inside the secured warehouse and locked up. I’m not sure where it went from there but evidently something else needed to be done before clearing customs and having duties levied. Hope this might help.
Qa Tim how 🤔 do you apply the track spacing from the drawing to the actual track spacing because spacing is little more or less or drawing 🤔 and what is the actual 🤔 spacing of track when it's side 🤔 by side 🤔
This is the way I have always done track plans since I was 5 years old. Man it is hard to find those track stencils lol thanks for sharing your tips as I will use this for the next layout!
Thanks!
I think i just stepped into the Wayback Machine and transported back to 1970 when i was a drafting student. Using pencil, architects scale, t-square and electric eraser to do my homework. Tim, that was an awesome demonstration on how to do it the old fashioned way. Great job!
Thanks! Glad you’re enjoying the series. Be sure to tune in next week for the conclusion.
Progress is great! Looking forward to how this area will shape up.
Thanks!
THANK YOU FOR GREAT VIDEO LOT DETAIL THANKS YOU
Thanks for watching!
Wow! You brought me back to my highschool days when I had taken Technical drawing.
Thanks! I took drafting classes in college myself.
I have been watching your videos for a few years now. I've thoroughly enjoyed watching them. I was recently gifted some track, and now that I am fully retired, I am setting a goal for myself. By January 1st, 2026, I am going to teach myself how to build a layout. I hope to have at least a working layout with the beginning stages of scenery. I'm taking a lot of inspiration from your videos. Hopefully I can show you some progress pictures along my journey. Also, I have no experience with model railroading, so this is going to be interesting!!
That’s great. Glad you find the SC inspiring. I would suggest picking up some Lance Mindheim books from Amazon. Also Thomas Klimoski has a great book on How to build the Right Size Layout. I have an article on my layout in the 2025 issue of Model Railroad Planning. Tim
@@SeaboardCentral I will check him and your article out. Thanks!!
It'll be nice seeing it take shape over the coming months!
Thanks! I’ve got to finish the room first but I can’t wait to get started on it.
Thanks Tim very interesting
Thanks for watching!
Hey I just seen the article in model railroader planning you have a awesome 👌 layout 👍 sr completely awesome 👌
Thank you so much!
A track plan, no matter if it is hand drawn or using a computer program, is just a guide for the actual trackwork. Your eye will tell you if things look "right" or not when you start placing the track down. The key is to draw things to scale to make sure it will fit. Lots of model railroaders over estimate the angle of the diverging route for turnouts on hand drawn track plans. Your hand drawn track plans are very nice and I look forward to seeing the progress on your new sections.
This is very true. Thanks Tom!
Hi Tim, it just goes to show all you need are basic Technical Drawing tools and you can get the work done. In place of freehand, a set of French Curves would be useful for drawing the Easements.
I've wanted to see your Layout Design techniques, since first I saw your Track-plan in earlier vids. I enjoyed watching this very much, thanks for posting.
Thanks for watching! Be sure to tune in next week for the conclusion.
Tim,
After watching the inauguration, that you consider adding a covered hopper labeled either American Gulf Railroad or American Gulf Coast Railroad. I would be most interested in your choice of color, graphics and logo.
Love you railroad and RUclipss,
Phil
Thanks! Although that would be cool, I model the summer of 2015.
AWESOME! So cool....- Gary
Thanks Gary!
My favorite eraser is the Prismacolor Magic Rub eraser. I find it to be more gentle to the surface than a pink eraser. Got mine at Staples.
Good info
Cool.
Thank you!
Neat!! Presumably, these are track centerlines, and the 2" track separation gets slightly larger on curves. What, no superelevation? (chuckle). You are often very close to the benchwork edge, and presumably will install some barrier at the edge to prevent cars and locos from decorating the floor in a derailment. Lookin' forward to Pt 3.
Thanks! Yes, two inch track centers on tangent and 2-1/2 “ in curves. And yes, I do have an embankment barrier.
Thank you
Thanks for watching!
Just outstanding Tim.
Really enjoying this series and it is helping me in so many ways to consider options for my layout extension.
Thanks for your efforts!
Scott
Thanks Scott! Glad you like it
Thanks for this series Tim; it is really interesting watching how to do a track plan by hand. While I used software for mine so far (being younger and a programmer does bias one towards that, haha), it's cool to see an alternate way to do it. Look forward to seeing the final part(s) of the series.
Thanks! Stay tuned!
@@SeaboardCentral No problem, and will do.
John Armstrong would approve. Wonder how many of your younger viewers will understand the model railroading reference. Showing my age here. Great video.
Thanks! John was a true master of track planning.
thanks tim great vid =]
Thanks for watching!
I love how your walking us through the process! Great video!
Thanks!
Great looking track plan!
Thanks!
Wow, all that to make a great track plan, I didn't know it would take that much effort.
There’s a lot of thought into it when coming up with a good plan. Stay tuned for next week where I’ll bring in the prototype to use as inspiration.
That will be interesting to see when everything comes together. The last line you drew in will it be going through the wall?
Thanks! It will go to Phase 3 which will come even later. Stay tuned for the final part next week.
wow tim... you're 'cutting in" parts of your old layout into the new layout???... that's a challenge
some folks have tried to do that, but it was just too much of a hassle...
but it looks like you're on the right track, planning and measuring everything out FIRST...
also got another car movement question for you... can you explain what an "IN-BOND " shipment is and can you give an example of it?
Thanks! Be sure to tune in next week and I’ll show how I plan on incorporating some prototype design elements into the plan. I’ve heard of In Bond shipments but sorry I can’t give any examples.
An “in bond” shipment is imported cargo that is still under the control of US Customs. It is held under secure conditions. Many years ago I was a trucker for a short time and would have containers loaded onto my flat bed trailer at the container import dock which I would deliver to a “bonded warehouse”. The entire trailer with container would need to be placed inside the secured warehouse and locked up. I’m not sure where it went from there but evidently something else needed to be done before clearing customs and having duties levied. Hope this might help.
Qa Tim how 🤔 do you apply the track spacing from the drawing to the actual track spacing because spacing is little more or less or drawing 🤔 and what is the actual 🤔 spacing of track when it's side 🤔 by side 🤔
I try to keep 2 inches between the tracks on straight sections and 2-12” spacing on the curves.
We just call them “scale rules”.
That’s what I always called them too when I took drafting classes.