Track planning can go in so many different directions. That’s why it’s often helpful, especially for beginners, to start with an already created idea. From there, you can either fully recreate a plan or use it as a template to adapt as your own. The Trains.com Track Plan Database is a great starting point, with hundreds of plans to choose from. With inspiration from our story on Railroads for Beginners to Model, we have narrowed down 10 recommended track plans for beginners to help them get started.
Alkali Central
The HO scale Alkali Central offers just about everything on a traditional 4 x 8-foot benchwork without the fear of biting off more than you can chew. With a backdrop running diagonally down the middle, one side can feature the small 1950s California town of Alkali Junction, amongst modest foothills and the nearby Angels River, while the other side depicts a mine in a desert-like setting. The use of sectional and flextrack takes advantage of both mainline and switching operations in either DC or DCC, while the main line of the interchanged Southern Pacific departs at two separate locations, setting the layout up for a possible future expansion.
Download our free Two great layouts for beginners PDF for more information on the Alkali Central.
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 4th Street Spur
You don’t always need a big layout to satisfy your taste in operation. Dean Deis showcased that with his Santa Fe 4th Street Spur in HO. Industrial switching is the name of the game with this 1′-6″ x 8′-0″ shelf layout. The setting in Los Angeles during the early 1950s harkens back to a quote from Model Railroader’s Editor Eric White: “The transition era, when diesels replaced steam, is one of the most popular [to model] due to the variety it offers.” That is certainly the case with vast Santa Fe locomotives (steam and diesel) and rolling stock from the era available from several manufacturers. Lastly, the 4th Street Spur sets the stage for a great lesson from Deis for beginners to take note of: Make connections with individuals and groups to build on the skills and resources.
Visit Model Railroader’s May 2024 issue for more information on the 4th Street Spur.
Burlington Branch
It’s usually recommended that beginners start small when building their first layout. But for those who have the space for something bigger, we suggest the HO scale Burlington Branch by Robert Marsh. Representing the end of a Chicago, Burlington & Quincy branch across the Wyoming plains in the 1950s, simplicity is key in this point-to-point layout. Another advantage is the use of modulars, primarily the Woodland Scenics Mod-U-Rail layout building system, especially for those who are considering future moves with this 10 x 12-foot layout.
Visit Model Railroader’s Feb. 2010 issue for more information on the Burlington Branch.
Carolina Central
Looking for that doorway into N scale modeling? How about the Carolina Central, which you can build on a 28 x 80-inch interior hollow-core door. The smaller size will give you a track plan with industries, passing sidings, and an interchange for most of your operating needs, plus a two-track staging yard as a bonus. The freelance Carolina Central is set in the 1950s near the Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition, you’ll develop scenery skills by modeling the Yahoo River, which the railroad crosses twice, as well as some rugged hills.
Download our free Two great layouts for beginners PDF for more information on the Carolina Central.
CSX East Rail
Recreating today’s railroads has a couple of advantages. First, models are available from most manufacturers. Second, you can go trackside and learn more about the line you’re modeling (being safe and legal, of course). Professional layout designer and builder Lance Mindheim’s HO scale CSX East Rail takes this advantage on a 9′-3″ x 9′-9″ x 16″ shelf layout with extra add-ons for beginners to consider. According to Mindheim, you can complete a project of this size in a reasonable amount of time. You’ll also have the opportunity to focus on creating highly detailed scenes (such as East Rail’s unique, yet flat, South Florida landscape), and benefit from the simple planning of impromptu, industrial switching operations.
Cumberland & Ohio
Editor’s Choice: In the January 2013 issue of Model Railroader, longtime contributor Michael Tylick said, “The traditional 4 x 8-foot railroad offers many opportunities to enjoy the hobby without becoming bogged down in a project that’s too large to finish.” From that quote came four HO scale variations by the contributor, with the Cumberland & Ohio being Bryson Sleppy’s Editor’s Choice.
MR’s associate editor noted that this layout is just the ticket for those who are also looking to hone their skills in building structures and kits. Among the Appalachian industries are a feed mill, paper mill, power plant, and coal mine. The two towns also feature their own station for expanded operations with passenger service. Though set in the Appalachia Mountains, the Cumberland & Ohio could be adapted to fit in other locations, such as Wyoming or Canada, with eras ranging from the 1900s to the 1970s.
Eagle Mountain
Editor’s Choice: When it comes to personally recommending a track plan for any beginner, White’s go-to choice would be Model Railroader’s Eagle Mountain project layout from 2016. Inspired by the Gold Hill Central that was built in 1984 during the magazine’s 50th anniversary celebration, White reflects on the Eagle Mountain as an HO scale 4 x 6-foot world in Southern California with the intention of simplicity and basic design. Small as it is, you can still get a lot of bang for your buck when creating scenes.
Visit Model Railroader’s Jan. 2016 issue for more information on the Eagle Mountain.
Grand Trunk & Indiana
Editor’s Choice: Senior Editor Cody Grivno’s pick for a beginner track plan is Russ Rettig’s Grand Trunk & Indiana in HO. The 2 x 16-foot shelf layout has a healthy mix of industries for switching operations, all while perched on the wall of an apartment’s living room. Grivno also highlights the single-stall enginehouse for further visual interest, while reflecting on the layout’s operational simplicity. The design of the Grand Trunk & Indiana is intended as a one-man show, though possible to expand to two operators with DCC.
Louisville & Nashville, Mascoutah, Ill.
Ron Wilhelm’s 5’-4” x 13’-2” layout headlines a single-track main line connecting a Midwestern town and industries along the way. It’s a reflection to Sleppy’s previous recommendation of the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton RR for beginners to model. The Louisville & Nashville in Mascoutah has similarities with its flat terrain full of farmlands, small industries, and a small community that can be easy to model in HO. To take it a step further, like Wilhelm did with his layout, try adding fall foliage to the scenery and add lights to the structures.
Pennsylvania Railroad Apple Gap
When describing his 6′-8″ x 12′-6″ HO scale layout in the November 2024 issue, Brent Monahan said it’s “a racetrack-shaped loop with three sidings…through abundant scenery.” The plan provides a great opportunity to gain experience in mountainous terrain by adding tunnels and a waterfall. But what makes this layout a standout for beginners to consider is the exchangeable eras when modeling the “Standard Railroad of the World.” Prototypical locomotives, rolling stock, and structures from the PRR are generally available through most major manufacturers, with late steam and early diesel being popular products when building the fleet.
Visit Model Railroader’s Nov. 2024 issue for more information on the Pennsylvania Railroad Apple Gap
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