• Track Plans

Smart track plans for free!

(Please note: Site is still under construction)

N scale track plans

Teaser N scale track plans

N scale layouts

Teaser N scale layouts

About me

I’m a N scale model railroader from Bavaria/Germany. As my German website www.modellbahn-traumanlagen.de got more and more requests from all over the world, I decided to present my track plans in English as well. So here you are! And please, be merciful if my Germlish leaks out from time to time.

It all started when I got a track planning software. After that, “Track Tetris”, i.e. pushing around pixels in track form on the monitor, became one of my favorite pastimes. Many of these track plan ideas turned into finished model railroad layouts.

Most track plans are in N scale, but from time to time I also think outside the box and try my hand at HO track plans.

Have fun and feel inspired!

Track plan design: My philosophy

I don’t like an endless project when building a model railroad layout. Getting finished is my leitmotif. Nevertheless, a layout should look nice.

In keeping with that model railroad philosophy, most of my plans are small fantasy scenarios, spiced up with a good dose of fun and easy to build. The often ridiculed model railroad layout on a table celebrates its happy birthday here; flextracks and helix-orgies are banned.

My aim is not to create a model railroad layout that is true to the original, but rather a coherent layout.

My track planning rules

  • Keep it simple

    A model railway layout should be quick and easy to build. I prefer standard curves and tracks. No flex tracks

  • Hide tight curves

    Hide’em in tunnels, behind walls, under bridges. If possible, use tapered turning radii for in and out

  • Show wide curves

    Wide curve radii will please your eyes

  • Keep gradients moderate

    Long trains will thank you

  • Even better: Avoid slopes

    Place the entire track layout on one level. Let bridges span instead a road or a creek by only lowering the terrain

  • Radius R1 is bad

    Looks lousy. May cause derailments. Use it only, if it is inevitable

  • Sharp zigzag routes are bad

    Looks lousy. May cause derailments. If there is a S-curve, then use an intermediate straight line inbetween

  • Double crossing turnouts and curved turnouts are bad

    May cause derailments. Use it only, if it is inevitable

  • Tracks running parallel to the edge of the layout are bad

    Avoid making the track plan look geometric and static

  • Elevation staggering from front to back

    Define the preferred viewpoint

Creating a model railroad track plan

Track planning is more than just a matter of joining a few tracks together. Buildings and landscape elements are just as important as the route. I therefore always have a complete overall scenery in mind, which is largely designed through to give a clearly recognizable model railroad theme. In concrete terms, this means:

  • Landscape

    Do mountains and landscape create a harmonious overall picture?

  • Tunnels

    Where is a tunnel located – and why exactly here and not there?

  • Bridges

    Where is which bridge? Does the design fit landscape, function and epoch?

  • Lakes & rivers

    Were is water – and why?

  • Buildings & houses

    Where is which buliding located? Does it match the scenery in terms of size and appearance?

  • Roads & streets

    Where does a road come from, where does it go?

  • Railroad operation

    Which train goes where and why?

  • Track planning