The following article is a summary of some tips and tricks for layout designing combined with some basic facts that involve the layout designing progress. This article won’t summarize every subject which involves the designing process since there just too many. However, there will be tips and tricks for both beginner and experienced builders.

Epoch

First thing when deciding to design your layout is to figure out what epoch you want to built in. Every epoch reflects a particular time within railroading history. The idea is that you can build whatever you want, as long as it makes sense within that epoch (or one below or above), because the chance of prototypical railroading would be highest, ie. the chance that two trains, or buildings, or cars, would have been able to ‘meet’, would be the highest if we follow these rules.  For the AFOLs out there that may not be familiar with the epoch system I hope this explains:

The epoch system is an important thing for layout building since your chosen epoch effects your entire layout. For better understanding we take a station as an example. During the Epoch III period there were different safety regulations when it comes to station’s compared to the Epoch VI period. Take platform length or height for example. Also, station designs, a “modern” design won’t match a full Epoch III layout. Details like these give your layout a lot more realism but can also act as a starting point when considering designing.

Another good example is level crossings. During the Epoch I-IV level crossings where common to see. In the Epoch VI period, especially in Europe, level crossings are becoming a thing of the past especially on main high-speed lines.

Getting Inspired

One of the most common things to do, to gather inspiration for your new layout, and in my opinion one of the most effective, is to visit a location which is similar to one your trying to create. Also try to visit multiple locations for different looks and ideas so you can later compare details or designs. If your thinking about doing a layout in an older epoch, heritage museums are the perfect opportunity to get inspiration. There you can get a good sense for the feel and looks of the good old days of railroading.

Another perfect way to get inspiration is to take a look at ideas from other model railroad layouts. Visiting a couple of model railroad shows can give you a good idea for what is possible to do or even what isn’t possible to create. If you’re finding yourself with a limitation like the space you can built, asking around on those shows or looking around can give you a good idea for what for solutions you can use.

Designing

For the design process there a couple of tools you can use, including software for designing. BlueBrick is one of the most common one. Where add-ons for custom made parts are available so you can design complicated layouts. These add-ons include: BrickTracks, 4DBricks and recently a TrixBrix addition was released so you can use all their complicated and unique designs while planning your layout.

There are also more “traditional” methods, also known as a pen or pencil. Those rough sketches are quickly made and can provide you with multiple ideas or solutions.

First timer? Start off small.

Designing a layout for the first time? The best way is to start off small. Everybody wants to start building the biggest layouts possible, but with large layouts come large problems. Think about moving your layout, or how you’re going to access all the parts of the layout if an accident happens. More experienced builders have figured that out (or tried to) by their experience. Starters are generally better off starting slow and small. By doing this, you’re able to figure out what sort of style fits you or what building techniques you like. See it more as an experiment, your first steps in building layouts, a sandbox where you can later grow upon.

For topics/starting points for a layout, things like station’s are the most common item for starters, but also a bit of landscape is a nice start. Best is to figure out what fits you best by looking in what epoch your trains are, or what type of bricks and pieces you got laying around.

Scenery

Most important for layouts is the scenery. The best way to figure out what scenery you want to add to your layout is to figure out the story behind the layout and which epoch you’re building. A “modern” car is a strange sight on a layout which is set in the 1930’s. Details in your scenery can take your layout to the next level. Beside that, scenery gives visitors something to look at at a convention besides beautiful trains.

Scenery also makes the perfect photo opportunity to photograph your models in. Instead of having your models photograph with a plain white background, you can have your models in a realistic landscape which can add another dimension to your photographs.  

Moving your Layout

An important thing to consider is if you’re going to move your layout. If you’re thinking about displaying your layout at shows, it’s important to remember when designing that it needs to come apart for moving easily. This can be achieved by using multiple solutions. The most common/important way is to design your layout in sections which can easily be separated and boxed/packed in for conventions. These sections need to come apart easily and be in shapes that are ideal for moving.

Standards

There are multiple standards available for layout building. There too many to sum up in this article but MILS and L-Gauge are both worth pointing out. These standards proved the ability for easy moving of your layout. And most importantly they give the ability to connect your layout with other builders. If you follow these instructions you should get the same end points for connecting, if you follow these instructions correctly. Downsides of these standards is that they can be time and parts consuming.  

Try something new.

This one needs a bit of explaining. But try to walk the road that hasn’t been walked on to much. The fun in this is to get the hobby or your skills to a new and next level. A great example is the LegoWorld 2018 layout where we tried to introduce different and more dynamic angles in our layout. Also, if you’re building something that hasn’t been done before, your work will stand out more, or your work will be more distinctive/recognizable.

So, these were a couple of basic facts/point to consider when designing your layout. My final advice would be to take your time, and don’t rush it. If you rush your design, you might regret it later on when building. Also, taking a step back or trying different designs might help you determine/optimize your design.

Ciao.

-Enrico.