Videos & Photos Videos How To Benchwork How-to Library: Designing a layout, Part 5 The Doodle Phase

How-to Library: Designing a layout, Part 5 The Doodle Phase

By Angela Cotey | November 20, 2018

| Last updated on November 20, 2020


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David begins the process of transforming maps and other references into a preliminary model railroad sketch. While a pencil sketch isn’t intended to be final track plan, David shows how it can be used to reveal critical design and/or construction issues at an early stage.

7 thoughts on “How-to Library: Designing a layout, Part 5 The Doodle Phase

  1. I’m really enjoying these segments as this is essentially where I’m at with my Framlingham (UK) layout design. I’m finding all sorts of little bits and pieces that fit together. It’s amazing how a photo you might have looked at once can still give more information later. I do hope that you give us more insight as to the traverse table as that may be a viable thing on my railway.

  2. Great doodling segment David on track planning. One question though…….if the layout were designed within a full room as the one design implied, couldn’t there be an aisle along two walls (with a lift section) allowing access to the other side of the intersecting main lines and permitting full development of the inside industries? Thanks.

  3. Wow, David! It looks like the icehouse track and greenhouse are gone! There is no way I would have chopped those, as they seem, while maybe not signature, at least very unique. I would probably angle out a stub peninsula to accommodate them, if necessary, but I would definitely find a way!

  4. Very informative David, this is a really good series. As always this is very helpful with planing my own layout. I’m looking forward to the next video in this series.

  5. Research, research, research! Pencil scratch-refine, pencil scratch-refine, pencil scratch-refine! I like the Transfer Table idea; but, what to do with the other end of the layout? I’m like you David, I love to actually use pencil and paper to design, I feel most comfortable with the old way of doing it. I’m enjoying this series!

  6. You’re on the right track, so to speak. How did they do things. Keeping in mind that the CNW ran on “the wrong side of the road”. Glad you haven’t designated your space.
    Oh, the traverse/transfer table idea is a good one. If one is on one end, would not another on the other end be as good? Or, how about one in the middle? Fed from both ends.

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