How-to Library: Designing a layout, Part 6 Drafting a Plan

David working on his C&NW HO scale layout.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Now it’s time for David to put mechanical pencil to graph paper and draft an initial track plan for his C&NW HO scale layout. In this video, David walks you through his low-tech, traditional approach to capturing his layout concepts in a plan. […]

Read More…

How-to Library: Designing a layout, Part 4 Sharing the project with others

David Popp and Tony Koester take a closer look at the collection of historic photos and maps.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Host David Popp invites MR Contributing Editor Tony Koester to take a closer look at the collection of historic photos and maps. The two consider how to select and shape these references into Layout Design Elements (LDEs), which can be used to form […]

Read More…

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

David turns maps into a railroad sketch.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page 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 […]

Read More…

How-to Library: Designing a layout, Part 1 Research

Designing a layout.

In an all-new MRVP mini-series, David Popp takes you through the steps for turning an interesting layout concept into a specific plan. In Part 1, David gets things started by revisiting memories of his favorite midwestern fallen flag. He then shows how recollections, historic photos, and research can be used to narrow the focus of […]

Read More…

How-to Library: Designing a layout, Part 2 Aerial Photos and Maps

David looking at arial photos and maps.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In Part 2, David turns to his computer to explore how aerial photos and maps can help modelers compose a detailed overview of a region, town, or even a specific railroad site. Follow along as he walks you through the process of examining […]

Read More…