In this episode, David demonstrates a simple process for plotting the track plan for the HO scale East Troy Industrial Park (ETIP) model railroad onto the essential layer of subroadbed material. After measuring twice, he then shows the next steps to carefully cutting out the parts and pieces needed to assemble a foundation for layout trackwork.
Be sure to keep up with the construction progress by linking into the Trains.com Workshop Webcam (available 24/7), and the full series of helpful, instructional videos rolling out every month until the effort concludes. Even then, the fun will continue in frequent Trains.com articles/updates and Model Railroader print features, beginning with the January 2026 issue. You won’t want to miss the Expert Tips and Techniques the crew will share with you along the way, as they have a bit of fun bringing the ETIP into fruition!
Jim Burns has in a sense already suggested this, but it seems that the plywood had #2 black pencil spaghetti all over it by the time you were finished. My aging brain almost certainly would have had me following at least one “wrong” one with the reciprocating saw. I think I’d use colored pencil for the grid, maybe the black #2 for the track plan, an another for the other things. At least I’d have chance!
Great series. I am learning a lot!
I am pretty sure my drafting teacher 50 years ago would have handed me my head for using a scale to draw lines! LOL!
A caution about obtaining plywood. Watch for wood marked “RTD.” That is “Rough To Dimension” which means the sheet isn’t always 48″ wide nor 96″ long and good thing you checked for one 90-degree corner. Some sheets are not so on the other corners. I know you had fun cutting.
Thanks, David. Very timely as I’m about to start construction on a small N scale layout. One suggestion – ear protection. That sabre saw is probably louder than you think. Ditto the circular saw.
Guys, do you not have Heat in the new space? See you and KJ wearing gloves and sweat shirts?
Now we come to the moment we all been waiting for. Laying Track! Time for the new MR&T to come to life.
One question. A 28″ radius is rather sharp curve on the interchange track but you made no provision for easements on both ends to make a smoother transition from straight to curve. Will easements be considered when laying the roadbed or will the track move directly into the full curve from the straight? What about the curves through the “L”? Remember, a modern layout will use lots of 60′ cars.
It’s funny how things have changed. 28″ radius was almost in the broad curve category when I started. But I do understand your point about modern cars. In fact, that is one of the things that has driven my modeling era backward. The very point you make about modern cars being so big. Even on my switching layout, the trains would only be two cars long if I modeled modern railroading. It would be interesting for MR to discuss how car length has impacted track planning and operations over the years.
I always enjoy these videos and I learn things also! Couple of comments. I find it better to mark the track lines with a sharpie, the dark lines are easier to see and are different than the pencil measurement lines.. Secondly, I use CadRail and ship the file to Affordable Model Railroads to have the plan printed full size in strips up to 36”x288”. Contact cement them to the plywood and trace the plan. The printout can be cut to make various pieces. I have built a 12×14 and a 3×10 layout this way. Easy, no finding radius center, turnouts locations, etc
One curious observation – why do you use Ryobi tools rather than home town Milwaukee tools? VBG! Like I said – love all the series, keep up the good work!
Just a couple of quick questions if I may. First have you considered using a chalk line to mark the grid? It would go quickly without needing a long straightedge and would be a different color from the track lines to avoid cutting the wrong place (don’t ask me how I know). And second, is there any advantage to using the one foot grid vs the John Armstrong “square” method? Thanks greatly.
Why don’t you have Cody there helping you?