Element Track Plans:

The goal of the Element Track Plans are to create a portion of a scene (such as a small business or activity) that can be inserted into a layout to instantly expand Operating interest. Perfect for Freelancers or "Tinplaters", they use a minimal number of turnouts, and can often be populated with toy structures. The track plans and structure styles in each element differ slightly, for visual variety should multiple elements be added to your layout.

Locomotive Pocket with Refueling

The following multi-purpose spur is imagined to originally have been the service spur for a Main Line coaling tower, that could also function as a locomotive pocket. When the railroad changed to diesels, the superceded tower and water column were left standing for fueling the occasional "rail fan" locomotive, and a diesel fueling platform was added for regular use.

O-scale Switcher Pocket
Switcher (*.pdf)
~ Switcher (zipped *.scarm) - (Atlas 21st Century Track)

Dining Car Commissary

The following spur is imagined to originally have been an antique main line watering stop, at which passengers could detrain for a rapid bite to eat. Later a spur with commissary was added for restocking dining cars that are dropped off for use on another train. Although the water tower is abandoned, the lunch counter is still open for business.

O-scale Commissary Track
Diner (*.pdf)
~ Diner (zipped *.scarm) - (Atlas 21st Century Track)

Trackside livestock water sprayer - (passthrough)

The following device is imagined to be a mandatory sprayer to keep livestock cool. The spray splashes through the slats in the stock cars as they slowly pass by.

O-scale Trackside livestock water sprayer
Livestock-2 (*.pdf)
~ Livestock-2 (zipped *.scarm) - (Atlas 21st Century Track)


Diorama Track Plans:

These Diorama-like Track Plans can be used as-is for a static display; be incorporated as part of a larger layout; or with the addition of a Lead Track, function as an operations oriented Micro-Layout.

Repair-In-Place Track

A Repair-In-Place track is where broken rollingstock can receive temporary repairs to get them rolling again. The following RIP track plan can comfortably accommodate O-scale rollingstock of all lengths. As a bookshelf sized diorama (suitable for hi-rail style detailing) it is small enough to fit on a typical college Dorm Room bookshelf, while its Theme allows you to realistically rotationally display any type of rollingstock together. It is also a good layout on which to practice with LEDs, through adding overhead illumination and an extinguishable "Men at Work" fixed blue lamp at the head of each spur.

O-scale RIP Diorama     O-scale RIP Diorama 3dView
RIP (*.pdf) - 10-inch x 36-inch
~ RIP (zipped *.scarm) - (Atlas 21st Century Track)


Permanent Layout Track Plans:

These Layout Track Plans were conceived as self-contained permanent layouts to fit in a typical name-sized room. Some are continuous run, while others are "vignettes". All could be traditionally wired, and many could be built from permanent modules. Most are shelf style, but even the island style layouts have their track easy enough to reach that they do not require any popup hatches.

Passenger Locomotive and Car Shop - for an empty child's bedroom

Layout represents a medium sized maintenance shop that also provides diesel engine refueling (including for true-to-scale A+B lashups) and layover tracks. Other employee buildings are assumed to exist within the photographic backdrop behind the transfer table. Access to a passenger pool car storage yard is via a short arch-under bridge [EXAMPLE] (forcing the single track neck) spanning a shallow wash that is assumed to divide the layout.

O-scale Spare Bedroom Layout     O-scale Spare Bedroom Layout 3dView
Bedroom (*.pdf) - 10' x 10' {but capable of being trimmed a few inches}
~ Bedroom (zipped *.scarm) - (MTH ScaleTrax Track)

Note: The staging track (marked in red) is an excellent candidate for a Staging Elevator [EXAMPLE].


Quick-turnaround Passenger Car Yard - for a garage wall

Layout represents a compact urban yard for refreshing passenger cars, including Pullmans and Diners. Additional features are an inspection pit with business car parking, legacy ice supply, a reefer transloading track, and a large express building (green areas are paved track crossing walkways). The gentle turnouts are for visual appeal (nothing tighter than O54), yet the layout is narrow enough to comfortably share space with the family automobile.

O-scale Garage Wall Layout     O-scale Garage Wall Layout 3dView
Bedroom (*.pdf) - 3.5' x 13'
~ Bedroom (zipped *.scarm) - (Atlas 21st Century Track)