Do any of y'all use a layout design program and if so what do you use? I am thinking about making the switch to on30 from O.

thanks,

Hello Gentry,
Welcome to our forum. If you are happy with the design of your O Gauge layout, you can use it for your base plan if you decide to take the plunge. Within some limits, depending on the motive power you chose, your curves should be capable of handling your locomotives.

Give us some ideas of what you plan or running on the ON30.

Al

You can use Atlas's software. It is free.

Michael

I really like the Shays, Porters, and Baldwins. I already have RR Tracks Software but was wondering if I should be the HO add-on to come up with my basic plan. I have seen that on30 track is the same as HO but with more space between the ties so I figured that I would do that but ask here first. My O layout is lots bigger (0-72 minimum curves) than what I want to do in on30 which is another reason that I want to switch.

Thanks for the Atlas tip...I will do that!

For the most part you could use a HO track planner, but remember that you will have to space track further apart. If you were to leave the track spacing at the HO level, your O scale engines and rolling stock would not have enough clearance.

You might try Anyrail's free download. They have a ON3/0N30 option.

Bruce

thanks Bruce!

Gentry,

You'll also need greater vertical clearance for the taller On3/On30 cars and engines. This can create steeper grades if the approaches are the same length as used for HO. Narrow gauge trains are typically (and prototypically) shorter than what one usually runs in HO so the steeper grade may not cause operational problems.

Another thing to consider is that O scale structures are larger (roughly double HO size) and they can eat up layout real estate quickly. If you have an idea of what kind (size) of buildings (or flats) you are going to use, be sure to factor these in. It's easy to design a track plan and forget about space for structures. I have an HO layout I'm slowly rebuilding to On3 and was surprised by this when I placed scaled structures on my On3 track plan. I had to scale back what I had intended to use because it wouldn't fit or else looked too crowded. Good luck.

Paul S

Paul, I think that is the problem with using track planning software.

Gentry, my advice is to carefully measure your train room area and document all things that you can't readily move (support columns, furnace, the wife's stuff, etc.) and create a scale drawing if possible. When you're satisfied with it, then have several photocopies made for you to use for track planning.

All I can say is this method has worked for me, and you can keep doodling until you have a viable trackplan. Like Paul said, leave space for O scale structures!

Good luck!

I agree with Paul. I almost died the first time drew out the south Park's single stall Alpine enginehouse...4' long.

Michael

I agree with what has been said previously. The design of the layout trackwork is not so much the problem but figuring out how to put all of those structures in place. I am fairly lucky to have an encolsed 2-car garage for my On30 layout but it is a shadow of what I thought it would be once I had some structures in place. They become real space-eaters. An engine facility? Forget it! My two-stall version of John Allen's dinky enginehouse is enormous. And that really great Durango station ... almost 3 feet long! I am still going to build that station one day but it won't be on the layout until I get a barn!

Jim

I got a shock when I placed my Walthers feed mill on the layout and it's a small structure. That's why I'm using the Laserkit branchline passenger stations.

I was only planning on using the software to get a basic idea. I want to build an "L" shaped layout along 2 walls that will be about 14'x18'x4'. I do have a few Stoney Creek Design buildings that I plan to use but they are not that big. I guess the thing that went ahead and made up my mind was seeing the YouTube video for the Dolly Varden Mines Railway. I love the detail, terrain, and the point-to-point design. Can y'all recommend a couple of good books for on30?

Also, if y'all need any MTH Premier Rolling Stock or Engines then please take a look at what I have posted on the buy/sell board. All proceeds will go to my on30 layout.

Thanks,

Gentry

Gentry,

I am not sure that there any books on On30 but I would suggest that your take a look at the "On30 Annual" series, now being published by Carstens (of RMC fame)[you can find all of the information at their website][http://www.on30annual.com/]. There is a tremendous amount of basic information, as well as a lot of inspiration stuff, as well. Also Run 231 of OGR was an issue devoted to On30 and that should provide some basic information (especially Jim Policastro's article) and inspiration, too.

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by gentry:
Can y'all recommend a couple of good books for on30?

Gentry, like Jim said, there are many articles but few books devoted to On30. If you have an interest in common carriers, Hilton's American Railroad Narrow Gauge is quite nice. While not specific to narrow gauge railroading, John H. White's books: American Railroad Passenger Car and American Railroad Freight Car are excellent sources about the development of rolling stock and their components. Books on specific prototypes are also nice, but they give you less of a feel for the movement as a whole than you'll receive from the above books. If you are only familiar with one or two prototypes, you'll have a difficult time freelancing since your going to have a hard time capturing the NG feel...but rather that specific railroad's feel. If you read about a number of them, you'll have a firm grasp over what feels narrow minded.

I don't know what would be the ultimate book for industrial railroads as they aren't my cup of tea...and they are a bit harder to research. I've heard of a few books on the subject.

There are also some books specific to regions. e.g.: Myrick's Railroads of Nevada and Eastern California covers many SG and NG roads...some of which were industrial roads. The honorary NG Nevada Norhern is nicely covered along with a number of roads that most narrow gauge enthusiasts have heard of, but never had the pleasure of reading about: N-C-O, Eureka & Palisades, Nevada Shortline, Nevada Central, and the Death Valley RR.

Similarly, Gerald Best's Railroads of Hawaii covers the lone standard gauge road, plus a handful of 3' gauge pikes and a couple 30" gauge lines...one had a pair of gorgeous 30" gauge 0-6-0s.

Michael

Thanks to all of y'all that have been so helpful. I am going to try and find some of those books and that OGR Run. It's really exciting to start reading and researching before I start the planning.

Thanks again!

gentry,
I agree that the reading and researching is a lot of fun and one of the best parts of layout planning.

For the actual track planning, I guess I'm "old school" in that I prefer pencil, compass, straight edge, a big stack of graph paper, and a very large eraser. I find that to be an easier way to plan for those structures, scenic features and other aspects of a good layout. Plus you're not locked into a set library of curves, turnouts, etc. You can adjust more easily for those specialized clearances, etc. that On30 calls for.

A call to OGR should get you a copy of that issue. Let me know if they are no longer available.

Jim

The various versions of RR-Track are fine if you are going to use sectional track. However, there is another track planning program available for the more serious modeler. It is called CadRail and is a very capable program.

It does not tie you down to using sectional track, you can plot curves of ANY radius, it allows you to lay out your curves with easements (spiral curves) and also has many libraries of track and buildings. It is a somewhat more difficult program to use than RR-Track, but for some modelers, the results are worth it.

They are up to Version 9 and the price is $60.

Rich,
That sounds pretty good and I work in CAD and MicroStation for a living so it should not be all that difficult to learn...hopefully.

thanks again!

If you already have a background working in a CAD program, CadRail will be a snap to learn.

CadRail looks very interesting! I could see myself going way overboard with something like that. I love working with Topographic Surveys and I could see myself creating some amazing terrain on CadRail with zero intention on building anything like what I would create. It would honestly be more of a game for me than layout design software.

Thanks again for that link, Rich!

Gentry