Model Railroad Layout Design for Beginners

Welcome back everybody! Be sure to subscribe! Today we are taking a look at how to go from a model train set or a simple loop of track, to a large layout and everywhere in between. We will talk about realistic track plans, and what you can do to emulate real world railroads! Model Railroading is a fun hobby. Let's share it together!
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“The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.
But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall;
don’t be happy when they stumble.
For the Lord will be displeased with you
and will turn his anger away from them.
Don’t fret because of evildoers;
don’t envy the wicked.”
Proverbs 24: 16-19 NLT

[@russcrawford3310]

Ah ... I see my mistake ... I shouldn't have tried to fill the entire 800 sq ft floor area as a first effort ... I could just about fit the entire Omaha hump yard in N-scale ... best I start with a simple loop on a sheet of plywood ...

[@NSaneBuilds]

Ikr 😂 i dove right in with a n scale 12ft by 3ft layout build, and well i think we know how that went 😂

[@schmarrenheimer80]

You are the Bob Ross of model train TV. Thank you for doing this, all the best!

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

That may be the best compliment I have received! Thank you!

[@ronbianco5919]

🙂🤣Happy Little Trains 🚂

[@alexmenard8811]

Hahahah soooo true

[@budwhite9591]

Grow a fro

[@wills_corner]

I'm having a real tough time in life right now, my Grandma just passed away and the funeral is in a week. These kinds of videos help me bond with my model railroading Grandpa, and it helps us both get better. Thank you for helping us get through this together! I like British Trains (my freelance design is the East-Western Railway), and he likes Chesapeake and Ohio

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

My condolences, know that myself the community is thinking of you in this time.

[@jazzbo13]

I hope you and your Grandpa are doing better.

[@hush6149]

Oo your Grandpa has good taste. An underrated railroad with a lot of cool locos and lines

[@hilbridanongoogle4465]

So refreshing to have someone who speaks fluently and calmly with pleasant background music. So many uploaders sound like manic "but wait, there's more" infomercials, selling themselves and their personalities rather than their hobby. Love the non-pushy "what makes you happy is what's right for you", approach. Subscribed, and I'll be back. Cheers from the antipodes; New Zealand.

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

Unrelated, I loooove New Zealand! I lived in Christchurch for a few months in 2009 on Cashel St. I got the chance to go to Queenstown and Wellington too.

[@EliYouns]

The best layout that worked for me was a 8x4 N scale. Lots of grass , cows , a barn and a silo a small country house. Couple of pick up trucks , a small pond and a bunch of trees. Super simple oval loop and inexpensive. I love N scale.

[@user-kh2tv1zk8d]

I want to say thank you for sharing your video and talking about different types. I live in a 1 bedroom apartment, and I have a 6' folding table to set up my track.

[@jvanamb]

Hi Jimmy, First I have to agree with Ron Marsh (@Ron's Trains N Things) He hit the key factor to get the job done without boredom or burn out. Work with buddys. For those modelers with talent have a building party. Get into a RxR Club. Those guys will check out your ability, not to embarass you but to seek out more Model Gandy Dancers for their layouts. And they for ours. HOWEVER, there is one important thing for beginners to remember. Before you buy ask yourself why. Setup a monthly budget. (One reason I love your dollar store episodes.) Habitually Newbies buy Rail Stuff just to buy something. A drug of choice compulsion. Not for something new and useable on your layout. But to get your hands on the Hobby Store register receipt or on the thin plastic logoed bag. Over the past 50+ years I have bought so much stuff, on the cheap, from former RxR Modelers that they bought for their now defunct line, that saved me hundreds of my pennies on their lost dollars. One good thing for me was when I started rebuilding and expanding my layout, in 1963, my Dad, Mom, and Girlfriend wouldn't let me spend more than my allowance (date night) cash monthly. That includes the cost of Prom before a new 4-8-4 StreamLined Hudson NYC Loco. She enjoyed Prom. I'm still wondering how much that 7th NYC Loco would have looked great on my line. Model RxR Stuff must be part of your Entertainment Budget not your first fruits spending. Start a realistic budget. ~Jim

[@tonyrobinson362]

My layout is 6ft by 18 inches diesel engine shed only, But the sound of different diesels ticking over and shunting around is brilliant, Tone from over the pond thanks.

[@Mike-pj1kv]

If it isn't fun I can't think of why you'd do it! So yes, make it fun for you.

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Good overview, Jimmy. Those huge basement empires are rarely built by one person. They usually have a host of friends who help all along the way. If building alone, one has to be realistic about how much railroad one person can build and maintain.

[@jvanamb]

I have to agree with Ron Marsh (@Ron's Trains N Things) He hit the key factor to get the job done without boredom or burn out. Work with buddys. For those modelers with talent have a building party. Get into a RxR Club. Those guys will check out your ability, not to embarass you but to seek out more Model Gandy Dancers for their layouts. And they for ours.

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

@Currently getting Entertained I don't understand the queation.

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

@Currently getting Entertained I don't know that there is a single answer for that. You could do anything from 4 feet each direction to two entire walls of the room.

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

@Thomas Yeats Yeah, that's what I figure. At any rate, I'm done here.

[@philhamsher3977]

just re-watched this after watching the current video from yesterday. I just dismantled my layout benchwork because i realized that I had bitten off way more than I could chew. :0) I have an entire extra room to work with and tried to fill it with my dream layout.. Thanks for reminding its ok to start small.

[@wyattleo2335]

good idea Jimmy, I was thinking about building the prairie dog central I’m going to model it but it’s extended version of it

[@OwenConcorde]

This is awesome and the advice you gave I should've remembered that when I was building my first O gauge layout in a trailer over a decade ago. Thank you!

[@HumancityJunction]

This was a really great explanation.

[@TheyMakeItLikeThat]

Very solid advice. There's always room to grow!

[@jeffreyholmes4287]

Love this look at layouts! It's amazing how, despite how simple they are, the layouts are simply not something that comes to mind until you've seen examples. Thank you for this :)

[@mainecoastrailfan]

This was very informative, an excellent video!

[@TheTrainFreak]

Great advice Jimmy! I guess mine would be a loop to loop multi-level layout because I did want something to run op sessions but also railfan if I just want to watch a train run. - Jason

[@MARKLINMAN1]

Excellent info! I just started a 4x4 foot N gauge after taking down my big layout, concentrating on just 2 mainlines and doing much more scenery.

[@ChrisJones-om3bz]

Very good explanation, I’m doing a large expansion going from a 16 X 8 to 32 X 16, it includes 2 continuous passenger lines serving city and country, 1 continuous freight line and 5 point to point industrial lines! Also has 3 large staging yards. Your videos and info are very informative and help us “up our game” thanks for helping!

[@georgebenson6036]

Don't forget access. Have all track within reach where you don't have to crawl around the layout to get to it.

[@user-tv1tw7sr4q]

I like that last example a lot!!!

[@skerbs7755]

Very helpful. Thank you. Currently planning to expand/change my loop to be more operational. Good information to digest. Thanks!

[@bruceshodgepodge]

one of my favorite layout designs is using a double track going through a mountain with 2 tunnels, but, the tunnels are covered with industries that use the same rail cars. For example you can have a coal mine on one side that allows empty coal hoppers on one track and loaded rail hoppers on the other track and on the other side of the mountain you have an industry that uses coal again with one track for empty hoppers and the other with loaded hoppers. it creates the illusion of a coal mine producing coal and an industry using coal. bring the loco motive to the coal mine to pick up the loaded hoppers and deliver them to the coal run industry. when the locomotive pushes the loaded hoppers into the industry it looks like coal is being produced at the coal mine on the other side. Then the locomotive switches tracks and grabs the empty hoppers and delivers them to the coal mine again creating the illusion of the industry using the coal as empty coal hoppers emerge from the industry side as the empty hoppers are pushed through the coal mine to get loaded. the only down side of this is that the numbers on the empty hoppers and the loaded hoppers will not match if you're into trying to create some realism to the layout.

[@maxwilson7001]

This is such a neat idea! I like it a lot. I may have to try it someday

[@mosindesire]

Didn't even imagine some of these simple but awesome designs. You have made my day.

[@johnramirez5996]

Love video. Just learning about building a layout. Have double test track. I call it. Doing, well... Trying to do an n scale 32 x 48 . video helped a lot.

[@tainopr4356]

Thanks for the great video. Lots of fun concepts to build, improvise and expand upon. I’m currently building my first N scale layout. It’s currently DC but eventually, I’d like to end up with a wireless DCC layout that will be controlled via my iPad + app. It will include speed controlled signals and motion controlled crossing gates. Ambitious, I know. But due to our current situation, I suddenly have more free time than I had planned on.

[@bdhd206]

Well done, fantastic video!

[@budwhite9591]

Wow I love those track diagrams.

[@lionellance]

Awesome Jimmy... thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.. Lance

[@johnarthur6302]

Great video! I love that you covered keeping things manageable. We all want that massive layout, but space, budget, and frankly, skill constraints mean most of us should start with something a bit smaller. Personally, I started with an industrial shelf layout to hone my skills a bit before incorporating it into something larger. The smaller layout also means more detail, if one is so inclined.

[@kamoshinplus]

Thorough explanation, and I loved your message "Make it fun for you".

[@LRSX]

Very educational video jimmy. I found that kato for n scale makes the building process much easier. I did something like a double L continous loop, with part of the loop hidden. To give that point to point feel, but still be able to just turn trains on and sit back. But I must say I wouldn't be as far as I am if I didnt use kato, just an excellent product!

[@carolinafoothillsrailroad4929]

great stuff jimmy

[@grantv2313]

Enjoyed this video tonight. Was just laying track on my layout. Going with a continuous running sort of a dog bone design. About 36 ft long with some sidings to some industries and a depot. That’s mainly what will make me happy. Like seeing trains run through the scenery. Great points brought up here.

[@SteveBrant55]

Just discovered your channel. Really appreciate all the advice you're offering! I'll be getting back to model railroading for the first time since childhood, as part of a museum I'm building that will have a recreation of a NYC subway in one room. I'm thrilled to discover there are detailed subway trains available from MTH Railking. First step was just to purchase the two trains I want to be able to use. Next (probably in January) will be to think about layout design. I don't own the building yet where my museum will be. But I expect to buy it in January or February. Then the fun will begin! Merry Christmas!

[@dacuzzz]

great video Jimmy...it should be helpful to everyone...thx 4 sharing..vinny

[@kretieg]

I wanted to do a 4x8 HO scale layout but when I bought some used Bachman Ez-track on eBay, I thought it said 18" curved track for the curved pieces, but it was actually 18 degree curved track. That is 33 1/2". That puts me on at least a 6x10 layout. On a positive note, I have plenty of room for inside track not once but twice. 22" and 18" and still run most locos and cars. I live in SW Louisiana. I am wanted to set up a Union Pacific layout to remind of watching the trains move through here in the 80s. TONS of industry and chemical plants. I have a handful of rolling stock that needs new trucks and couplers, some track and an MTH GP38-2 Union Pacific. I have been stuck on how I want the layout to go, trackwise.

[@TheHotSauceGT350]

Thanks for the ideas. I built my O Scale to loop around my office but now I wanna build a HO scale on 8ft long by 6ft wide and really could think beyond a crossing loop!

[@2015gtbass]

I like the Dog Bone layout. I been looking for a new hobby. Thank you for helping me find a layout.

[@aidensypolt]

Thank you, Jim for helping out with my railroad.

[@bobsinclair9886]

BEGINNER OR OLD GUYS OVER MANY YEARS I STAY WITH THE OLD WAY NOW I AM LEARNING FROM YOU AND ENJOY MY HOBBY MORE OUT A LOT OLD IN WITH NEW THANK YOU SHOW ME THE NEW YOU ARE GREAT

[@Steelerfan820]

Great info I shared

[@guitarman416]

I’m currently emotionally separating from my job and the dream job it would have brought, and somehow I have found myself at model railroading for comfort. It sounds silly but here we are. I love the content. It makes railroading feel more simple and achievable. Im a conductor at the Disneyland railroad and all we are is a loop and a track switch. I want to build a slightly more complicated version of what I work, a few more switches or a figure 8. I ramble but thank you for the kind assistance and non demeaning help

[@jamesf791]

Thanks for the great ideas. I'm getting back into the hobby after many years out of it. These ideas sound great for any scale. Happy Railroading 😊

[@joelbutler7501]

As normal, I hit the like button before watching the video. Great information Jimmy, especially about starting small. I would also add that you should just start, even if it is just an Inglenook. That allows you to do all the facets of the hobby, benchwork, wiring, scenery, basic operations, etc. In N scale that can be as small/large as you like and you can run some of that nice shiny equipment that Jimmy has been giving away. Keep up the great content Jimmy, my day gets better no matter what you put out.

[@andrewway3404]

Great ideas for beginners! I personally like continual running layouts like I did with my outside g scale trains so I can sit on the deck and everyone can enjoy them. I 'm in the process of building a on30 layout in the garage which is a simple up and over figure 8 with sidings. It's a great hobby that I can be creative with!

[@averageguy7136]

Great video Jimmy. I’ve been a real world railfan for a while and only got into modelling last year. I agree with everything you said in this video. Knowing how real RR’s operate has been a huge help in designing my layout for both enjoyable switching ops and continuous running.

[@jonathanjones35]

This was really good. I’ve been a model railroader for a long time and this is good advice. One other thing about those large layouts is that they are usually built by a group of modelers helping out the individual owner of the layout. They are rarely a one-person endeavor. Thanks for sharing.

[@andydunn5673]

Nice little film Thanks for posting A newbie

[@quantum.code.x]

I friggin love this

[@traveltrektrains8365]

Excellent insight

[@bostonrobb1684]

I'm new. Lol love your coffee and trains. I'm hooked.

[@jackjackbt]

Thank you for the help

[@smasam06]

This will definitely help me with my first layout

[@georgewilkinson1068]

Great video there. To the point and it's helped me look at what size to build with respect to available basement size.

[@thomasdecker7631]

Good suggestions. I will be building a shortline in 8-1/2' X 9". I want to be able to get it fairly well finished in a reasonable time and have designed it to survive a move coming up in a few years. Much consideration has gone into not overdoing. Trackplan is an old school, somewhat convoluted point to point, sacrificing a continuous run for scenery and switching that suit me.

[@SDTrains8098]

Thank you so much you are sooooo helpful

[@andystrains4335]

Hi jimmy love your videos I have been in the hobby for most of my life and have not taken it beyond the oval track design on a table. Now that we are renovating the basement I actually have a room for my model railroad have to decide what I want to do

[@dang25272549]

Good advice for newbie like me. THANKS SO MUCH.

[@JRWoods-ei4pr]

Excellent.

[@543210mono]

Happy I found your Page going to try some of these Layouts in my Lego City ♥

[@wild_lee_coyote]

Also have the double loop. Good for giving a train some extra track to continuously run along and a little variety in elevation.

[@jeffdavis1184]

Everyone thanks i love and enjoy everything other mod l railroaders do with great d signs and layouts thanks for sharing

[@jonleonard538]

This is a very good instruction on starting up. So as far as I can see an oval to start is not a great idea. After watching many start up suggestion vids starting with a switching yard might be a better idea. Adding a loop or two to a switching yard or series of switching yards and customer drop off spurs can be an easy and inexpensive addition taking up less space than an oval.

[@charlesfaulkner8653]

I’m in the planning stage of putting together a wall mounted shelf in my game room. It’s 12’x16’. After watching this a better plan might be to sell my pool table and get after it! Lol

[@mjtunstall1976]

i got my first table built and the track will be loop to loop track and to elevate each other by three levels looks great im on landscaping

[@Solbrick]

Next month I'm starting my new LEGO city layout, and I just wanted to say that I've watched this video about 10 times in recent months for inspiration and as education. Thank you for it!

[@troysimpson9550]

Hey Jimmy love the videos and the info you provide. I wanted to throw in some other design consideration. This can be a life long hobby for many of us. So you may want to considered aspects of working on your railroad as you age or become disabled. Things such as depth of the layout for reach, or height of the railroad for children or wheelchair bound family members (or yourself god forbid). Also making things in lightweight modules that can be taken from the layout to a workbench for work or modification. Trying to climb over or under a layout as you age my become harder and these are things you may not think about when designing a layout in your youth. Also what if you have to move someday, modular or sectional design factor may be something to think about.

[@ryans413]

I need continues running I like the idea of turning the train on and letting it run through the scenery and towns whatever you come up with.

[@tonylamberti9623]

i have a very simple o scale layout which i enjoy..i wish it was larger but have very little space to have a large layout. thank you .

[@StephPNE]

Brilliant

[@juanjosevargaspena4792]

Muchas gracias , muy bueno

[@dayarao1555]

thank you...excellent infor for biggner

[@gravesclay]

Love it, this is one of the reasons I got a resin printer. I *quickly* justified the price of a printer when I was going to be in over the cost of it on signals alone. Not to mention track side boxes, telephone poles, etc.

[@dannydanbo58]

Thanks for the tips. I'm starting a temporary layout for my dining room table (I need to be able to store it away if I need the dining table). It is basically three loops. The outside loop will be for a passenger train. Both interior loops will be for a freight train as the two loops cross each other (Kato V9). I have a siding for two factories on the interior loop and a small yard on the outer loop. It's small but it will have continuous running either on the passenger line and the freight line or one train on all three loops thanks to an "X" cross over.

[@paulw4259]

Thank you.

[@andipajeroking]

Very helpful, thank you. I ve quite a big HO collection (20 + engines) but before starting i need to do research and see how much space do i really need. I don t expect i ll be using more than 2-3 trains, the others will be used as reserve.

[@neobaggins3718]

I’m excited to start my first layout with my daughter (who absolutely loves trains luckily) in early 2022. I want to make my layout based off of the line that runs between my original hometown and the state capital. Abridged of course. I’ll also have to adapt it slightly to a U shape because of the room in our barn I’ll be using. I want to center the layout around the historic Route 66/Main Street train station in the town I live in, so I’m thinking I’ll start and end it at an industry building in the respective cities and then include a small loop beyond that at either end. Probably pretty ambitious for a first attempt, but I’ll try and worst case I’ll switch to something simpler.

[@ironhorsehistorian9871]

I’m happy with my current track plan which includes a continuous loop, a passing siding so I can have 2 trains on my layout, a small yard, engine facility area with a shed and eventually a water tower/coal loader and an industrial center with separated by a #6 turnout. On the left theirs a coal depot and the right a warehouse which is meant for reefers or boxcars with a universal industry behind it to drop off cars with no industry. I’m thinking of adding a staging area just off the so I can add more trains.

[@elleryparsons2433]

When My Layout was Built I didn’t use A Computer When My wife Started I was happy to Help her get Into Model Rail Roading And Not only that I am Proud to Take My Wife to as Many Train shows.we Will Never Stop Model Railroading.

[@markpalkowski9673]

getting back into the hobby with grand valley,then i plan to expand it ( now i have more room)

[@n-scaleunionpacificevansto6569]

Thanks for this really nice track planning video, Jimmy. You've offered some really great advice in it. As you've suggested, you don't really need to have a massive basement empire to have tons of fun with your layout. ...Roy

[@chrisbarr1359]

For N scale, use a HO scale layout plan that way you limit the amount of track and have tons of space for buildings, bridges, water features and landscaping.

[@penncentral8885]

You are dead on right!!! Been a model railroader since I was 6, I'm 60 now, I've built N scale, HO scale, and have always loved 3 rail O , so I'm building a 120'X 42' building for my final build I will retire with in 3rail O. I plan on a ceiling HO railroad around the bar at the entry end of the building.

[@elleryparsons5766]

Also remember this you can Work on it Anytime you want it Will always Be Fun.

[@americanindependantmedia9229]

I liked the info. Im just starting out on a N scale. Iv decided, all by myself, to have the best of both worlds. When it comes to ops, and continuous running. All on a 4x8 plywood top, I have a loop, with a passing line, going around the outer edge of the top. Allowing some room on the edges for scenery. The passing line is on the inside of the loop, with a crossover that has two sets of industry PtP. Or, with the layout, it can also go LtP. Im quite happy with the layout. Now I just have to glue it down, wire, and scenery. :D

[@singletona082]

Considering my stepdad is finally going to build a rail set that he as talked about doing essentially for his whole adult life? This is a valuable resource. I am not entirely enthusiastic, but I get the appeal (I like ksp for basically the same reasons build a giant sprawling comsat network and run missions.) I'm just trying to do the legwork and planning so when time permits we are going to be able to go big.

[@jmmarqueta]

great video Jimmy, have you thought about talking about modular systems? such as the T-Trak Happy New Year!!!

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

I have always wanted to try T-Trak and it is on my list of projects for the future!

[@DeathByFishing]

Great content. My space is limited to 2.5 ft x 12 ft. I'm going double main lines with 2-3 industries at each end and also a back and forth passenger track separate from the other lines using an auto reverse system.

[@krakenwoodfloorservicemcma5975]

I always liked narrow dogbone layouts. They look nice.

[@huskythegamer9077]

This help thx

[@chuckmaddison2924]

Yeee haw, I've been looking for an idea to run along one or two walls . The point to point would be perfect. I have 6.5 metres to use . Thinking crash protection at ends and auto direction change so can run continuously and in HO / OO . Along side would allow plenty of room for kids that walk around with eyes shut.

[@elleryparsons5766]

Model Railroading Rocks you get to see Talk And Get Results going to Trainshows or going to Trainshops and it is the Best way to Spend your money it puts a Smile to your face I wouldn’t trade it for Anything Else.

[@petermenningen338]

Jimmy all good points Just getting back in from ground zero. Used to have Lionel back in the 60's but don't have space for that. I'm thinking N gauge as more stuff in smaller space. Moved to Maui from Midwest and only trains here are airport shuttle and what is left of the narrow gauge Sugar Train. Never had a passenger train back then but would like to incorporate one now. Used to ride IC electric as a kid and North Western Harvard to Chicago for over a year. Looking to incorporate all I experienced in final layout but planning on building in a modular way. Lived about 1/2 mile from US Steel South Works by Lake Michigan.

[@B-A-L]

My layout is more about displaying my trains than running them. The fact that I can run them is just an added bonus.

[@2015gtbass]

After looking at the layouts again. I'm thinking about the L shape with the dog bone. That will be alot of fun.

[@fredashay]

Lately, the schematic I've settled on (I haven't built that layout yet) is a big loop around the perimeter of the room with two wyes at each and of the loop at each end of the room. These two wyes serve two terminal stations on two peninsulas inside the room jutting out from each end. This will let me run trains around the loop for continuous running. It is prototypical for railroads to connect two ends with a main line and a branch line. So I can treat the two stations as ends of a point-to-point and the loop as two separate lines connecting the ends -- one the main passenger line and the other the freight line. I want to add industries along the freight line and an intermodal port. I also want to add some interesting unusual features, like a house on my HO layout with a T-scale train running around the house representing someone's garden railway.

[@reecebruce3826]

Very helpful, thanks. Question, what is the best track planning software to use, when designing a layout?

[@wanndanneisenbahn]

I want it all and i want it now. Now where do i start? This vodeo is helping me figure that out. Thanks. All we are doing right now is building other peoples track plans on a 4x8, Which has its benefits. Untill we get the basement done and have room to build something larger. Valuable practice time.

[@marshallweisberg5697]

Good video