8 Realistic Track Plans For Small Switching Layouts provides easy to follow track plans for building small but fun model railroads that will fit in a typical spare room. Each plan is designed to be visually inspiring, easy to build, and fun to operate. Included are port railroads, modern era themes, and themes for the 1950's.

Covers freight and passenger operations, route design, and contemporary railroading operations. The step-by-step design techniques and operation-oriented track plans also make it easy to create your own realistic model railroad.

Learn how to set priorities, pick the best bench work footprint, choose the best industries, set specifications, design secondary track, lay out the main line route, compose your scenes, and to avoid common pitfalls in setting up your model train layouts.

Learn how to set up an operating session, prototype rules and procedures, car movement strategies, job strategies, handling paperwork. Everything you need to operate your layout.

Model railroading offers the exciting opportunity to be approached in the same way as any other branch of the art world. As such, the same principles can be applied to elevate your modeling efforts to new levels. Follow along as we delve into scene composition, color treatment theory, weathering, backdrops, layout room preparation, photography, and more!

Includes unique track plans that apply to nearly every scale. Learn how to convert plans to different scales, gain tips on building from a plan, and choose the plan best suited to your space.

This all-new book helps guide model railroaders as they create a room sized layout while still being able to enjoy operating. Whether they are downsizing their layout or have a spare room, they will find all the tips and expert advice to help them build a fulfilling layout while still managing space, time, and resources. Featuring: Track planning strategies. Construction techniques. Room-planning concepts. Tips on operating once their layout is built.