Creative track plans for every skill level

Whether you're just starting out, have some experience, or are an advanced modeler, we have ideas for you

Are you searching for inspiration for your next model railroad project? Whether you’re just starting out, have some experience, or are an advanced modeler, we’ve gathered a collection of creative track plans for every skill level to get your creative juices flowing. Based on designs from our staff and fellow model railroad enthusiasts, these plans offer a variety of unique operational opportunities and scenic possibilities. For even more track plan options, visit the Track Plan Database on Trains.com.

Beginner

Black River Junction

Beginners to model railroading will have plenty of operational opportunities on this traditional 4 x 8-foot HO scale layout. Set in the fictional town of Black River, Ohio, in the 1950s, there’s mainline running with passenger and freight, industrial switching, and interchanging between the New York Central and Baltimore & Ohio railroads. With so much happening on a single table (plus the optional 18 x 72-inch staging yard), the Model Railroader team designed the track plan to be a simple build using readily available materials — even having the layout up and running in four days! No need to beat that record, especially for those looking to get started in the hobby.

Intermediate

Cumberland & Ohio

While often considered a beginner layout, the 4 x 8 Cumberland & Ohio in HO scale still offers creative challenges for intermediate modelers. Extensive structure and kit building will be part of that as you’ll construct a feed mill, paper mill, power plant, coal mine, and two separate train stations. Though set in the Appalachia Mountains, the Cumberland & Ohio could be adapted to fit in other locations, such as Wyoming or Canada, with eras ranging from the 1900s to the 1970s.

Track planner Michael Tylick also designed three alternative 4 x 8-foot layouts, which can be found in Model Railroader’s January 2013 issue.

Cascade & Timber Trail

When building the O gauge Cascade & Timber Trail, the Classic Toy Trains staff set their sights on dispelling “most of the myths about designing and building an enjoyable train layout of any size…and prove that you can easily fit plenty of railroad and realistic scenery atop a single sheet of uncut plywood or foam insulation board.” They certainly did that and more for intermediate modelers looking to try their hand at making mountains and forests in a bigger scale. This 4 x 8 layout shows that O gauge can be used to build a compact, yet realistic model railroad.

Learn how to build the Cascade & Timber Trail in this free digital download.

Advanced

Housatonic Railroad

This 12 x 15-foot HO scale track plan is a personal favorite of MR Editor Eric White. Michael and Jim Tylick’s Housatonic Railroad is a mix of Class I mainline and branchline running through beautiful New England landscape. This makes operating sessions with a group or simply running a single train across the layout practical. White also notes that the track plan will heavily rely on flextrack, with 30” minimum radius curves for modern freight, and a variety of turnouts (preferably No. 6) from different manufacturers.

Rio Grande Moffat Road

Here’s what to expect on an advanced layout such as this: the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies with the iconic Moffat Tunnel during the midst of a spring snowstorm, all modeled in N scale. Mike Danneman’s 18 x 24-foot layout re-creates the former Denver & Rio Grande Western between Denver Union Station and the east portal of Moffat Tunnel. The 2-foot ascent up the Front Range’s dramatic slopes showcases drastic, though natural, weather changes as the small and delicate 1:160-proportion trains make the grueling climb.

Expert

Gunnison City Old Town Line

Ken Rodig’s Gunnison City Old Town Line layout is a study in expert track planning. The 22 x 36-foot Gn3 (1:22.5 proportion) railroad was built on the benchwork of his former HO scale Ironwood System. The larger scale is one you would normally find outdoors. Yet the southwest Colorado setting of 1950’s industrial, narrow gauge railroading works as steam locomotives of the former Colorado & Southern weave through cleverly-installed scenes with structures standing as tall as 3 feet from the benchwork’s tabletop. The relaxing operating sessions range from switching to running patrol trains out to the industries for pickups and setouts.