Planning Your Model Railroad

Planning Your Model Railroad is a new book by Tony Koester that tells modelers everything they'll want to consider before starting a layout. This conversational, idea-driven book shows modelers their options when planning a layout.

This new hands-on book will show how to use tools and elements such as track, turnouts, crossings and scenic elements to paint the "canvas". The reader will learn how to blend the track plan itself with structures and scenery in a realistic manner along with a basic understanding of how real railroads work to help them narrow the layout-design focus, leading to a workable plan for the space a modeler has available.

From Model Railroader magazine, these simple layout designs are ideal for beginners. Features full-color plans and construction techniques for HO and N scale starter layouts.

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.

Featuring today's newest products and equipment, this photo-packed guide features contemporary images of diesel locomotives and urban settings, plus updates to Dave's trademark scenery "recipes." Includes new chapters on Western scenery and desert modeling, and city scenery and urban settings.

Design a freelanced or prototype-based model railroad by selecting a time period, modeling geography, creating a roster, using graphics, and following paint schemes.

Learn how to model natural land forms, crops, forests, and lakes. You'll be able to apply what you see in real life to your modeling and recreate these scenic elements. Produce impressive signature scenes for your model railroad.