Below you will find some medium to bedroom sized Model Railroad Track Plans for your use. They range in size from 4’x6′ up to 8’x10’and can be sized accordingly to suit your own Model Railroad space by adjusting the length, width, and radius as needed to suit your scale of Model Railroad.
Remember that these track plans are intended as ideas for your Model Railroad, and we encourage you to adapt them to your needs to make your Model Railroad unique. This holds true of any track plan you come across, often you will need to consider the overall plan and change the details within.
Below each track plan you will find a brief description of the plan, along with suggestions on how to change them for operational purposes or from a scenic standpoint.
We’d also like to extend our gratitude to fellow Model Railroader Darrell Maples for allowing us to use his designs below on our website.
Plan #1 48″x72″
THIS CLEAN AND COMPACT MEDIUM SIZE TRACK PLAN OFFERS A DOUBLE-TRACK MAINLINE, A SMALL STUB YARD, INDUSTRIES, AND A SMALL-TOWN AMERICA THEME. THE PLACEMENT OF THE THREE CROSSOVERS ALLOW SWITCHING MOVEMENTS FROM EITHER MAINLINE AND ALSO DOUBLE AS PASSING TRACKS. ADDING SOME LOW ROLLING HILLS IN THE CENTER AND ELEVATING THE TOWN AREA WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT WAY TO ADD A NATURAL SCENIC VIEW BLOCK TO THIS OTHERWIS EXCELLENT TRACK PLAN.
Plan #2 48″x72″
THIS MEDIUM SIZE TRACK PLAN OFFERS A LOT IN OPERTIONAL POSSIBILITIES IN ITS SMALL SIZE. A TWO OR THREE RAILROAD SHORTLINE INTERCHANGE, A CLASS ONE/SHORTLINE INTERCHANGE OR OTHER OPTIONS ARE POSSIBLE BY STUDYING THE WAYS TRAINS CAN MOVE ON THIS LAYOUT. ADDING A ROWE OF MAIN STREET BUILDINGS OR EVEN ONE MORE SPUR TO THE LEFT OF THE STUB YARD WOULD BREAK THE SCENE IN HALF.
Plan #3 48″x120″
IN THIS MEDIUM SIZED TRACK PLAN, THE USE OF A SCENIC DIVIDER IS UTILIZED TO DIVIDE THE LAYOUT INTO TWO DISTINCT SCENES. IT ALSO FEATURES TWO DOUBLE-TRACK MAINLINE LOOPS CONNECTED VIA CROSSOVERS IN THE BOTTOM SCENE. YOU SHOULD ALSO UTILIZE THE FULL TEN FEET OF LENGHT, THE SHADED PORTION WAS DRAWN TO SHOW HOW YOU CAN USE A SINGLE PIECE OF 4’X8′ PLYWOOD EFFECTIVELY. DOING SO WILL ALSO ALLOW A SECOND TUNNEL ON THE RIGHT SIDE AS THE TRACKS GOING THROUGH THE BACKDROP WOULD BE HARD TO DISGUISE REALISTICALLY.
Plan #4 72″x144″
THIS EXCELLENT DONUT STYLE TRACK PLAN HAS A DOUBLE TRACK MAINLINE WITH AN AMPLE YARD, SOME INDUSTRIES AND A SWEEPING RIVER ALONG THE FRONT SIDE WITH A COMPLIMENTARY S-CURVE IN THE TRACKWORK. AGAIN, UTILIZING THE FULL TEN FEET OF LENGHT WILL REALLY MAKE THIS TRACK PLAN A GREAT CHOICE EVEN IN O SCALE.
Build the layout above utilizing (2) each of our Complete Table Kits below
Plan #5 72″x104″
THIS BEDROOM SIZE LAYOUT WITH A MDIUM SIZE ROUNDHOUSE AND ASSOCIATED TRACKAGE UTILIZES AN UP AND OVER TYPE TRACK PLAN TO LENGTHEN THE RUN. IT ALSO HAS A UNIQUE SMALL POINT TO POINT SECTION SITUATED ATOP THE MOUNTAIN WITH A HOLDING TRACK. THERE ARE FOUR PASSING TRACKS ON THIS SINGLE-TRACK LINE AND WOULD ALLOW FOR ABOUT A TEN CAR TRAIN IF BUILT AS SHOWN IN N-SCALE, JUST ABOUT RIGHT FOR A MID-ERA STEAM RAILROAD. IF BUILT IN HO-SCALE THEN YOU WOULD BE LIMITED TO VERY SHORT TRAINS SUCH AS A LOGGING ROUTE, OR, ALTERNATELY, YOU COULD EXPAND THE TRACK PLAN BOTH BY WIDTH AND LENGTH.
Build either of these two plans using two of our 36″x72″ table kits, or two 36″x72″ benchwork kits if anchored to the walls.
Plan #6 72″x104″
THIS VARIATION OF THE TRACK PLAN ABOVE UTILIZES A DOUBLE UP AND OVER CONCEPT TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE SINGLE TRACK MAINLINE IN THIS COMPACT AREA. THE SAME RESTRAINTS APPLY AS IN THE PLAN ABOVE, BUT THE GRADES WILL ALSO BE SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER DUE TO THE ADDED UP AND OVER LOOP. THE ROUNDHOUSE AREA CAN BE OPERATED AS A HELPER POINT TO ASSIST TRAINS OVER THE STEEP GRADES, OR IN ETHER PLAN THEY COULD BE REPLACED WITH A SMALL DIESEL FUELING AND SANDING STATION FOR THE SAME PURPOSE. SHORT FOUR AXLE GP7’S/9’S OR ALCOS WOULD BE GOOD MOTIVE POWER CHOICES FOR A TRANSITION ERA OR EARLY DIESEL ERA MODEL RAILROAD, AS WELL AS THE CLASSIC F7 LOCOMOTIVES.
IF YOUR PRIMARY INTEREST IS IN RUNNIG A TRAIN OR TWO WITH YOUR STEAM FLEET THEN THIS SINGLE-TRACK BEDROOM SIZE LAYOUT WILL SUIT YOU. FEATURING A MODEST ROUNDHOUSE AND BACKSHOP FACILITIES AS THE MAIN THEME OF THIS L-SHAPED TRACK PLAN, THE ONLY ADDITIONAL ADVICE WOULD BE TO DEEPEN THE LEGS A LITTLE AND ADD AT LEAST ONE MORE TRACK BEHIND THE VIEW BLOCK, WHICH COULD UTILIZE EITHER A BACKDROP OR A SERIES OF SHALLOW LARGE INDUSTRIAL FLATS.
Plan #8
THIS BEDROOM SIZED DOUBLE-TRACK PLAN FEATURES A DECENT SIZE YARD IN THE CENTER WITH INDUSTRIAL SPURS LOCATED ON THE END LOOPS. EACH LOOP ALSO HAS A PASSING SIDING FOR STORAGE OR ARRANGING MEETS AND PASSES. THE SHALLOW ONE FOOT LEGS ALSO LEAVE MAXIMUM ROOM IN THE CENTER, THOUGH IF BUILT IN HO SCALE THE LEGS AND LOOPS WOULD NEED TO BE WIDENED ACCARDINGLY. THE TRACK PLAN WOULD ALSO BENEFIT FROM CROSSOVER TRACKS LOACATED NEAR EACH END OF THE YARD, AND A SWITCHING LEAD OR ‘DRILL TRACK’ SHOULD BE ADDED SO THE MAINLINES ARE NOT TIED UP WHEN PULLING OR PUSHING CUTS OF CARS INTO AND OUT OF THE YARD.
We have a near infinite selection of benchwork kits to build these layouts at our Model Railroad Benchwork Store.
Our expertly crafted Model Railroad Helix Kits provide you with an affordable alternative to costly custom builds by others and provide superior strength and stability over currently available mass-produced plastic kits or those made with cheaper materials.
Fabricated using high quality plywood and dimensional lumber, our new Helix Kits are offered in both HO Scale and N Scale versions. Single or double track versions are available in both scales, and the radii of our Helix Kits are designed to provide reliable operation and reduced grades.
Each of our Helix Kits come with 12 pre-assembled main bents which ensures a precise grade for your helix without having to deal with threaded rods and nuts for adjustment. Our ½” thick plywood sub-roadbed, as opposed to ¼” from others, combined with the increased bent supports, ensures that there is no sagging throughout the entire helix. This ensures a consistent grade and increases operational reliability of your helix.
Both the HO and N scale versions are available with either 4-1/2 or 5-1/2 total turns for flexibility in designing your levels. For complete specifications and sizes, you can visit our Helix Specifications Page for more details.
Assembly is quick, thanks to our self-aligning sub-roadbed pieces and pre-drilled pilot holes. Using a power drill driver, you should be able to have a completed helix in a weekend or less.
As a complement to our Model Railroad Helix Kits, we offer Complete Helix Table Kits also. These specially designed benchwork sections provide the necessary support for your helix and provide unobstructed access to the interior of the helix once it’s built.
THIS DOUBLE-TRACK BEDROOM PLAN PACKS AS MUCH TRACK AS POOSIBLE INTO THE GIVEN SPACE, YET STILL LEAVES ROOM FOR SOME SCENERY. IT FEATURES A SHORT DOUBLE ENDED YARD WITH ROUNDHOUSE AND A CENTER WYE CONFIGURATION PENINSULA THAT COULD SERVE AN INDUSTRY AS SHOWN, OR A MANUALLY LOADED INTERCHANGE POINT OR WYE JUNCTION OF THE SAME RAILROAD. SQUEEZING IN SOME STAGING TRACKS ALONG THE BACK STRETECHES WOULD GREATLY INCREAS THE CAPACITY OF THIS GOOD PLAN.
Plan #10
THIS BEDROOM SIZE TRACK PLAN WITH ITS LARGE DOUBLE ENDED YARD AND FOUR TRACK STAGING AREA IS FOR THE MODEL RAILROADER THAT IS INTO MAKING UP AND BREAKING DOWN TRAINS IN A YARD. A FEW INDUSTRIES OFFER SOME SWITCHING ACTIVITES AS WELL, BUT THE MAIN FOCUS IS ON A DIVISION POINT YARD OF A MAJOR CLASS ONE RAILROAD. FOR EFFICIENT OPERATION OF THE YARD IN THIS SCENARIO, FOUR LEAD OR DRILL TRACKS WOULD BE ADVISABLE, OUTSIDE OF THE MAINLINES ON EACH END OF THE YARD. THE MAINLINES WOULD THEN PASS THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE YARD FOR UNINTERRUPTED TRAFFIC FLOW.
Plan #11
THIS DOUBLE-TRACK TRACK PLAN INLUDES A LARGE DOUBLE ENDED YARD FOR MAKING UP AND BREAKING DOWN TRAINS. IT LACKS STAGING AREAS BUT OFFERS ADDED ROOM FOR SCENERY IN A COMPACT DESIGN. THE SPURS AS DRAWN COMING OFF THE YARD ARE PERFECTLY SITUATED FOR USE AS LEAD TRACKS IF THE TURNOUT ARRANGEMENT IS SLIGHTLY TWEAKED TO ALLOW THE MAINLINE TO PASS ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THIS DESIGN.
Plan #12
THIS BEDROOM SIZED TRACK PLAN FEATURES A LARGE ROUNDHOUSE AREA PERFECTLY FACING THE VIEWER AND A DOUBLE TRACK MAINLINE. THE TRACKS THAT COMPRISE THE BACKSHOP AREA IN THE UPPER LEG COULD BE SIMPLIFIED AND THIS AREA COULD SERVE AS AN INDUSTRAIL COMPLEX WITH A SMALL RECIEVING YARD FOR SOME ADDED INTERST TO THIS PLAN. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE TO ADD AT LEAST ONE STAGING TRACK OR PERHAPS EVEN TWO ON THE UPPER LEG WITH SOME MINOR MODIFICATIONS.
Plan #13
THIS SINGLE-TRACK DESIGN GIVES GENEROUS CONSIDERATION FOR SCENERY. ITS ONE SMALL YARD AND SCATTERED INDUSTRIES ALONG THE ROUTE LEND ITSELF PERFECTLY FOR A MIDWEST THEMED LAYOUT.
Plan #14
THIS BEDROOM SIZE SINGLE-TRACK RAILROAD REPRESENTS SWITCHING ACTIVITIES AT ONE MAJOR LARGE INDUSTRY. SHOWN AS A REFINERY COMPLEX, IT COULD BE ADAPTED TO A LARGE SILO, PAPER MILL, AUTO PLANT, OR OTHER SIMILAR INDUSTRIES. IT HAS A WELL THOUGHT OUT FUNCTIONAL DESIGN WITH THE RECIEVING YARD AT THE TOP OF THE PLAN FOR HOLDING MULTIPLE CARS READY FOR SWITCHING INTO THE PLANT.
Plan #15
THIS VERY SIMPLE BEDROOM SIZED LAYOUT FEATURES A DOUBLE-TRACK MAINLINE AND A LONG PASSENGER TRAIN PLATFORM. IF PASSENGER TRAINS ARE YOUR THING, THEN THIS LAYOUT IS PERFECT FOR YOU.
Plan #16
A SIMPLE BEDROOM SIZE TRACK PLAN FOR PASSENGER TRAFFIC THAT FEATURES A LONG PASSENGER PLATFORM, COACH YARDS AND RELATED FACILITIES, AND LOCOMOTIVE READY TRACKS AND SERVICE AREA TYPICAL OF COMMUTER LINES.
THIS DOUBLE-TRACK PLAN HAS EMPHASIS ON TRAIN WATCHING, WITH ITS FOUR TRACK LONG STAGING AREAS AND A ROUNDHOUSE AREA, IT’S PERFECT FOR THOSE JUST WANTING TO WATCH THE TRAINS ROLL BY.
ALL PLANS COPYRIGHT 2024 DARRELL MAPLES ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
If you have any questions or comments regarding this article drop a comment down below and we’ll respond back to you.
Also, please share and click the subscribe button in the bottom right corner to receive automatic updates of new posts. Your email is confidential and will NOT be shared or redistributed.
James, Model Railway Techniques.com
Copyright 2024 The Model Railroad Benchwork Store/Model Railway Techniques.com All Rights Reserved
