Track Plans- N Scale Micro And Small Layouts – The Model Railroad Benchwork Store

Below you will find some Micro sized and Small Track Plans that will give you some ideas for your own Model Railroad. They are perfect for tiny spaces, or for those just getting back into the hobby and curious about different track plan options. Most of these Micro Track Plans are really only suited for N or Z Scale Model Railroads, but they could be used in HO-Scale if increased slightly in size and tight radius curves are of no concern to you.

Think of these, and any other track plans you may find and like, as ideas to what you can accomplish in a given space. We highly recommend that you change them as needed by modifying their width or length, changing from single to double track or vice-versa, or adding or omitting certain elements that you don’t need.

If you do plan to use them as drawn, but model in a different scale other than N Scale, then generally rectangular plans can be roughly doubled in dimension for use in HO Scale or tripled for use in O Scale. Also be sure to check out our article on track planning as well as DESIGNING YOUR MODEL RAILROAD: BASIC DESIGN IDEAS FOR THE SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED MODEL RAILROAD.

We’ve included brief descriptions for each of the track plans, operating possibilities, and suggestions on how to modify or adapt them for your needs. We’d also like to thank fellow Model Railroader Darrell Maples for graciously allowing us to use his designs below on our website.

Plan #1 42″x30″

THIS TINY DOUBLE TRACK MODEL RAILROAD FEATURES A DOUBLE TRACK MAINLINE, A DOUBLE CROSSOVER, AND A FEW INDUSTRIES FOR SWITHCING. — **THIS SMALL DOUBLE TRACK MODEL RAILROAD FEATURES A DOUBLE TRACK MAINLINE, A DOUBLE CROSSOVER, AND A FEW INDUSTRIES FOR SWITCHING.** **IT ALSO HAS A GOOD CENTER LOCATION FOR A SMALL TOWN SCENE. A SMALL HILL HERE WOULD ADD SOME VISUAL INTEREST AS WELL**.

Plan #2 42″x30″

THIS MICRO-LAYOUT FEATURES A DOUBLE TRACK MAINLINE WITH FOUR INDUSTRIAL SPURS FOR SWITCHING OPPURTUNITES. IT ALSO HAS A DOUBLE CROSSOVER ON ONE SIDE SO TRIANS CAN MEET OR PASS EACH OTHER. — THIS MICRO-LAYOUT FEATURES A DOUBLE TRACK MAINLINE WITH FOUR INDUSTRIAL SPURS FOR SWITCHING OPPURTUNITIES. IT ALSO HAS A DOUBLE CROSSOVER ON ONE SIDE SO TRIANS CAN MEET OR PASS EACH OTHER. IF LENGTHENED, THEN CONSIDER A SINGLE CROSSOVER ON EACH SIDE AND OMIT THE DOUBLE CROSSOVER. THIS WILL GIVE BETTER ACCESS TO THE SPURS AT THE BOTTOM FROM THE INNER LOOP OF TRACK.

Plan #3 42″x30″

THIS INTERESTING MICRO LAYOUT HAS A DOBLE TRACK MAINLINE, A DOUBLE TRACK CROSSOVER, AND THREE INDUSTRY SPURS. IT ALSO INCLUDES A THIRD INDEPENDENT ELEVATED LOOP THAT COULD BE A TROLLEY RAILWAY. — **THIS INTERESTING MICRO LAYOUT HAS A DOUBLE TRACK MAINLINE, A DOUBLE TRACK CROSSOVER, AND THREE INDUSTRY SPURS. IT ALSO INCLUDES A THIRD INDEPENDENT ELEVATED LOOP THAT COULD BE A TROLLEY RAILWAY.**

Plan #4 42″x30″

THIS VERY SMALL TRACK PLAN REPRESENTS THREE DIFFERNT RAILROADS IN ONE COMPACT PLAN. IT HAS THREE INDUSTRIAL SPURS FOR SWITHICNG, AND DIAMOND CROSSING. THE THIRD LOOP IS ELEVATED OBOVE THE TWO MAIN LOOPS. — COMPARE THIS PLAN TO THE ONE ABOVE AS THE CONCEPT IS THE SAME BUT WITH A FEW IMPROVEMENTS. THE ELEVATED LINE HAS A SLIGHTLY DEFFERENT BRIDGE ARRANGEMENT, AND THE LOWER DOUBLE CROSSOVER HAS BEEN ELIMINATED. THE CENTER MOUNTAIN AREA COULD REPRESENT A QUARRY, AND THE ELEVATED TRACK SECTION COULD BE MADE TO REPRESENT A QUARRY RAILWAY SYSTEM.

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Plan #5 42″x30″

THIS MICRO TRACK PLAN ANGLES THE DOUBLE TRACK MAINLINES IN AN APPEALING FASHION AND INCLUDES THREE INDUSTRIAL SPURS AND A DOUBLE CROSSOVER. THERE IS ROOM IN HTE MIDDLE TO MODEL A SMALL CITY SCENE ALSO. — THIS MICRO TRACK PLAN ANGLES THE DOUBLE TRACK MAINLINES IN AN APPEALING FASHION AND INCLUDES THREE INDUSTRIAL SPURS AND A DOUBLE CROSSOVER. THERE IS ROOM IN THE MIDDLE TO MODEL A SMALL CITY SCENE ALSO. **AS IN THE EXAMPLE ABOVE, OMITTING THE DOUBLE CROSSOVER AND THEN ADDING SINGLE CROSSOVERS TOP AND BOTTOM BY LENGTHENING THE TRACK PLAN, YOU WILL ADD MORE OPERATING POTENTIAL TO THIS TRACK PLAN.**

Plan #6 48″x36″

THIS MICRO LAYOUT COULD BE BUILT REPRESENTING A SMALL SHORTILINE RAILROAD WITH ITS ENGINE SHED AND TWO INDUSTRIAL SPURS AS SHOWN. THE DIAMOND TRACKS IN THE CORNER CAN REPRESENT TWO DIFFERENT RAILROADS WHERE THE SHORTLINE PICKS UP A CAR OR TOW FOR DELIVERY IN TOWN. — THIS MICRO LAYOUT COULD BE BUILT REPRESENTING A SMALL SHORTLINE RAILROAD WITH ITS ENGINE SHED AND TWO INDUSTRIAL SPURS JUST AS SHOWN. THE DIAMOND TRACKS IN THE CORNER CAN REPRESENT TWO DIFFERENT RAILROADS WHERE THE SHORTLINE PICKS UP A CAR OR TWO FOR DELIVERY IN TOWN. NOTE ALSO THE USE OF A VIEW BLOCK, THE BLUE LINE, SO THE MODEL RAILROAD DOES NOT APPEAR AS THE SIMPLE OVAL THAT IT IS. THIS IS A GREAT FEATURE AND ONE THAT CAN BE UTILIZED IN MANY RECTANGULAR MODEL RAILROAD TRACK PLAN DESIGNS.

Plan #7 48″x36″

THIS MICRO TRACK PLAN IS A GREAT START TO SEE IF SHORTLINE RAILROADS INTEREST YOU. WITH THE TWO DIAMOND INTERCHANGES IN THE CORNER AND THE PASSING TRACK, TWO SHORTLINE TRAINS CAN WORK IN TANDEM DELIVERING AND RECIEVING CARS FROM THE INDUSTRY AND INTERCHANGE TRACKS. — DRAWING OFF THE PLAN ABOVE WE STILL HAVE THE TWO INTERCHANGES IN THE CORNER BUT NOW HAVE ADDED A PASSING TRACK. THIS GREATLY INCREASES OPERATIONS ON THIS TRACK PLAN, AS NOW TWO SHORTLINE TRAINS CAN WORK IN TANDEM DELIVERING AND RECIEVING CARS FROM THE INDUSTRY AND INTERCHANGE TRACKS. SCENERY WISE, EITHER TRACK PLAN COULD INCLUDE A SMALL TOWN, OR PERHAPS SOME ROLLING LOW HILLS IN A RURAL SETTING.

Perfect for any of these plans

Plan #8 48″x36″

THIS VERY SIMPLE SINGLE-TRACK OVAL MICRO LAYOUT IS A PERFECT START FOR A BEGINNER OR THOSE WITH LIMITED SPACE. IT OFFERS THREE OR FOUR SMALL INDUSTRIAL SPURS, A TWO TRACK STUB END YARD AND EVEN A ROUNDHOUSE IN THIS COMPACT DESIGN. IF A ROUNDHOUSE IS NOT ON YOUR LIST OF MUST HAVES, THEN OMITTING IT WILL FREE UP SOME SPACE FOR SCENERY OR MAYBE ONE MORE SPUR TRACK.

Plan #9 48″x36″

**IF YOU HAVE AN EXTENSIVE STEAM ROSTER BUT NO LAYOUT YET, THEN THIS MICRO TRACK PLAN WILL GIVE YOU A PLACE TO DISPLAY AND RUN YOUR LOCOMOTIVES. IT ALSO HAS A FEW STORAGE TRACKS FOR ROLLING STOCK.**

Plan #10 48″x24″

A 2X4 MODEL RAILRAOD TRACK PLAN FEATURING A SMALL YARD AND TURNATBLE, AND AN OIL DISTRIBUTOR — IN THIS TRACK PLAN WE HAVE A TURNTABLE BUT FOREGO THE ROUNDHOUSE IN FAVOR OF SOME BACKSHOP BUILDINGS. IT GIVES THE MODEL RAILROADER A BIT MORE VARIETY FOR STRUCTURE BUILDING AND DETAILING AROUND THESE FASCINATING AREAS OF THE RAILROAD PHSICAL PLANT.

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We hope you enjoyed this small selection of plans and find the descriptions and suggestions helpful. We’d like to extend our gratitude once again to Darrell Maples for allowing us to use these plans on our website. Collaboration is a major focus for us here at Model Railway Techniques, so if you have any questions or comments regarding the track plans above please drop us an email. Also be sure to check out the other plans in our Planning category.

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James, Model Railway Techniques.com

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Last Updated on 4 months ago by James from Model Railway Techniques