Product Description
Provides step-by-step design techniques and track planning tips to save model railroaders time, money, and headaches. This must-have book also covers aspects of prototype freight and passenger operations, route design, and contemporary railroading…. More >>
#1 by Peter M. Brown on July 2, 2010 - 6:24 pm
If you want to build a decent layout, are just curious as to how real trains operate on real tracks, or want to know why tracks are setup the way they are, this is the book for you.
This book was recommended to me as an essential read by a friend, and he was absolutely right.
The first part of the book focuses on real trains, yards, switching, sidings, passing, mainlines etc. The second part of the book applies that information to the world of model railroading.
The worst part about this book is it will make you want an even larger space for your railroad so you can incorporate all the stuff you read about
Rating: 5 / 5
#2 by Anonymous on July 2, 2010 - 8:04 pm
John Armstrong is the leading expert in railroad operations as it relates to model railroding (although well known in model railroading, he also has written books used for training by the real railroads). This book explains actual railroad operations in great detail, making extensive use of illustrations and photos, concentrating on operations typical in the 1920-1970 timeframe. John then shows you how real railroad track design and operation applies to the design and operation of model railroads, with 18 different model layout track plans as examples. This is a must own book for modelers interested in operating.
Rating: 5 / 5
#3 by Anonymous on July 2, 2010 - 8:10 pm
John Armstrong (a professional layout designer)gives all the info you need to design your layout. The first half of the book looks at actual railroad operations; the second half tells you how to translate these operations into a layout. A sample layout is designed step-by-step to show his approach to layout design.
Rating: 5 / 5
#4 by John A Lee III on July 2, 2010 - 10:38 pm
John Armstrong is one of the best known names to the model railroad hobby. He has written extensively but this book is his finest work.
A person interested in railroads finds himself caught up in lots of detailed scenes and complex trackwork. Armstrong explains what it all does and why it is arranged in the way it is. He does this by explaining railroad practice in the real world and then by looking at the problems faced by the modeler. He does so in a lucid and interesting manner…for the first half of the book.
While the first half of the book is dedicated to teaching about how railroads operate, the second is intended to teach how to model them effectively. He explains broad general concepts and then refines things and explains them in easy stages. He knows where the pitfalls are and he points out solutions.
This is a useful book for anyone from beginner to advanced but especially the beginner.
Rating: 5 / 5
#5 by Alexander Ranaldi on July 3, 2010 - 1:25 am
This book will teach you exactly what it claims. Numerous prototype examples are used throughout the book to give the reader an insight into how you can design a realistic track plan. This book has helped me to better understand why prototype railroads arranged track in certain ways. Excellent book, highly recommended.
Rating: 5 / 5