The Layout Design Primer (Primer) is a collection of articles intended to assist model railroaders become familiar with basic to advanced layout design concepts and practices.
The layout designer must engage in a lot of “give and take” as a part of the layout design process, so personal preference plays a significant role. Be aware the Primer presents the opinions of the authors, and as such may sometimes present contrary views.
The Primer directly contributes towards achieving two of the LDSIG’s specific objectives and purposes as stated in the Bylaws. These are:
- To act as a forum for the members’ exchange of information and ideas, and to develop improved ways for hobbyists to learn the art and science of layout design, and
- To provide leadership for planning, developing, coordinating, and expanding the knowledge of planning model railroads.
The information presented in the Primer is designed to:
- Help prevent beginners from making the most common mistakes in first layouts.
- Remind intermediate and more advanced modelers of fundamental concepts.
- Educate all modelers about successful design alternatives for their first or subsequent layout.
- Serve as a resource for modelers considering modifications of existing layouts to adapt them to changing needs or interests or to remedy problems, such as the modeler having a growing interest in operations or when they realize they need a more accessible layout as they age.
- Serve as a resource for experienced modelers who, after many years with the same layout, are starting over with a new layout with a new scale, concept, or space, such as a downsized home or apartment, or consideration for portable, non-permanent, modular layouts.
- Present the Layout Design SIG as a primary source of advanced design information through publications and networking.
Model railroaders who should find the Primer useful include, but are not limited to:
- The beginner designing their first layout. This would include those who built a practice layout from a published design.
- The person who has built a practice layout or two and is now designing their lifetime layout.
- The person who has been in the hobby for a significant period of time but has never built a layout for whatever reason. It is very possible this individual has acquired and built rolling stock, structures, and dioramas; has helped build a layout for another individual or club; and has definite ideas of what they want.
- The returnee to the hobby who had a layout many years ago and wants one again.
How is the Primer put together?
The Primer is a series of documents stored in the LDSIG Wiki and written using wiki markup. You can move around the Primer using hyperlinks.
The actual body of the Primer has been written by a number of volunteers who felt like putting their own modeling experiences in writing, in order to help others derive even greater satisfaction from our hobby. Individual articles have been assigned primarily on the basis of who volunteered to write them. Some articles are out of date or have no content yet and need authors, so if you’re interested, please go to Primer Update.
How do I get around in the Primer?
The Primer is a collection of LDSIG Wiki documents. It is arranged much like a book, with the exception that the topics and articles need not be considered linear in their arrangement. The Primer is organized into six topic areas:
- The WHY of building a model railroad layout
- Types and styles of layouts
- General layout planning principles
- Detail considerations for layouts
- Special layout circumstances
- Layout design bibliography and references