Does anyone else feel that these package prices are extremely high? I'm trying to get ideas for a layout in a 14' Wide X 15' Long area. I'm not very creative so I been checking these layouts out.
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Are you looking at the Atlas MSRP pricing? If so, a good Atlas dealer will probably offer a bit of a discount from MSRP. That could be as much as 10% or possibly more? Purchasing all the track and switches for a layout that size can be pricy no matter which track system you choose.
Thanks for the information. I purchased today the Atlas layout book. Maybe there is something good in there that I can start with then use my imagination and add on to it.
If it's the one with the 36 O gauge layouts, I also have that book. It's been a couple of years since I looked at it, but they may also be including their transformers and other accessories with the layouts? I don't remember for sure on that, but it seems like those items were included in the materials lists for the layout.
Like you I am not very creative but I bit the bullet and paid for RR-track software. It is pretty easy to use and lets you design as you want. I am on about my 20th revision and will post it when I am comfortable with it for the members to comment on. I will be looking forward to their suggestions and comments. Also if you put your dimensions and likes I have seen some nice layouts designed by the members. My investment in OGR was a great one.
Yes, that's the book I purchased. Hopefully I can get some ideas. I seen some HO layouts that I like but to convert that to O scale I may not have the room.
Some of the layout books like 101 Layout Plans (or close to that anyway) have most of their plans in HO, but include conversions to upscale to O gauge track.
I also have RR-Track as ENichter stated above. (I am doing as he stated also, working on many plans with the intent to post here for help after I get a satisfactory one made.) RR-Track is probably the best layout program out there, but is a bit pricy, especially if you go adding all their libraries. It has libraries for almost everything you can imagine track and accessory wise. I ended up with most of them, but got them over several months so it wasn't such a big outlay at one time. It also has a ton of features for layout design.
SCARM is another layout program that several folks here are starting to use. It's very nice also and it's free. It doesn't have all the libraries that RR-Track does, but is still very capable for making layout plans. Some forum members have done some very nice layouts with it. It allows creating some very nice 3D views also. The author also posts here and does toe program for the enjoyment of doing it. I would probably start with that for a tryout.
Another program is AnyRail which allows you to use up to, I think, 50 or 60 pieces of track for free to try it out. If you like it and want to do more it doesn't cost much to register. It's also a very nice program, not sure if it does 3D or not though?
RR-Track will allow you to run a train on any layout you create. Not sure, but I think SCARM may also? But I don't think AnyRail allows that, not exactly sure there either?
If you find something you like post it here. There are a lot of sharp layout design folks around here and they are always willing to help you out. A lot can be learned here in all the OGR forums.
