E-Z Model Railroads
The E-Z Track Planning Guide & Layout Book
The E-Z Track Planning Guide & Layout Book
- Author: Chris Lane with H. Lee Riley
- ISBN: 978-0-9647098-2-9
- Pages: 124 (full color)
- Cover Price: $19.95
Landscaped Layouts with Integrated Roadbed Track
Nearly all train sets today come with [a href="http://modeltrains.about.com/od/layoutconstruction/tp/Integrated_Roadbed_Track.htm"]integrated roadbed track[/a]. But despite this fact a lot of experienced modelers believe you can't make a professional looking landscaped layout using integrated roadbed track. So Bachmann has published a book to show exactly how it can be done.Basic Concepts
The first chapter of E-Z Model Railroads, entitled "Getting Started" is a brief overview of model railroading in general. It is followed by chapters on space planning and benchwork construction, electrical wiring for a model railroad, basic track concepts, and track planning. This is actually a somewhat detailed presentation with lots of good background information.
Track Plans
Chapters six through eleven each cover an individual track plan. Chapters progressively introduce more complex landscaping techniques, and some include background on various railroads and locomotives. Of course, each chapter includes a materials list needed for building the layout. These layout chapters include a [a href="od/tmodelrailroadterms/g/timesaver.htm"]Timesaver[/a] switching layout and a narrow gauge mining layout for [a href="http://hometown.aol.com/on30modeler/"]On30 Scale[/a] trains.In Closing
The final chapters of E-Z Model Railroadsdiscuss additional landscaping and weathering techniques. Following that are a few appendices with additional track plans, a guide to symbols used in the book, and a directory of E-Z Track products. Over all, I think this book a rather good introduction to building an HO Scale layout. However, I would advise beginners to read other materials as well before embarking on such a complex undertaking.