Designing Santa Fe's Raton Subdivision Model Railroad in HO Scale.

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In a recent poll, we asked model railroaders: What is the biggest challenge you face when starting a layout? 64% said - Coming up with a good track plan for the available space? You will find the answer to this question and much more in this video!

Here is the complete poll results:

What is the most difficult thing about layout designing for you?
*Inspiration: Getting an idea. 27%
*Prototype: Deciding which railroad to choose. 0%
*Track: Coming up with a good track plan for the available space. 64%
*Plan: Drawing a plan and transfer it to the benchwork. 9%
*Time Era: Choosing the era to model. 0%

As you can see, a good track plan and a great idea are the top two challenges to overcome.

Sam D. Teague and his son Aaron had a great idea of what they wanted to model - "Santa Fe's Raton Pass", but they never starting building it until they designed the entire layout in CAD.

Sam D. Teague tells you how he started designing Santa Fe's Raton Subdivision Model Railroad, based on his research for his book about AT&SF Steam Locomotive 5000 (Madame Queen). The research on the book gave him a very clear understanding of why Raton Pass would be the greatest location to model for anyone interested in the Santa Fe Railway.

All Sam and Aaron had to do now was figure out how to model it in their available space. Could it be done? Another challenge that they faced was how to incorporate the Raton Pass idea into their exiting switching layout. Would the new be compatible with the old?

Sam and Aaron built Santa Fe's Raton Subdivision Model Railroad from scratch to fully operational in only four months. Sam says "All of our model railroading dreams have come true with this project." What made this great outcome possible?

Sam gives credit to:
1. RESEARCH - because you need to know "why and how" your favorite railroad came about.
2. CAD - allows you to make all your mistakes on the computer so you don't build them.
3. EXPERIENCE - building layouts in the past that were less than perfect.
4. SKILL - Sam is a master carpenter and Aaron is very artistic.

Remember - The least expensive model railroad you will ever create is the one you design before you start building.

Watch the entire video to learn how Sam and Aaron designed their amazing model railroad.

VIDEO CONTENTS:
00:00 Introduction
00:28 Importance of Research
04:00 Design Service
05:01 Floor Plan
06:01 Small Start
08:27 Plan for Expansion
10:42 More Benchwork
16:59 Doors & Windows
20:56 Compromises
23:28 Turning Trains Around
24:25 Passing Siding
25:01 Track & Turnouts
28:44 Backdrops
34:09 Scenery
38:12 Roads
39:38 Structures
44:15 Room Lighting
47:11 Seated Operations