[pscl227]

hey, i'm looking for a LOT of help for building my new layout, my last one was done when i was 9-10 years old (so it was mainly done by my dad!) so this will be my first layout i have done my self.

I have more track than you can shake a stick at but i dont know what to do with it, i am rather limited for space as i am in a student house so probabaly 7ft x 4ft would be my max size (could possibly go a bit bigger). But just becasue it's small doesnt mean i want it to be boring!

so what are my options? is there any free computer software i can use to plan my track, or is there any pre-mad plans i can use?

thanks for the help, Paul

 

[CeeDeeI]

Hi there Paul, welcome.
XTrkCad is a very popular piece of software for layout designing and also happens to be a freebie. Click on the link below for your copy and see how you get on. There are users here who can help you with this.

XTrkCad

 

[keitha]

would say to buy the new peco setrack layout book , excellent book with full colour layouts , plans for different sizes , all kinds of ideas ,some clever thinking , best book I`ve seen , all for £2.24 .. really good value

 

[John Webb]

For ready-made plans there are various PECO booklets. Hornby have just published a new edition of their track plans. And the PSL guides to Model Railways also have various suggestions (PSL=Patrick Stephens Ltd).
Have a look in your local library as well for model railway books - possibly around 625.1 in the non-fiction classification system.
Best wishes - it was when I became a student I gave up on model railways! Only got back in a couple of years ago after a 40-year break.
Regards,
John Webb