Welcome to Bob's Track Plans

Custom model railroad layout designs for any scale, any gauge, any prototype, any era

Robert W. (Bob) Sprague has created hundreds of layout plans, including more than fifteen published in Model Railroader.

Bob specializes in designs based on prototype locations, routes, and scenes. He makes sure that the resulting layouts are satisfying to build and provide realistic operation.

View many examples of Bob's plans in the Gallery, and please use the contact form to request a quote.

Some Recent Plans

N scale Kato Unitrak layout for Ken Whipple

Ken Whipple's CSX Western Maryland

Ken, a frequent flyer on Bob's Track Plans, asked for a Kato Unitrak layout to fit on 3'x3' modules sitting on ping-pong tables. No challenge too great. Trackage was kept to the edges to avoid long reaches for operating. The plan includes a passeger station big enough to take full consists and a version of Bernie Kempinski's paper mill design.

2 days ago

David Venman's Portland & Ogdensburg

David had a small and oddly-shaped space to work with but thanks to N scale we got a lot in. Not seen offstage to the right is a pool table; and there had to be enough "cue room" not to risk unfortunate incidents mixing bank shots and trains.

Jul 26

John Garvey's Nickel Island RR

I apologize for some of the names I give these railroads, but my clients know they can change them at will. John wanted to run Nickel Plate and Rock Island but also his Big Boys so we went with a 30" minimum radius and an up-and-over to give him a decent double track main on his prebuilt 8'x14' table. The wooded hill down the middle can serve as a view block and I made sure most of the turnouts were close to the table edges, because a 4' reach into the interior would not be g

Jun 22

A HO scale double deck track plan for John Rossman

John Rossman's Burlington Northern Stampede Pass Tacoma Division

John wanted to model the famous Stampede Pass in Washington state in a long bonus room with sloping walls. He does not anticipate multiple operators or frequent guests so he was OK with the minimum 24" aisles that enabled a long and prototypically accurate mainline. The west staging level is actually between the lower and upper decks to give a spectacular eye-level view of the tunnel and the ability to run some nice helper service.

Jun 13

Shawn Antin's Angeles & Eastern

To give Shawn a yard, a double-track main, two commuter rail stations, and some scenic running in the California mountains we used two-turn helixes at either end of the visible main line. These permit the construction of a relatively large concealed staging yard with enough "finger room" to rerail and maintain trains. Shawn can set 2-4 trains orbiting on the mainline while working the yard and industries for a basic, but satisfying, operating pattern.

May 28

FREE TOOL

Here's a free track planning tool. It's an Excel file that includes train length, grades of curves, degrees to radius, frog angles, and scale calculators. Have fun!

Download Calculator

WHY A CUSTOM TRACK PLAN?

Every advanced model railroader has unique preferences, goals, and space available. Working with an experienced track planner helps you take full advantage of your layout room, while ensuring that the layout you take years to build will continue to keep you satisfied and challenged.

Bob Sprague has designed more than 250 detailed, operation-oriented railroads. While insisting that "it's your railroad," he can supply valuable experience and perspective to help you get the most out of your hobby.

Bob's Track Plans