Neat planning method.

I like the realistic spacing it gives to the buildings and scenery. What radius do you need to use around the corners? Looks like maybe a 36 inch radius could fit( if those are 1/4 inch squares) ? .....DaveB

Radius

Thanks Dave.  Yup those are 1/4” squares, I’d like a 30” min radius and if 36” works I’d use it.

1/2 inch to the foot

I’m confused. At 1/2 inch to the foot (i.e. 1/24) wouldn’t an 87-foot building be 43.5 inches?

Edit:   Oh, I see. An 87’ long building is 1 foot in HO and that’s 1/2” on your plan.

Great method

I love this approach to track planning. Nothing beats using the prototype for inspiration. I think you will find that not only is it more prototypical visually, but also allows for more prototypical operations.

Great job Ken!

Tim

Scale

Tim - thanks!

Jeff - yup you got it.  It’s a 1/24th scale drawing of a 1/87th scale (HO) representation of the real world.  So I guess that makes the drawing 1/2088 of full size.

Orientation

Even if you don't use it for track planning directly, its often helpful to look at the Google maps. I have found it helpful to flip (left to right) or invert (front to back) a scene or area to see how it can fit on the layout.  Normally flipping front to back won't affect the operation as much as flipping left to right.

On the other hand, flipping it left to right can improve the operation if it makes it more consistent with the operation of the layout (which may not be the same as the prototype operation,  especially if you are cherry picking industries.)

Great method, but beware...

Using Google satellite maps is a great method for track planning, but beware. I used Google Maps a lot when planning my layout, and found out later that tracks had been changed since my era of 1975. Sometimes you can tell in the satellite photos, but others not so much. Now, if you're modeling today or pretty recently, no problem. 

I caught most of my problems before track went down, but I did have to make some changes to track already laid. Luckily, since I had followed the prototype photos, the changes were fairly simple since the prototype moved as little track as possible when they made the changes. 

Printing them to scale is super cool. Nice work. 

Randy

1905

I actually use older maps and aerial photos for that reason.  About half of my prototype is just a scar barely visible in the tree canopy on the modern photos. 

People don't realize how much railroads can change over even a few years.  Another reason why Sanborn maps have to also be taken with a grain of salt.  Of course if you are modeling in a current time frame then its one of the best resources you can have.

The worst example are surveyors that use a nail driven into a tie as a "station" or marker for a land survey.  Not only do they have to trespass to position it, but if the railroad maintains the track it can change its location horizontally by up to a foot and its vertical position by up to 6 inches.

I'm with Dave1905

I have used used Google Earth / Maps to see "today." I also have a series of aerial photos from 1938 to 1986 and I use them to see what has changed in my era (late 70's) and since to help me orient my self and figure out what the buildings were like in that era. I took picture of the railroads in McPherson, KS in the late 70's. Using film meant I couldn't take all the pictures I would have liked. I also was able to go through McPherson last summer and take pictures (digital) to fill in some holes in in my pictures from the 70's.

I got my aerial photos through the library at Kansas State University. I would expect any Land Grant school would have collections of air photos from the Soil Conservation Service and other sources to cover most small to medium sized towns in their state. You should be able to get digital copies, probably at no cost.

Looks cool. Starting with a prototype should result in a

realistic track arrangement. 

Historic Aerials

Don't forget Historic Aerials for aerial photos.  I was recently looking for a branch line of the IC in southern Wisconsin and there were aerial photos taken after the branch was abandoned in 1942 but you could still see the line and buildings along the right-of-way.  Their collection is kind of hit and miss but sometimes aerial photos from the 1950's are quite sharp.  Just Google "Historic Aerials."

Robert

2nd Historic Aerials...

I used the Historic Aerials site extensively also. Their prices are insane, but you can print out the online  versions, you just have to live with their watermark all over it. Very good info there. 

Randy

"The worst example are

I've put lots of nails in ties or hubs in the ballast but I never intend them to be permanent. Sometimes the tracks are the best spot to set a point for various reasons. Lots of survey points only mean something to the guy setting them for whatever the job is.....DaveB  

Historical imagery Pt3

Combine them all

That is what I did on my previous layout. I was modeling a specific branch, the portion which I could fit in my space still exists today, although not exactly as it once was. By combining aerial shots from around my era with model Google Earth views, I was able to get it pretty close - close enough for me, anyway, given my space limitations as well as the fact that I am not in it for an absolutely perfect tie for tie, tree for tree replica of the prototype. I ended up with 3 main scenes, a 4th was never built before I moved and took the layout down.

                                             --Randy

Love the idea!!

I finally have some clarity !!! thank you Ken, i have been trying to figure out how to utilize google maps to create realism, aspect ratio to transfer the prototype to my layout . I am modeling the Indiana area with the L&N / Chessie system era (late 70's-early 80's). even though a lot of track lines have been pulled up for that era my memory still provides some recognition of the old L&N /Monon line that ran through the Mcdowell Yard in Bloomington , to and through my hometown of Elettesville, i spent most of yesterday following rail lines on google maps looking for my industries, and  scaling them down. to print out and assemble . thank you for sharing your knowledge!! ..Robin

Glad the idea helped

Glad the idea helped Robin!

Google Earth views

Isn't it like me? To forget about Google Earth. I even have the pro version. Fantastic. In my case, it's not to plan the layout, but to locate industries and get the feel for how they look and the layout of the area around them. And in my case, how to compress them into the space allowed. I guess what I'm saying is that it's not only planning track, but the surrounding area. Also, scenery tips. You name it. A fantastic tool. You do need a fairly powerful PC to use it. It is much larger in size on your PC than Google Maps.