In my last blog post, I referenced my article from the
Layout Design Journal (
LDJ), published by the
Layout Design SIG (LDSIG). I was surprised to receive a couple of emails from blog readers who were not aware of the SIG and its magazine, or didn't realize that the SIG was still active and vital. So here is a bit more information about the LDSIG.
For anyone interested in model railroad track planning and layout design, I think the LDSIG is a fabulous resource and well worth membership (full disclosure, I edit the
LDJ). Besides the quarterly magazine, the SIG also sponsors programs at regional and national meetings.
"Samplers" of a few pages from recent issues are available for free download as Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files. I'd encourage those who aren't yet SIG members to take a look – there are many interesting layout design ideas in every issue.
Back issues of the LDJ are also available.
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LDJ-47, Summer 2012
- Planning the Newcastle-Fassifern Railway with Layout Design Elements (LDEs)
- Improving a Classic John Armstrong Plan in N Scale
- The Continuous Model Railroad: More Railroad than your Room Can Hold
- Proto-Freelance Midwest NYC Layout Inspired by Published Plans
- Weighing the Scales: Experienced Multi-scale Modelers Discuss Pros and Cons
- Benchwork and Fascia Ideas from LDSIG Tours
LDJ-46, Spring 2012
- Three Crossings at Newburgh, Ohio
- Small and Portable: Baltimore's Wicomico St. on the B&O
- Designing a Busy Chicago Passenger Terminal, Multi-deck HO
- Planning for Signals, Part 3: References
-
Oakland, California's Howard Terminal in N Scale
LDJ-45, Winter 2012
- Breaking Marley’s Chains – On2 to S for CN Branch
- SP on a Shelf – Houston's Clinton Branch
- Heavy Switching Design Challenge from Tulsa 2011:
- The Copper Belt Railroad in N Scale
- Kansas City Southern in Neosho, Mo.; 1956
- The Pittsburgh Transfer Railway
- Johnstown and Union City – Mushroom "cut-and-paste" design in N Scale
- The Terminal Dock Railroad – Northeastern Rail-Marine
- Electrasteel Corporation
- Gooseneck, Bottoms and Bluffs – Multi-deck HO design for Kansas City's West Bottoms
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTAQuW4PxXZB3UVKXkpwA5k0Ol0O6Hw2VA6QOqvAtvJdwX7uviY5cSHYjGa7orkUIUNTeaic-qhVOA-PXLt4NbmnDYJzDHCh-0D5Q9O6e6Xd1Y_fdVff1v1DUTSsqvPUIeLSI/s200/ldj_44_cvr_med.png)
LDJ-44, Fall 2011
- Sectional, modular and portable layout focus:
- HO Sections Designed to Move – and Do!
- HO/HOn3 FREMO Modules for Home and Road
- Compact OO English Terminus Display Layout
- N Scale Free-mo Modules as Layout Design Elements
- What would you do differently?: Tips from five successful layout builders
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuZffSNJQ_1zyCpNFuojAnReGfHy8qKrds9Os85DeokWF6m40AEGGNtopkrQz89WITo5c6fQuOL61XVUC9cthEY5IF2IE1sVMv6x9JTK1Ptz0Y1Bn_7-6zxNn8CuWs3a50sTf/s200/ldj_43cvr_350.png)
LDJ-43, Summer 2011
- Designing a “Three-way” Layout Design Element on the BN
- Lessons Learned: Phil Monat's Multi-Pass Delaware & Susquehanna
- Three stories on lightweight benchwork ideas from Gatorfoam™ and Luan
- Planning for Signals, Part 2: Model Implementations
- Signal Repeaters
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LDJ-42, Spring 2011
- Designing the California, Oregon and Western
- Thoughts on Multi-Pass Design
- 90 Feet more Mainline on the Idaho-Montana Railway & Navigation (UP)
- Layout Design Challenge -- Road Warrior Revisited:
- B&O’s 26th St. NYC Yard
- Central California Traction in Stockton and Lodi
- SAL, ACL, A&W in North Carolina, 1925
- Timetable and Train Order “Trainer” Layout
- Design Considerations for Prototype-action Couplers
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMIF3LtavRS4_b3xxRP4-dElZ4WewIuVKK14-yB7qfOjv4XmAvH7ECzFJtbWBN1k7hzUmy6_hs1o5Dib5HOqAAA72qhtpnkNn1p2fs1h9B2oWD9XKu7ScFgocw9cTO4XMrx-j/s200/41_cvr_med.png)
LDJ-41, Winter 2011
- The Ultimate 4X8? RGS in HOn3
- Garage Bay Passenger Ops Design Challenge: Calif. Bayside Commute and Reading Lines in Philadelphia
- Modeling a Mile: Layouts for W&LE / Nickel Plate; B&O; WM
- Planning for Signals, Part 1: Prototype Practices
- Design Ideas from Milwaukee 2010
- “This Column does not Exist": Support Column Ideas