RAILSERVE provides Custom Layout Design services that no one else does. From conceptual track plan concepts, to completely detailed mechanical and electrical design packages, we do it all.
The design process includes all the steps between conceptual development and fabrication start. Included are all the thought processes, and calculations needed to determine what to build. For instance, prior to cutting a piece of wood, you have to figure out where to cut it. Our process does all of this for you - just buy the materials and start building.
WE ARE UNIQUE..........
We started our business early in 1990 and have developed a completely Computer-Aided-Design (CAD)- based business.
We do not use questionnaires - almost everyone else does. You are contracting for artwork as well as the pure mechanics of layout design. One simply cannot interchange ideas efficiently through questionnaires. Questionaires require a lot of time to fill out; this time might better be spent interchanging ideas.
We are the only designer that supplies piece-part electrical documentation for the entire design.
We are the only designer that will train you on specific skills you may lack.
Our designs are based on prototype railroad practices, not typical "model train layout" concepts.
We supply precise, dimensioned drawings of the frame, roadbed, riser locations, and riser lengths.
No electrical knowledge is needed to build to our designs; everything is defined down to the last solder joint. We supply complete electrical design including track gap locations, electrical feeders, Wire Run Lists, Control Panels, and everything else that you need to build a functional model railroad.
We will design a Track Plan for you and set the plan in professional CAD software. If you wish, we will use your Track Plan or one that you reference. Once set in the computer, all design geometries are defined in a database that the software references for all dimension parameters of the design. These can be supplied to you in almost any form you wish; we will match the form to your desires and skills.
There is no need for you to approximate or guess at anything. Our design packages define all the parts and materials you will need in detail. We will tell you how to lay out the material and mark it, how to cut the pieces, and how to assemble them by following the drawings. Of course the drawings cannot define how to lay track, how to solder, and other hand skill oriented tasks. We will specifically define how you should do each of these steps and we will coach you through each if necessary. If you have hand work concerns, we will supply you with demonstration assemblies which we will ask you to complete and return to us. You will be "graded" on each task with specific comments about what you did right and wrong. We will supply you with examples of proper track and electrical soldering and work with you until you get it right.
We specialize in large and complex layouts designed to emulate prototype operation. Our layouts normally include staging yards, large visible yards, engine terminals, and industry spurs. These features provide visual excitement and allow you to operate to a schedule using a freight car forwarding system if you wish.
We can supply sectional or build-in-place designs. All our track plans feature easement curves. We use WALTHERS/SHINOHARA turnout geometries for HO scale designs and PECO Code 55, fine scale turnout geometries for N scale designs. For layouts with Turntables, we feature DIAMOND SCALE geometries.
We will recommend equipment, items to avoid, and we will point you to others who can install Command Control system Decoders, customize locomotives, paint, build structures, and so forth. We supply a full consultant service, free of charge, for all our Customers.
Our CAD process allows us to supply services that no one else can. In addition to CAD, our processes combine the knowledge gained from fifty years experience in the hobby with nine years experience designing and building model railroads for others. Ever since 1990, we have been assembling complete design packages prior to building anything. These design packages are used by non model railroaders to build our layouts. It should be easy for you.
All frame members for your layout will be established and dimensioned. Each frame member will be positioned for strength and will clear all under track items like switch machines, uncouplers, etc. A dimensioned, scale drawing and FRAME MEMBER CUT LIST describe all details of the design.
Riser lengths and location coordinates are supplied. A scale drawing will be supplied which is supplemented with a RISER LENGTH CUT LIST.
If you wish, we will design your layout in sections for assembly in a more convenient location than your Train Room. We recommend this approach; it allows you to build the way we do and speeds the process.
We supply drawings that show all track gaps, track feeders, circuit schematics, central power supply designs, Control Panel schematics, Control Panel artwork, and any other wiring/schematics, peculiar to your design. If you wish, we will build the Control Panels, and all other electrical circuits, for you.
Our electrical designs feature wired, switched frogs, color-coded wires, Master Power Supplies, precision Voltage Regulators, complete connectorization, matrix-controlled turnouts, and installation/wiring diagrams for HANKSCRAFT motors or TORTOISE switch machines. We can supply Optical Train detection designs for monitoring train activity on hidden track. We can supply wiring schemes for conventional block or Command Control.
Our electrical designs come with parts lists featuring industrial electrical controls for long term reliability. Special electrical designs are specified with electrical schematics and parts lists.
If you purchase all the packages above, you will be able to build a complete and functional model railroad - either as a build-in-place or a sectionalized project. We supply detailed instructions with all our design packages. You will find them easy to work with. If you have questions, we will do whatever is necessary to resolve them.
We will purchase and assemble DIAMOND SCALE TURNTABLE kits. They feature computer-controlled indexing and are the best Turntables available at any price.
TRACK PLAN DEVELOPMENT
All charges are based on layout area (not area of the room). For example, a 4' x 8' layout has 32 square feet. However, a layout, designed for a 15' x 30' room (450 square feet) is likely to be 270 to 315 square feet (60% to 70% of room area). The remaining area is aisleway and we don't charge you for that.
Multiple deck designs have areas equal to the sum of the areas of their decks.
HO SCALE:
Layout areas under 100 square feet: $400.00.
Layout areas over 100 square feet: $400.00 plus $2.00 per square foot. You can estimate layout area by determining room area and multiplying by 70% (one needs walkways).
N SCALE: Layout areas under 30 square feet: $400.00
Layout areas over 30 square feet: $400.00 plus $7.00 per square foot. You can estimate layout area by determining room area and multiplying by 70% (people don't scale down!).
PRE-DESIGNED TRACK PLANS
If you have a track plan and would like frame design or electrical design, or both, we can do this too. However, your plan will first have to be entered into CAD. We can do this manually or we can scan your drawing. Note that very few published plans will actually fit the advertised geometries. For instance, few published plans incorporate easement curves and these take up space. Many published plans use smaller minimum radii than we recommend and narrower aisles than are advisable.
We can import industry CAD compatible files like DXF. Some model railroad programs, like CadRail, support such a protocol; others must be scanned.
The geometries produced by most of the model railroad "CAD" programs are accurate so you can expect a buildable design to result. Scanning/tracing doesn't take long. Send us your plan and we will quote the conversion costs.
COMPUTER-DESIGNED FRAMES
Charges are for single level designs. Multiple deck designs will be higher.
HO SCALE: $1.50 per square foot.
N SCALE: $3.00 per square foot.
ELECTRICAL DESIGN
HO SCALE: $3.00 per square foot.
N SCALE: $8.00 per square foot.
DIAMOND SCALE TURNTABLE ASSEMBLY
HO or N scale (most models): $625.00 (includes the kit)
Computer-controlled Indexing System: $275.00
Call us. We will discuss your needs and match a planning process to them. There is no "up front" money. You pay only after we sign a contract. Our payment plan is flexible but generally requires 25% with a signed contract, then 25% incremental progress payments. While we are usually here to answer the phone, we are not available 24 hours a day! Calls between 9am and 5pm usually work best. At other times, you may get our answering machine. Please leave your name and phone number! Remember we have to listen to your recording to determine your name and phone number - please speak slowly and clearly.
