I’ll tell you something right now: I hate using software to design a layout. I really don’t have the patience to fully design a layout on the computer, but for the new place I knew I’d have to do a little planning! So I purchased the 3rd Planit program online, and started to draw the room plan using the plan the builder gave me.

Here’s a basic run down of what the layout will be:

Name: BC Rail Dawson Creek and Chetwynd Subs (whew! might have to change that!)

Locale: Northern BC

Era: September 1989

Lines modeled: Chetwynd to Dawson Creek, Chetwynd to Prince George (staging) Chetwynd to Fort St John (staging)

Layout size: 26’X 36′ (roughly)

Style: Multi deck, walk around

Scale: HO

Track: Rapido Code 83, Peco Code 83 turnouts #8 mainline min. #6 in yard

Min Radius: 36″

Max grade: 2%

Control: Digitrax Duplex Radio DCC

Some rough plans form the software:

The lower level consists of Chetwynd yard and the line to Dawson Creek. Not shown on the drawing is a line from Chetwynd that will run under the Dawson line to a hidden staging yard under Chetwynd. This trackage will represent the line to Fort St. John. The helix to the upper level is in the lower right corner of the image

Upper deck featuring the line to Prince George (staging) Features along the line will be the sulphur load out at Pinesul, and the yard at Tacheeda, where the electrified Tumber Ridge Sub meets the Chetwynd Sub.

With plan in place, I now waited 6 months for the new house to be finished……