--- product_id: 8415488 title: "8 Realistic Track Plans For Small Switching Layouts" price: "AED 124" currency: AED in_stock: true reviews_count: 10 url: https://www.desertcart.ae/products/8415488-8-realistic-track-plans-for-small-switching-layouts store_origin: AE region: United Arab Emirates --- # 8 Realistic Track Plans For Small Switching Layouts **Price:** AED 124 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** 8 Realistic Track Plans For Small Switching Layouts - **How much does it cost?** AED 124 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.ae](https://www.desertcart.ae/products/8415488-8-realistic-track-plans-for-small-switching-layouts) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description 8 Realistic Track Plans For Small Switching Layouts [Mindheim, Lance] on desertcart.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. 8 Realistic Track Plans For Small Switching Layouts Review: Informational and Inspirational - Two of the main purposes behind a book such as this can be expressed in the catchphrase 'I and I'. In other words, information and inspiration. Lance Mindheim's book "8 Realistic Track Plans for Small Switching Layouts" provides plenty of both. In brief, the eight trackplans detailed in this book are well-thought-out, practical and feasible, and offer considerable scope for having fun both in the construction and operating phases. It's been said that the first and last few hundred yards of a freight car's journey are the most interesting part, and that's what these layouts depict. The restraint and balance shown by author Mindheim in his designs will result in a model railroad which is simpler and less expensive to build--and which can be completed in this lifetime. For instance, these plans don't incorporate much in the way of staging tracks. More staging can always be added by the modeler, of course, but the author believes that small layouts can operate perfectly well by staging cuts of cars rather than whole trains, thus saving a lot of complexity, expense and maintenance headaches. The trackplans are all sized for a hypothetical 11-by-12-foot spare bedroom. Since I sit typing this review in a room which is a virtual clone of the space shown in the book, I suspect that many readers will be able to adapt these plans to existing rooms in their own homes. Even these too much for your available space? There's a bonus plan entitled 'The Beginner', which would fit in the smallest studio apartment or dorm room. It looks like a blast, too. "8 Realistic Track Plans for Small Switching Layouts" provides not only inspiration, as any good idea book should; once you're inspired, it will take you to the next step and get you started on an attainable and enjoyable model railroad project. Review: Title Says It All! - Lance Mindheim has written the most helpful small model railroading book I've ever read. The title tells the reader exactly what the purpose of the book is, so do not expect it to do otherwise. Mr. Mindheim gives more usable information in fifty pages than you might get from years of reading elsewhere, and you do not need to wade through advertisements and articles for which you have no immediate interest. The book is like having a professional layout designer at your service for the price of eating out one meal. The full-page track diagrams, lists of materials, full-color photos, and short descriptions of the prototype railroads upon which each plan is based give the model railroader a focus for building and operating instead of just laying some track and trying to figure out operations later. If you have limited space but want realism without breaking the bank, this book is for you. (My next layout will combine the right portion of one track plan with the left portion of another!) ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #1,277,863 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #172 in Model Trains | | Customer Reviews | 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (100) | | Dimensions | 8 x 0.14 x 10 inches | | ISBN-10 | 1442176490 | | ISBN-13 | 978-1442176492 | | Item Weight | 6.1 ounces | | Language | English | | Print length | 56 pages | | Publication date | May 11, 2009 | | Publisher | CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform | ## Images ![8 Realistic Track Plans For Small Switching Layouts - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61vKRDAmW9L.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Informational and Inspirational *by P***T on November 16, 2009* Two of the main purposes behind a book such as this can be expressed in the catchphrase 'I and I'. In other words, information and inspiration. Lance Mindheim's book "8 Realistic Track Plans for Small Switching Layouts" provides plenty of both. In brief, the eight trackplans detailed in this book are well-thought-out, practical and feasible, and offer considerable scope for having fun both in the construction and operating phases. It's been said that the first and last few hundred yards of a freight car's journey are the most interesting part, and that's what these layouts depict. The restraint and balance shown by author Mindheim in his designs will result in a model railroad which is simpler and less expensive to build--and which can be completed in this lifetime. For instance, these plans don't incorporate much in the way of staging tracks. More staging can always be added by the modeler, of course, but the author believes that small layouts can operate perfectly well by staging cuts of cars rather than whole trains, thus saving a lot of complexity, expense and maintenance headaches. The trackplans are all sized for a hypothetical 11-by-12-foot spare bedroom. Since I sit typing this review in a room which is a virtual clone of the space shown in the book, I suspect that many readers will be able to adapt these plans to existing rooms in their own homes. Even these too much for your available space? There's a bonus plan entitled 'The Beginner', which would fit in the smallest studio apartment or dorm room. It looks like a blast, too. "8 Realistic Track Plans for Small Switching Layouts" provides not only inspiration, as any good idea book should; once you're inspired, it will take you to the next step and get you started on an attainable and enjoyable model railroad project. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Title Says It All! *by B***M on June 2, 2010* Lance Mindheim has written the most helpful small model railroading book I've ever read. The title tells the reader exactly what the purpose of the book is, so do not expect it to do otherwise. Mr. Mindheim gives more usable information in fifty pages than you might get from years of reading elsewhere, and you do not need to wade through advertisements and articles for which you have no immediate interest. The book is like having a professional layout designer at your service for the price of eating out one meal. The full-page track diagrams, lists of materials, full-color photos, and short descriptions of the prototype railroads upon which each plan is based give the model railroader a focus for building and operating instead of just laying some track and trying to figure out operations later. If you have limited space but want realism without breaking the bank, this book is for you. (My next layout will combine the right portion of one track plan with the left portion of another!) ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ good place to start *by G***Y on May 20, 2013* clear, concise explanation for each plan got the ideas across very well. very interesting concepts and reasoning behind each plan is very appealing. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.ae/products/8415488-8-realistic-track-plans-for-small-switching-layouts](https://www.desertcart.ae/products/8415488-8-realistic-track-plans-for-small-switching-layouts) --- *Product available on Desertcart United Arab Emirates* *Store origin: AE* *Last updated: 2026-05-27*