When I built Scenic Ridge, I had it easy. The kit from Woodland Scenics came with 3 sections of styrofoam with the track plan already printed on it, which made it easy to lay the track. This time around, I would need to figure out how to transfer the plan I’d designed in xtrackcad (a free track planning software package) full-size to the layout benchwork. After some investigation, I discovered that xtrackcad could print the plan full-size, breaking it into 8.5″ x 11″ sheets. It would also print the outline of the roadbed on the plan. I dumped it to a PDF file, then sent it to OfficeMax to be printed (doing so was much more cost-effective than using up a ton of ink in my own inkjet printer).

When I picked up the track plan, I had 72 sheets of 8.5″ x 11″ paper.

Each sheet of the plan had index markings and measurement markings to aid in getting everything lined up properly. I proceeded to lay the sheets out on the layout, taping them together as I went.

Once the plan was placed, I used a sharp utility knife to cut along the roadbed lines, removing the excess paper. This left just the actual track plan on the benchwork. I then traced the edges with a black sharpie, marking out where the roadbed would go.

Once the track plan was transferred to the foam, it was time to start gluing down roadbed.

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