Jan 2015

Universal Track Planning BlueBrick Library

TrackSchematicLibrary
A completely new BlueBrick library has been designed and created for detailed Lego train layout design. It is a universal library combining all available Lego train track components from different vendors. Most importantly, this library is illustrated in schematic symbol form. This allows track components and geometry to be easily interpreted from the drawing. Now that train layouts can combine components from different vendors as well as combine 9V and RC track, it is important to be able to identify these elements. Furthermore, with the new curve geometries offered by ME-Models, it is difficult to interpret which curve component is used without some form of identification. This library solves all of these issues with its unique crisply illustrated colour-coded symbols. This is a completely new library developed specifically for symbolic or schematic track planning. Its features include:

  • Universal: includes 9V and RC track from LEGO®, ME-Models track in both plastic and metal, and a range of custom track components
  • Colour Coded: elements are colour coded for easy identification. Red elements represent track products from LEGO®, orange elements are custom parts, and ME-Models components have different colours for each unique curve radius.
  • Plastic and Metal rails: RC/plastic and 9V/metal track elements are differentiated by colour saturation so that metal and plastic track can easily be combined in a plan, yet easily identified. Furthermore, metal track also include a small energy bolt icon to indicate that it is powered.
  • Custom Elements: a range of customized track elements are included such as single element stub switches (in both RC and 9V) and compound track arrangements such as pre-made/aligned crossovers (LH/RH in both RC/9V)
  • Complete: all track elements are properly identified by colour and part number (where applicable). This will be especially helpful when generating a parts list since it will itemize all unique parts.

This library is freely available for download in the resources section of this website. Happy layout planning!

BlueBrick Library for ME Models Track

Screen Shot 2015-01-11 at 2.54.34 PM
BlueBrick is a terrific open source software tool for designing Lego® based layouts. This tool allows you to arrange baseplates, track, and other items into desired layout configuration. You can assign different drawing layers for each item, generate parts lists, add text annotations, and much more. BlueBrick comes pre-installed with many different parts libraries, including Lego® track from the 4.5V era up to current 9V/RC track. Since the introduction of new alternative track items from ME Models, we can now build layouts with new curve radii options of 56, 72, 88, and 104 studs. I have created a BlueBrick compatible library for the ME Models track components which you can download from the resources section.

Happy layout planning!