Please, fill this in and either mail or fax it to us, RailDreams, Inc.
PO Box 125, Lake Linden, MI 49945
Phone: 906-296-0462 FAX 906-296-0862
Questions? Call Richard E. Taylor, MMR
Custom Layout Profile
NAME________________________________________________________
Date__________________________
Address________________________________________________________
City____________________________________ State___________________ ZIP____________
Phone day________________________________
Phone evening ____________________________
FAX ___________________________
E-Mail _________________________________________________________

Please complete this questionnaire to the best of your ability so that we may serve you effectively.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
1. Please describe what Model Railroads you have built in the past - for yourself,
a friend, a club, any experience you may have:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
2. What problems/issues (if any) did you encounter while building your Model
Railroad? ____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
3. For the current project, what scale are you planning to use?
Z N TT HO S O G Tinplate, S O, Standard
4. Do you wish to incorporate narrow gauge? Yes No If yes, which gauge?
Meter gauge ("m"), 36" gauge ("n3"), or 24" gauge ("n 2 1/2") also known as "e".

5. What particular prototype? (For example, New York Central or Santa Fe)
____________________________________________________________________________

6. If no particular prototype, please describe what type of theme you have in mind
for your layout.
____________________________________________________________________________

7. What era? (For example, 1940's through the end of steam.)
____________________________________________________________________________

OPERATIONS:
1. What type of operations? (Check those that apply)
Point-to-Point ___ Continuous Loop ____
Both _______ Multi-train ____
Hump or Classification Yard ___ Switching/Peddler Freight ____
Passenger ___ Interchange ____
Lake or River Ferry ___ Port/Barge Terminal ____

2. How many potential operators? ____ Number of trains in continuous operation? _____

3. Operators will be: adults _____ children _____

4. Do the operators have a basic knowledge of how real railroads operate?

5. Will you require central train control systems and signaling? (Central
dispatcher panel with trains centrally controlled or walk around with engineer
operating all turnouts at the industry or siding sites.)

6. Any other considerations? ___________________________________________________

AVAILABLE SPACE:
1. Where is the space? Basement, First Floor, or Attic? (circle one)
2. Does the room have climate control and dust control? (Dust control filtration
system attached to climate control?)

3. Any off-limits areas? Please describe these and indicate on the attached
sketch you send us: _____________________________________________________________

4. Switches and Electrical Outlets.

5. Minimum aisle space. (We recommend 24" minimum if possible) __________________

6. Bench height? Highest _________ inches Lowest _____________ inches

7. Is "duck-under" or lift out construction acceptable for access to certain parts
of the layout? ___________________________________________________________________

8. Maximum acceptable reach to track __________ inches. (We recommend no more
than 30 inches.)

9. Is it acceptable to put track anywhere on your layout? Y N If no, what
areas are restricted? (Describe)
____________________________________________________________________________

10. What ratio of track to scenery? (e.g. 50%-50%) _______________________

11. Are there any special under layout requirements?
a. Access required at all? Y N
b. Curtain, drape, or paneled? (Circle one)
c. Cabinets or other storage? Y N
d. Other (Describe) ___________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

12. Minimum Radius Requirements: (We will estimate based on the size and type of rolling
stock you wish to operate - circle one)
A. Long (Hi Cubes, 70' plus passenger cars, modern 80' freight equipment, 4-8-4 and up
steam and modern 12-axle diesels)
B. Medium (60' passenger cars, 50-60' freight cars, generally 40's to 70's era, smaller
steam 4-6-2, 2-8-2 largest, and first generation and some second generation diesels)
C. Short (Industrial and pre 1900's railroads, 40' cars maximum, small steam locos
2-8-0's and smaller, first generation diesels and switchers only)
D. Trolley and traction (trolleys and interurban equipment only, or dockside steam
and small diesels)

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
1. What level of completion are you seeking? (Check all that are appropriate)
__ Sketch Rendering Only
__ Design Only (includes CAD drawing)
__ Basic Benchwork
__ Trackwork (Includes all track and turnouts without ballast) Commercial pre-fab
Hand-laid Code 40, 50, 70, 83, 100 or up (circle all appropriate)
__ Overhead Wire or Caternary for electric loco or trolley/interurban operations
__ Basic Electrical (including digital command control systems)
__ Advanced Electrical (Signals, etc.) Detection Systems
__ Rough Scenery (Includes basic contours without ground cover and trees)
__ Finished Landscaping/Scenery (Ground cover, trees, rock formations, track ballasting etc.)
__ Structures and Bridges: (circle all that apply) Kits Scratch-built
__ Trackside details (People, vehicles, etc.)
__ Complete Layout (All of the Above)

2. What season of the year do you wish to represent? (Circle all that apply)
Winter - Spring - Summer - Fall

3. Any other special considerations (describe):
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

IMPORTANT Please Attach a Site Sketch:
Show basic dimensions of your room, locate windows, doors and any other obstacles or
room features which will affect the space in which you wish us to locate the layout.

The above questionnaire is meant as a guideline to assist us in our efforts to give
you the layout of your dreams! It will help when we speak with you regarding your
project. Please feel free to call us if you have questions or concerns not reflected here.

RailDreams, Inc, PO Box 125, Lake Linden, MI 49945 -or- FAX 906-296-0862
Questions? Call Richard E. Taylor, MMR at 906-296-0462 or E-Mail to info@raildreams.com