John’s been in touch with his 4×8 layout, or rather, one that started 4×8…
“Alastair:
After prodding from my dear friend George, I’m sending some pictures of my layout.
This started as a 4X8 ft N Gauge railroad but as we all know this hobby takes one on quite a journey.
Five years in on this, I began with a simple oval with two switches. This has grown, as you can see to 20. My train addiction began as a youngster with my dad building a Lionel layout some 70 years ago.
Semi retired and with a grandson we began the layout. It starts simple, first you buy trains and from there one becomes a landscape designer, half baked electrician, building kit assembler and most significant a substantial financial supporter.Being a kid again without having to ask for money having a supportive wife helps.
Your emails and the videos from Dangerous Dave fed an love of British trains as well as European trains too. So, I have accumulated quite a collection from many places in the world! Ah! The internet is wonderful.
This layout is on a grass mat, I built much of the landscape, and the European Village is from kits.
This all leads to vacations on the Orient Express, Glacier Express and in a few weeks some British rail excursions, and folks say gambling is addictive?
Everything on this layout is movable, by this I mean not glued down, except for the grass mat. I have no master plan, just add sections, with the assistance of my grand son, and enjoy every minute doing this. This way if I change my mind, a tear down is easy. Especially when you need that extra inch, which always seems to happen.
Most of my equipment is Kato and Dapol.
It will be interesting to see what our fellow adictee’s think.
John
Long Island, NY.”
A huge big thanks to John for sharing his 4×8 layout.
When it comes to 4×8 layouts, Rick’s always springs to mind: 4×8 HO layout.
That’s all for this time folks.
Please do keep ’em coming.
And if today is the day you get started on your layout, the Beginner’s Guide is here.
Best
Al
PS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.
Need buildings for your layout? Have a look at the Silly Discount bundle.
Talk about addicted, I’ve just got stuck into the heavy stuff, can’t relax until I’ve had my morning fix of G gauge!
Very nice layout , awesome that you’re bonding with your grandson with trains . Hours of fun to be had
Beautiful layout!
Over the years we see all shapes, sizes, and styles of model railroads and yours is a perfect example of having some fun without any stress. Inspires me to continue my current miniature world. Enjoyed with grand son is very special these days. Thanks for sharing 🤗
This is a lovely layout. Lots of everything included. N scale is always amazing, how much can be packed into such a small space. It is an elegant and tidy layout, too. Well done.
Very well done! Love the storage area on top of the roundhouse 😉
Great layout looks very entertaining.
The Critic
One of the best layouts and scenery. Very tastefully created.
John, while I can appreciate the beauty and simplicity of not gluing anything down on your very fun and interesting layout, I feel that decision also limits how “alive” the layout feels. The only “living” creatures I saw in your photos was the dinosaur park (no doubt a hit with your grandson.) There were no figures to create stories or vignettes of action: just trains, track, buildings, and scenery. Even the red convertible car had no driver. I’m sure it would involve some difficulty adding N-scale people to the grass mat, but they could be added around structures and on streets, etc. to bring some life to the layout. If the layout sits on a foam base, then figures need not be glued in place: you can insert a pin in one leg and stick the pin into the foam to hold them in place.
On the other hand, depending upon the age of your grandson, I suppose they could be a choking hazard if he put them in his mouth. So, it’s your layout and you should do whatever you like. It does seem like you’re having fun building and adding to it.
Also, I envy all the rail trips you’ve taken as a result of your renewed interest in railroading.
I love that the little king, your grandson is making alot of the decisions with you on the layout, I can relate. Enjoy every moment with him.
I love your lay out. It is so neat and has such good atmosphere. Makes a person like to be there in those scenes. Thank for sharing
How do get the rolling stock off the roof of the round house. Do you raise the track so you can transfer the stock off the roof or do you have a giant hand to remove it to place on the track. LOL Great layout.
I’m always interested how layouts incorporate “downtown “ or city streets and infrastructure. Yours looks really good. It’s spread out and looks real. We usually have limited space and we try to get the most out it. But sometimes it gets too compact and it just doesn’t work. The layout overall appears to be that way too. It works and looks great.
Jim AZ
busy looking place , great work