Got this in from John, and loved it. He’s added to the small O scale layouts on the blog:
“Dear Mr. Lee…
While looking over the post today I noticed someone asking about O Scale prints…
I know I have sent you mine before… And my “Grasse Pointe” On30 layout that used only your structures…
You have published them but would you like a recap of my “best hits” to show what can be done?
Also, right after I finished “Grasse Pointe” I decided to start cleaning up some stuff — What better way than to build a layout with the intention of selling it… Notice I said “Intention”…
Well after about two or three weeks I am essentially done and have decided to keep it and part with something else… I am running out of space for my little layouts!
John the printout builder and videographer is not the only John that might be a little “touched” if not downright bonkers.
Here is Inglenook Growers… HO Scale (U.S.)… Everything on it was salvaged from some other project — Including the baseboard!
The layout is a 3-3-5 pattern Inglenook. The main body of the layout is in a space that is one foot wide and four feet long… A “fiddle stick” held to the layout with a pair of hinges that have removable pins serves as the “headshunt” or switching lead… The theme is a produce warehouse at the end of a spur line… “Inglenook Growers”…
Just remember here in America “We eat what we can and what we can’t, we can.”
I believe on your side of the pond it would be said “Americans eat what the can and what they can’t they tin.”
The last photo in the set has the layout on end with the ironing board I often use to support my layouts…
While this layout is destined for my living room to serve as “art”, It is operable and the reason I have the photo of it standing “on end” is to make the point that anyone has room for some kind of layout and a chance to be an active participant in this wonderful hobby.
All the best…
John
California, USA
aka. John from Cali”
A big thank to John for adding to the small O scale layouts.
That’s all for today 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 Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.
PPS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.
Al,
You probably don’t get much call for H0, but the printing for your kits in H0 is reduce by 87%.
Keep up the good work
Love what John does with the printouts – as a newbie it inspires me to expand my less than creative horizons. And at my age trying something new is special! Thank you for answering my question about scaling them for O.
Steve
Btw, your embankment serves me as the backscene for for the central station of my slowly developing city, Rudersbro. It is the same image printed over and over again. It’s on ordinary 80grms/sqm copier paper stuck to cereal box type cardboard. I have tried to avoid the repetitiveness by overlapping the images more or less. A couple of minutes ago I ordered the two tunnels, and I hope that the steel sheet grain elevator is still part of the bargain. I intend to build at least a couple of houses with brickwork, and the darker of them is going to have a corrugated iron roof.
SorenES
John, The scenery looks good especially with the outside lighting. Your set up must make your ironing more enjoyable!
Tom
great way to enjoy the ironing. fine layout, buildings look great. thanks for sharing.
I build a lot of small layouts…
I got started when I lived in an apartment and was going to college…
No room and not a lot of money…
After a while they became kind of addictive…
They allow me to work on skills and new ideas… Quickly…
One of the biggest complaints I hear from people is that they do not have room for a layout… Or that the hobby costs too much…
Switching/Shunting layouts can be built in very little space and at remarkably low cost….
With all the equipment and scenery I had less than $150 invested in “Grasse Pointe” which Al shared a few weeks ago…
“Inglenook Growers” is HO standard gauge in four square feet… And everything was “recycled” … But it easily could be built for less than $200..
USD for the cost in both cases…
The Inglenook is a very elegant design and only uses two turnouts (switches or points)… It takes up very little space and operations can easily consume a couple of entertaining hours before you return it to wherever you store it…
I do have other projects in the works…
“John from Cali”
what is the percent of enlargement for S scale?
…and operations can easily consume a couple of entertaining hours before you return it to wherever you store it…
Hello to all. I’m new to model railroading and have a question based on the statement above made by John from Cali. Just curious, what does a typical day look like when operating a model train? What is actually done and how much time is spent? I know that these are very subjective questions so responses can be in general terms.
Thanks,
Steve W.
Hello Al ~ It’s always most interesting reading your posts. You have so many intelligent & crafty subscribers that send us information that even a “seasoned” model train veteran like me can take it to heart; like John just did. Haven’t tried your cut-out buidings yet ~ but just might give it a whirl sometime soon.
Regards, Tom (USA)
Hi Steve; The simple answer to your question is that you can spend as much time as you want operating your train(s). The time spent operating a train depends on what you like to model. Running a freight train with set outs, pick ups and switching takes longer to get from station A to station B than a straight run of a passenger train between A and B. Some people that run operating session use a fast clock. For HO or OO this would be 1:4 and therefore an eight hour shift would take two hours. I hope this help answer you question and happy modeling. Tim