Peter’s been in touch and added to the HO scale Kato model layouts on the blog:
“Hi Alastair,
My name is Peter and I retired about two years ago and decided to get back in to model railroading a year ago.
I really want to share with you and your followers what can be done with some limitations.
Firstly, I rent and I know I will have to pack up my whole layout and move within the year. My entire model layout sits on folding tables and can be packed up into a few boxes.
Secondly, I have a limited budget and have not purchased one new engine nor rolling stock. I picked up a lot of items for near free, such as a $10 HO scale box with a bridge, 3 engines, buildings and some rolling stock.
I repainted, stenciled, and repaired many items. I made all my mountains out of insulation and used dollar store paint.
The single largest purchase, and probably the best for me was a huge lot of HO scale kato unitrack for $200, and some used switches at the local hobby shop.
My next most expensive item is my one HO scale Kato engine: $105 CN. I stick to my limit for items, stay patient, and buy combined lots of items when I can, and average about $10 a car / building etc.
I decided to focus my layout on Castlegar, British Columbia circa 1974. I spend a year there when I was fourteen.
Castlegar’s unique railway station was till within the wye at that time. The other locations on my layout are the Nelson, B.C. rail yard and the Taghum bridge.
It’s not completely prototypical, but it’s close. What I love about this transition era is the variety of rolling stock and paint themes that were actually on the rails together.
I was a school teacher and I often reflect on the interdisciplinary learning that goes on: in the research: history and geography, in the modelling: art, all the math: scale, the electronics and the mechanical understanding rebuilding thirty year old locomotives and getting them running. All that without even touching the DCC side of things.
Anyways, here are a few pictures of my HO scale. I hope someone can enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed seeing others’.
Peter”
HO scale Kato model layouts:
A big thanks to Peter for adding to the Kato HO scale model layouts.
Here’s a few more of them if that’s your thing:
Now on to Dave:
“Hi Al,
Just a short video well 7 minutes… Running a few trains, it’s so cold up here in the North and grey with rain on and off… so what better than run a few trains.
It’s all action with various ones all with there own sound… Soon be warmer weather then can get back to gardening??
Regards
Dave”
A big thanks to Dave and Peter.
That’s all for today folks.
Please do keep ’em coming.
And if today is the day you stop dreaming and start doing, 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.
Peter’s Layout is one of the best I have seen here lately
OK, like Peter’s RR for what it is and ideas used. Making acquisition a pastime of its own without feeling a commitment of “having to work on” after spending all that money. Could reflect more or less even and wouldn’t make a bit of difference with that idea of getting ready to move the entire thing…
Always good to see Dave again. Meticulous is the only thing I can think of there. Knockout scenery and designed for that long train and running times after rest is finished. Hope he doesn’t tear apart again for awhile lol.
Rich-regards
very nice layout. good work.
LOVE the forced perspective of the overpass. To infinity and beyond!
nicely done
Peter
“in the research: history and geography, in the modelling: art, all the math: scale, the electronics and the mechanical understanding rebuilding thirty year old locomotives and getting them running.” Couldnt have said it better-that which describes our Hobby. I, missing a screw here or there, would add humor because my layouts & themes want to be funny and get a giggle in addition to the wonder of a running model train.
I really like your layout and your narrative and thank you for your time & effort. Hope to hear more from you.
D. Dave
Good to hear from you! A bright & cheerful movie from the man. I can imagine those roaring beauties bringing hapless souls from their sanctuaries to the war rooms of work and I dont have to do that anymore. The make believe that aint so make believe. Any way- Much thanks.
Big Al
Ahh- beautiful morning, Peter & DD, Java- anticipation of the eclipse. Y’all have a nice day-hear.
Well done, Peter! You haven’t allowed your personal imitations to hinder your creative fun, enjoyment and satisfaction. Great!
Great job Peter, everything looks as good as new. I just shows what can be done with some patience.
And as always Dave shows us the way.
Phil.
Enjoyed seeing Peter’s CPR layout, great Canadian content.
Thank you for the encouraging comments. I have enjoyed seeing what everyone else is doing and was hopeful that my sharing my return some of that.
Awesome video Dave! Watching it is like a nice trainspotting escape. Ö=
Thank you re comments on my layout , DD ..and well done Peter thats an impressive layout you have built
Great layout Peter , you’ve managed a lot on a small budget and have a wonderful layout as a result . Very nicely done indeed.
You have an interresting track lay-out. I’d be interested in seeing the complete track plan. It looks as though it is similar to what I’ve done. Maybe I could get some better ideas from studing your display. Thanks for sharing with us.
Nicely done with just the right amount of detail. You have proven that less is more.
Fantastic Dave, nice to be able to run long passenger trains. Also your photo backgrounds are superb and seamlessly blend in with the foreground. What a great layout and Daves presentations are always informative. Well done.
Peter, I like what you have done. Great job. I particularly liked your two arched bridges in the background.
You have a track ending on the lake shore. Is that for a future car float?
Frank in Surrey, BC
Dave thanks for the update. Your backdrop changes and scenery changes have made a huge difference to your layout. It was a superb layout before hard to describe just how good it looks after your rebuild. Nice to see you running some trains anti clockwise for a change. Most videos show them going clockwise. It through a completely different view of your layout. Just outstanding. Always looking forward to a report from your good self. Well done yet again dangerous Dave
It’s so nice to finally see a layout that is focused on TRAINS as opposed to massive detailing.
Peter, I applaud your creativity in dealing with the inevitable need to relocate your layout. It looks like you got a great deal on the Kato HO track (I’ve spent more $850 buying it new for a 5.5′ x 12′ test layout). I never thought to make removeable mountains, structures and scenery for that layout like you have done. I love how easy it is to reconfigure Kato track, so I’m not surprised if you didn’t draw a plan first. I did a little of both with my test layout which started out on a 5′ x 9′ ping pong table.
Dave, another fun video! Nice to see some trains running a little slower this time. Also, this was the first time that I noticed the industrial area and nuclear power plant stacks in your backdrop. You’ve done a great job blending your backdrops with the foreground scenery. Thanks for sharing.
Frank: You have a good eye and yes, there were car floats used in the Boundary Sub system. If I ever set up my layout again, I had planned an extension to Slocan with the car float dock.