Ben’s been back in touch with an update – this time he’s added a HO scale school building.
“Hi Al, I’ve taken advantage of some extra time on my hands to finish some work on my layout.
I completed (well, 90% completed) the final 2 scenes on my HO layout, Hazel Dell School and Grill & Chill Park.
Hazel Dell is a replica of the one-room country schoolhouse I attended in 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade.
Grill & Chill Park is a replica of a park I frequented as a young man, where we would fish, fly kites and wash our cars.
I’ve now created a total of 7 scenes on the layout. I will take a summer-time break from my model railroad work to enjoy the outdoors and do some “real” fishing.
This fall I’ll start up again by adding two additional train runs with more mountains and scenery.
I suspect this second phase of the project will keep me busy for another 2 years!
I posted an update last year and received some wonderful and very helpful advice from folks, so I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for that.
And of course, my hat is always off to you Al, for maintaining this blog and helping us all share in the fun of the hobby.
I’m posting some pictures of the 2 scenes here, but I’ve also added a new video that documents how I created them.
Thanks again, and stay safe out there!
Ben From Chicago, Illinois”
A big thanks to Ben for sharing his HO scale school building.
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 layouts here if that’s your thing.
Great layouts.
Great scenes. I love the kids flying their kites! Cheers! NJ Mark
Great ideas but what I really want to know is how you hooked Alexas up to start the trains!
Ben
Fabulous layout, theme and artistry. Many thanks for the wiring diagrams and how you did it. So many useful hints were given and I so appreciate that. I will be looking at this a few times.
Enjoyed the intermission.
Be well
Big Al
Thanks
George from NY
Beautiful work Ben!
Ben,
You nailed the water scene! Your attention to detail is awesome. I like your idea of working the template on the bench. I was thinking of doing a smaller scale of that a few weeks ago. I was placing tall grass in a mud puddle. Working one reed at a time. Since I was adding blossoms on the end I couldn’t use paintbrush bristles so I gave a straw broom a haircut. So drill a hole in the table dip the reed in glue then some ground cover to get the blossom the more glue on the other end and stick it in the hole. Quite tedious. Always looking for an easier way I considered cutting a scrap of poster board to fit between the tracks and then prepare it with grass, dirt, mud and water. Punch a bunch of holes and start planting. I haven’t gotten back to it but you’ve given me inspiration.
Great stuff, BEN!!!!!!!!!!!
What is the size of your layout?
Ben
What a great layout I love the picnic
tables and the trailer good ideas
Bob
Ben, Well done! I loved your great explanations of how you wired the lights and created the pond at the park. Thanks for sharing all of it. Keep us posted with your next projects.
Ben, I liked how you included a black family at the picnic table. You don’t see that in most model railroads. Great work on the sceneries. Gerald
Thanks for all the comments, they are much appreciated! To Robert Belk who asked about the size of my layout: It’s a “U” shape – One leg is 18 feet long, the second leg is 12 feet long and the third is 8 feet long. I’m looking to add 2 more running lines this fall BUT>>>>just after I sent this to Al, we had a heavy rain storm that knocked out our power. My layout is in the basement, and with the power out, the sump pump failed, resulting in the basement flooding. None of my train stuff was damaged, but we are cleaning up and repairing wall and carpet damage. I hope to have everything up and running soon, with an update later.
Great work!
Ben, great scenes and good information on how you built them. I look forward for more. Thanks.
Fantastic scenery, you have the knack. Looking forward for the new tracks.
Best Regards
Steve, NSW, AUS.
Hi Ben, your layout looks great.
Gary from NZ