O scale scenery

Bill’s been in touch with some stunning O scale scenery:

“Hello Al and fellow modelers!

It’s been a while since I sent in an update on my O Scale layout.

I’ve been busy working on the layout and I’m getting close to having all major work completed on it. I’m hoping to find another show soon and take it on the road again.

Recently I built a square water tank kit and have been working on other scenic details in the On30 service area.

This is a late 40’s early 50’s era on a logging road that is still cutting and hauling first growth timber from the Appalachian Mountains in the Easter US.

This service area is tucked into the side of mountain and is fairly rustic. I wanted to give a feel that it’s a busy area and seed a lot of trains going through.

I have included a number of pictures showing the area. Much of the figured I have put in place this last weekend.

In the near future I will send in a video of engines working this area of the layout but I still have some more details to add in first then I’ll give the track a good clean and run my logging engines.

All the best!

Bill in Virginia”

o scale scenery

o scale engine shed

o scale yard

o scale engine shed

o scale bbq



o scale horse cart

o scale scenery

o scale scenery

o scale scenery

o scale scenery

o scale scenery

A huge big thanks to Bill – I think it’s fitting to say his layout is stunning – I’m really looking forward to see his next video.

Funnily enough, it reminded me of Martin’s O scale because he’s still on the bare bones: O scale layout

Now a really quick video from Bonkers John.

The printable buildings I’m asked most about are the engine sheds.

So I thought it would be fun/helpful to do a super quick video how-to.

If you want to watch the full length version, with Bonkers John at full throttle, It’s here.

Next up, seeing as it’s nearly the last day day for the silly sale, I thought it would be fun to show you just some more scenes made from the printable scenery in the silly sale.

I’ve never given away so much for so little – just $9.

You get 33 printable buildings and the Beginner’s guide for just $9.

Even if you already have the Beginner’s Guide, there are still three brand new buildings.

What’s more, you also get the warm and fuzzy feeling of directly supporting the blog, which at the moment, is struggling somewhat.

Course, I’m biased, but the three new buildings on there own are worth $9 each – that’s what they sell for in the store.

So please don’t miss this offer – you are saving over $300.

What’s more, It will never, ever, ever be this price again.

Grab it right now before it disappears – it’s just $9 for the lot.

add to cart

printable buildings

printable buildings

Are you really going to miss out on this crazy offer?

Here are some of the buildings on your layouts:

“Al, like you I have been retired for some time now.

I have gone back to my American Flyer, s Guage boyhood train.

I have had “n guage, HO, G scale”, and this American Flyer has been the most fun of all. I guess it takes me back to my parents basement where my 4 x 8 foot layout was back in the early 50’s.

I resized your wonderful old barn and had so much fun building it. Here are some pics. Hope everyone enjoys it as much as I have.

Jerry from Illinois, USA.”

“Al,

Great project and a lot of fun. The barn is on it’s way to the Railroad Club.

Charles”

model railroad printable building

“Al

I have enjoyed your site for a long time, since I have retired had to find something to fill the spare time, I purchased one of your bundles and printed out one of the Engine sheds among many others.

I have created my own version of the Engine shed as shown in the pictures.

Side walls have ventilation fan vents.

I have dreamed to set up a model railroad layout for a long time and when I started to make it a reality one thing came up after another, like kids, education, weddings and now I have time and room to finish the dream, but not much of a budget.

Best to all talented people like Hall of Fame Dave, talented hobbyists and their many beautiful layouts.

Ryszard”

And of course, there’s lots of the printable buildings on your layouts.

Here some pictures of them:

Mike has used a lot of the houses and grain elevators (not featured in the bundle – just using a print out example).

You can see his post here.

Rick’s has also made quite a bit of the printable buildings for his layout:

Here’s Rick’s post.

Rob has also created quite a few of the houses:

You can see his post here.

Cecil did a fab job on the Church:

Again, the church doesn’t feature in this bundle but you get the idea.

printable buildings N scale

Lita has started the scenery with the houses.

More from Mike.

printable building bridge base

Here Glyn has used the viaduct print for a bridge base.

printable building engine shed

Gene adds a light to his engine shed and houses.

Rob’s barn looks fab.

Bob’s low relief engine shed.

tunnel printable building

Rob adds a tunnel to his layout.

printable buildings houses

Nick’s simple layout looks fantastic.

printable building engine shed

Fred’s engine sheds

ho scale train layouts 16 x 8 depot

Lawrence’s barn.

printable buildings

Dana’s engine house (It’s on the bottom one of this one).

model train scenery

Peter’s Viaduct (it’s on the bottom of this post).

N scale

Richard’s layout has lots of the printable buildings!

IMG_1761

Mike’s layout also has lots of the printable building on.

HO scale pick up truck

Stephen’s layout is another one with the Engine House.

Michael has done a great job on the houses.

Build model train engine house

Larry’s engine house

Ken’s house.

lionel engine shed

Rob’s engine house.

HO scale cardstock barn

Stan’s barn

Printable house models N scale

Bill’s layout

n scale 2x5 layout

Robert’s N scale.

HO scale cardstock farm barn

Don’s barn.

printable building

Andrew’s corn silo.

HO scale sidings expansion

Lots of the printable buildings on Bob’s HO scale

n scael house

Bill’s houses.

John’s printable building street.

There are many, many more on the blog. It really does make my day when I open my inbox and see some on a layout.

Also, they are a great way to make that all important start – and that’s what it’s all about.

Right now, until Monday, you get 36 free printable buildings with the Beginner’s Guide for just $9!.

Here’s what you get:

printable buildings

And these are the buildings made from them:

All of these buildings are made from the same print.

And in the one below, a different building has been dropped in to make a back drop:

This building has been added to the free bundle too:

So you get 33 printable buildings and the Beginner’s Guide for just $9 – but only until Monday.

add to cart

And here are some better pics of what you get – all for $9.

The prints make up a ‘scratch build kit’, and you are only limited by your imagination.

warehouse back drop

Here’s an example of the backdrops you can build.

printable buildings

printable buildings

add to cart



(Watch on youtube here.)

But don’t forget – it’s not just the printable buildings you get – it’s the Beginner’s Guide too:

Of course, I’m biased so here’s what others say about it:

“Al,

I really like the Beginner’s Guide. As a true beginner it helped me quite a bit. The Guide answered questions I didn’t know enough to ask.

I haven’t gotten to the building prints yet, still working on my terrain.

Bruce”


“Hi Alistair,

Your print out building kits have saved me hundreds of dollars on buildings and they provide the unique option of being able to customize the builds most any way I desire.

Until I came across your kits, I was very limited on what I could add to my planned N-scale layout. Commercial building kits are way too expensive for a retired person’s budget.

I now have the ability to not only build nice scenes, they don’t require weathering. Something I’m not terribly adept at accomplishing. Also, as a 70 year old kid, working in N-scale can be challenging for clumsy arthritic fingers. Your kits eliminate most of those issues. All I need is a sharp blade, scissors, glue and my imagination.

Also, your beginner’s guide is invaluable. I’m a retired network systems architect, so tech is not scary to me yet surfing the web for information can be tedious. I was a pre-teen the last time I played with model trains, and a lot has changed in the hobby since the early 60’s. You’ve solved all of that by providing one source for virtually all my basic needs, plus your daily email blog covers it all. What an incredible resource you are to this hobby.

Thanks for doing all of what you do.

Best Regards,

Ken”


“Hi Al

I really enjoyed the beginner’s guide book. I’m new to the train world. I have just retired and trying to make an attempt to start a hobbie with HO scale trains. You and your followers have encouraged me for the last two year’s. I Thankyou and your followers for sharing their train world

Sam”


Of course, I’m very biased, but I think the Beginner’s Guide and all these printable buildings bundled free are a real steal – just $9 for the next day or so.

I think Ken’s quote above puts it best:

“Your print out building kits have saved me hundreds of dollars on buildings and they provide the unique option of being able to customize the builds most any way I desire.”

You get 25 printable buildings with the Beginner’s Guide (although with a bit of imagination you can make, many, many more).

You’ll see these buildings sell in the store for $9 each or more.

And the Beginner’s Guide sells for $27.

So you are saving a massive $342 on this deal.

You’re also getting the track plans PDF too.

What’s more, have a look at throught the store and you can see it’s a real, genuine, saving.

But please bear in mind, this silly sale is only for a few days, and then it’s all goes back to normal.

I do like to think that when I have a sale it’s genuine, and there is real value.

So if you fancy this bargain before it disappears like a shadow in the night, grab it right now.

Or, I know some of you good people just buy it to support the site. God bless each and every one of you.

Whatever your reasons, the Beginner’s Guide for $9 and the free printable buildings make it easy for you to make that all important start.

And that, my friends, is what it’s all about. Making that start.

If I can help you do that for $9, this sale will have been entirely worth it.

And whatever start you make – have fun.

Best

Al

PS This offer will end abruptly – please don’t sit on the fence if you are mulling it over.

PPS There is also a 60 day money back guarantee, you have nothing to lose!




Model railroad building lighting

Fred’s been back in touch with some model railroad building lighting that will make your eyes water with envy.

(His last post is here.)

“Hi Alastair –

Check out the backdrop, for which some separate photos, and also some photos showing the weird perspective of my oil refinery access road through the refinery.

It always amazes me to see the kinks in a straight line you have to impose between modeled road and rendered extension on a vertical backdrop.

I think that the visual tricks of backdrop making are probably the most stimulating and satisfying parts of my project.

Amy questions, please let me know.

Fred”

model railroad led lighting

model railroad led lighting

model railroad led lighting

harbor layout

model railroad led lighting



model railroad led lighting

LED train lights

harbor layout

It’s a bit of a squint to see Fred’s video, but sorry, not much I can do about that.

(Here’s the bigger version on youtube.

A huge thanks to Fred – his layout is a real joy to see. It looks just as good at night as it does in the day.

Now on to Mike:

“Hi Al,

With time on my hands, bought a coffee at the local coffee shop and grabbed a stir stick, my imagination went off the rails.

$5 bought me a box of 1000 stir sticks, a quick drawing, small saw and glue and I was off.

The framing is mostly done now the roofing and siding, followed by trim and windows. I can stay locked down for a bit longer.

Shed fits my 4-8-4 American Flyer steamer.

Mike Acebo

East Marion NY”

engine house

engine shed

locomotive shed

freight house

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And don’t forget, if want to make your start on your layout, just like Mike did, 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.





model train answers

1950s HO scale model railroad

Jim’s been in touch with his 1950s HO scale model railroad:

“Hello Alistair,

This e-mail is as much a thank you to you and to the folks who contribute to your blog as it is an opportunity to share some information about my layout.

I started this layout when I retired and unlike many of the folks who contribute here, I did not have a layout as a young man. Growing up in a NYC apartment, well , there was just so much room.

A friend of mine retired a few years back and starting sending me e-mails of a layout he had started. I was intrigued.

But, I found the idea of doing a layout on my own and being an electrician, a carpenter, a modeler, an artist etc. to be overwhelming.

With my friend’s encouragement and with all the wonderful information I was able to gather from the contributors on your blog, I forged ahead.

It did not take long for me to realize that it was really the scenery I enjoyed that is, creating the scene, building the buildings, laying out the street grid etc. Hence, my “railroad” itself is a humble trolley oval.

I learned that many modelers attempt to recreate their childhood home. Being no different, I created a New York City neighborhood circa 1950’s I thank the good people of Pittsburgh for allowing me to use their downtown as my backdrop.

But then again, imagination is what model railroading is all about. I have attached photos.

I hope you will enjoy them.

Jim”

model railroad car tunnel

model train church

1950s HO scale model railroad

1950s HO scale model railroad

model train HO scale street scene

model train police station

model train buildings

1950s HO scale model railroad

model train apartment block

model train city

HO scale apartment block

1950s HO scale model railroad

HO scale busy street

1950s HO scale model railroad

HO scale street store

model railroad overhead view

A big thanks to Jim – love the detail. His layout has bags of charm and what a theme, your childhood!

Now on to John, because it’s that time of year again.

He’s been busy on the latest printable buildings, and as always, he’s done a great job of putting them together.

If you are unfamiliar with the printable buildings, you just download them and stick them together:



(Watch on youtube here.)

Here are the three new buildings:

printable building

printable building

All the buildings are HO scale. Just reduce the print size to 54% for N scale.

printable building

You can print as many as the buildings as you like.

printable building

When you mix and match the buildings, you can get some really nice effects.

printable building

And best of all, you can get these three new buildings – and the latest track plan PDF – for just $9 over the next few days.

Volume 3 of the track plans is made up of another 20 track plans – all new, and featured on the blog, with the links to the posts.

If you’ve enjoyed the blog over the last few months or years, please do help it out and grab the new buildings and track plans.

To keep things simple, I have bundled the new buildings and new track plans PDF with the Beginner’s Guide, so even if you’ve already got the Beginner’s guide (I know many of you have), grabbing it again gets you the new buildings and the track plans.

It just makes it loads easier for me to do it this way.

And of course, if you’re new to the blog, and you’ve not got the Beginner’s Guide and all the bonuses, now’s the ideal time to grab it.

You’re saving $30 on the Beginner’s guide, and $27 on the new buildings, and $10 on the latest track plan PDF.

That’s a whopping $67 saving, and you’ll be directly supporting the blog too.

So there’s big savings to be had, and you’ll also be helping to keep the show on the road too.

buy

Don’t forget, there’s a 60 day money back guarantee on all of the products – the buildings and everything else – so you really have nothing to lose.

You can grab the new buildings and the new track plans PDF here.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

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.