Model railroad layouts plans

Boyd’s been back in touch with his latest update on his HO scale DCC layout.

To refresh your memory, here’s his first post, and here’s a pic from it too:

As well as an update, Boyd has also answered the questions on his first post.

Here’s what he’s been busy with:

“Hello Alastair,

I must say I was surprised and very flattered for the attention received by my initial post.

If you are ever short of material, here are a few more details that address some questions/comments, as well as a couple pics of the next scene completed.

First to the comments/questions.

The hardwood floors were already there when we moved in a few years ago. I am fortunate to have this area that has become my mancave/train room.

Although the floor is nice, I can unfortunately attest that in a battle of floor vs jumper loco, floor wins.

I have an NCE DCC system with sound decoders in the 3 locos that I have so far, the horns and bells are a big hit with the grandkids.

I didn’t have a specific wiring plan. The layout has a double main, as well as a yard area and a branch line. I ran a separate bus for each of these lines, and they are isolated so a short in one area will not shutdown the other sections.

At some point, when funds are available, I will install circuit breakers and a booster. I ran the power feed to a 4-block splitter bar, then used suitcase connectors to attach the feeders to the bus.

For those who expressed surprise that this is my first layout, thank you for supporting my contention that anyone can make a great product, just get started. I watched a lot of Youtube videos by some amazing folks who make everything look so easy.

Some of it is not easy, at least for me. It took me 6 tries at tree making to get a product I was satisfied with, but that’s all part of the fun. I still can’t get static grass to stand up properly, but I keep plugging away.

When I start a new scene I am always amazed that it actually looks OK, and if it doesn’t, since all the scenic material is homemade or bits and pieces I pick up in the yard, I just rip out what I don’t like and start again. Fortunately, I haven’t had to do too much of that, but every new scene is a great learning experience.

Now to the latest scene. As I mentioned in the first post, I am moving on to the logging area.

I started by planting trees and adding forest floor materials to the quarry ridge that is the background for the logging area.

Future logging area:

Forest started:

Wildlife has moved in already:

The locals say there are some strange goings on up on that ridge, but I haven’t noticed anything so far….

That’s it for now, take care, and happy railroading.

Boyd”

A huge big thanks to Boyd for sharing his update.

I will never tire of seeing a layout emerge from the choas of the starting table.

What’s more, I think Boyd is spot on with what he says. Sometimes learning on the job is indeed the best way.

If you missed his first post it’s here: model train hobby.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming because you’ve all gone very, very quiet.

And if today is the day you get started on your layout just like Boyd, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

PPS Ho scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.

John’s been in touch again with his HO scale coal mine.

Have a look at what he’s done now.

And if his narrative doesn’t bring a smile to your face, I don’t know what will.

“Below is the narrative for the WV Energy operations pictured herein.

The first wall of the “great layout move” side is nearly completed, and trains can run 1/3 of the way around the layout – 2/3 is still in boxes and crates.

The time is 1987 and Conrail, the mega-railroad formed in 1976 from numerous failing USA railroads east of the Mississippi river, was just split and sold to CSX and Norfolk-Southern.

Lots of diesel power was on the market and some was sold. West Virginia Energy picked up several aging but serviceable engines for their coal, oil and ore transportation.

Coal is still king in the Appalachian, and the Craig Mountain mines, and coal processing plant wedged between “Lost” and “Tygart” river works to make the coal ready for the folks needing clean energy.

The old Hudson 4-8-4 that was saved from the scrap-yard torches is now in front of the logistic warehouse for the crusher and shipping operation.

Remember that the owners kid, acting as a fireman let the water in the boiler get low and warped the back-head of the firebox. Plans are to restore the ex-New York Central workhorse when funds are available.

On the plateau just below THE Craig Mountain Coal plant is “The Shin’in Rock” a silver ore mine, the silver ore deposit just on the top of the 30’ coal seam that runs under West Craig Mountain, and East to the Virginia line.

WV Energy tolerates the silver mine, the owner/operator of which is the first cousin of the original owner of WV Energy, at least that’s the reason given for allowing the other mine to share some of the WV Energy property.

The little mine also serves as a receiving location for mining supplies, relayed up the hill to the coal facility.

The silver ore was processed just outside the mine buildings, but a fire destroyed the reducing plant, so now it’s shipped out to Roanoke. The direction of the wind that December night blowing the flames away and across the valley, the trestle serving the little mine was not so lucky and burned beyond repair, as did the mainline trestle, which was rebuilt.

Still, even with bouts of bad luck and wavering silver value and demand a small profit is realized, and the silver miners have a job…for awhile anyway. The first cousin still comes to work each day, watching the old mine-head winch drop the workers and ore hopper 210 feet to the ¼ mile of tunnels.

Overlooking the junction of Lost River and the larger Buckhannon River is the Undercliff Café, where miners can get a beer or a shot, and on Wednesday evenings learn line dancing from “Big Bell Raven, the Stompin’ Craig Mountain Mamma” with Bluegrass music by the “Mine dust 4” – a local band.

This coal operation modeled here is typical of a hundred such across the Appalachian “Blue Ridge” mountains of Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. All now struggling or abandoned with the war on coal in full swing.

When they are all finally gone and for most forgotten, I’ll look at my railroad and remember the thousands of miners, their little towns, bluegrass bands, beer bars, and the energy that built America… when coal was King.

John from Baltimore”

A huge big thanks to John.

(His layout reminds me a lot of Joe’s: HO scale coal processing plant.

His last post, on his model train bridge really does show how this layout has come together.

Also, I absolutely love his narrative, putting a story to a layout is great fun, and also brings it to life.

Please do leave a comment below, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this one.

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 Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

PPS HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.

Brian’s been in touch with his HOn3 shelf layout update.

(Scroll down for the larger pics, some of the higer pics are a tad small.)

“Hi Alastair,

Here is my write up of my HOn3 shelf layout from the start in May to the current date.

Below is a photo of the garage that will house my layout. All the wood for the bench work ‘shelving’ can be seen here. This photo was taken from the garage door side looking in.

Bench work in place ready for adding the LED strip lights under the valance’s.

Layout size in the converted garage is 14ft by 11ft. This was before the continuous loop on the upper shelf was added.

Temporary track placed in the logging area a the upper shelf before adding the LED lighting strips.

Scenery added behind the logging area and track fixed in place. The hole on the cork is where the Spar tree will be mounted for the loading of the logs.

This photo shows the full length of the logging line on the upper shelf.

This is on the opposite side showing the yard area at Cascade Creek and where the engine terminal facilities will be with the turntable in place.

This is the shelf in front of the window above my workbench, this will complete the circle for the top shelf to allow for a continuous run.

A section of 3mm thick Masonite used for the mountain backdrop with different colours of scenic material added giving it a 3D look. Clouds were sprayed on the blue backdrop before the Masonite ‘mountain’ was added.

Below is another view of the town of Hillside with most of the industries shown. Also shows the Masonite mountain thickness of 3mm still giving the 3D effect.

This is an overall view of the layout looking towards the window area. The door in top right is the entrance to the train room.The harbour will be on on the lower right hand side at the end of the shelf where a lighthouse can be seen. (Not it’s final position)

A view from the opposite side also showing where the harbour will be on the lower left. The lighthouse is the giveaway.

This is the removable connecting piece that will add the continuous loop on the upper level.

Here it is in place and fully sceniced. Two hobos are walking along the tracks to the hobo camp under the tree in the distance.

This is the town of Cascade Creek filling up a corner on the upper level.

A view from the opposite side of the HOn3 shelf layout showing the industries on it.

A full yard at Cascade Creek terminal. All of the buildings shown here are Woodland Scenics metal and wooden kits in the process of being built, painted and all will have interior lights and details where applicable.

This is the log loading area at Camp 4 on the upper shelf. Vehicles are kit bashed Woodland Scenics and Jordan. Log cars are resin castings with added trucks, log bunks and Kadee couplers.

The start of Red Hook harbour on the lower shelf.

Some of the industries at Red Hook harbour.

First layer of Woodland Scenics realistic water in the harbour. Still have to pour 3 more layers 3mm at a time to get it to the right height.

This view of Red Hook harbour shows the position of the working lighthouse and a fishing shack on the left hand side.

A small boat hire industry at the water level in the harbour.

A night time view of Red Hook harbour.

A small wharf in the harbour taken at night in this view.

A fully operational harbour with a boat being off loaded at the wharf and the contractors barge being readied for a night shift.

A few of my boats that are ready to be placed around the waterways on the layout. The orange roofed one is an original ‘as is’ resin casting – painted and weathered and the other 3 have been modified by milling out the holds and filling them with details.

The kitbashed Fine Scale Miniatures sawmill with full interior detail and lights.

A night shot of the industries in the harbour area.

The night shift working hard to get the boat ready for its next sailing.

Track work being laid from the harbour area around to Pelican Bay.

A scratch built barge cleaning up the waterways in Red Hook harbour.

Card stock mock-ups of some of the kits yet to be built at Pelican Bay. Photo copies are glued to the card stock which then give me an idea of where the finished product will be placed.

Another view.

Some of the 3D printed boats, painted and detailed that will populate the waterways around the layout.

The boat builder and repair shop at Pelican Bay. (described in a previous post).

A Shay logging locomotive bringing in a log load from Camp 4 and will be delivered to the sawmill.

A refrigerator train ready to depart, clearing a track for the log train on the right hand side to be delivered to the sawmill. A Passenger train is waiting for clearance to leave.

An overall view of the Pelican Bay extension on the lower level. On the right is the white card stock building mock-up of the Seafood Emporium.

Some of the machines that will be used in and outside some of the kits. They are Scale Structures kits assembled and painted. The vehicle is a Woodland Scenics kit.

One of my latest kit bashed kits, the Fine Scale Miniatures Seafood Emporium.

A Sierra West kit of Foss boat launch company.

A Fine Scale Miniatures Water Tank and Tool shed for the upper level at Cascade Creek terminal.

A footnote: all of my buildings have full interior details and lights where possible.

The HOn3 shelf layout is all DCC by Lenz and has three hand held controllers.

In quite a few photos it can be seen that there is still a lot of ground cover and scenic material to be added and buildings bedded into the ground.

The night shots were taken with the blue ceiling light switched on and all other ceiling lights switched off.

All of the above is a work in progress.

Kind regards

Brian”

A big thanks to Hall of fame member Brian, it’s always good to see a layout grow from the ground up.

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 HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.