Model railroad layouts plans

Georg from Sweden has added to the collection of Z scale train layouts:

“Hi Al!

These are my pics from my Z- Layout. I hope some builders may be inspired…

Started with an approximate layout made with a program (Scarm) in the computer. I printed it out in scale 1:220 (Z). The plate is made of two layers of styrofoam, one 50 mm and one 25 mm glued together. The whole plate is 1250 x 590 mm The hills are of same material. I use an electric cutter and a scalpel to form the landscape.

There are 9 separated blocks and 11 switches. The “underground” is filled with wires.

The hills are painted with acrylic, first a base color, black/white/red mix. Then several layers of black washes and then washes in different colors until it looks right! Go out and take photos of the real landscape – you learn how it really looks and you will get lots of fresh air to!

After painting I use Woodland Scenics stuff for grass and bushes.

The trees are made of copper wire of different dimensions, the leafs are again Woodland Scenics. You may spend lots of hours making the scenery, adding lots of small details will always improve. My choice is almost no time in front of the TV!

All running vehicles will be weathered.

In the future this layout will be extended with a harbour. (I hope!)

Georg”

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A superb layout from Georg – his wiring pic made me go dizzy! But I’m very pleased to have added to the Z scale train layouts.

His pics reminded me of Malcolm’s: Z scale model train.

That’s your lot today.

But please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you get stop day dreaming and start doing, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS The very latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

Peter’s been in touch with his HO gauge layout:

“Alastair

As promised, find some attached notes/photos

I have 2 usable layouts, both HO gauge – consisting German/Swiss/Austrian.

Both are digital sound with ESU Loksound decoders, run on Lenz controllers.

I currently purchase the blank decoders and blow the sound on using a Lok-Programmer and sound files from the vast collection from ESU.

The layouts have been constructed over the last couple of years.

The track is Peko flexi and ballast.

The bridge is home made using plastic sections.

The snow scene area looks good, but causes problems loco running.

The fir trees are home made.

Regards

Peter”

HO Gauge layout:

Thanks to Peter – his layout reminded me of Dan’s:

HO gauge layouts.

Now on to John:

“Al I have been out of contact with you for some time. I moved back to Virginia after 20 years in Florida.

I had a 6foot by 10 foot HO gauge train layout over the top of a pool table. Because of the move it had to be disassembled and only the trains and buildings survived.

I’ve attached a picture of the beginning of my new layout which is two feet wide with a four foot wide circle at rack end.

John”

And now on to David, who has been back in touch with an update.

He’s a man of few words this time – but the pictures speak for themselves.

And besides, for me, it’s all about making a start, which I why I post half built layouts.

“Hi Al,

Attached are some latest pics of my layout:

regards

David”

A big thanks to Peter for sharing his HO gauge layout and to David too.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming because I have nothing to mail now. Yikes!

And if today is the day you get started on your pride and joy made of rails, swear, tears and toil, 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.

Yanni’s been back in touch with more pics of his stunning layout – it really does show off the HO scale detail parts.

(If you want to get up to speed, his last post is here.)

There’s no narrative with this batch, but that’s fine because they are stunning pics. So I thought I’d put my own ramble under them.

It’s surprising how many layouts do feature castles – there is something enchanting about them and they add a lot of interest to a layout.

When ever I see a castle I’m reminded of Bob’s layout: Bob’s layout

People milling about a scene really do bring it to life, as this pic shows.

It also reminds me of Dan’s post on adding people, which is good adivce I think: Model train people.

Every inch of Yanni’s layout seems to be detailed and weathered – it’s a joy to look at.

You don’t see many horse and carts on a layout, but with the soft street lights, it doesn’t look out of place at all.

This pics is a great example of how different a layout looks at night with a bit of ligting. Taking the time to add LEDs lights to your layout is a sound investment of your time.

The platforms looks busy as they should be on every model railroad.

Why just a passenger when you can add one carrying balloons? It’s touches like this that add so much to a layout.

Another example of adding people transforms a layout and brings it to life.

LED lights make all the difference. It reminds me of Bob’s excellent post on adding them to your layout: Model train LED lights

Adding workmen as well as passengers is another touch that add so much charm to this layout.

Another good pic showing how much a difference lighting can make.

A huge big thanks to Yanni for sharing more pics of his HO scale detail parts.

(His first post is here.)

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming though – shortly I’ll have nothing to post at all. You’ve all gone very quiet.

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.