Model railroad layouts plans

Martin’s been back in touch with his O scale DCC layout:

“Hi Al,

A quick update to the changes at Lake Shore on my US based O gauge DCC Sound Shortline.

Readers might remember to flour discharge plant was a short distance away from the main plant, and the rail connection was a bit of a problem as the headshunt could only hold one hopper and a short wheelbase engine, like an SW9.

I eventually came to the conclusion that this just wouldn’t happen in real life, far too time consuming and costly, so a plan was hatched to extend the layout with an island table, which would hold a lumber yard, ( I’d just got some lumber yard buildings from my Brother), and I figured that the main flour plant could handle all traffic and corn oil loading for the tankers.

I also wanted an excuse for a railroad crossing, complete with flashing lights, but no sound as the layout produces enough sound from the engines.

Anyway, another lightweight adjustable table was bought and insulation foam fitted to it to bring the levels up to the required height.

The crossing warning poles I have are for two tracks, but I really only needed one to operate, so it was decided to have an abandoned siding with the track work still in place over the road crossing.

As the pictures will show, there is still a lot to be done.

The old trackage will become the new road and the large blank area is destined to become a diner and school bus facility, if I can get everything to fit in without looking too cluttered.

The photos show a trial train on the new island, and the buildings in roughly their final positions.

The abandoned track will be shortened and moved so the angle across the road is not so sharp, and the siding might be curved a bit more to enable there to be a straight section at the end so the lumber storage racks are parallel to the siding.

As it used to look with the new island table in place.

Old trackbed removed and the new siding trialled.

The old trackbed will become a road with a two track crossing.

Test positioning of the buildings and trackwork. The line closest to the camera is the abandoned one and will need shortening and repositioning to get the angles right.

This is the proposed site for the diner and school bus garage, if it doesn’t look too cluttered.

I will post more over the coming weeks to show the progress.

Martin

Coventry UK.”

A big thanks to Martin. If you missed his first post it’s really worth have a look it:

O scale layout 17×13

And now on to Steve with this tip – it’s funny how the simple things are always the cleverest:

“Hi Al,

Here is a tip for beginners, and anyone contemplating a rebuild.

Don’t lay your track straight onto the baseboard! Raise the track support above the baseboard leaving a nice area in between.

I use 25mmx50mm (1” x 2”) timber to raise the track support by 25mm. For inclines, I just cut the lengths to suit individual track heights as required.

In this way, all your wiring is concealed under the track support and above the baseboard.

No need for conduits etc , just enclose the sides and its all hidden away. Obviously you need to plan where you place connectors (I use screw strips), for easy access.

Regards

Steve (Sydney)”

A big thanks to Martin and Steve.

I love what Martin is doing – he’s another fine example of your layout can be whatever you want it to be.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you decide to join in on the fun, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

Bill’s been in touch with his N gauge model train layout:

“Hi al.

It’s been about a year since you heard from me about my n gauge model train layout. If you’ll remember it’s called Gerskyville. Its come a long way of just wood and styrofoam.

Theres shots of unfinished areas yet.

Along the long backside will be two arched bridges on each end leading to a 3 foot by 4 foot yard.

I’m not good at story telling so that’s up to you. All the layout was built, painted and assembled by myself , I purchased no already finished biuldings.

The race track on the layout is built after a track in indiana that my whole family raced at, up untill they closed down. Broadway speedway, the fastest track on earth.

How you all enjoy.

Thanks

Bill G”

I do love it when I see some of the print-out scenery on a layout. Bill’s done a fab job with his houses.

And if you want to see just how much Bill’s layout has come along, his last post is here.

Bill’s pics also reminded me of Ed’s: N gauge track plans.

“Hi Al,

Thank you to all your readers and to you for sharing good ideas.

I saw your recent post from Roberto with recycled tracks rails as a cargo for his wagons.

Attached are some photos of my use for the spare sleepers. I made coal bunkers with the redundant sleepers and coal from the foam that protected my last computer.

Coal in the trucks is random lumps off the sole of old flip-flops (thongs in Australia)

Best wishes to you and all your readers

Andrew”

And now on to Brian:

“Hi Alastair.

With regards to your post on the Galloping Goose with a Pierce arrow power unit at the front.

Rio Grande Southern RR had 7 in total and some of them had the 2 different power units attached to the ‘Passenger’ converted box car or refrigerator car.

Here are some of my Galloping Geese models made by Con Cor in the USA showing the two different types of motive power attached to a converted box car.

Both are 3 foot narrow gauge – HOn3.

Both of them are powered and have DCC motion decoders in them. (No sound)

The first photo has a Wayne Bus body as the power unit, Numbered 5.

The second photo shows a Pierce Arrow power unit. It was used for less than car load service. This model has the power/DCC unit in a trailer the sits behind it.

The third photo shows the difference between the the two.

I hope this helps in explaining the ‘Galloping Geese’ for you.

I have never sent your site any photos of these.

The photo below was taken when I was in Durango – Colorado USA in 1982 where I rode in it as a passenger. Excuse the poor quality of the photo. (40 year old photo)

Kind regards

Brian – the HOn3 guy in Knysna RSA”

A big thanks to Brian, Andrew and Bill.

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.

Jim’s been back in touch with his a track layout rebuild.

He’s made a brave decision – and the right one in my view. He’s starting again:

“Hello fellow modelers,

A model railroad is never finished, and sometimes completely rebuilt. It is the complete rebuild that is being accomplished with Starrpoint RR.

I never like to demolish a layout, but sometimes it is necessary, and that is what has happened to the original Starrpoint layout.

At first the original layout was a good conception, with the idea of the trains passing over themselves through the mountain.

However as all of us have in the past found ourselves making numerous mistakes, and that is what I encountered with the mountain idea!

The lower tracks were too close for the rear of the mountain, causing the locomotives to hit the rear end of the mountain and stall, and the tracks to the upper part, well they would derail.

What a nightmare, not thought out to well. So in my last posting I provided the drawings of the old and new Starrpoint layouts.

The old Starrpoint has now been completely removed, except for the transfer table and the turn table; they are remaining in the same locations.

Instead of a mountain as before, there will be an upper area that is accessed through a switch and risers.

In the upper area, there will be a small town, train station, and a transfer station.

Both will have run-around tracks for the locomotives.

There will be another town in the lower level near the fiddle yard, with tracks used for deliveries to companies.

I have some pictures to share of the rebuild of Starrpoint. Please excuse the mess of the table as work continues.

I began installing the double tracks in the rear of the layout. This was done so that the rest of the layout would fall into place with no issues.

The rear section will contain a tunnel underneath the upper section. Here is a picture of what the double tracks look like :

I will be using foam board for the sides of the tunnel and 1/8 plywood on top for the town, 7 switches and track. The reason for the foam board, less expensive, very strong and easily installed!

I have already installed the Woodland Scenics Riser package 2% grade to the upper level. The upper level is 3 inches above the lower level. Here is a picture of the risers with the track sitting on them.

This picture shows the bridge that connects the lower level, over the risers, passess over the tracks for the main line and fiddle yard:

Here is another picture of the risers with a bridge over the water.

I will use plaster cloth to cover the risers and form the sides that will simulate earth holding the tracks above. I will place road bed on top of the plaster cloth and then the tracks.

Below is a picture of the fiddle yard and two tracks that will be used for deliveries to customers.

Next to this area that is open, will be a small village.

Well that is all for now. I will provided updates as work continues on the new Starrpoint RR

Jim”

A big thanks to Jim.

I love how he’s learnt from the first track plan, and just cracked on. So many of us would have been put off, but not Jim. Tenacity counts in this hobby.

Now on to Jon:

“Al

Here is an update to my layout.

I’ve added a Control Panel for remote switching.

First I drill a hole for a guide tube.

Next install guide tube with retainer.

Then add wire. See close up at the switch. Each wire is custom bend for each switch.

Next is the lever then switch machine.

Note built the switch machines. Each one operates the switch and the control panel light.

If anyone is interested in doing this just let me know and I’ll make a “How-to” with parts and step pictures.

I don’t have the how-to as it is all in my head right.

How this inspires others to continue on trying different things.

Thank you,

Jon”

A big thanks to Jon and Jim.

Although Jim is starting again, he has had the heart to do so and I admire that. A lot of blood, sweat and tears go into a layout, not to mention time and finances.

Some people jump in feet first and it all works out fine. For others, a little planning goes a long way.

Of course I’m biased, but the the Beginner’s Guide is a sound investment.

So was Jim right to start again? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this one. Leave a comment below and let us know.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.