Model railroad layouts plans

Cary’s been back in touch with his G scale track layout:

“Hello Al and All!

I spent the winter updating my hobby room, but first, here’s a brief update on my outdoor G scale layout.

I never got my G scale trains running last summer (was rebuilding my deck) but looking forward to getting it going this summer and getting more plant life on the layout.

If you want to see the outdoor layout in action, here’s my last post.

This winter a tree came down across this section of track. Surprisingly enough the bridge held up, replacing this section of track will be my first task.

There’s very little track showing now, it’s covered with leaves and branches.

It will take me a few weekends to get it cleaned up, track checked out and trains running. I clean my track initially with a drywall sanding pad on a pole.

Once the trains are running, I have a bobber caboose converted to a track cleaning car to keep the track clean- also in my last post.

I use plastic to cover some of the buildings during the Winter months. I find snakes when I remove it. They like it on the shingled roofs under the plastic. I guess it’s a warm spot and they can watch for prey.

I use a long pole to remove the plastic and keep a machete handy for the ones who refuse to leave.

Once I start working in the area, they stay away. They are not poisonous; they just give me the creeps!

My Hobby Room:

When I first started making those large 1/24 scale buildings for my outdoor layout, I built a crude workbench in a 10×10 room in our basement.

The space had been a playroom for the kids but over time it had become a junk room. It slowly evolved into a nice little workshop.

I found that I really liked having an indoor workshop, not only for trains but for other little projects when the garage is too cold or too hot.

After a while there was paint and burn marks (soldering track) on the carpet and the room was filled with makeshift shelves, storage, and a crude board mounted to the wall I used for a G scale test track.

I decided this winter was the time for an upgrade. I pulled up the old carpet, tiled the floor, patched and painted the drywall and then repurposed the leftover wood to create a space where I can work on those large buildings, store my G scale collection and still have room for a 2 feet X 7 feet N scale layout. Pretty ambitious for a 10×10 room, but I think it turned out pretty well.

Here’s the main work area, just large enough to get a 1/24 scale building up where I can work on it.

I covered a portion with a sheet of aluminum for soldering track, I use a torch and don’t want any fires. The smoke detectors in the house may be a different story- we’ll find out.

Under this work bench is storage for my G scale collection which takes up a lot of space. I actually ended up with more spaces than trains which is great so now I can buy more G scale cars (when my budget allows😊).

I would love to have a loop of G scale track indoors but just don’t have the space. Therefore, I have this test track that runs about 20 feet on two adjacent walls.

If you notice the temporary table on the right, that’s where my N scale layout is going. I’m planning for a 2’x7′ layout and have started collecting trains and track. I can’t wait to get started on it, but this will be a fall and winter project when my outdoor layout is shut down.

I had this small corner niche and tried to use the space as effectively as possible. There is plenty of storage for materials and tools as well as a work area for small jobs. I found the Lionel artwork online and had it printed at Staples.

My dad and grandfather were both railroad guys working first for the Louisville & Nashville R.R., then the Seaboard System, by the time my dad retired it was CSX. He collected some nice R.R. artwork over the years, and it turned out to be the perfect touch!

Whether it’s trains, other craft work, or a household repair… piddling in my indoor hobby shop has become one of my favorite past times.

It took some thought to figure out how to cram all that I wanted into this small space, and many weekends of labor this past winter… but now my refuge of solace is complete.

Happy Modeling!

Cary in KY”

I do love Cary’s stuff – particularly the G scale models he makes, which you can see here.

That’s all for today folks. Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you get properly bitten again by this fine hobby, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

Jon’s been in touch with his attic layout:

“Alastair,

Thank you for your time putting out this newsletter.

I wanted to share the progress on my pike.

The attached pictures are of the room which is about 700 square feet.

The long leg is about 35 feet long then a 10 foot across then down 25 feet before it turns back.

The tables are 2’ x 4’ with 1/4” plywood covered with 1” form board.

I’ve laid the cork and painted everything with “dirt” colored flat paint. I learned on my last layout that if I cover everything with dirt paint then I don’t have to use as much ground cover.

I have the track laid. I working on getting all the joints smooth. I have DCC connected for testing. So far engines run smooth.

All update as I go along.

I’m sending a picture of the cabin we live in. It was built in 1930.

My layout is in the attic.

If you want to share this it is ok with me.

Thank you,

Jon A”

A big thanks to Jon for sharing his attic layout – can’t wait to see the updates.

Jon’s attic also reminded me of Dave’s loft layout.

Now on to Jim:

“Hello Alastair

It has been a long time since I have posted anything on you web page, however I have some exciting news to share with everyone.

This is Jim Volmer Sr Starrpoint RR from across the big pond in Buffalo NY. It has been nearly two years since I was able to work or run trains on my layout, been very busy with remodeling my house by myself, and now it is almost complete, so it is now time to work on my adventure.

You may remember layout, Starrpoint. Here is a drawing of the old layout.

I was having an issue with trains going through the mountain to access the rear of the layout. This was very frustrating. I tried to fix the issue but it never worked.

As I was working on my house remodel job, I was contemplating what to do about the layout. So in my spare time from the house work, I decided to redraw a new layout.

I could not for whatever reason, make CadRail do what I needed. So I went on line and found a new model railroad design software called S C A R M ( Simple Computer Aided Railroad Modeler ). I never heard of this cad program before, but after examining it for a couple of weeks I found it most interesting to work with. So with that in mind I drew what is now going to be the new Starrpoint RR. Here is the drawing of it:

The new layout is the same table footprint as the old layout.

The diesel and turntable facilities are remaining where they are.

The old mountain is gone; a new upper area will be in the rear of the layout.

On the upper level will be a town with a train station, the container terminal and run around tracks to move locomotives to new positions. The upper level will be 3.25 inches above the lower level.

On the lower level there will also be a town with a station, new fiddle yard and delivery tracks to industries.

I estimate it may take two years to complete the entire process, from removing the old layout and constructing the new layout.

As time goes on I will send updates on the progress.

Jim
Starrpoint Railroad
President of TrainMasters Railroad Club”

“Not sure if this is useful, but another source of LED lighting modules could be old used up LED bulbs that have ceased functioning. The mini LED array within is generally in good shape and can be extracted and used in a layout.

The individual leds on the module have a threshold of 1.9Vdc as the 1st picture below shows one lit up.

The maximum voltage approaches 3Vdc but it is too bright to look at.

I would suggest using a well regulated power supply adjustable between those two voltages to produce a variety of lighting effects, though the higher voltages will reduce the life expectancy of the led.

The removal of the module required a band saw for the housing (watch your fingers) a small screwdriver and a small wire cutter.

I haven’t tried to remove the led from the backing yet.

Hope this helps.

John T.”

Clever stuff from John – but remember don’t do anything with electrics without professional advice first – and clearly this blog is not that…

Now on to Steve:

“Alastair:

I’m a newbie, just retired from a career in TV news in Detroit, Michigan.

I now have time for so many things I enjoy, including model railroading.

I’m excited to start a new layout after a 40 year hiatus.

I’m not great with the intricacies of track laying, wiring, switches, etc… but I love making scenery.

I decided my new “railworld” must have a TV station.

So, here is my first I’m also adding a scratch built Little Caesars Arena so my citizens can go watch the Red Wings play hockey.

My little railroad won’t be much more than two concentric ovals, but I’m already having fun, and as you often point out, that is the whole point.

Thanks to you and all of your members for so many great tips and tricks to get me started.

SteveG”

A huge big thanks to everyone – I love that Jon has made a start with his attic layout.

I’ll carry on posting half built layouts and scratch builds, because this hobby is all about making that start and having fun, as Steve points out.

I couldn’t agree with him more!

That’s all for today folks – please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you decide to get going and want to take those first few steps, 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.

Brian’s been back in touch with his model railroad dock.

But first, here’s an update from Henry:

“Hello Alastair,

Some photos of my double deck layout.

It is in a single car garage, and a drop down bridge spanning the garage door connects the lower levels.

Two removable sections connects the lower and upper levels, forming a folded figure 8 for continuoes running.

The harbor section operates as a branchline.

There is a 4 track hidden staging yard behind the rock face and mirrors against the ceiling provides visuals to stop trains at clearance markers.

The layout has a fully operational signal system with automatic block signals and dispatcher controlled home and starter signals.

Regards

Henry”

A big thanks to Henry, you can see his last post, on his HO platform here.

And now onto Brian, with a correction, which was entirely my fault for the way I linked to his last post:

“Hi Alastair,

I would like to clear up a mistake in the last published post.

The photo of the “HO scale Dock” diorama, is not my model, it was borrowed from an unknown source.

I used that photo as a source for four (4) of my scratch built models.

Below are photos of my scratch built buildings of the Tidewater models.

Below, the Boat Repair Dock,

Below, the lighthouse mostly scratch built.

Below, the three scratch built buildings, L-t-r, the Boat repair dock (converted), the Sailmaker and the Restaurant in the background.

Below, same as above.

Below, Sailmaker and Restaurant

Below, modified reversed, back to front Boat Repair Dock.

I hope this clears up some confusion as to the diorama not being mine.

Brian – the HOn3 guy in Knysna RSA”

Thanks to Brian. Here’s his boat repair dock post where I started the confusion.

It’s an impressive model railroad dock.

That’s all for this time folks.

Please do keep ’em coming because I enjoy my inbox each morning just as much as you.

And if today is the day you leave the comfort of your armchair, roll up your sleeves, get going and join in on the fun, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.