Model railroad layouts plans

Jim’s been in touch.

He sent in some pics and youtubes of his HO scale 11×22 ft.

“I will be 75 next month and I have “played” with model trains all my life.

When I was five years old my father bought me my first train set.

It was an O-gauge CB&Q Zephyer. He bought it used from a friend whose son had grown tired of it.

My dad covered a 4′ x 6′ sheet of plywood with a green Army blanket and tacked down an oval of track with a passing siding.

Together we added some houses, roads, cars and trees. Good times.

About 3-4 years later I got a A-A Santa Fe Marx set for Christmas.

When I got older we passed those sets on to younger kids in our neighborhood and I messed around with HO for a couple of years.

Then life happened. After High School, I enlisted in the Army and served in Vietnam and Washington DC. Got out of the Army in 1969 and went to college.

After graduating landed a good job, got married, bought a house, and raised two great kids.

During that time I was in-and-out of N-scale and 3-rail O-scale.

I build an 18′ x 8′ O-Scale layout in my basement and was a founding member of the Independent Hi-Railers Midwest Division.

We had the LARGEST modular Hi-Rail layout in the world and would travel to major cities (New Brunswick NJ, Cleveland OH, Madison WI, St Louis MO, Minneapolis MN, Chicago IL) to set-up, display and operate our layout.

In addition, we also participated in 4 or 5 local shows each year.

Fast forward, I retired at age 58 with plans of building a large HO layout in my basement.

Many starts and stops, tear-down and rebuilds. I was never satisfied with the results. My carpentry and electrical skills never measured up to my desired standards. I wish would have realized that sooner.

In 2018 I met with the good people at PMD (Professional Model Design) to discuss having them build an HO layout for me.

Yada, yada, yada… 16 months later they delivered a beautiful 11′ x 22′ HO layout.

For now, I will just post these three short videos. In the near future, I will provide more information and include pictures of the build process and MORE videos.

For now, please enjoy these.

Jim”

A huge big thanks to Jim.

Really liked his back story, especially the line, “then life got in the way”.

It’s something we can all relate to.

But I think he’s made up for time with a HO scale 11×22 in his basement. Looks great.

That’s it for today peeps.

Please do keep ’em coming. My inbx is hungry for your tips and pics.

And if today is the day you say no to just sitting on the side lines, 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.

Dean’s been back in touch- he’a nearly finished and now running his Union Pacific engines around his layout.

“Al, greetings from Dean in New Mexico!

This is the last description and video in my 8-part series discussing my construction of the N-Scale Scenic Ridge layout (kit from Woodland Scenics).

The series is aimed at a beginner model railroader, but there are a lot of hints for those with more experience.

In this session, I will discuss the final scenery, laying ballast, installing tunnel portals, finishing the landscape, and finishing rock outcroppings.

The layout is finally operational and probably 90% complete, but as Al has said, it’s never completely finished.

Here’s what I need to add or redue:

1) add more bushes and trees thoughout the layout

2) touchup ballast, white spots

3) rebuild back bridges (torn out to make the roads)

4) final installation of buildings and install lights (I’ll make a short video on this)

5) install a stream and lake (I’ll make a short video on this, also)

Dean”

It’s wonderful to see a layout from start to ‘finish’ – Dean looks like he’s having fun with those Union Pacific engines.

Here’s Dean’s previous post with links to his others too.

It just goes to show, it’s all about making that start.

But Dean’s closing line got me thinking – what would you do to ‘finish’ Dean’s layout?

It’s the finishing touches that can really make the difference.

Please leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

Now on to Lenny.

He sent in this after Dave’s caravan post:

“Hi Al,

Lenny from Pittsburgh, PA

That’s awesome. Since we bought a travel trailer (caravan) last year, I had to include a park in my layout.

There’s even a stream for fishing and a track for racing RC cars and trucks.

Len”

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if you want to start your model train layout, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

DD has been in touch with a question on a model train stop sign. Can anyone help?

“Hello Alastair,

I enjoy your postings and because of that I am making this message which may be out of context.

But considering Canada has the 2nd and 8th. of the worlds largest railroads based on income some members like myself must remember and model HO scale steam.

To be somewhat authentic I will have to produce my own ” Through STOP highway” signs.

The single attached photo is the only one I can find on the internet and I have always recalled them as white not yellow.

If any of your members my age can recall correctly I would appreciate it.

My DCC layout is 5ft by 20ft and I fantasize of sending photos for your critique,

D.D.”

Now on to Dangerous Dave who has been back in touch with is his OO scale layout.

As always, he’s been busy on his layout.

If you’re new to the blog, you can see more of him – and others – in the Hall of Fame.

“Hi Al,

just uploaded video showing that area I said needed improvement on my last one, got my own caravan park now.

All ready for the staycation which looks like being again this year ….

Well pleased how it came out after a good few suggestions from modellers who watched my last video….

Regards

Dave”

A big thanks to Dangerous Dave.

Please do leave a comment below if you can help!

Now on to Ernesto.

He’s not a man of many words he’s put together a fab layout:

“I gladly share some photos of my model

Ernesto”

A big thanks to Dave and Ernesto. Who can help DD with his model train stop sign?

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide is here if you want to get going on your own layout.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.