Model railroad layouts plans

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.

Gary’s been back in touch with his rather impressive ceiling layout:

“Alastair:

As always, I appreciate all you do for me and the other model railroad folks. I look forward to your information every morning.

Several weeks ago you published my first submittal on my “National Park” theme and it generated some interesting observations, requests and questions.

Here are my responses to four of them. I hope you particularly like #4.

First, my granddaughter (Taylor’s Tunnel, from my earlier submission) came to visit me and my wife from her home in the mountains of Montana.

She was surprised how large the layout was, but had a couple of observations. She’s a 19 year-old and has her opinions!

She wondered what the people on Leanne’s Lookout (named for her mother) were looking at and suggested that there should be a bear for them to observe.

Then she noted that one of my mountain meadows was not realistic since there were not any of the typical wildflowers.

Her thoughts were noted and then “corrected”.

Secondly, I’ve had some questions about the hoist to lift the layout to the ceiling – it truly is a hoist and not a winch.

It takes about 15 seconds for the total lift, then I fold the 4 legs which takes about 30 seconds.

I attach 4 safety cables (another 30 seconds) to save the car in case the hoist should fail somehow.

Here is the layout at the ceiling:

The car fits in quite easily.

Thirdly, my earlier submission focused mainly on the detail of all the National Park areas and not much view of the overall layout, so here are some requested distance views from various angles.

View of track layout (without the highline track) and before the gorge cutout:

Same view (back) – mostly completed and including the highline loop at this point:

Then the view from the front (below grade so as not to interfere with the garage door opener)

Then the view from the left front corner all the way to the background poster:

Then the view from the right side (the switches have not yet been camouflaged at this point):

Lastly, I have had innumerable questions on how I made the “National Park” signs.

So here are the details and a “before” and “after photo of a new feature with an interesting twist at the end so keep viewing.

Before:

A new path will be constructed to the left of the upright of the highline route. After:

The feature is a newly constructed path and dock that gives the visitors access to the mountain stream that feeds into Gary’s Gulch. But first, back to the sign before it gets installed in this view.

I merely use Microsoft WORD and create labels for the various attractions.

I ”borrowed” the National Park insignia from the internet, incorporated it into the labels, created yellow lettering on a brown background and printed them out on my inkjet printer.

From there, the labels are peeled and then attached to both side of a medium card stock. I then glue the signs to my “logs” (HO scale) which are actually small branches (life-size scale) from a Bald Cypress tree.

Here is Sample New sign ready to install:

The sign is then attached to the feature:

I belief If we zoom in and you look closely, that looks like Alastair standing on the dock.

On another note, I randomly selected a BNSF engine for my layout and it had the #8288 on it.

My wife was going through some photographs from our visit to Montana a few years ago and came across the following photo:

I probably have not taken a dozen train pictures in my life. What are the odds that out of the thousands of locomotives I would have a picture of the real-life locomotive of my model?

That’s all for today. I promise a video once I get my old car couplers working well with my new engine couplers.

Gary”

A huge big thank you to Gary for the update on his ceiling layout.

I do love seeing the updates, and I think Gary’s idea of adding personal touches is very good.

I confess I did smile when I saw his new path’s name.

What’s more, it doubley nice to see some of the printable building scenery in there too:

You can see Gary’s first HO scale post here.

It really is worth revisiting:

And it also brings us nicely onto James.

“Love your ideas and love of model trains!! I own a restaurant in Key Largo Fl. In the Florida Keys.

We have a rich history of “Flagler’s Railroad to the Sea” from 1916-1935 when it was destroyed by a powerful hurricane.

I have this idea/ dream to install a model train hung from the walls and suspended from the ceiling which would be historically accurate to tFlagler’s train and rich history.

It is about an 8 1/2 – 9 foot ceiling. It has a suspended ceiling At this point, I have 2 big “gotta start somewhere” questions:

1) what gauge should I consider based on weight, cost, availability and visual presentation

2) certainly modelers have already figured out the suspended off the drop ceiling thing but I have problems finding resources.

Thanks! Jim, Doc’s Diner,
Key Largo, Fl.”

Well, I hope today’s post has helped James, but please do leave a comment below if you can help, or if you just want to pat Gary on the back.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you scratch that model railroad itch, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.