Model railroad layouts plans

Don’s been in touch with his display which has a whole collection of HO train industries going on:

“Good morning Al,

I enjoy seeing all of the emails about trains displays and figured I would share my train display.

I’ve been playing with trains since I was very young, my Father put up a large Christmas display every year.

It was shaped in a letter u 12ft x 24ft x 5ft.

One year we had fifteen trains running on his display. I somewhere have pictures of his display, I’ll have to look for them and see if I can post them.

Since my Fathers passing, I have taken on the challenge to put up displays. I change them every year. 2 months to assemble,

Leave up for 4 months and 3 weeks to tear down only to start over again.

These pictures are from 2 years ago, I was able to find numerous steel buildings, blast furnace (2), rolling mill, coke ovens (4), electric furnace (2), lots of bottle cars, hot metal cars.

And even scratch built some before assembly of the kits for dimensions.

Layout is only 8ft x 11ft. would love to have a larger space, have many more buildings to use.

I learned many tricks from this site, and will continue to follow for more information.

Thank you

Don G”

HO train industries

A big thanks to Don and his HO train industries. It reminded me of Carlos’s layout: HO scale industrial layout.

Now on to Jim:

“Hi Al,

I just finished adding some new lighting and thought that I would send some nighttime pictures.

Thank You,

Jim”

(You can see Jim’s previous post at the bottom of this one: N scale diorama.)

Next up, Dave. He sent this in which I found interesting:

“Hi Alastair.

While not a model train, I thought you might be interested in these photos I took here in Shelton, Washington, the other Washington (lol).

This town around south Puget Sound has always been a timber town. Many mills, one of the biggest was Simpson Timber. They had their own railroad, like many timber and mining companies.

Tollie was one of their first. She, and her load of logs and caboose are permanently positioned in front of the town’s post office.

Hope you enjoy.

Dave”

Now on to another Al:

“Attached are photos of 3 of your buildings constructed with basswood.

I consider them as kitbashed as they are exact.

Perfect for the Altoma & Tide Creek.

Thanks again for all you do

Al”

(You can see more of Al’s stunning layout here: HO model train log cars.

That’s all for today folks. It’s been quite a mixed bag today: HO train industries, a bit if real steam, and a whole load of buildings.

I never know what is going to turn up in my inbox – I hope you all find it as interesting as I do.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you join in the fun, 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.

Got a model train question?

Dan’s been back in touch again with a video on his HO train freight loads:

“This video follows a reefer train.

When various seasonal crops came in the railroads ran solid blocks of reefer cars.

An interesting thing about the blocks of produce. Often the produce was not sold until on the way east. For example, a carload of oranges could go to Chicago, St Louis, Pittsburg, or other large cities for distribution.

Produce was not the only thing shipped in freight reefers. The Great Northern Railway had “silk” trains. The pupa of silkworms was shipped from the west coast to mills in New England for the silk to be removed and woven into cloth.

During the winter apples, potatoes and other produce the cars had to be kept warm to prevent freezing. In the ice bunkers, they place charcoal heaters to prevent the loads freezing.

In the HO video where the train passes the Swift plant, notice the long piece of rail along side the track. This is a point of interest. The railroad is going to replace a section of welded rail here sometime later.

The ties (sleepers) have already been replaced and a track gang will come along later to change the track. This is an easy way to have visitors ask, “what it is for?” I can now teach them about rail work. Once a teacher, always a teacher.

Dan”

A huge big thanks to Dan for sharing his HO train freight loads. I did enjoy the video with trains running at realistic pace.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you get started on your layout, 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.

Got a model train question?

Henry’s been back in touch with his model railroad HO scale:

“Hello Alastair,

As always, thank you for the service you provide to the modeling community through your daily emails. I always look forward to receiving them.

It is true that a layout is never finished. My layout has reached the stage where all the track is laid, all the wiring for track, signals and building are done and scenery is about 90 % complete.

But as your modeling skills improve, you add more detail to your layout. Here are a few photos of detail scenes I have added or improved.

Regards

Henry”

Model railroad HO scale:

A big thanks to Hnery. You can see his last post at the bottom of this one:

Small N scale track plans.

Next on to Tim, and a subject I’m very fond of – making a start!

“Dear Alastair,

After 60 years, the fulfillment of a career and family, I FINALLY have the time and wherewithal to accomplish a dream from my boyhood!

I will actually have a large HO train layout in its own dedicated room!

Yesterday, my local Home Depot delivered the lumber required as per my benchwork plan. I will have 121.5 square feet (basic) to start with and that will expand as raised plywood ( for towns and associated mass conveyance ) will also add to the square footage amount.

I don’t have a track plan as yet, as I will decide that when all my buildings and structures are placed on the finished benchwork. In other words, I’m grow grow my railroad as my towns take shape. I spent many decades building and storing HO structures for this glorious day!

I’ve got some mental images of what I want, and your site allows me to tweak some concepts I may find useful. For that I Thank You wholeheartedly!

Attached a few pics of the “humble” beginnings! As I progress, I will send more pics!

Keep Them Trains A-Rollin’!

Tim”

Next, on to Hall of Fame, Dan.

He’s sent in ayoutube of his layouts – I really enjoyed it because you get to see parts of his layout that the pics don’t show:

A big thanks to Dan for sharing his model railroad HO scale pics, and to Tim and Henry too.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you get going on your layout, 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.

Got a model train question?