Rob’s been back in touch with some very impressive model train landscaping – he has finished bridge project.
He think it ‘looks okay’. I think it looks amazing.
To be honest, the pics below do not do it justice, so please don’t miss his youtube. I love the way the bridge arches (next to the trestle bridge) frame the oak tree and the cottage. It’s some really clever model making.
Rob’s youtube also shows some details he’s added to his London Underground scene. Again, it’s amazing modeling:
“Hi Al,
I have completed the bridge project. It is done and landscaped. It came out okay and very works well.
I made a couple mistakes on it which I detail in the video, nothing major.
I certainly enjoyed the experience and I am looking for something new to work on. I think my better half has come up with a couple of things to keep me busy for a while. That’s good, it will give me time to dream up my next Farland build.
Rob”
Model train landscaping:
If you missed Rob’s earlier posts on the bridge, they are here:
Al’s been in touch with his HO model train log cars.
It’s a stunning layout and I’m really hoping Al can send us some more pics and details because I absolutley love it:
“I look forward to your site every morning. This is a fantastic hobby and it is so nice to see what others are doing, the ideas are almost endless.
I model in HO and have been working on the AT&C for several years, it is my fourth layout and keeps me out of trouble with the better half.
I am sending along a few pictures of what is done so far, as we all know a layout is never truly finished.
It is freelanced and based in the early part of the twentieth century. I have more photos of the construction from the beginning if interested. Keep up the good work.
Al”
A big thanks to Al for sharing his HO model train log cars layout. It’s a really popular theme, and it’s not hard to see why: they look great!
I thought it would be fun to list some of the them, so here you go:
Gary’s been in touch with a very impressive start to his layout. Have a look at his folding model railroad table:
“Hello Allister –
Long time subscriber, first time contributor.
Been getting your emails for several years now and I often go straight to looking at just the pictures.
But as I’ve matured, I’ve come to appreciate the accompanying stories as well.
As you say, it’s all about making a start, isn’t it? Well, I’ve started and there’s no turning back now.
This will be my first, and last, train layout; mainly because we’ll be downsizing in a couple of years, and this is the only chance I’ll have to build my own layout.
We don’t have a spare room in the house, so the garage was the next logical place to build a folding train table.
However, I still wanted to be able to park the car in the garage, so that led me to do some creative thinking. I settled on a “Murphy bed” style for my table.
It seemed like a good idea at the time, and there’s been some issues I’ve encountered and fixed during the build. This may not be the best way to build a model train table, but I’m committed to it now.
It’s 9’ x 11’ made of two alternating layers of 7/16” plywood, and a 1” foam layer on top. I’m hoping the overlapping plywood will add more structural integrity to the table. It does, but there were other areas that needed reinforcement.
The galvanized steel studs provide a frame for the 2 x 4s that make up the front and rear lift areas. Everything, and I do mean everything, is glued, and screwed so it’s as solid as I can get it at this point.
Lifting the front and rear sections is done with a 440lb cable hoist with a wireless remote (I’ll describe that process in my next post).
The folding model railroad table sits on two 4’x2’ Centipede workbenches with a 1” tabletop. There’ll be another supporting structure in front of the table that will hold all the operating controls (haven’t quite figured out how that is going to work yet).
There’s about 20” between the car and the table, so there’s enough room to easily walk between the two. The hardboard panels are hung using French Cleat hangers and kept in place with 1”x2”x1/2” magnets (These panels are just to hide the wiring, but it also provides a 30 second upper body work-out for me when I move them).
The panels are stored on a Safe Rack storage shelf, using the same type of hangers.
For the railrod layout, I started with a sketch I made on the back of a large desk calendar. I covered the table with brown wrapping paper and then I transferred the sketch to it.
Once the pencil sketch was finalized, I went over it with a wide tipped Sharpie. It took a couple of passes, but the ink bled through the paper and onto the white foam board. From there I was able to figure out how to place everything.
I think I’ve covered the basics of this project, and I’ll post more later, but I don’t recommend building a table like this to anyone.
I’m retired so I have a lot of time on my hands, but this project has certainly had its share of challenges and frustrations.
I apologize for the pictures being out of sequence. I’ll try to do better next time. Also, I’m considering heavily investing in companies that produce adhesive products as I’ll be spending a considerable amount of money in that area.
Gary”
Folding model railroad table:
A big thanks to Gary for sharing his folding model railroad table.
I do love seeing the problems the different problems this hobby throws up – and how you lot find a solution. Clever stuff.
Now on to Daryl – who had me smiling from ear to ear with these pics, because it looks great fun:
“Hello Alastair,
I really enjoy getting your post from all your readers. There are some very talented modeler’s out there. I especially enjoy seeing the ON3 layouts.
Someday I hope that I can have the time to build a layout as fabulous as the one I see on your post.
Thought I would send some pictures of the railroad I work on and see if any of your readers find behind the scenes of an operating railroad interesting.
The pictures you see are from the Black Hills Central Railroad ( The 1880’s Train, located in the Black Hills South Dakota) also have a FB group just started (1880 Train gettin greasy)
Filling the water tank on engine 108 before are trip from Hill City to Keystone. 10 mile run with 6% grade for over a mile.
Engine being set on the pit being ready for a bath and firing up for the first time of the 2024 season.
A late May snow.
The Engineers stand. Controls for the top then left to right. Throttle, Main brake, reverser (Johnson Bar), hidden behind the reverser is the sight glass blow down, below that is the sander ( forward and reverse ) the the bell ringer and to the far right is the independent brake.
Our flagship engine, #7 a Prairie (Retired, has been used in many movies)
Installing super heaters in engine #110 after boiler repair.
And to round things up a view from the fireman’s side of the cab. “We don’t get to drive the train or ring the bell, but run short on steam and see who catches hell” the Fireman shows up 4am to check the water, check both sight glasses and blow them down, check the atomizer, blow out and check the blower, start the fire the fill all the sanders, tap around the whole engine checking for any lose nuts or bolts fix as needed, grease (and there are a lot of fittings).
When pressure reaches 150# start the compressor, test the brakes, test the whistle, the sanders, the bell, the head light, keep an eye on the pressure, if time allows steam the rods, clean the windows. Right before you leave to lash-up a quick oil around.
In the picture you see what the fireman is in charge of doesn’t look as complicated as the engineer but very important too.
The large gauge is the pressure gauge and right next to it is the sight glass. Just under that is the main manifold control, the large valve on the left is the injector (Seller’s 8.5) under that yellow handle is the fuel valve (firing valve) under that black is the draft door
Hope your readers enjoy something a little different. We are always working on something if interested.
