Rob’s been busy getting his model railroad backdrop just right:
“Hi Al,
I created a mural for the back of my layout earlier on in the build of my Colorado and North Western.
But I was not happy with it and had the intention to create or improve it and then have it reprinted.
I worked on the new version of the model railroad backdrop/backscene off and on for a number of weeks. When I arrived at what I thought would be a better picture, I had it printed.
It really turned out well and this time I am very happy with it. I did have to adjust it slightly after I got it back from the printer and the method I used is demonstrated in the video.
I am including a real photo of Longs Peak which figures prominently on my backdrop. I though some folks would enjoy seeing what It really looks like (first picture below).
The backdrop is not a photo, it is an original creation by me.
I have included a photo of my Hiway Cafe’ because it relates to the backdrop. There is a miniature version of the back scene along the wall in the cafe’ behind the counter. It is very hard to see, but it is there none-the-less.
Wishing you and all who follow your wonderful posts a great holiday season as we get closer to December.
I also want to say thank you for another wonderful Silly Sale. I think this is the third time I bought the Beginners E Book. It’s a small price to pay to help support your efforts on spreading the joys of model railroading to many parts of the globe.
What I have included today are a variety of pictures from both the HO switching layout and my N Scale layout as well. The past month or so I am enjoying running both layouts and also adding in new details.
I have picked up numerous automobile kits in both scales as well as different road construction equipment.
Another area of focus for me has been building and detailing the city of Alta on my N Scale layout. Basics are completed and soon I will turn my attention to completing the building that remain.
I have also started to repaint N Scale people I have. I am close to populating the N Scald layout but I wanted to give a more realistic paint job to many of the lower cost people I have. It’s actually easy to do just takes a little while. More in that maybe in my next submission.
One picture shows three F7a’s – different versions but all Pennsylvania Railroad.
I am close to starting a two rail O Scale & ON30 layout in the garage to join the HO and N Scale layouts.
A car will never see the inside of my garage again I think and I’m ok with that. Someone else is begrudgingly ok with that. At least she always knows where I am when she can’t find me.
Layouts are never finished. There is always fun little things we can do to bring our worlds to life.
To all modelers Keep Having Fun on Your layout’s!
Cheers!
Bill in Virginia”
A huge big thank you to Bill for sharing his HO switching layout – and his N scale too.
Ernie’s shared a video fo his N scale railroad Atlas layout:
“Hi Al,
As I mentioned, my layout was one of the designs in the “Nine N Scale Railroads” by Atlas. I picked the big one in the last chapter being greedy as I am.
I’m not smart enough to hardly get past an oval with two and a half sidings so the Atlas book opened new horizons for me.
Liked the fact that it can run four trains at a time with upper and lower double main lines, has a small rail yard, mountains, tunnels, a twin crossover, a river, and a massive twin viaduct traversing the valley.
What more could a guy ask for?
This all rolled into one 48″ x 72″ sheet of plywood! Can stand the thing on end in a closet when not in use.
Layout used one 4 x 8 sheet of plywood cut to 72″ in length with the cut off end used for the upper level including some cookie cutter technique used for good measure.
Adding to the fun is the fact that there are two interchanges between the upper and lower levels allowing for traffic between mainlines.
But that’s not all: you have a reversing loop in the upper level AND the interconnects are designed so that a trip to the upper pike and back switches mainlines on the lower level upon return.
Who ever designed this thing easily understands Einstein’s therory of relativity!
I built this layout back 30 years ago and have recently pulled it out of the closet and am enjoying it immensely.
That said this is old school with block wiring throughout and the same turn out controls the Flintstones used back in the day.
Track is all Atlas sectional code 70. Of course then I discovered code 55……next pike…..(recently picked up 100 code 55 hand built #6, #8, and #10 switches in need of work removed from a layout that was taken down) but that’s another story…..
Like the idea of controlling the trains with block switches (keeps the mind excersized), have to work at it when moving between lines or I can just let them orbit on each mainline and relax and watch. Like running long trains.
Can only allow three trains to orbit without attention due to the double cross over on the upper level. To run four you have to tend to that crossover, and, yes, we have had wrecks!
This layout takes four power packs so I used the little cheapies from small train sets for years.
The cheapies would pop the internal breakers when running ABBA configurations all powered after some run time so stepped up to a pair of higher end twin cab units.
The new twin cab units also had some issues (one cab runs half speed always till it warms up) prompting me to consider building my own with plans I have found recently (materials are very inexpensive and use laptop chargers which are a dime a dozen).
Probably more then you wanted to hear! Rolling stock accumulated over the years always watching for deals. Scenery time next!
Ernie
(Steve but everyone calls me Ernie)”
Looks like Enrie’s having fun with his N scale railroad Atlas.
If you missed his last post with all the pics, it’s here.
Can’t wait to see the scenery!
Now on to Bob:
“Hi Al,
I’m in the process of building my dream model railroad similar to dangerous Dave’s.
The room is 20ft x 32ft feet with a triple track main.
Two of which run around twice and one that runs around once. All the rail is in and the wiring half done.
I have a long long way to go and other things keep getting in the way. But I will keep at it.
I will send a few pictures that I have under separate cover.
