Model railroad layouts plans

Bob’s been in touch – he’s slowly building up an incline curve on his HO scale.

“Hi Alastair;

It’s been awhile, but I am spending more time working on my layout.

Incorporating the wife’s Dept 56 North Pole Series Collection of 46 buildings with my simple HO railroad oval with some turnouts and a round house!

Here are some photo updates:

And the last photo shows how I am going to get will get wired below the board for lighting off the buildings!

Thanks

Walt”

Looks like Walt is doing a thorough job of building up his incline curve.

It reminds me of Bruce’s post on inclines.

It’s a thorny issue – get it wrong and your inclines be a constant source of irritation.

Now on to Wayne.

If you missed his last post it’s here.

He sent this in since:

“Dear Mr. Alastair Lee I have read some of your input, and that of other model train nuts. I am one also and have been for over 65 years.

I have always wanted to have a larger layout than a 4’X8’. I waited for a long time to make my dream become a reality.

My wife passed away about a year and half ago. Her canning room was next to our bedroom. I decided to turn that room into my train layout room.

The room size is 8’ x 14’ which is large enough for what I wanted. At 77 years old I thought I better do something while I still can.

I started this about 10 mo. ago. I don’t sleep much at night, which has helped me get as far along as I have. I have photographed almost every night’s progress.

I spent a lot of nights with paper and ruler trying to layout something that would work.

I finely purchased the HO scale computer software called Any Rail. It is great if you read the instructions’ first. I didn’t, it would have been quicker if I had, it works great once you know what to do.

If you could take a look at my layout and tell me what you think.

Most of the main lines have a 30-inch radius. This was so when I get one of my dreams (big boy) it can handle the curves with no problems.

I am calling my layout Canyon Springs RR. It’s a transition from late 1940 to mid-1960. Even though I read model railroad magazine, you tube videos, and articles like yours, this has been a learning curve, and still is.

I was looking for the tracks to cross over each other at the height needed for clearance. To get close to the grade to achieve the 4 cross overs. This left me with a lot less track footage but left me areas large enough for decent size industries, and a fare size yard.

I will try and keep you supplied with photos. If any you want to post, great. The rest can be put in the circular file.

In some of my photos you can see Rix Products HO 628-0103 Early 150′ Highway Overpass Kit.

I like things to have a start and a stop to them. To cut the cost a little and fit in my area I cut the bridge in half length ways. I think I used 4 kits so I would have enough side railing for both sides.

To get the curve down, and also bend around I used a heat gun. If you don’t get in a hurry you can form the plastic about any way you want. It’s a one lane bridge for ho, and two lane for n gauge.

I will tell you some of the other things that have been kit bashed, or made to fit what was needed. Enough for now need to get back on the layout.

Wayne”

I have really enjoyed following Wayne’s layout journey – I really like the questions that different posts inspire too:

After reading some of Wayne’s posts, Frank got in touch with these:

“I notice that many layouts are on foam board’s.

I have several questions regarding this method. I am now using plywood with “Track-Bed” and nailing down my N Scale track and breaking many ties in the process. So here are my questions:

1. Why do you use it and how is it cut.
2. When I go to Home Depot, what do I ask for.
3. Do I still use “Track Bed” or cork on top of the foam. ( it has to be movable )
4. How do I nail down the track
5. I have DCC. Will it affect the engine sounds.

Thanks for the answers and any othersuggestions you guys have.

Frank (73) in Arizona”

Please do leave a comment below if you can help Frank.

That’s all for this time folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if creating your own model railroad is an itch you just have to scratch, the the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.

Need buildings for your layout? Have a look at the Silly Discount bundle.

“My HO layout 8×15 is nowhere close to being done. I started with a bare room back in Feb. I stopped working on it the first of April.

I had a item on my bucket list that I wanted to do. I set my HO layout aside, got on my motorcycle, and went on a 3 mo. 11,000 mile, and 19 states. When I returned home I started back on my layout.

Regardless of my age of 77, Parkinson, bad knees, overweight and a dozen other things they want to give me a pill for, I am getting things done.

I had a track problem when I left on my trip, but figured it out, then corrected it when I returned home.

I would like to share some pictures with you, and the other model railroading enthusiasts.

The next shot is a hill that I am trying to create distance. This whole section is N gauge.

My sister in law sent me some ceramic little houses she got in Ireland. They’re N gauge size, so I placed them up on the hill, bought N gauge people, cars, some with lights, cows, and street lamps.

When I started putting lighting in I had to learn how to solder hair.

The other shot is the famous government “owned “comet mine” the critic got started by saying my rocks looked like a meteor had hit the area.

The shot is at night with the farmhouse and barn in the background,and the ice house and meat packers, and stock yard.

Any suggestions for improvement are welcome.

If you remember the “critic” comment on my rocks in my hills, created the comet mine.

That mine has grown quite a bit.

Here is some of the stuff I am working on.

Thank you

Wayne”

A big thanks to Wayne. Here’s what I really love about the blog: seeing folk make a start, and then slowly but steadily progress.

And nothing demonstrates this more than Wayne. Have a look and see for yourself.

Wayne’s very first post on his HO layout 8×15 is here.

Wayne’s second post on his layout is here.

Wayne’s third HO layout post.

HO scale layout update number 4

Wayne’s 5th update on his HO layout 8×15

I do admire the way Wayne has grabbed the bull by the horns and just gone for it – it’s the start that stops most of us when it comes to a layout.

A HO Layout 8×15 seems to be a very popular size too – here’s Jeff’s 8×15 HO scale if you missed it.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide, if today is the day you start your railroad adventure.

Best

Al

PS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.

Need buildings for your layout? Have a look at the Silly Discount bundle.

There are lots of Atlas model railroads on the blog.

Here are some of them:

Richard’s 4×6 Atlas model railroad:

“My layout is a modification of Atlas’ N59 layout. I added an over and under to it and lengthened it. Overall size is 4′ x 6′.

It’s constructed on a plywood base topped with 1” pink insulation foam.

I never had room in my home for the size of layout I wanted, so when I retired, I sold a car and replaced it with the model train layout I have been waiting to build for over 50 years.

Richard”

You can see all of Richard’s Atlas layout here

Ed’s Atlas model railroad

“I researched small track plans in an Atlas publication. I laid Atlas code 100 track following Atlas’ Twice Around in 4×6 plan.

Ed”

You can read Ed’s narrative here.

Jim’s Atlas layout

“What I’ve learned so far with my Atlas model railroad is that HO track work can be very unforgiving. Rail joints must be nearly perfect. Even small gaps can cause running problems. It’s faster and cheaper to do it right the first time.

Jim”

You can see all of Jim’s layout pics here.

Ken’s layout step by step

“The main track concept is a main loop around the entire layout, this required a double track bridge, the bridge, and then up and down ramps to the main level.

Also there is a coal mine incorporated with its own trackage, this would also require another bridge, and then there is a loop on the main level connecting everything that needs a bridge.

Ken”

You can see Ken’s Atlas track layout step by step here.

Paul expands his Atlas model railroad

“In the accompanying photos you can see the turntable I installed and the matching roundhouse for my Atlas model railroad. It necessitated cutting into my workshop wall so that it would fit in the proper location relative to the turntable.

Paul”

You can see all of Paul’s layout pics here.

Bruce’s Atlas layout:

“The layout is “L” shaped, with 4 train tracks, and 4 DC controllers.

There are 2 outside long distance tracks for my longer trains, and 2 figure-8 shorter tracks on the inside. Nothing too fancy, as I want to see my trains run.

Bruce”

You can see all of Bruce’s pics here.

Brian’s rural Atlas mode railroad – or should that be railway?

“Finally, on the question of HO vs OO scale, which is 1/87th vs 1/76th. I have bought HO track in the US (Atlas) but bought engines and rolling stock from the UK.

Brian”

You can see all of Brian’s pics and excellent narrative here.

Bob’s Atlas model railroad:

“As the saying goes “A layout is never finished.” After all the expansions, work arounds, and problems, I am having problems just running my trains.

So I have decided to scrap it all and start a new layout and this time learn from my mistakes and take my time to do it right.

Bob”

You can see the rest of Bob’s pics and narrative here.

There are lots and lots of Atlas layouts on the blog, but the only way to see them all is to jump on the newsletter.

There’s lots more than just layouts. It’s not just Atlas model railroads – it’s packed full of tips, tricks, pics and ‘how to’ step by steps – just like this one:

Here’s how Bob solved his access problem.

Dont’ miss out – jump on the newsletter right now.

Best

Al

PS Looking for some print out scenery? Try here.