Model railroad layouts plans

Steve’s been busy with his 4×8 model railroad layouts – this one has a wild west theme.

“This is my first layout(4×8) and with only limited space I created a western town from the late 1800’s.

With over 150 trees (75% hand made) and (25% gifts from family) two oval tracks.

Steve”

Steve’s pics reminded me of Rich’s layout Model train oval layout 4×8.

Now on to Dean, with the next part in his series:

(If you missed his last post, it’s here.)

“Hi, Al, I’m digressing a little from my Scenic Ridge construction with this short video on a cheap and reliable power supply I use to drive switches (turnouts).

This video describes a capacitive-discharge power supply that I use to power my Atlas switches on my Scenic Ridge Railroad under construction.

It can also be used with other twin-coil or snap switches such as those manufactured by Bachmann or Peko.

It is easy to build and uses an inexpensive Wall-Wart (wall plug-in) power supply, which you might have on hand. Anything you have rated at 12-18 volts, ½ Amp or greater, should work.

Generally, the positive lead on the Wal-Wart is the internal wire. Or it might be the wire that is painted white. Check before you use it since it must be connected to the correct lead on the capacitor or the capacitor will self-destruct.

Here’s a list of parts. Unfortunately, you have to buy several of the smaller pieces at a time. Shop around to get better prices or find some friends to share the cost with.

• PLUSPOE 12V1A AC DC Switching Power Supply Adapter 12W Wall Wart Transformer (on Amazon $6.98).

• 10 Pcs 5x7cm (2x3in) DIY PCB Prototyping Perf Circuit Boards Breadboards US (on eBay, 10 for $4.95

• 100 ohm 1- watt resistor (on eBay, 10 for $2.99)

• 5pcs 35v 4700uf 35volt 4700mfd 105c aluminum capacitor 16×30mm (on eBay, 5 for $5.49)

Dean”

A big thanks to Steve and Dean.

Steve looks like he’s having fun on his 4×8 model railroad layouts.

That’s all for today folks – please do keep ’em coming.

Please just email me if you’d like to share anything.

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.

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

Andy’s really in to his Pennsylvania model train layout – and it really shows too:

“Hi, my name is Andy, and this is my train layout.

I really love the Pennsylvania Railroad and it’s history and own a few books on it. I am also into CSX AND CONRAIL.

My model railroad is based on an imaginary town named Brookfield, a Small Town in Northwestern, New Jersey, where the mainline travels through.

The Pennsylvania railroad model trains that run through are Amtrak, New York Central, Pennsylvania Railroad, Reading, Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines, CNJ, CSX, Conrail, Santa Fe, Burlington, and even the occasional Atlantic Coastline or Burlington Northern and from time to time.

Just about anything can go through there, depending on trackage rights, giving me the freedom to run any road I want!

My hobbies are Model Railroading, Chasing Trains and photographing and video taping them for my personal collection.

I also enjoy collecting CD’s, DVD’s, Die Cast Cars, Model Trains, Magazines, Listening to music, Playing with my computer, Going to concerts, Cats, Taking walks, and looking at the night sky.

I was born and grew up in Vineland, New Jersey, where my father took me for long walks on my uncle’s farm on Wheat Road in same town, and we watched the last of the steam engines rolling down the tracks on the central railroad.

Perhaps this has had a lot to do with me being into trains as I am. I also watched the diesels travel through Vineland, that would be Central Railroad of New Jersey, Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines, Conrail, Winchester and Western, and for the remainder of my growing from childhood to adulthood and had my first model railroad layout at the age of 13.

Nowadays it’s CSX, NS and Winchester and Western.

I gave it up when I was 18 and got onto other things, only to return to the hobby at the age of 37, when I got bit once again by the bug after purchasing a G Scale Christmas train for under my Christmas tree.

Andy”

A big thanks to Andy. What a layout! It’s not hard to see why people choose a Pennsylvania model train theme.

Just me, but I really do think picking a theme for a layout makes a huge difference.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you stop dreaming and start doing, 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.

Dave’s sent in these pics of his G scale trains:

“Hi Al-

Wanted to share with the “gang” my past railroading experiences, and where I’ve landed!

Like most kids, it all started on snowy morning after a visit from the Jolly ‘Ol Elf in the early sixties!

“HO” was my father’s drug of choice! 😉 He and his pals had spent the entire “Night before Christmas building and assembling an entire world of “make believe”. And I, at the tender age of 8… was hooked!

HO continued to be MY choice, as well. I LOVED the detailed modeling that seemed to set my layouts apart from those… so call “Christmas Tree Trains”. My trains stayed out all year long.

As I have experienced several, “trips around the sun”- my taste for the “train drug” grew! First with my two boys and now with my four grandchildren.

I’ve always loved the HO, but I have dabbled in “N”, old school “O”, Lionel and most recently “G”.

G scale trains is my NEW love affair. LGB – German engineering!! This stuff is amazing. So smooth in the operations. The gearing all mesh together so nicely! LOVE IT. And as eyesight starts to fade, it’s nice to be able to SEE the parts you are working on (a wonderful bonus)!!!

My latest “train room” is on 6 folding tables or about 90 square feet. I got my design layout idea from a wonderful gentleman in Baltimore, MD who is a master with LGB’s.

After visiting his shop for a repair part for my outside train garden, (not recommended for the weak at heart), I fell in love with his design.

So- now after several years of designing, building, laying track down and pick track up. I stumble upon “Al’s” website of all “you guys (and gals)” who love training as much as I do…. Very cool.

I tried to take some pictures of the layout. Hard to capture everything that is going on, as many of you, I’m sure- have experienced when trying to take photos of your layout…

“Pictures just don’t do it justice!”

Here are some of the hard facts, that might be of interest-

My layout:

90 square feet

Setting on 6 – 2.5’x6’ plastic folding tables cover w/ green felt (easy set up)

11 LGB engines – (Santa train is NOT LGB, but I love it)

25 Various LGB rolling stock

15 Electric switches

11 Separately controlled sidings

25 Lamp posts

25 Hand built scenes

2 panoramic photos of European countryside

Auto Daytime lighting and sound effects

Auto Nighttime lighting and sound effects

Thunderstorms, complete with lightning and thunder

LGB Rack system that climbs 36”

160 feet of LGB track

And then, there is an older Lionel train system that I modified for my Granddaughter- (it’s pink, of course). It runs noisily under the (LGB) German Village!

Enjoy the pictures. Certainly, if you have any questions regarding “G” scale being used indoor!!! I hope this will prove that they aren’t just for outdoors anymore! Stay in… it’s sooo much nicer!

Cheers and thanks for your time! Oh- and thank you AL for all you do allowing us old duffers to yak on about this wacky hobby that our wives just don’t understand! hehe

Dave”

Now on to Dave:

“Hi Al, just downloaded this short video.

I am loading a longer full version later so will probably send that as well , been having a few computer probs so got to sort out first

Regards

Dave”

A big thanks to Dave – he seems to be having a lot of gun with his G scale trains.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide is here if you want to get going on your own layout.

Best

Al

PS Have you had a look at the new ebay cheat sheet yet?