Model railroad layouts plans

Harry’s been busy with his Marklin layout:

“Hi from Harry in Australia.

The layout I constructed is with Marklin 3 rail some of it 50 years old track .

Digital mfx locos running, with steam and sound and turnouts and signals switched by reed switches for the block system to work.

Have fun with the Marklin pictures .

Greetings

Harry”

A huge thanks to Harry for sharing his layout.

I never know what’s going to appear in my inbox, so it’s a real delight to see what you are all getting up to.

Whenever a Marklin train pops up, I’m always reminded of this post – if you scroll to the middle of it there’s a wonderful pic that goes with an equally wonderful narrative about this hobby.

And then there is Paul’s post. He’s got back in to model railroads with his small Marklin layout.

In fact there’s lots of them on the blog – but then again ther’s lots of everything on the blog when it comes to model trains, model railroads or model railways, whatever you care to call it.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you grab the bull by the horns, 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.

Kim’s been in touch – he shares how to replace your locomotive lights:

(Oh – and if the link in my previous email didn’t work for you, sorry about that, here’s the correct one: Harry’s layout.)

“Hi Al and modeler’s.This is to replace those 12 volt bulb’s in your locomotive.

To run realistic speeds i find the bulb doesn’t produce enough light.You have to run to fast to show it and normally looks a yellowish glow.

Ive replaced my locomotive lights with 1.5 volt Led’s. Less heat and more light at very low speed’s.

Photo 1 is the led and the 12 volt resistor.And next to it is the factory bulb lot’s of heat very little light.

Photo 2 is the light board in the locomotive.

Photo 3 is the already finished and installed front light with resistor and used shrink tubing to protect from heat and short.

Photo 4 is the factory bulb in the rear of the locomotive.

Photo 5 is the Led and the resistor soldered to the possitive lead of the Led.Dont over heat.

photo 6 is the finished light.

Photo 7 is the Led soldered in place.

Careful to make sure the 2 soldered point’s dont not touch and to use a object to scrap gently between to clear any unwanted stuff and make a clean connection.

Photo 8 is me holding the locomotive at super slow speed and show how bright during the day the Led’s work.

Now next time i am replacing the 2 mar’s light’s in front to real lights.

Basic soldering and a easy fix to spruce up your locomotive lighting. Going to love it at low light.

All Led’s and resistors come in a pack from ebay and cost .99 cents and free shipping for 20 colored led’s.

If any problem’s let me know.enjoy.

Kim”

Now on to Stuart:

“Hi Alastair,

Latest part of my 00 guage model town with the water park and the town pub.

I am really enjoying doing this, I made the pond from model water.

The pub has turned out better than I had hoped. more to come at a later date.

The stone wall I made from a length of cardboard and covered in PVA glue I then sprinkled fine pebbledash which I sived through a cheese grater; came out great.

Keep up the good work sending all these tips and great ideas from everyone.

Cheers

Stuart P”

(See more of Stuart’s layout from an earlier post here).

A big thanks to Stuart and Kim.

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 stop dreaming and start doing.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

Greg’s been in touch with his 20×20 N scale:

“You guys have renewed my interest in working on my 20×10 L shaped N scale layout that I started years ago.

It models the Union Pacific Central Division Hub at Marysville, Kansas, about 1928.

I have a lot of work to do, as you can see from the pictures, but that’s the fun part!

Overview of the yards, which I simplified and shrunk to indoor size. That’s the “old” depot. A fancy Spanish style one was constructed in 1929.

Had to get in close to show my scratch built coaling crane and sand tower. The ash pit is dug in but not constructed yet.

I must have 40 more structures to build in the yards and industrial area nearby. More track to lay also.

Here’s the short leg of the L. You can see how I built the track base with three strips of 1/4” plywood curved and spaced apart.

I hand built the turnouts on the main line to a much gentler curve so my larger engines can take them easily.

I hope they come out with a 9000 series locomotive someday, I know they had trouble with the curves around here!

One turn around end is mostly done, needs weeds and finishing touches.

There are tracks! Everyone needs a tall bridge, even in Kansas!

The corn field lifts out for access.

The five story Pacific Hotel I built using DPM modular and scratch building techniques, it’s gone now so I had to do it from pictures.

A huge thanks to Greg for sharing his 20×10 N scale.

I do love it when the blog inspires people to start – and giving someone the enthusiam to carry on after a lull feels just as good.

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 More N scale layouts here if that’s your thing.

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