Model railroad layouts plans

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?

Jeff’s been in touch with this wondferful narrative on his N scale Western Maryland themed layout:

“Enjoy the emails and posts about all the layouts around the world. Great for getting ideas for mine.

Took about two years but I think the N scale layout is complete. Are they ever finished? LOL

Since moving to Maryland in the late 80’s, I got to reading and really enjoyed the route of the Western Maryland Railroad. My N scale Western Maryland layout is based on them surviving all the NS and CSX merging’s and thriving.

I have pretty many different types of engines from steam to modern diesel. The majority I’ve painted and numbered to WM engines best possible. Switching from HO to N really puts a strain on the nerves and eyesight.

I started around the beginning of retirement a couple years ago.

Almost every building or scene has a story to tell that is near and dear to me. From Papa Frank’s Subs and Pizza (my first job) to the inflatable pig flying over the Western Maryland engine shops (Pink Floyd Animals is one of my favorites of all time), to the mobile home my grandparents had when I was growing up (Pop had a green VW).

Sandbox Crew Brewery, Marillion playing at the local club, a Tim Horton’s and even a Godzilla sighting.

Main industry is the Harley Davidson factory and dealership.

Jeff”

A big thanks to Jeff! What a layout – and it’s great to see a pic of the entire layout too. Stunning stuff.

And I loved the Pink Floyd flying pig too, it reminded me of Barry’s powerstation: Model railway power station.

Now on to the new printable buildings – there are 4 of them, and they are now in the store.

Best of all, if you use the coupon code carrot123 you can get them half price – that’s just $3.50 – a steal!

All of the new houses are in the store.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if you want to your start, on your very own layout, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

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

There’s quite a few HO shelf layouts on the blog now. Here’s Roberts:

“Hello Al,

First off I want to let you know how overwhelmed I was at the response to my layout.

My children and grandchildren think my ‘toy’ trains are pretty but having a group of real model train guys let me know that they think my layout is pretty good really made my day and my week and probably my year as well.

Thanks to all for you comments and suggestions.

Secondly, it’s funny how one always needs more room for a layout.

I decided to expand my layout by using my 12 x 12 storage shed in the back yard. I added insulation, OSB walls, ran electric and added an a/c/ unit through the wall.

I use a little electric heater in the winter.

I decided I liked HO shelf layouts with a duck under at about 54” so I didn’t have to crawl. My train room also included a small space to work.

I also wanted to use as much as possible from my 1st layout.

On my first layout I used a plywood sheet covered with pink foam insulation.

The track was glued down (with white glue). On this layout I used an OSB base covered with sound board and the track was tacked with track nails. Some new things I tried:

1. I tried my hand at scratch building some items.

2. Built using different levels to add interest.

3. Added a water feature. Didn’t do too good on the waves part.

4. Built my scenery with screen, cardboard strips, balled-up newspaper and foam all covered with plaster cloth or plaster or drywall compound or tinfoil. I wanted to experiment to test what worked best for me.

5. Built some trees with kits(didn’t work out too well) and also weeds painted green.

6. Got some latex and built some molds …. A fun project. Also bought some rubber rock molds as well.

7. Added people into my vignettes. My wife’s idea. She was right, they really make the scene come alive.

8. Used a turntable with an auto reverser and a switch to run the turntable backwards and forwards. Figured out later that I could have used a switch instead of the Auto Reverser and saved a lot of money.

A couple of things I learned on the way:

1. Never put your turnouts at the beginning or end of a curve. Always start them on a straight piece of track. They always caused a derailment.

2. Duckunders are the easiest. I first tried a lift out… kind of a pain with the off and on thing and my alignment always needed a little adjustment. Then I got cute and built an elevator thing using a car antenna hung from the ceiling and the bridge riding between two metal tracks. The next try was a lift-up thing mounted on a furniture hinge. Too bad I didn’t take some pictures of these failures on my part. Most were good for a few laughs.

3. I really don’t like working with a magnifier mounted on my head and besides, my hands shake at the most inopportune times. Can’t imagine how anybody works with N or Z scale. I stand in awe of these folks.

4. Always add the background (if desired) before you build the layout.

I added many more little vignettes to this layout but I don’t have pictures because at this point I decided to get out of HO and go into something bigger. I decided on On30 which is O scale with the train’s running on HO track.

This began another journey …FYI, I was now 68 at this time.

Bob”

Now on to Kevin:

“Hi Alastair

Here is some new pictures of my new viaduct scene.

I’ve used static grass,seafoam trees and Heki flor to recreate flock.The viaduct is scratch built using emboss plastikard and greenscene plastic strips.

The river is Woodland scenic realistic water and realistic water effects and dry brushed white paint.

Kevin”

A huge thanks to Rob – it’s easy to see how HO Shelf layouts are easy to find space for.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if you want to your start, on your very own layout, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.