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Arizona model trains

John’s been in touch with his Arizona model train layout.

I know many of you are men of few words – and that’s fine. It’s still good to see your layouts.

Let’s start with JW – a man of very few words indeed:

“My version of a Arizona 1920’s Tombstone and Southern railroad.

JW”

Now onto John’s:

“Hi Al,

As I visit this very helpful site often, I feel I should join the contributors.

First a little about myself, As senior citizen, am planning my third and last layout. This may or may not be built due to medical issues, but I am having fun planning it anyway. I have many radical ideas which I hope to incorporate in the 4m X 2 layout. Sorry about metrics.

I have recently moved to Canberra and have some of my old layout to incorporate in this new one.

Kind regards

John (John K)”

Next on to Stephen:

“Alastair,

I started building your buildings, with the help of John, last year.

Like many of your followers, I started with O scale trains, had an unlandscaped platform when my children were young, but your site inspired me to “just get started”.

I purchased your Beginners Guide and it’s been worth every Penny – put coaster wheels on the platform legs so I can work behind my L- shaped 10x8x4 ft platform.

As you can see I’ve placed scenery on about a third of the platform, the mountain and town plus the industrial areas still to come.

The farm is growing barley and hops-to be taken to the brewery then the finished product will be enjoyed at the Brauhaus in town.

Thanks for your site to share ideas.

Steve, also in Ohio”

Now on to Eric.

“Hello Al Hope all is well.

I have attached a link of the lower layout with a steam loco pushing the rail cam.

Not much to say that I have not said in past post. I remember someone asking about

a run around the layout. So here is 3 min. of running.

Thank you

Eric The Firefighter St. Louis Missouri Area”

(Eric’s last post is here).

A big thanks to JW for sharing his Arizona model trains – and to Eric, Steve and John.

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

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.

N scale trestle bridge – Bob’s

Bob’s been in touch with his N scale trestle bridge:

“Al…Bob in Texas here.

I wanted to share a brief update on my N scale layout.

Like so many of the contributors to your blog, the limiting factor for my layout was space, more precisely, not enough of it. But things do have a way of changing.

Our youngest daughter, Samantha, recently graduated from high school and left for university.

Before she left, she offered me part of her bedroom as an annex for my office. I think she was afraid we would rent her bedroom to boarder…ha, ha! I now have additional space in office to expand my layout.

I mentioned in my original post that I try to incorporate trestle bridges in my layout as much as possible.

From the first time I saw the black and white photograph, I have been fascinated by the Two Mountain Creek timber trestle bridge on the Great Northern Railway in Montana. I believe it was constructed sometime around the turn of the century.

With all my new-found space, I decided to incorporate my interpretation of this amazing structure into my layout. I hope you enjoy the photographs.

Now that I have room to grow, I’m sure I will be sending more updates.

Thanks again Al for all your hard work. It is much appreciated.

Until next time,

Bob in Texas”

You’ll remember Bob’s N scale trestle bridges in his other layout – it’s bit of a stunner. Here’s just one of the pics of his layout:

If you’d like to see all of Bob’s pics from the last post, his N scale layout is right here.

What’s more, shortly afterwards, Bob was kind enough to talk us through his layout in another post, which is here.

And when it comes to N scale trestle bridges, Lucien’s always springs to mind: N scale trestle bridge plans.

I do so enjoy seeing all your layouts expand, grow and change over the months and years.

It just goes to show, a layout is never really finished…

“Dear Alastair,

Some of your contributors send photos of their excellent electric wiring, all neat and tidy.

This might be a bit intimidating and could worry anyone new to the hobby, on a limited budget or lacking electrical experience.

Just in case anyone has concerns here are some photos of the spaghetti of electric wiring of my latest DC layout.

It has taken me 4 layouts to get them this well organised.

Best wishes

Andrew form Oz”

(Andrew’s last post is here.)

Now on to Hall of Fame member, Dave:

“Hi Al,

just uploaded this video as a weekend special, good few Loco`s with various stock all turning out to get the passengers to the seaside, even Tonys is operating fully again now…

Regards

Dave”

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

That’s all for today folks.

A big thanks to Bob, Dave and Andrew.

And don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide is here if you want to make that start.

Best

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.

Lumber railroad – Steve’s

Steve’s been in touch with his lumber railroad.

The logging railroads are a very popular theme, and Steve has done an excellent job:

“Alastair,

First, THANK YOU for all you do to share everyone’s model railroading!!! It’s great to see what people around the globe are doing – using their experiences for learning and education!

Second, it’s hard to believe it’s been over 3 ½ years since I sent my original email regarding the OWLS (Ohio Western & Lima Short line).

I continue to plug away, focusing on the scenery, landscape & buildings. Alas, age has taken it’s toll and the old hands aren’t as steady as they used to be!!

Here are recent photos of the OWLS Short line, mainly the progress I’ve made with the above mentioned areas.

Again, THANK YOU for all you do!

The layout is from about the late 1950 – 1960 time period and centers around a local logging/ lumber industry.

The sub roadbed made from pink insulation foam.

A a couple of the local industries.

The center of town on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

The switches controlling track power, power to the industry & house LEDs, smoke system for the lumber mill & other buildings as well as sound system. The sound system has one set for daylight (trucks, cars, etc.) and one set for night time (crickets, owls, etc.)

Where the timber is harvested

Retail outlet for the finished lumber

Where the rough cut trees are converted to lumber

Another look at the lumber mill and the shop for the ever ongoing work to repair/ refurbish trains and other manufacturing equipment

A look at some of the house in the little town.

Steve”

A huge thanks to Steve for sharing his lumber railroad – I do love an update.

If you’re looking for Steve’s first post, it’s here.

And now on to Dave:

“Hi Al,

Thanks for all your blogs.

I started to build my layout about 6 years ago when I retired. It really just evolved, starting on the dining room table, then grew legs. Of course, starting as a novice I made many mistakes as we all do.

The HO layout is 6.5ft x 4.5ft approx and was constructed using Peco code 100 set -track mainly to be able to shunt etc, using #2 curves as the smallest radii.

“Karrawidgee” (a fictitious town} is based on the Mallee type of vegetation found in the Western part of Victoria in Australia and is fairly accurate re Victorian Government Railway infrastructure.

It is all scratchbuilt including the vegetation which is Cedum plants and vitamised foam rubber. The vegetation was planted individually recently as we endure COVID19 lock-down and must admit was over it by the time I finished.

I started the layout with the river taking a lot of space and found I had to make many bridges to fit track in. All trestles are a different height and grade and constructed from the Vic Railway drawings to scale.

As a boy we lived near a railway branch line and the goods yard was my playground, so I guess it’s a bit nostalgic.

I have tried to make it as realistic as possible. Layout #2 will be in the NE of Victoria with new challenges in vegetation with many timber trestle bridges.

Hope it is of some interest.

Cheers,

David”