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N scale harbor scene

Fred’s been back in touch with his stunning N scale harbor scene.

You’ll remember his stunning layout as soon as you see it.

He hasn’t sent in a narrative, but if you want to get up to speed, his last post is here.

A big thank to Fred for sharing his N scale harbor pics. I can’t wait to see more!

Now on to Robert, who has sent in a good piece on something I’m always going on about: making a start.

“I have been working on a humble N gauge layout that serves two purposes.

It puts a train around our little Christmas tree, and the rest of the year there’s a mountain in the center with a lighthouse on top for the grandkids to amuse themselves with when they visit.

The whole thing sits atop my stereo cabinet. The layout had to be compact and lightweight.

1. I started with Styrofoam insulation sheets. I used low-temperature hot melt along the edges to fuse the sheets. The finished foam base is about 2.5 by 5 feet. I outlined where the tracks would fall and sketched the position of the mountain. The inside track is a figure eight, and the outside is an oval with a trestle in front.

2. I braced the Styrofoam with furring strips and added squares of furring strips as standoffs to provide space for wiring.

3. Next, I laid the track down, proved it with the trains, made adjustments, then glued it down using Loctite Power Grab construction adhesive. The three blocks in the center serve to hold the Christmas tree legs. They also serve to define the outside shape of the mountain.

4. I outlined the shape of the walls of the mountain on cardstock, then broke up chunks of Styrofoam and used them like building blocks, gluing them with hotmelt on top of the cardstock outline. Notice the shoe I made from cardstock to hold the foot of the tree. I did this for two of the three legs.

5. Here you can see a partially completed wall. I numbered each of the wall outlines so I would not confuse where each one went. I then sculpted the wall with a razor blade and covered it with tissue and diluted white glue to make it appear more like rock.

6. After outlining the locations of the walls, I used diluted white glue and toilet paper to add texture to the tunnel floor.

7. Here is a shot of the painted cave floor with the mountain walls glued in place.

8. Next, I cut foam for the tops of the entrances and a center piece for the top of the tunnels or cave. The entrance tops will be glued in place while the center piece is a friction fit.

9. I used tissue to trace the outline of the mountain walls and then cut a sheet of foam to match the tracing.

10. The piece that fits inside the mountain is then glued to the piece that serves as a base for the top of the mountain.

11. Turn the piece over and it fits snugly into the mountain base.

12. I built up the mountain top and prepared it for the lighthouse. The village to the left is Sunnydale, and the village on the right is Forest Falls. Pete’s dragon Elliott is sitting in his cave, anxiously awaiting his apples and a cocktail by the beach. Sunnydale, a happy little cul-de-sac, will have a gondola ride to the top of the mountain.

Much more to do…

Robert”

A big thanks to Robert and Fred.

Today’s post really does show both sides of a model railroad.

It’s hard to think that at some point, Fred’s layout looked something like Robert’s.

Nothing happens without making that start.

And if today’s the day you start yours, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

N scale track layout

Bill’s been back in touch with his N scale track layout:

“Hi al.

It’s been about a year since you heard from me about my n gauge layout. If you’ll remember it’s called Gerskyville. Its come a long way of just would and styrofoam.

Theres shots of unfinished areas yet.

Along the long backside will be two arched bridges on each end leading to a 3 foot by 4 foot yard.

I’m not good at story telling so that’s up to you. All the layout was built, painted and assembled by myself , I purchased no already finished biuldings.

The race track on the layout is built after a track in indiana that my whole family raced at, up untill they closed down. Broadway speedway, the fastest track on earth.

How you all enjoy.

Thanks

Bill G”

A big thanks to Bill for sharing his N scale track layout.

I do love it when I see some of the printable buildings too. Bill’s done a fab job with his printable building houses.

And if you want to see just how much Bill’s layout has come along, his last post is here.

“Hi Alastair,

I’ve been lurking on your emails for a while, and thought I should send you a taste of what I’ve been working on – a fictional layout in a much-too-small space that sorta represents the railway line between Barchester and Winter Overcotes in the Angela Thirkell novels.

It is set in the late 40’s, probably, so there might be some BR stuff along with GWR and even some LSWR and Southern stuff with varying degrees of run-down-ness.

I’m located in California so that I have to get all the stock from eBay or the various mail-order stores. This picture is of an ancient Hornby 14xx pulling a couple of 4-wheel kit coaches with the interior roughly modeled and painted and with an assortment of figures sitting in it.

If you are interested I’ll send some other pics.

Roland”

Yes, Roland. We’d love to see some more.

Now on to some behind the scenes news:

Pretty much, every week, I get emails asking, “Why do you show so many American layouts?”

And I get just as many saying, “Why do you show so many British layouts?”

Well, the truth is, I’m not fussy – I don’t give a jot where they come from, what their theme is, or their era.

If there’s something to learn from them, or marvel at, I publish.

But I know what folk mean – have a look at these two for example. Polar opposites when it comes each side of the Atlantic:

Barry’s

Barry’s update

And:

Julian’s

Polar opposites… but some real gems of wisdom.

But sometimes, no layout is necessary to tap in to some sage advice. Have a look at the comments in this one:

Pat’s dilemma

So there you go – oh, and one last thing. I also get mails everyday asking why I don’t publish the scale / gauge / track plan of some layouts. It’s all very simple: I publish everything I get. If I don’t have it, I can’t publish it.

That’s all for today.

If the posts have got your creative juices flowing, don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

HO scale model train layout

Paul’s been back in touch with his HO scale model train layout:

“Hi Al,

These pics show my newly named existing railroad and the addition I have been working on since last September.

The name is “CHICKADEE HOLLOW RAILROAD” this was inspired by our recently installed bird feeding station that we enjoyed observing all winter. We would often be visited by Carolina Chickadees and it was fun watching their energetic flights.

The first photo shows the sign my wife painted that I hung over the RR.

The second, third & fourth photos are an overview of the RR.

This is a closeup view of the engine shed & repair area showing the concrete paved work site.

This is a closer view of the concrete pad & my Doodlebugs

Closeup of concrete pad made from 2 mm foam sheets from craft store that I painted with concrete color paint and used a pencil to simulate cracks.

View of engine shed — note the grass growing between the rails of the little used siding. I put that there with the use of a static grass applicator

Overall view of Red Rock Farms

Loading cattle in cattle car ( the car actually moos when moved)

Side view of bridge connecting original layout to new section. In the near future I will submit details and photos of the mechanical and electrical workings of this bridge. This bridge is both removable and mechanically adjustable.

View of Red Rock Farms showing the various buildings, animals, and the sidings leased by the RR.

Ducks swimming in puddle beside the RR track.

Stream with small bridge

Dairy processing plant

Gas Station

Sheep grazing on the hill —see if you can spot the special sheep. If you are trying to guess the significance of that sheep well that is where plaid comes from.