Model railroad layouts plans

Before we start with Gerry’s post on building HO layout, here’s a quick missive from John:

“Dear Al, just wanted to say how much I appreciate your efforts.

I got my 1st train set in the 50’s. always looked back on it w/ fondness.

Then when I had children I decided to build a layout for my 2 boys. I didn’t know anything, but I went ahead via model railroad magazines.

I built a double train layout so both my boys could drive a train w/o waiting turns. I think I did fairly well for a total novice.

But the real pay off came one night when I came home from work late. Went into the kitchen to get a soft drink and there on the dining room table was a note. Writing in childish block letters it read,

Dear daddy thank you for the best train set ever! Love Andrew and Marshall.

Ty, john

ps planning to build something for me, please continue w/ the wonderful tips and advice.”

I never know what’s going to pop up in my inbox, and John’s mail really made me smile.

If you have a similar story, please do mail me or leave a comment below. I’d love to hear it.

Now on to Jerry:

“Hi Al,

I have been slowly building a new HO layout which is just now ready for electronics work as all base painting and landscaping is done.

But big problem as my first attempt to attach feeder wires off a bus line has resulted in cross circuits. Need help!!!

So need to get locomotives running before doing detail work on every square inch ovt next 10 years…

Had just 2 inches to spare to get boat in the garage and close the door…!

Thank you AL for your blog as I really enjoy it and Johns paper buildings keep me busy in winter as we return to Florida for winters.

Thanks.

Gerry.”

A huge thanks to Gerry. Please leave a comment below if you can point Gerry in the right direction on his feeder wires.

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 HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.

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

Alex has been in touch with is 6×14 HO scale layout :

“I have had a layout as a kid. I am now a lot older and decided to get into it again.

I started with a 4×8 layout and have since expanded it to 6×14 as a 4×8 would not fit my theme.

When completely finished it will have 3 levels on a 6×14 layout.

The scenery will follow afterwards and it will have a mountain town theme with the layout going through the mountains.

Alex”

Now on to Cassio.

He’s sent in another vid of his update:

A big thanks to Alex for sharing his 6×14 HO scale layout and to Cassio too.

I love the way Alex grabbed the bull by the horns and enlarged his layout so it would fit in with his theme. I know I’m always saying it, but the layouts that have a theme from day one, always seem to turn out the best.

I know some of you wonder why I post pics of half built layouts. It’s simply because this hobby is all about making a start.

And if Alex’s start has inspired you, and you want to get going on yours, don’t forget 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.

When it comes to model railroad planning, there are always a few things to look out for.

Here, John shares his:

“Alastair, your looking for ‘disasters’

I was finishing my ‘bar top’ table for a show (before I permanantly installed it as a bar). Two days before the show I discovereed 3 disasters/errors on my part. (Photos attached)

1) I forgot to install power to the track as well ss a rerailer track! I had to remone a section of track, install a rerailer, and terminal wires, then of course re-ballist and paint the area just repaired.

2) A tunnel I installed earlier was too small for ANY cars to pass under it; thanks to a Dremel rotory tool and a hand-held vac I carved out the portal so even a 40′ N scale high-cube would pass through without bumping. Of course I had to repaint and detail the portal again.

The first two repairs were accomplished in 1 day and, as they say the “show must go on” was the word of the day.

3) The trestle bridge was bumped before I enclosed the table and the train set sitting in it derailed; I had thought I could install the trestles and reach inside through the ports (windows) but even without the sides on the table I could NOT get the engines. End result is I am still working on a girder plate bridge to span a scale 450 feet.

It should be noted that this is step one of four separate tables/tracks that will cross the room on two different “book shelf” tracks onto another “turn around” table. I’ll keep you posted. The intent is to have the “end of bar” table done next, the turn around table before October and the book shelf tracks done be Christmas. A bit ambitious but I believe I CAN do it if I only FIRST get the 450’ girder plate bridge built.

John – Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin”

It just goes to show, time spent on model railroad planning is seldom wasted.

And now on to Hall of Fame member, Rob:

“Hi Al,

Here is a video you may like.

Rob”

Rob talks us through his layout in his last post, which is here.

But perhaps the post you’ll remember Rob most from, is this one, because who doesn’t want moving cars on their layout? They look great and are a lot of fun.

And there’s also his scratch built crane that is very memorable too.

A huge thanks to Ron and John.

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 grab the bull by the horns and get going on your very own layout.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.