Model railroad layouts plans

Mike has been in touch – he’s found out pros and cons when it comes to HO or N scale.

“Hi AL:

Hope this message finds you well. Seems like a great time to send you an update on my model train odyessy inspired three years ago when I first encountered your wealth of information website.

Briefly, I started with a basement full of Lionel trains on four 4×8 tables. A year later, I scrapped it all to gain more real estate with HO scale.

I went all out with Bachmann EZ Track and constructed replicas of the Western Film town of Old Tucson and Hill Valley from the “Back to the Future” movies.

However, left with very little floor space for family and visitors during the days of the pandemic, I took the decision to scrap once again all the HO trains and track to regroup in N Scale.

Right or wrong, I liquidated all the HO trains and track on ebay, and then I acquired a few Bachmann N scale starter sets and lots of EZ track to begin experimenting with layouts on a much smaller L-shaped table topped with extruded polystyrene.

Photos included to illustrate how much of the basement was reclaimed for visitors. After trying several track plans, I settled on the this one.

Then I made a great discovery: KATO Trains. The upgrade in quality over Bachmann was astounding. Wish I would have used their track before I invested so much in Bachmann EZ track.

Now the scenery planning begins. I intend to rebuild in scale the Old Tucson and Hill Valley towns of the HO setup with a mountain scene in the corner.

Project should take me well into the Winter months.

I’ll keep you posted. Many thanks again for all the great tips and examples of what other train enthusiasts are doing with this wonderful hobby.

Mike
Grand Rapids, Michigan USA”

A huge thanks to Mike for the update. His last post – the HO scale – is here.

It just goes to show that the scale – HO scale or N scale – or any scale come to that, all hinges and on the space and budget you have… and of course how much time you have.

I do love hearing how all are getting on. It’s a learning curve for all of us, and knowing my little site has helped some of you really does please me.

Please do keep ’em coming.

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

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

Rich has been back in touch with some advice on his trains layout table.

Before he got busy on the mountains and scenery, he ‘drew’ over pics of his layout so he could see where he would not access for any derailments.

If want to see his ‘finished’ pics, they are here.

“Here is how my 4 x 8 looked while it was under construction.

Progress photos are never pretty but they give great insight in how a layout is built.

One question from the last time my 4 x 8 was featured was what happens when I have a derailment. Any type of open frame work will provide good access to the problem from below.

One technique I used was to draw over one of my photos to see what might be.

There was one spot where I was not sure on how it should look so I used the Paint program in my desktop to electronically build several versions of the same scene.

It took less time and money than actually replacing scenery I didn’t like.

The process was enjoyable and I was able to compare the different printed versions side by side.

I have used this technique several times while I designed my 3rd division railroad.

Just remember that this doesn’t have to be fine art. It is only a way to see and show others what is in your head.

The last photo shows one idea for the double deck backdrops and framing for the 3rd division.

It is to be a very large model railroad so I want to have a clear build concept in place to get it running as soon as possible.

Rich”

HOn3 Well corner idea.

“Hi Al

I am sharing some photo’s of my layout not to show that I have started my layout, or to report on its progress, but to share an experience that makes this hobby really enjoyable.

I have a 5 year old granddaugther, to whom I was explaining the layout of my model railway.

I mentioned that there will be a canal as a central feature. And I will need to create some water for it.

She decided to make some water by using blue crayon on bits of paper. She would go away and then return with more and more bits until the canal was full.

The magical bit was when I suggested that she could put one of the boats on her water, her eyes lit up.

I then mentioned that I am going to make some trees for the layout and thus I now have trees.

I have also been adding some Langley animals which I paint and add to the layout and without telling her.

When she does find them she comes down very excitedly and drags Grandma up to show her.

Sometimes the magic is not only the layout.

By the way I have no idea how the sheds got there.

regards

Derrick”

“I thought I would give you an update on the progress of dismantling my layout.

Here are two pictures showing why you should use open gridwork not tables for mountain scenes. It is not easy to work on or repair a scene after scenery is applied.

It is hopeless to save track if it has been glued down. Since plaster cloth was used over risers, I was able to pull it off. I also added a riser backwards to reduce the slope.

There were scenes that I could save and structures. Everything was mounted on roller tables. Three tables shown.

One table was saved. It needed to be lowered for the new bylevel plan. Casters were added. then the legs were shortened. A car jack was used to support and lower the table. Adjustable pads were added. The window shown was blocked before. The new plan will not block it and allow light from it.

Now that everything’s on wheels a new floor will be installed, and then I will start the new layout.

Don”

That’s all for today folks.

A big thanks to Rich for sharing his before and after pics of scenery on the trains layout – and to Don, Derrick too.

Don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide is here if you want to get going on your own layout.

Best

Al

PS Seen the latest ebay cheat sheet yet?

Fred’s been back in touch with his N scale LED lights scene.

I think it looks absolutely stunning, so if you agree:

“Hi Al –

Sorry I didn’t get back to you – got distracted.

I’ve been pressed into service getting our house re-painted, gardens weeded and planted, and that sort of thing.

Now that most of my layout is done, I plan on nibbling at detailed improvements and embellishments during the cold season.

Having made my excuses, here are a few more pics.

All the best,

Fred”

Stunning stuff from Fred as always.

I know I’ve said it before, but I’m still going to say it.

It’s always the layouts with a theme in mind from day one that turn out the best.

Fred’s layout is quite small, but because he was clear about what he wanted to model and why, it’s an absolute stunner, regardless of its size.

If you missed his last post, it’s here.

In my mind, there’s only one thing more important than having a theme for your layout, and that’s making a start.

Now on to Hall of Fame member, Dave:

“Hi Al,

just uploaded a video showing some very reasonable priced trees that I have added to the layout.

To make use of the old ones which were far too bright, I have show how to change them by just spraying with a tin of spray paint, which has transformed them in to something I can now use

Regards

Dave”

A big thanks to Fred for sharing his N scale LED lights layout, and too Dave.

That’s all for today folks.

Please don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide is here if you want to get going on your own layout.

Best

Al