Model railroad layouts plans

Charles has been in touch, and shows us how to paint a model train:

“Hi Alastair;

Reading your post every day, I’ve noticed 99% of the contributions are layout oriented. I have attached some pictures of a different facet of the hobby that I truly enjoy. Painting and decaling model railroad equipment in N scale.

I have been an N Scaler since the mid-1970s. Back then there wasn’t a lot to choose from as far as equipment and paint schemes, so, I painted a lot of stuff myself. Fortunately, there was a good selection of N scale decals to choose from.

One of the best things about N scale is you really don’t need an airbrush to do a decent job. All of my paint jobs are brush painted.

When I have a piece, I want to paint I look for photographs online, I try to get it as close to the prototype as possible. Some “Nit-Pickers” I’m sure will find fault but that’s OK, I don’t do it for them, I do it for myself.

I paint all types of equipment, locomotives, freight cars, and cabooses. Sometimes I start with an undecorated model, sometimes I repaint an existing model.

The photographs I included show some models before and after I painted them. It’s a fun aspect of the hobby that I enjoy, I hope your readers like what I’ve included.

I leave the weathering paint jobs to my son, he has an airbrush and knows how to use it.

Chuck”

Now on to an update from Will.

Only yesterday I posted how he’d made a start – here’s what he’s done in the few weeks since sending me the pics:

“Making headway, foam board, leftover styrofoam and plaster of Paris from home depot (cheap). Dries fast, so you must move along.

All painted light grey than a black wash, followed with a white dry brush.

Double track trestle from MTH. Bumper Lionel street car upper level.

Will be adding waterfall and small town.

Will be adding some type of casters as the the plaster of Paris added

Quite a bit of weight, plus the transformer.

Will.”

It just goes to show making a start is the only way you’ll get the most from this hobby.

A big thanks to Charles for sharing how to paint a model train.

And if you want to make your start today, the the Beginner’s Guide is here.

That’s all for today.

Please do keep ’em coming.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here (still going strong).

Will’s been in touch, adding to the collection of 5×10 O gauge train layouts :

“The beginning of a 5’x10’ Lionel Fastrack 2 level set/up.

Will continue to post as I move along.

Will”

Although Will is a man of few words, I thought I’d post simply because he’s made a start.

Like most things in life, that’s what this hobby is all about – starting.

Starting really is the unsung hero of this hobby, which is why I’ll continue to post pics like this. I know some will let out a deep sigh because there’s no trains or scenery – but he’s made a great start and that’s good enough for me.

Pete has also made a start – but now he’s at one of those head scratching moments. If you can help him, please do leave a comment below.

“Hi Al

Have been keeping an eye on all the wonderful and yet simple layouts from you members and hoped to get some advice from them.

My issue is I have limited space 8 foot by 6 foot and have tried to cram as much as possible 5 live DC tracks and 3 sidings (for later when I convert to DCC). The majority of rolling stock are Lima “DB” German engines and carriages (plus the TGV “visitor”).

Whilst I think it looks great and have tried to add some height with the high speed trains going up a 4% incline to a 9 cm raised viaduct, it kind of looks boring after a while with 5 trains just going around and around!!

I intend to build a mountain on the near right side of the table which will add visually with 5 tunnels. Also add a large station on the left side (next to the canopies), and eventually a town over the rest of the layout.

I have thought about adding a 5cm raised viaduct down the middle of the table with arched market stalls under the viaduct using some Kibri kits and more 4% risers but only going half the height. This additional line would take the little red trolley train which is parked at the right station.

Would love to get other members thoughts to make it more visually stimulating.

Thanks in advance

Peter”

A big thanks to Will for adding to the 5×10 O gauge train layouts.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if you feel like making that start, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

Fred’s been in touch with an update on his N scale oil refinery:

“Hi Al –

While I have more stuff and pictures I could share, the problem with my layout is that parts of it are so inaccessible that I have to disassemble sometimes in order to go further. I won’t bore you… just can’t show what I’ve accomplished yet.

I have made progress with my oil refinery, though, so will share that with the group. Thank heaven for Shapeways – I got lots of N Scale details like condensing stacks, ladders, staircases, that I couldn’t possibly have made in N Scale!

Anyhow….the new frontier I’ve been investigating for my layout is sound. Unwilling to stop at the “sound modules” commercially available, I created my own sound tracks, using commercially available sound effects and “ambience” footage, and edited them in Apple’s “Garageband.”

Each is 8 – 10 minutes long, and loops, so that it starts all over again. I have spent hours, experimenting with the acoustics of my layout and diorama enclosure, and have placed 18 hidden speakers throughout, to give a sense of locus to the appropriate background noise as you wander about my layout. The speakers, (which range from 3” multipurpose to 3/4” electronics speakers the thickness of a coin) in turn, are wired to small stereo amplifiers – (Pyle 120W and Winter MA170).

Oil refinery

Oil refinery and rock crusher

N scale billboard with a speaker inside it (the size of a coin) for roadside sound effects.

Heavy industry near freight yard

Oil refinery.

For the sound track playback and recording, I used several Sony ICD PX370 hand held voice recorders. They have their own built in USB connecters, and like all Sony equipment are easy to use, reliable, and able to store MP3 files of considerable size. As usual, I went overboard, with almost a dozen soundtracks, both for overall ambience and isolated “event” or “location” sound effects.

Fred”

(I know the video is very small – but there’s nothing I can do about that – sorry.)

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

A big thanks to Fred for sharin his N scale oil refinery – can’t wait to see his full update – what a layout!

(Here’s a load more N scale layouts if you’re after them.)

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 stop dreaming, and start doing.

Best

Al