Model railroad layouts plans

If you’re reading this, the chances are you’ve thought about Starting model train hobby.

Of course, I’m biased, but it’s a wonderful hobby.

All you need do is pick a theme, pick a track layout, and get going.

Start small. Start simple. And then it all falls into place.

Jeff’s a man of few words but look what he’s put together in such a small space:

“Here are some pictures of my layout.

As you can see I don’t have a lot of space to work with, but I made the best out of what I have.

Jeff”

Jeff might not have a lot to say, and there’s only a handful of pics of his layout, but he’s made a start, and that’s what it’s all about.

Over the years there has been quite a few posts now on how to make a start – and I really enjoy seeing them in my inbox and I take great delight in posting them.

Here’s a few of them:

How to start your HO scale

How to start a model train layout

Starting your train layout

Jim starts his HO scale

You get the idea… it’s all about the start.

In fact, it’s the start that stops most people.

And if you want a little bit of help in making that start, just pick a theme. It can be anything you like – an old holiday destination perhaps, or where you grew up. Or maybe it’s the era that interests you? The 1940s?

Once you have them that you know you’ll enjoy the rest will slot in to place and you’ll be laying track in no time at all.

Now on to Dangerous Dave.

He sent me this, which I have to say, did make me smile:

“After been challenged by a fellow Youtube Modeller in Germany to try and see how many cars and trucks could be pulled by one Locomotive ..(and to compete with American Rakes)

I did a quick video yesterday showing I got 45 on the back of one Locomotive, and not a problem, think I could manage another 5.

On the description it shows the lead to Andy`s Trains who sent the challenge.

Regards

Dave”

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

Nice one Dave! A big thanks to you and Jeff.

And if you’re still thinking about starting model train hobby, jump on the newsletter and you’ll be laying track in no time.

That’s all for now – until tomorrow – when I have a cracking HO scale for you.

Please do keep ’em coming.

Best

Al

Martin has been in touch with his HO engine house:

“Hi Al,

I like reading your many articles from people on your site.

I posted a ‘how to’ many years ago now about making a tunnel which you placed in your hall of fame!

Well following that I went onto making things & selling them on a scenics stall at model train exhibitions. It became quite popular I am proud to say.

So I have decided to create a small layout in my bedroom.

Early stages and I am not very hot at electrics or layout building but I’ll try. My plan is a simple two level with a terminus station & shed on the upper level. (eventually)…

But when time allows me to, I keep doing a bit & it has led me to scratch build a small HO engine house. Here are some pictures of work so far;

And my shed.

Martin”

There’s no way I could forget Martin’s tunnel ‘how to’. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s here. It’s an absolute cracker.

When it comes to making a HO engine house, I always think of mad John on the printable buildings page.

Here’s the Engine house / shed:

And there’s two others – you can find them all here.

And here’s how to make them:

The engine houses are really popular in the printable buildings, there also a bundle deal too for all 3.

Now on to Brian who has been busy scratch building.

“Hi Alastair,

A small finicky project that I am busy with but time consuming and very very small. (HO scale)

The coin is a South African one rand piece used as a comparison. It is 20mm in diameter.

The traps come on a flat photo etched sheet and have to be cut out, bent to shape and super glued together. Note the Lobsters on the left in the third photo.

The boat is unfinished but shows some of the lobster traps behind the guy hauling in the rope.

Brian – the HOn3 guy – Knysna RSA”

A big thanks to Brian and Martin – clever stuff as usual.

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 Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

PPS I’ll leave you with some good advice from Bonkers John:

Phil’s been back in touch – this time he’s adding to the collection of WW2 model trains.

Well, I say WW2, he’s dialed back the clock even more to WW1.

What I love about his layout is the theme. Any layout with a theme will always look better than one without. That’s just the way it is.

(Have a look at this post by Martin on picking a model train theme)

And just as important as the theme, is making a start: Phil’s first post is here.

“Hi Alastair

I thought I would share an update on my WW1 railway. If you recall it is set somewhere in the south of England in 1918.

A couple of things that I think worked well were adding balloons and elements of the grand fleet to the back scene. You can see this in the photos. I just downloaded some images and resized them to suit

I have also added an airfield with plane landing.

You will see I have installed the Oxford Rail railway gun in a siding which doubles as a small military camp. I have decided it is too much trouble to actually get the gun to run with the clearances it requires

The eagle eyed will see a loco running a signal. Working signalling is on the to do list

Best wishes

Phil”

A huge thanks to Phil for sharing his WW2 model trains. Oops! No that’s WW1 for this post.

Here’s a military model train layout from WW2.

And who can forget Will’s army themed layout from all those years ago?

As long time readers will know, I do love a theme behind a layout. For me, it brings it to life. There’s only one thing I enjoy more – an update! So today’s post ticks all the boxes for me.

Hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have.

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 get going on your very own layout.

Best

Al