Bob’s been in touch with his 5×10 N scale layout:
“Al…first let me say how much I enjoy your blog. I owe my love of model railroading to my paternal grandfather.
As a young man he started working for Texas and Pacific Railroad as an apprentice dispatcher. He ultimately spent more than 40 years working for T&P and never left Texas. It is not an exaggeration to say that railroading was his life.
My grandfather’s parents emigrated from the United Kingdom to Texas while my grandfather was still a baby. They came from a small town in Devonshire called Totnes.
My grandfather once told me that there was a famous castle in Totnes and he was certain that it belonged to our family. I had my doubts, but perhaps that is why I have always had a castle on my layouts.
My grandfather was not only my inspiration, but my namesake as well. His given name, which I share, was James Robert. He was burdened with both nicknames and answered to Jim Bob all his life (using two nicknames was not uncommon in Texas at the time…what am I saying? It’s still not uncommon).
Thankfully for me, my parents decided to just call me Robert (Bob). However, I must say my grandfather was philosophical about his double nickname. Later in life, If someone made a disparaging comment about his name he would simply say, “I don’t care what you call me…just don’t call me late for supper.”
Thanks to Jim Bob I have been involved with model railroading for more than 50 years.
Like so many other hobbyists of my generation my first model trains were Lionel. HO scale came later. For more than 20 years, my wife, three children and I lived in a house with a 400 sq ft room over the garage.
My son put a sighn on the door that said DANGER! DAD’S TRAIN ROOM.
MY HO layout eventually filled more than two-thirds of the room. But, then we moved into our new house and I had to start over with no room over the garage.
The only dedicated space I had available for a layout was a corner of my office/library, so I am now an N scale modeler.
My current layout is approximately 5×10 N scale layout and built on a movable table for access.
Because of limited space I decided to build up instead of out as you can see in the photographs. I typically run four trains…a mix of steam and early diesel locomotives. I hope you enjoy the photographs and thanks again for your hard work and dedication to this marvelous hobby.
Bob (not Jim Bob) in Texas”
A big thanks to Bob. Loved the way he built up instead of out, and what a super narrative too.
Bob’s N scale reminded me of Steve’s 5×7 logging layout.
Here’s a quick pic if you want to refresh your memory:
“The Ohio Western & Lima Shortline (OWLS) layout is in N Scale and designed to fit into a spare bedroom with about 2-1/2 feet walk-around space – so it came out to 5’ x 7’.
It is loosely (OK, very loosely) modelled after my hometown, and set in the late 1940s to early 1950s.
Choosing this period allowed me to use early diesel powered and steam powered locomotives.
The track is Peco Code 55, with Peco Code 55 Electro-rail turnouts. Power to the rails is DCC supplied by a LENZ 100 system.
Steve”
You can see all of Steve’s N scale here.
And if you’d like to see how Steve’s layout turned out, here it is:
“It’s hard to believe it’s been over 3 ½ years since I sent my original email regarding the OWLS (Ohio Western & Lima Short line).
I continue to plug away, focusing on the scenery, landscape & buildings. Alas, age has taken it’s toll and the old hands aren’t as steady as they used to be!!
Here are recent photos of the OWLS Short line, mainly the progress I’ve made with the above mentioned areas.
Again, THANK YOU for all you do!
The layout is from about the late 1950 – 1960 time period and centers around a local logging/ lumber industry.
Steve”
You can see Steve’s N scale update here.
I’ve lost count of all the N scale layouts on the blog – here’s a small collection of them.
I’m going to finish with Hall of Fame member, Arnie.
He’s sent this video in a while ago now, but I still love it. If N scale is your thing, it’s very much worth watching.
“Hi Al,
I finally finished my video on the American Freedom Train (AFT). I created my own replica in N scale of the original 1947 AFT locomotive and added to it 6 passenger cars of my own original paint scheme and my custom designed decals.
(These cars have their own Freedom Train locomotive I designed to complement them in the style of the 1947 loco. But, if I can find the time, I am now thinking of creating a loco using a more modern diesel style.)
But here is my video of the newly created AFT loco of 1947-1949. Once again, I am continuing the story line of Heritage celebrations and having the restored 1947 AFT loco lead an Excursion Train on a one day run through the Susquehanna Valley region.
I hope you will find it interesting and enjoyable.
Thanks again to you Al and the readers for all the support and encouragement to continue my modeling efforts.
Arnie.”
(Here’s a load more N scale layouts if you’re after those).
That’s all for today folks.
A big thanks to Bob for his 5×10 N scale layout, Steve for his logging layout, and Hall of Fame member, Arnie.
Please do keep ’em coming.
And don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide is here if today is the day you are going to plan your own masterpiece.
Best
Al
PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.
