Model railroad layouts plans

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 sharing his N scale oil refinery – can’t wait to see his full update – what a layout!

John’s HO scale oil refinery is very good too: HO scale oil refinery.

(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

Bob shows us how he makes his excellent grass cover for his HO scale layout:

“I wanted to put some tall grass on my layout so I started out using paintbrush bristles, and created some muddy water.

It turned out pretty well, but I really wanted to create the grass that grows around the wetlands in NY and NJ. I never knew the name; but a nursery owner told me it was Pampas grass. The photo is a stock photo to show the real stuff. The wild variety is somewhat taller and browner.

I tried to add a spot of glue to the existing grass and drop some ground cover on it. The result was disastrous. The bristles couldn’t hold the weight and fell over. Not to be deterred, I thought about what I could use for stronger grass. My straw garage broom came to mind and I promptly gave it a haircut.

The materials needed were the broom bristles, some carpenter’s glue, and ground cover.

I drilled some 1/8 holes in the board and proceeded to dip a straw in the glue, dip it in the ground cover and turn it over a get a small amount of glue on the bottom and insert it in a hole.

Note: If you’re inclined to do this, do it before you lay down any ground cover. The reason that you see a drill bit sticking up is because when the drill was pulled out, the ground cover tended to shrink back and cover the hole. This made the job very tedious.

I was happy with the interim outcome but not the time spent. It took me 1 ½ hours to complete this section.

Since I had about another foot to go I wasn’t eager to do the job.

I came up with a solution that I think worked very well. I took a block of scrap wood and used my drill press to drill some pilot holes.

Then I tacked in 1 ¼” nails into the block creating a puch with randomly placed nails.

Then I cut a strip of cardboard to fit between the two roadbeds and to the length that I needed. I then proceeded to punch out the cardboard.

I then started the original process of dipping in glue and ground cover. I used needle nose pliers to guide the straw into the holes. When I was satisfied with the amount of grass I used some ¾ inch screws to fasten the cardboard over the exiting groundcover.

I then used scenic cement spray to create a base for more ground cover. I sprinkled in the soil and grass. Then I hit it with more spray followed by some realistic water.

I let everything set for 24 hours and then applied thick mud and more water.

I am going to add more mud and water before I call it a wrap. Here’s the outcome.

Bob”

A big thanks to Bob – he’s come up with a really nice effect there for his grass cover.

Whenever it comes to grass on a layout, I’m always reminded of John’s How to add grass to your model railroad post.

Now on to Hall of Fame member, Dangerous Dave.

After Mike sent in his woes on track cleaning (which is at the bottom of this post), Dave has put this video together:

“Hi Al..After reading the comments from Mike’s post with the problems of dirty tracks and wheels, I thought it was time to show a video with a few ways of keeping tracks and wheels clean.

I hope this shows how important it is to keep the tracks clean, and done on a regular basis , for smooth running.

Regards

Dave”

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

That’s all for today folks. A big thanks to Dave and Bob.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide, if today is the day when you stop dreaming, and start doing.

Remember, it’s the start that stops most people…

Best

Al