Model railroad layouts plans

Lawrence has been in touch with his O scale train layout:

“Thanks for all your effort and time for sending out all the emails, it is really appreciated.

Getting started on the extension to my layout. I came in possession of a couple of O scale DC engines and cars. I decided I wanted a long run for these two trains. The layout picture shows the new extension in color.

The straight run is about 40 physical feet. Both ends of the U-shaped track will be populated. Each track is basically one big circle (inner and outer circles) so the trains can run independently.

The San Francisco style bridge is built exclusively from one eight-inch dowels. I saw a utube on building it and duplicated the process. I sent pictures of the building of the lift bridge a couple of months back, I never saw it posted.

One picture shows two micro switches that supply power to the four isolated tracks when the bridge is down. Thus, preventing the train from running off the end of the track when the bridge is up.

One end of the track is finished, for now. The upper level is houses and hotel, etc. the lower level is shops. The other end has a long way to go yet. Presently working on the green houses to be installed on one corner of the layout. All the buildings on this layout are from printouts from your store. Half way between the two bridges is a Battery factory, restaurant, and train station.

The tracks were weathered before being placed. They are held in place with screws through a tie, the foam board and the plywood underneath. The tracks were tested for a couple of hours before putting downs the ballast. Needless to say, I used a LOT of ballast.

Working on this is a very slow process as I have a couple of other hobbies (leather working (holsters) and cross stitch (of trains)) that take up my time. Even being retired I am busier and never have enough time for all I want to do. Does that sound familiar??

Thanks

Lawrence

Madison Virginia”

I do love an update!

A huge thanks to Lawrence for sharing his O scale train layout – and here’s Lawrence’s last post.

That’s all for this time, folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if you want to stop dreaming and start doing, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

Ben’s been in touch with his HO scale trestle bridge:

“Hello Al,

Hope all is well with you!

To begin, I wanted to let you know that I purchased your “Beginners Guide to Model Railroading” not long ago and I have found it to be a wonderful resource. It is well written, filled with practical tips, links to other resources, and a great value for the price. Thanks for creating it. I’ll be referring to it often!

I’m writing to give an update on the building of the 3rd line on my HO scale layout. Specifically, the curved wooden trestle bridge I made from scratch.

Initially, I planned to buy a trestle kit, but finding one that met the specs of my layout was extremely difficult.

After a lot of searching I did find two curved trestle bridge kits that would work for me, but they were both listed as “out of stock” with no indication of when – if ever – they would be back in stock. So, I decided to build my own! Building anything from scratch – much less a 36-inch curved wooden bridge – is a first for me and I had doubts that I could pull it off.

I don’t have the steadiest of hands and I’ve always joked about being all thumbs when it comes to anything with small parts. But with some planning, practice and patience I completed the project.

For any of your readers who are thinking “I could never do that”, I say “Trust me folks, If I can do it, anyone can!” It was actually a lot of fun and I learned a lot in the process.

I enjoyed the project so much I’ve started building a smaller “dry gulch” bridge for another area of the layout.

I have attached a few pictures that show some of the steps I took while making the bridge. I also created a 15 minute “how-to” video that documents the project from start to finish for anyone who is thinking of doing a bridge scratch build for the first time. Thanks again for all you do on your site. I really enjoy reading the posts from other modelers. With every story I learn something new! Stay safe and well!

Ben from Chicago.”

A huge thank you to Ben for sharing his HO scale trestle brige – what a video!

Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

If you want to see Ben’s last post, it’s here.

That’s all for today folks. Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day get off your armchair and start your very own masterpiece, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here. Have a look and see what you can save.

Bob’s been in touch with some inventive O scale logging structures – log cars!

“Al,

I enjoyed reading how Hemi uses spare parts to make good things. His post about making the log cars really hit home.

As you may remember I am an O Gauge Hirailer. When MTH came out with the first O Gauge Shay; two of my train buddies collaborated to produce custom log cars.

Johnnie funded the project and Barry being the mechanic designed and constructed the cars.

Johnnie acquired 13 pairs of Lionel Standard O sprung trucks. These trucks are equipped with a screw mounting point.

Barry used tubing to construct the frame and welded cross members at each end. He flatted each end of the tubing and drilled a hole to take the mounting screw. He fashioned a chain and spring assembly to hold the logs on the cars. Johnnie, Barry and the rest of the Tuesday night train crew were pleased with the finished project.

They looked great running on Johnnie’s layout. Johnnie passed away several years later and Barry asked his family if he could take the log cars. When Barry passed a few years later, I asked his widow if the Tuesday Night Train Crew could keep the cars; and she agreed. I have attached a few pictures showing the car’s construction and a video of the cars moving logs on my layout.

Regards

Bob”

Thanks to Bob for sharing his O scale logging structures – really enjoyed reading and looking at the pics and vid.

I don’t think I’ll ever tire of seeing your inventions and solutions when it comes to trains.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And don’t forget, if you want to stop dreaming and start doing, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.