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Model railroad track planning

Rob’s been in touch with a really good youtube on Model railroad track planning.

I really enjoyed it and there is some sound advice that will save you a lot of blood, sweat and tears:

“Hi Al,

I posted this video on YouTube a week ago, and it has turned out to be extremely popular with a wide audience.

In it, I discuss some of the many things to consider when planning a model train layout.

It has also provoked good discussions of what is important to a layout and forced me to see the controversy between loop versus end-to-end layout designs. Before this, I didn’t know that emotions ran so high on this subject. I think it might be a good one for your blog.

I want to make it clear I am not an expert on layout planning but I have learned a few things during my journey into model trains.

It is obvious to me that some folks are quite adamant in their belief that the only legitimate layouts are ones that mimic a real railroad.

However, many people, I have found, just want to run their trains and not bother with switching except on occasion.

I am one of those people, although I do understand the social aspects of having a number of people come to your layout to run trains point to point in a prototypical manner. The camaraderie could be fun I am sure. This type of activity seems to be mostly found on North American-style freight model railroads.

I think the type of layout and activity associated with a personal model railway is personal and everyone wants something different. There is nothing wrong with that. Model railroads are for enjoyment and nothing else. They are not for the satisfaction of others but for the pleasure of the owner only. It is a wonderful hobby.

You can pursue any aspect you want, to any depth you want be it artistic, electronics. electrical, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, weathering, graffiti emulation, whatever or not. It is your time, your hobby.

Thank you, Al, for all you do for us.

cheers,

Rob”

Model railroad track planning:

A huge big thanks to Hall of Fame member Rob for sharing his thoughts on Model railroad track planning. I thought it was a well thought out youtube that anyone can learn from. I really enjoyed it.

There are quite a few posts on this theme on the blog now:

How to start a model train layout

Model railroad planning ideas

Model railroad planning

Planning a model railroad

Starting a train layout

Where do I start when making a model train layout

Model train track design.

Model train simulator.

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

PS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.

Need buildings for your layout? Have a look at the Silly Discount bundle.

Marklin HO 3 rail

The very talented Glyn has been back in touch with his new Marklin HO 3 rail layout:

“Good morning Al,

Thank you again for all you do for the hobby.

I am enclosing a link to my latest layout build now that I am retired to Santa Fe New Mexico.

It’s a 23’x13′ Marklin 3 rail AC layout in 2 parts – the left limb represents a Swiss German border town as I have a large collection of Swiss-German locos and rolling stock which I moved from my previous layout in Peoria Illinois and which you have kindly featured in the past.

The layout passes through a mountain range and slowly morphs into a Depression era New England coastal town to accommodate some of my US locos and rolling stock.

I had a few US style buildings which I have added but am in the process of constructing several large kits from George Selios’ stunning FSM kits.

These are highly detailed and take forever to build but the results are well worth it and will be featured in upcoming videos.

I thought I’d start with this overview which represents about 2 years’ work. I will submit further videos showing the basic framework construction as the layout evolved, as many people new to the hobby love to see how we build these complex creations including all the scenery that brings them to life.

I have a long way to go but at least it is up and running now and I have included some locos running to demonstrate the layout in action.

Much more to follow but I hope your viewers enjoy this early selection.

Regards

Glyn”

Marklin HO 3 rail:

A huge big thanks to Gly for sharing his latest Marklin HO 3 rail.

Here’s some of his previous posts, which are absolutley stunning:

Marklin layout

HO train table construction

Model train yard

HO scale castle

Rock molds model railroad

HO track layouts

Marklin HO layout

Making mountains for model trains

A big thanks to Glyn.

Lastly, if you want to grab the silly deal on the Big Kahuna printable buildings for $29, the link is fixed now.

That’s all for today.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you get started on your layout, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

PPS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.

HO train layout with rivers

Dan’s been back in touch. He’s shared some more HO train layout with rivers:

“Good morning Al.

Here is the second part of the river and ponds I promised to send to you. These are from 4 different layouts I have done.

Photo 1 This is from the Boston& Maine layout I posted last summer. My construction methods are the same as all of my work. Ceiling tile rocks, plaster cloth, sculpta mold, plaster, and Envirotex water. The bridge pieces are Atlas as are the piers. The color matches the B&M bridge colors that the owner of the layout remembers.

Photo 2 Details showing the rust that forms even on the piers.

Photo 3 A pond on the layout.

Photo 4 Same pond with the in flow.

Photo 5 More photos of the river on the Hoosier Hills RR. Similar views of ones I posted some time ago. In case you missed the original set.

Photo 6 Folks fishing.

HO train layout with rivers:

Photo 7 Another view of the river gorge.

Photo 8 Hoosier Hills loco. A CF7 that the Santa Fe made from F units.

Photo 9 This set is from a layout that has no name. The owner runs all kinds of trains just for fun and there are plenty of operating opportunities. I will feature the rest of the layout at a later date.

Photo 10 This river is an Ox Bow bend in the river. The water is dark to suggest depth. It serves a power plant.

Photo 11 A small stream. One of our club members found these flat rocks along a highway cut. He brought back several pounds of them. You will see more of these on another layout to come.

Photo 12 Close up of the flat rocks.

Photo 13 Out floe of the river.

Photo 14 Just past the previous photo.

Photo 15 These are from an unfinished layout. The owner passed away from leukemia. The basic bench work and track work was done. The roughed in farm pond and the run off drainage.

Photo 16 The run off drainage ditch to be.

Photo 17 The finished farm and pond scene. I ma just concentrating on the pond.

Photo 18 Here is the finished run off spillway. It uses kitty litter for the rocky base.

Photo 19 This set is also an unnamed railroad. I will feature this one later, also. There is a good story about how I did the scenery on this layout.
This is part of the pond I posted when I showed how I did the Lilly pads.