Tom’s been back in touch with his HO track layout:
If you want to catch up and see his last post, it’s in the middle of this one.
“Hi everyone,
A quick note of thanks for the info everyone supply’s on this site.
I have used many of your techniques on my first layout albeit with a few setbacks.
I decided early on that I would incorporate multiple types of construction, mainly wood, foam and plaster.
So after a year I’m about half way and wanted to share what all your guidance looks like.
BTW it a Chicago and Northwestern prototype, 1950 to 1970.Thanks again folks.
Tom”
A big thanks to Tom for sharing his HO track layout update.
Now on to Soren:
“Hi Alastair.
I always enjoy your posts immensely – as well as the good railway modeling society you keep up. I am really delighted that you managed the latest crisis.
You asked the other day for ‘H0-chappies’. I am one, just started my third layout. The preceding ones did not come much further than laying track and running trains.
This layout is H0 scale, 16.5 mm gauge, 3 rail AC digitally operated.
Some will already guess that I use Marklin track, which comes with a couple of unbeatable advantages. The three rails mean no wiring problems across points or with reverse loops.
The second has to do with the way the track is made: precision positive locking between track sections plus AC eliminate the need for a bus. The power goes easily 6 – 7 metres (ca 20 feet).
My layout strictly observes rule #1: I decide what goes on it. It is freelance, but I strive for plausibility. My era is before WW1 and the setting is a small duchy called Severania in the mid European mountains. The duke (me) is fascinated by the new railway technology, so he has ordered a railway network to be built.
Of course he has visited Britain and other European countries to learn about building and maintaining railways. The era and setting (mountaneous) somehow fit perfectly with my modest modeling space, making tight curves and short rolling stock appropiate. However, by some quirky turn of fate, the official language of the duchy is Danish, which I incidentally know very well.
The first phase of my modeling will be the – necessarily small – Central Station of the network situated in the capital, Rudersberg.
I attach a photo of my ‘train corner’ (some day to be xtended) and of my proposed track plan. The board – an old desk – will become most of the base with an small triangular section in the right hand side. The top part will become the city with the newest buildings and vehicles from ca 1910. Part of the station’s tracks will be placed in tunnels underneath the citizens’ feet. The people are naturally used to extreme space saving measures.
As more photos become available, so will more of the narrative.
Alastair, keep up the excellent work and happy modelling to everyone.
Soren”
“Mr. Lee.
I recently retired and my wife told me to get a hobby.
I came across your posting and became amazed at what I saw.
As I know nothing about Model trains or backgrounds I don.t know where to start. I do not have a lot of room and I do know there are different gauges of trains, but how do you decide which is right for you?
I see you have what I would call the larger ones and I thing they are out of this world but I don’t believe I have the space for such a large lay out.
Would you give me a little information on this hobby so I can decide if I want to venture into it or not.
Garrie”
A huge thanks to Tom for his update. It just goes to show what can happen when you make a start.
I love what Soren has does. I think having a theme of what you want to do makes a layout. Fantastic stuff!
And Lastly, Garrie.
I think we’ve all been were he his – so this is a call to arms.
What adivce would you give Garrie? Please leave a comment below.
That’s it for today. Please do keep em coming.
And if you want today to be the day you start your layout, the Beginner’s Guide is here.
Best
Al
PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.
