Model railroad layouts plans

Dean’s been back in touch with some of his small N scale track plans.

I do always enjoy the posts that go through the thought process too:

“Al, greetings from Dean in New Mexico.

As you know my current layout, the Conejos Valley Railroad, is almost finished. All it needs is a little bit of landscaping, some buildings, and roads.

I’m currently in a situation where I can’t work on it, but I’ll get back to it in a few weeks send some photos as I progress.

But with that almost done, I’m starting to think of my next small layout.

I use SCARM (Simple Computer Aided Railway Modeler) software to help me in my design process. (I have no connections with the product or its author and pay for my own copy of the software.) This software can be readily downloaded in a free version (up to 100 pieces of track) that lets you learn how to use it and design small layouts. To find it, google SCARM.

Below are three layouts that show my thinking process. I built the first one six or seven years ago when I first started in N Scale. I had purchased a DCC, N scale, “Golden Spike” layout (sadly, no longer available) from Bachmann and it had enough track to put this design together.

I put this layout together and played with it a while and used it to develop techniques for working with Styrofoam sheets and other scenery techniques. Then I pulled up the track and threw away the layout.

The design below is based on the first one but has more industrial sidings. I think you could run two engines on this, a local switcher and a fast freight that spends most of its time in the tunnel. Periodically, it would appear to drop off and pick up cars.

Finally, I designed the third layout below that adds an additional station and two hidden staging tracks in tunnels.

This third layout is designed for both train running and switching operations and can use three engines. Two trains, a freight and passenger, can be hidden in the tunnels and brought out periodically.

The freight train would come through, dropping off some cars and picking up others, then move back to the tunnel. Then the switching engine would shunt cars between the four sidings and return to the engine house.

When the passenger train comes through, it would stop at both stations then return to its tunnel. I’m also thinking about building this as a fold down, wall mounted, layout.

Thanks for looking. Any comments on improving the design would be appreciated.

Thanks, Al.

Dean from New Mexico”

A big thanks to Dean for sharing his small N scale track plans.

Now on to Jeffry, who sen this in:

“Just wanted to share a favorite experiment with all of you, the water here was made with super clear silicone caulk, laid out on wax paper, and trimmed.

The rock formations were made from foam, scribe with an xacto blade, weathered and highlighted, sort of.

Jeff”

Now on to Henry:

“Hello Al

As promised, here are a few photos of my new layout that I am building in my study.

I lost my job last year in July and decided that while I am job hunting, I may just as well use my free time productively to build a small switching layout.

My main layout is in the garage, outside of the house, so I wanted this one to be inside the house, where I can work on it at any time and in any weather. My study seemed to be the best place for the layout, as it had some space that could be used for a layout.

The layout progress is being documented on video, and it also serves as a test bed for DC locomotives that I repair. (Model train repair has been an income generating hobby for me for many years).

The layout itself is in a L shape, and measures 140×280 cm and the shelves are 45cm wide.

The layout is now 7 months old, and still lots to do. I am particularly looking forward to do the ravine as there is a mirror placed underneath the road bridge, which will create the illusion of the ravine continuing way beyond the end of the layout.

Backdrop as still to be printed. The corner where the two legs of the L meet will be a small town scene, and the rest industrial scenes.

Regards

Henry”

A big thanks to Henry.

I always get mails asking why I post half built layouts – and my answers is always the same: it’s all about making a start!

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

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

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

Brian has been in touch with his L shaped N scale layout:

“So enjoy this hobby and all the submissions you get in my retirement years. It puts my mind to work everyday along with some artistic creations.

This is a spare bedroom layout that I’ve been working on rainy snowy days.

N scale is a delicate format but worth it in a situation like this.

Great inexpensive way to create everything from mountains to boulders. It’s rigid foam. It’s easy to carve and can be glued together easily. But best parts- not messy and very lightweight.

L shaped N scale layout:

Incidentally the boulders are weightless and the entire mountain range isn’t even a pound in weight.

Scraps are useful for tree bases

This is the back of the mountains. Just a pieces of foam core cut into strips around 4”, 6” and 8” wide, glued on top of one another like steps and then with a little hand saw, trimmed the front edges to give a natural slope.

I painted this with brush cause it’s thicker paint and looks more natural in making it look like one piece. Total weight? Maybe a pound and most trees just punch through the surface and they self support.

Total investment in the entire thing? Less than $20.

I used ideas from this book and combined some together to create my own L shaped N scale layout plan.

Which is another piece of advice I’d suggest. Plan ahead on graph paper. It’ll not not only help you engineer the whole layout, but give you a feeling for what it’s gonna look like.

Reminds me of an old saying from working years. Better to be overprepared than overwhelmed.

Brian”

A big thanks to Brian for sharing his L shaped N scale layout.

Brian’s layout really reminded me of Bruce’s:

N scale L shaped layout.

N scale track plans L shaped.

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

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

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

Jim’s been in touch – he’s added to the model train layout plans 4×8 on the blog:

“Hi Al,

My name is Jim from Palm Coast Florida. I started my layout in 2020 when I retired.

Almost all of my trains and accessories are from the 60’s and 70’s, and have been boxed up for about 50 years.

I started my layout with the 4 x 8 first level.

I didn’t have a specific time or subject for my layout, I just started with what buildings and materials that I had. Then I decided to make a second level and a third level.

I have a total of Six Trains, all running on separate Tracks with no Inclines.

On the Lower Level there are two separate Trains running on two Tracks.

On the Upper Level are three separate Trains running on three Tracks and the very top or Third Level is one Cattle Train on one Track.

Here are some pictures of the body shop, 50’s car wash, the park with the dogs and the salvage yard for the body shop.

Here are some pictures of the level two.

Model train layout plans 4×8:

The farm on level three. Can you find the black cat chasing the black snake in the garden

The lumber yard that I made. I cut each of the lumber pieces from balsa wood strips and added a wood shop.

I tried to put as much detail in every scene.

Jim”

A big thanks to Jim for sharing his layout. There is something magical about ‘finding’ your old locos and track in the cupboard, and then the idea takes root…

There’s quite a few 4×8 layouts on the blog now, here’s a collection of them:

HO train layouts 4×8.

And for some reason, when it comes to 4×8 layouts, I always think of Cal’s: 4×8 HO train layout.

Now on to another Jim who has been dipping his toes into the water of printable buildings:

“Hello Alistair from across the pond

Luv the website and videos… I just tried my first cardstock building in N-scale!

Very challenging, but all in all I believe it came out reasonable for a first go round!

BTW: N-scale figures without bases are very difficult to pose, don’t mind the drunkard, “Jim”, face down on the sidewalk…

Thanx for all you do!

Jim”

Of course I’m biased, but the printable buildings are great value, great fun and look spot on once you get the hang of them.

That’s all for today folks, a big thanks to Jim for adding to the model train layout plans 4×8.

Also thanks to the other Jim for sharing what you can do with the printable buildings.

Lastly, a HUGE big thank you to anyone who has taken the time to answer a question on the new forum. You know who you are!

Please do keep ’em coming.

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

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

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