Model railroad layouts plans

Dick’s been back in touch, he’s added to the collection of L shaped N scale track plans to the blog:

“Hi Al:

I have been busy this past month, all track wiring is done and concealed, and all track has been attached to the layout except some dead end sidings that could have minor changes to them.

Test runs are proving to be very good.

In this set of pictures, the trains are parked at Chicago which is the West end of the layout, the long 4 track run is next which is the South wall, then across the aisle from the long run is Denver, then circling around and coming into Salt Lake City, back to back with Denver.

Looking at Salt Lake City from the West, one can see the East wall with several buildings and the viaduct. A line will branch off just before the overpass and head North to the right and reach San Francisco.

I have lots of wall to cover with backdrops. Along with that will come topography work, cutting in a river, adding mountains etc.

I sure am enjoying everyone’s layouts and info, all has been inspiring to keep at it.

Dick Chapple in Hardin Mt USA”

And now on to Bill (his last post is here).

“Hi Al

Thank you for all you do for our hobby!

I’ve gotten more done with scenery and have both sections of my layout together and am operating my railroad.

Attached is the latest video showing the layout in operation.

Hope you enjoy!

It all started after I discovered your site and went from arm chair to benchwork 😀

Best

Bill in Virginia”

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

A huge thanks to Dick for adding to the collection of L shaped N scale track plans, and to Bill.

I do love what love Bill has said:

“It all started after I discovered your site and went from arm chair to benchwork :D”

What a fanstastic line – expect to see often now, folks.

That’s all for today.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And don’t forget – the Beginner’s Guide is here if you want to get going on your own layout.

Best

Al

Ed’s been in touch with is Atlas model railroad:

“I have been reading your blog for several years. I find that it has inspired me to resurrect my interest in model railroading. The photos and stories shared by your followers have provided valuable inspiration and information.

As a child I had a Lionel train set but never had the room or money to do anything more than a simple oval. But, I spent many enjoyable hours watching that train run.

When my son was about 6 we bought him a Lionel Chessie System H O train set and I mounted the track which was nothing more than an oval with a siding on a 4×8 board on hinges in out garage. As we lived in Florida is was too hot on most day to do much wit it. We made several moves and hung that board in the garage every time with the same result.

As I was nearing retirement, I was working out of a home office and my wife encouraged me to start a layout. We were living in a small condo and I researched small track plans in an Atlas publication. I laid Atlas model railroad code 100 track following Atlas’ Twice Around in 4×6 plan.

I collected several locos and cars from the late steam and early diesel era and ran these trains for several years. At a model railroad show in Fort Lauderdale I met an aged (to me then) man who was selling Tillig code 83 track and we became friends. I decided to take down the code 100 track and invested in the Tillig track.

I laid the track following that layout plan with some modification. I wired a few blocks but before I could run trains we moved and bought a motor home and started traveling. The layout was encase in plywood and stored in my daughters backyard she from 2003 to 2019.

Last winter I unboxed the layout and was surprised to find it was in decent shape. I spent some time cleaning track before closing it up and moving it to our small villa in North Carolina. I managed to wire the main line and can run trains around the layout.

Sadly I was not able to install and wire the Lemaco point motors I bought over 20 years ago before returning to Florida. This will have to wait a few months for us to get back. I may need help with the switch motors.

I am attaching photos of the layout after I unboxed it in Florida last winter, and where it currently sits on fold up benchwork in our spare bedroom in North Carolina. Again thank for the inspiration.

Ed”

A big thanks to Ed for sharing his Atlas model railroad.

Atlas layouts always remind me of Ernie’s Atlas N scale post – he left his trains running for two days by mistake.

Richard’s 4×6 Atlas model railroad layout is a very worthwhile viewing too.

“Hi Al,

just posted this video, its just to let all know I found out how to enter new Loco in to the ECOS controller, and a BIG new sidings for my trains (a shelf under the layout).

Also showing a few of my trains running, some I have not shown in a long time, I shall not be posting for a few weeks now, so hope you all can enjoy this running video.

Regards

Dave”

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

“Hi Al, my name is Tony.

I live in New York City in the US.

I have a 10’-10’ with a cutout in the middle for accessibility. Here are some pictures of it.

I used 1by 3’s for the frame and 2 by 2’s for the legs.

Then I used 2’-2’ Pink foam insulation for my base. I glued wheels on it so I can move it if needed.

I’m wiring in in DCC Digitrax. I am using Kato track for ease ability.

I’m not a professional so I hope to get feedback on my little world.

Thank you so much

Tony”

A huge thanks to Ed and Tony.

It’s wonderful to see all of these layout slowly come to life.

If anyone has any suggestions for Tony, please do leave a comment below.

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

And if today is the day you press the button on your very own layout, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

“Hi Al,

this layout was a year in the making with my grandkids.

The kids loved seeing the project grow with their help. They also made some great suggestions for the layout adding some of their Legos to the layout. They so enjoy coming over to play with the trains.

Most of the rolling stock and engines we purchase at yard or estate sales. I even found a hobby shop which was going out of business. Some items were purchase on e bay etc, etc .

I did not use a table for the trains. I repurposed some used kitchen cabinets. Makes a closed storage area.

The scale is o mostly Lionel and MTH.

Although this layout is not as elaborate as most of what I see, it is basic and fun for the kids and us to have quality time together and hopefully produce a younger generation into model rail roading hobby.

Happy railroading!

George”

Really like what George has done, mainly because it seems like he’s had lots of fun with it, and that’s what it’s all about.

Whenever a Lionel layout comes in, I’m always reminded of Michael’s 11 x 27 Lionel layout.

Now on to an observation by Sid:

“Al:

While scanning for layout ideas last eve, and the TV shows in a dead zone, Showtime once again showed “unstoppable” a 2010 movie, of a runaway train. (Based on true events).

While having watched it over and over, this time i got into the shots of the tracks, since this was filmed in and around Pittsburgh,PA and Eastern Ohio.

Suddenly i realized that some of the perfect curves and switches i am trying to make, are not so in real life railroading.

Last was a educational film for me. Strongly recommend anyone who likes trains and has not seen, do so.

Sid”

“Hi Al,

I am wrighting you Belgium. Sorry for my very bad English.

After 35 years I restarted with my hobby Marklin Ho lay-out.

Here by i send 2 pictures off my small new lay-out.

Friendly

Guido

Belgium.”

A big thanks to Guido and George.

George writes that his layout is ‘not elaborate’ but I disagree: any layout is better than no layout, and I’ll bet you’ve made a load of memories with the grandkids.

And Guido – what a start! Well done. I know I keep banging on about it, but making a start is more than half the battle.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today has made you want to start your very own layout, the the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here. Still going strong.