Model railroad layouts plans

Ed’s been in touch with his tiny model railroad layout – a z scale Santa Fe.

“I really like and enjoy seeing the pictures in stages from start to finish.

My train room is planned for layouts of various sizes… z, n, ho,s,o and g. Presently I am working on my z gauge layout with one outside loop down and a second inside one started that connects to to the outside one.

I plan a mountain with tunnel and waterfall into a river then a small lake.

Also roads with vehicles, town, industrial area and farm. It will have trees, bushes, rocks and grass plus people and animals and hopefully some led lighted buildings and telephone poles.

I have included a picture of the beginning of my Z scale Santa Fe layout.

Notice that the tracks on this layout make up large size loops. So I will have a nice large track layout for my z scale trains to run on.

I have been looking at a complete z gauge Santa Fe train set with everything to run it and it’s freight train cars and that is likely the one I will buy at micro-trains web site.

Then test run the whole train on the loop one tracks. After that add loop 2, elevated area in the middle of loops 1/2 with another track up there. Add a mountain with waterfall into a river and small lake with a fisherman.

3 side tracks will be on the elevated section with parked train cars plus engine shed, roads, town, industrial area and farm with fence/ barn/farm house/farm animals.

Also trees, bushes, rocks and likely telephone poles.

There will also be a freight station on loop 2 and a passenger station on loop 1.

Ed/Dad”

I know there’s not much to Ed’s layout at the mo – but that’s the whole point. That’s why I post these pics. It’s all about starting.

Every layout, at one point, looked like a rat’s nest of wires, tools and mess. Please don’t be put off by that – roll your sleeves up, keep calm and carry on.

Ed has written lots about his plans, but more importantly, he’s started.

If you’ve been planning a layout, when are you going to start?

“Hi Al,

Attached is a photo of a little diesel servicing depot I put together recently as an interchangeable corner module for a club layout.

The fuelling point is a Knightwing kit, the oil tank Wills, the shed I know little about, as we were given it used.

The locos are a cut-down cab class 03 for the Burry Port and Gwendraeth line which had low bridges, and on the right a Q Kits Ruston PWM651.

Rod”

“Hi Al…

Done a few small changes as shown and a bit of a running session, have heard through the grapevine that I have a new Loco on its way… fingers crossed …will show when and if it arrives…

This is my latest video showing the changes…

Regards

Dave”

A big thanks to Dave, Rod and to Ed for sharing his Z scale Santa Fe.

That’s all for today folks.

And don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide is here if today is the day you start your model railway journey.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

Michaels been in touch – he’s built his N scale on an old door.

“Hi Al –

Thanks for sharing your regular stories & photos.

Here’s a photo series on my N-scale layout, built on a hollow core door.

It’s now in it’s third location as we’ve moved through the years. My main modeling interest is HO and Lionel O, but the ability to work in a tight space with smooth running equipment makes this N gauge system a different experience.

Because of the hollow core door, I was able to “pop up” the town in the center and also include a waterway, without elaborate scenery construction.

The setting is a typical Missouri small town on the Missouri Pacific Railroad. My first train ride was when I was about five, on the “Missouri River Eagle.” Growing up in St Louis, the MoPac was a constant presence, along with the other lines that intersected there.

Their original cerulean blue and gray paint scheme was very eye catching.

My Dad and I used to take a four block walk on summer evenings just to watch the “Texas Eagle” pass through our neighborhood, beginning its long journey southward.

I remember Alco PA locomotives hauling a long consist of coaches, sleepers and a diner.

A small crowd would gather in the evening, just to watch this majestic train pass.

The locomotives are LifeLike, the passenger cars ConCar and an assortment of Kadee and Atlas freight cars.

thanks for sharing

Mike

Normal IL USA”

“Hi Al

Thanks for the emails.

I am not new to n scale model railroading, my father introduced n scale to Australia in 1962 and modelled European until 1975 when I moved from O scale to N Scale and together we built an extensive layout used for exhibitions over last 40 years.

I model Canadian Prototype the post-war years to modern-day around the Great Lakes.

Dad modelled Nth America NYC/B&O along with his own label T&S (Tiers & Stramish) – this allowed him to freelance with anything and Sister joined us in Mid 1980’s modelling Soo Line & B&O & Chessie System.

Dad passed away at Easter and have been going it alone ever since having inherited his entire collection including layout rolling stock books etc. I am involved in LaTrobe Model Railway Club in Gippsland Victoria and also Warragul Train Shed and Drouin Men’s Shed where there are 00 British Layouts.

I am currently building my home layout from scratch incorporating parts of the exhibition layout that have survived. The layout is based on Modrail which was developed by Dad and a Retired Royal Engineer Gordon Duncan for N scale and HO Scale.

My tip is for Ballast use builders sand (Don’t ever use Beach Sand due to salt content) dry it out in the oven on a baking tray when the wife is not looking. The higher the heat the darker the ballast will be. You can then apply as Woodlands Scenics method and its a lot cheaper particularly if you have a large area to ballast. You can also colour the sand using powdered paints.

My second tip is to collect silver birch branches and twigs they make good timber loads for flat cars and work well if you are (pouring a resin) river/lake/waterway and want to have some logs floating or submerged in it.

Regards

Don”

A big thanks to Don and Mike.

I thought Mike’s pics were fab – so much packed in to a small space without looking cramped.

That’s all for this time 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 More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.

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

Andrew’s been in touch with his Hornby Dublo layout:

“G’day Al from ‘Down Under’

I am delighted that you are continuing to run your magnificent blog, so many ideas to try and I now have several of your buildings on the layout. The Tudor House is my favorite.

Two years ago I was fortunate to get an opportunity to purchase more Hornby Dublo 3 rail track, locomotives and rolling stock from a new friend here in Oz.

His, like mine is 60 to 65 years old and in working order. and this enabled me to enlarge and rebuild my layout, a task that has given me many hours of enjoyment and it is fully operational.

Unfortunately I do not have the equipment and skills to send a video so attached are photos of my layout Mark 2.

Now it is finished (??) I am ready to dismantle and start again and to try some of the new ideas I have from your contributors.

Thanks for all you do.

Andrew

Cooroy, Queensland, Australia”

A big thanks to Andew for sharing his Hornby Dublo.

Now on to Jose.

“Wanted to share my HO layout that I have been working on. I built everything by hand, except the track and electrical power station.

Jose”

Jose has made that all important start – and that’s what this hobby is all about.

A big thanks to Andrew and Jose.

That’s all for now.

Please do keep ’em coming.

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

Best

Al

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.