Model railroad layouts plans

Laurence has been in touch – he’s added to the collection of very small model railway layouts to the blog:

“Hi Al,

I’ve been enjoying your site for a number of years now and noticed that a lot that has been published have been very large model railways.

Although they are absolutely brilliant models not everybody has the room for a large layout.

Also I feel it’s a bit daunting for someone new to this great hobby.

I’ve included a few photos of two builds I’ve done to show being small doesn’t have to be a boring flat layout.

The first pictures are on a base of 5ft x about 3ft 3” with the sidings.

The second is 5ft x 3ft I built for a severally mentally handicaped young lad. It was built to keep it simple as not to confuse him with points, lights and switches ect.

Although it’s quite basic with a tunnel and water fall gives it that little bit more interest.

With this size layout I put on castors so it can be slid under a single bed when not in use.

I hope these few photos can give a few people some inspiration to give it a go.

With a bit of imagination and possibly the help of your “How To” book there’s no limit to what they can achieve.

Best Wishes,

Laurence”

A huge thanks to Laurence for adding to the very small model railway layouts – he really does demonstrate something I’m always banging on about: it’s not lack of space that stops people creating a layout, it’s lack of imagination.

You’ve just got to roll your sleeves up and have some fun.

That’s all for today folks.

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

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

I do love it when vintage lionel train layouts are in my inbox – Ed’s sent me this and I love it:

“Al,

I found your site about a year ago after my step-son was given his grandfather’s Lionel’s from 1936. I told him if his grandmother gave them to him, his grandfather passed away 9 years ago, that I would build a platform for him.

He has Cerebal Palsy and is in a wheelchair, but wanted to do something to honor his grandfather. These trains have been in boxes for over 50 years. I had only ever put a piece of plywood on the floor when my boys were little with some track in a circle going around the Christmas tree.

I checked out every post you had and read all of the advice. I also looked at a ton of UTube sites on building platforms. Well after getting over my fear of taking on a project I knew little about I set out to build this platform for my step-son. I’ve enclosed pictures from beginning to end, ending with a video if I can figure out how to post it.

Thank you for all of your posts and advice, it helped more than you know.

Ed”

“Alastair,

Seeing the other Bob’s use of printed stone wall, I thought I would share my attempt. I printed out the Stone Wall in black and white multiple times and used them to cover the two ramps leading up the overpass I added to my layout.

The first two pictures show the ramps in progress.

The last two pictures show the completed ramps and overpass and then I added my weathered Walthers Cornerstone Reliable Storage and Warehouse.

I have converted all my Atlas turnouts with Tortoise motors and am in the process of wiring them to the new control panel. When that is finished I will turn to adding scenery and buildings to my expanded area. I hope to create a video with my GoPro when the new section has scenery and more buildings.

Bob, Virginia”

“Hi Al, been a bit hot this last week or more to go in the loft to my model railway, so had a day out on the North Yorkshire Moors to day and of course the Railway, always good to give a bit of inspiration for the layout…and well what better to do than go out and get some real steam ideas.

Deb and myself enjoyed very much.

Regards

Dave”

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

That’s all for today folks.

I particularly liked Ed’s post, it’s great to add to the Vintage lionel train layouts – fantastic stuff – but a big thanks to Dave and Bob too.

Please do keep ’em coming.

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

Best

Al

Brian’s been back in touch with his HO gauge layout old docks:

“Hi Alastair,

More work done at the harbor. I find that while working on the waterfront extension, I look for things to continue with it and end up finding detail that is needed at the harbor. I then switch back to detailing the dock in the harbor.

That is what is so satisfying about this hobby, you can move around the layout doing different scenes and not get bored. Your current project will still be there when you get back to it.

The night shift reporting for operations at the dock. The harbor master standing at the top of the stairs making sure that all will be okay for the night shift before he knocks of for a cold one at the bar across the harbor. This harbor scene is almost ready for the last two layers of Woodland Scenics water to be poured.

All the best

Brian – the HOn3 guy Knysna RSA”

Brian’s HO gauge layout old docks scene is really taking shape – I love it.

(Brian’s last post is at the bottom of this one).

“Hi Al,

As I watch videos with newcomers to the hobby I keep seeing the same mistakes over and over again. I think this video could help some people.

To others, this is old news and they have already overcome their tendency to pack too much into too small of a space. I certainly understand when you start building your first layout that you want it to have everything you’ve ever seen on videos or pictures, but this video will help sort a few things out.

I started my YouTube channel in 2012 but was involved in engineering my entire working life. Along the way, I learned about inclines declines and the efficient use of space. All this experience, habits and knowledge helped me to build Farland B.

Farland B runs flawlessly. I could put a train on in the morning, shut the door, and come back in the evening and it would still be going as I left it. The reason? I used carefully applied good engineering standards to the design and construction. It makes a huge difference.

Rob McCrain – Farland Howe

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

A huge thanks to Brian and Rob!

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.