Model railroad layouts plans

Michael’s been in touch with a wiring question – HO scale wiring terminal block.

As usual the comments at the bottom of the page all seem to have identified the issue. Have a look and you’ll see what I mean.

What a clever lot you lot are.

“I’m looking for someone to diagram a wiring problem that is beyond my ability.

My railroad has 4 cabs ( power supply ) 2 for the main lines and 2 for the yard.

Cab A and B are main lines. C and D yard.

I want to be able to use can A to bring a train into the yard without stopping at the meeting point. Then switch to cab C or D once in the yard.

Can you help?

Michael”

Please do leave a comment below if you can help.

And now on to Dave.

I know I post a lot of Dave’s stuff, but the problem is, I watch it, enjoy it, and then I think “I should post this.”

So here you go, another one from Dave:

“Hi Al, well with a couple of days of the weather cooling down, I went back up in to the loft and decided to make a few changes …yes changes from Dave ??

LOL ..it’s what we do though ..all for the better though, new platform, giving me more space to add an extra siding, and some bridge changes, giving it a better look than before…

seems to have worked… added a little running session as well.

Regards

Dave”

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

A huge thanks to Dave – and who can help Michael? Please scroll down and leave a comment below if you can.

And don’t forget today is the last day to grab this very silly deal on the print out scenery.

Course, I’m biased, but they are great fun – and a good way to make a start too.

Please leave a comment for Mike below if you can help on his HO scale wiring terminal block problem.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

Best

Al

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

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