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How big does a model train room need to be?

Peter’s been in touch with his answer to ‘How big does a model train room need to be?’

Of course, the scale you choose is pretty much going to force the issue, but I think this is the first container room on the blog:

“Hi, Al,

This is Peter from Strathalbyn, South Australia and I would like to give an update on my 20 foot container train room.

Firstly, it is completely solar powered, using a solar panel to charge a 400 Ah deep cycle battery and supplying the 240 volts for trains and lighting through a 600 watt pure sine wave inverter.

Regarding the layout, it is two loops, crossing the opening via a hinged drop down section.

The main loop represents the Mount Barker to Strathalbyn line, with an extension to Semaphore, but heavily truncated.

I am scratch building all my railway buildings from photos and plans and am quite pleased by the Strathalbyn and Mt Barker stations and their associated goods sheds. The Exeter Railway station is from 1929.

The layout is wired for DC and DCC.

Hope your readers find this of interest.

Cheers,

Peter.”

If you’re still curious about how big does a model train room have to be, here are some others you can peep at:

Paul’s model train room

Model train room ideas

Cool model train room

Steve’s lounge train layout

Of course, it’s scale that determines how much room you need for a train layout:

Which scale is best

HO or N scale?

Please do leave a comment below if you have any thoughts on this – it comes up on the blog quite a bit.

Now on to Terry:

“Dear Alastair I have been enjoying reading your posts and seeing the many different layouts from around the country.

They have inspired me to try new and different things. One of them, is a turntable for my siding on the right side of the track.

My photos will show the process has it continued.

I hope you enjoy this rookies efforts.

Terry”

A big thanks to Terry and Peter for sharing.

Please do keep ’em coming because it’s getting a bit thin on the ground this end.

That’s all for today.

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.

Model railroad track planning

Rob’s been in touch with a really good youtube on Model railroad track planning.

I really enjoyed it and there is some sound advice that will save you a lot of blood, sweat and tears:

“Hi Al,

I posted this video on YouTube a week ago, and it has turned out to be extremely popular with a wide audience.

In it, I discuss some of the many things to consider when planning a model train layout.

It has also provoked good discussions of what is important to a layout and forced me to see the controversy between loop versus end-to-end layout designs. Before this, I didn’t know that emotions ran so high on this subject. I think it might be a good one for your blog.

I want to make it clear I am not an expert on layout planning but I have learned a few things during my journey into model trains.

It is obvious to me that some folks are quite adamant in their belief that the only legitimate layouts are ones that mimic a real railroad.

However, many people, I have found, just want to run their trains and not bother with switching except on occasion.

I am one of those people, although I do understand the social aspects of having a number of people come to your layout to run trains point to point in a prototypical manner. The camaraderie could be fun I am sure. This type of activity seems to be mostly found on North American-style freight model railroads.

I think the type of layout and activity associated with a personal model railway is personal and everyone wants something different. There is nothing wrong with that. Model railroads are for enjoyment and nothing else. They are not for the satisfaction of others but for the pleasure of the owner only. It is a wonderful hobby.

You can pursue any aspect you want, to any depth you want be it artistic, electronics. electrical, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, weathering, graffiti emulation, whatever or not. It is your time, your hobby.

Thank you, Al, for all you do for us.

cheers,

Rob”

Model railroad track planning:

A huge big thanks to Hall of Fame member Rob for sharing his thoughts on Model railroad track planning. I thought it was a well thought out youtube that anyone can learn from. I really enjoyed it.

There are quite a few posts on this theme on the blog now:

How to start a model train layout

Model railroad planning ideas

Model railroad planning

Planning a model railroad

Starting a train layout

Where do I start when making a model train layout

Model train track design.

Model train simulator.

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

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.

Marklin HO 3 rail

The very talented Glyn has been back in touch with his new Marklin HO 3 rail layout:

“Good morning Al,

Thank you again for all you do for the hobby.

I am enclosing a link to my latest layout build now that I am retired to Santa Fe New Mexico.

It’s a 23’x13′ Marklin 3 rail AC layout in 2 parts – the left limb represents a Swiss German border town as I have a large collection of Swiss-German locos and rolling stock which I moved from my previous layout in Peoria Illinois and which you have kindly featured in the past.

The layout passes through a mountain range and slowly morphs into a Depression era New England coastal town to accommodate some of my US locos and rolling stock.

I had a few US style buildings which I have added but am in the process of constructing several large kits from George Selios’ stunning FSM kits.

These are highly detailed and take forever to build but the results are well worth it and will be featured in upcoming videos.

I thought I’d start with this overview which represents about 2 years’ work. I will submit further videos showing the basic framework construction as the layout evolved, as many people new to the hobby love to see how we build these complex creations including all the scenery that brings them to life.

I have a long way to go but at least it is up and running now and I have included some locos running to demonstrate the layout in action.

Much more to follow but I hope your viewers enjoy this early selection.

Regards

Glyn”