Model railroad layouts plans

Rob’s been in touch again, this time with his model train level crossing.

(His last post is at the bottom of this one.)

He’s been working on his castle too, and I have to say, I really enjoyed the youtube. Hope you do too:

“Hi Al,

I have a video that you might be interested in. In it, I discuss the type of camera I use and my favorite go-to close up camera mount. One of your subscribers asked what I use the last time you posted one of my videos.

The camera is a Sony FD AX33. It is a middle of the road camera. The camera mount is called a Cinegear Folding Tilt Adjustable-Mount Plate and sometimes referred to a Z mount.

Except for the area surrounding my new castle ruin, my basic castle is finally done.

It has taken well over a month to build it, but it is good I could stick with it to completion because it is turning out to be a good addition to the layout.

We take a good look at it and to give it scale, I placed a couple of figures on it. They really bring the size of it into perspective.

The shotgun microphone sounds I tried for were somehow nullified by YouTube. I have no idea how they did that. I did find it annoying that they did, however. It did not reduce viewing enjoyment for anyone else, just me.

I also discuss future plans for my harbor area. I plan to have one, possibly two ships tied up there. I want to create the hustle and bustle of a busy wharf or quay with ships unloading into train cars/wagons and workers busy at their tasks.

One other thing I demonstrate in this video is my level crossing in full operation.

I did not find a kit to my liking so I built this one from scratch.

The electronics are standard off the shelf units but combined in unique ways to provide a total solution for a United Kingdom style crossing.

I did have one custom circuit provided to me. It was an adjustable on-delay relay. There are six sets of sender-receiver type train sensors to ensure the gates are always down when train(s) are present.

Thank you so much for all you do.

Rob”

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

A big thanks to Rob for sharing his model train level crossing – I found it really interesting listening to his thoughts on his layout.

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.

Paul’s been back in touch with his Jurassic park model railroad.

If you missed his earlier ones, they are here.

“I started my layout in September. It is HO around the wall layout which is 9×13 feet. The layout is operational although not completely landscaped.

The first part of the movie shows the overall layout from outside the operational area. The rest is from within the control area of the layout.

I access the area by rolling under the liftout on a mechanics rolling stool. I also include a number of still photos which highlight specific areas of the layout.

You will see the farm, the waterfront, the mountain, the coal mine,the lake and the Jurassic adventure park complete with 3 dinos.

Paul”

(Watch on youtube here.)

A huge thanks to Paul for sharing his Jurassic Park model railroad – it’s a fantastic layout, and seeing it take shape over each post is a real delight. Can’t wait to see the next one.

Some of you will have seen the ladder in Paul’s layout pics. Paul was kind enough to send in a ‘how-to’ for that too.

Jurassic Park also features in another layout – Boyd’s: Model railroad lumber town.

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 More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.

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

Dave’s been back in touch – he’s been playing with his new Bachmann Deltic locomotive.

But first, on to Peter – with just with one pic this time because he’s finished his railroad tunnel:

If you missed Peter’s last missive, it’s here.

And now on to Dangerous Dave and his new locos:

“Hi Al, just uploaded this video showing 2 of my Deltics and the sound they give, the Ballymoss Deltic has basic Bachmann sound, but with the em2 speaker added, it sounds far better than most we hear… enjoy the sounds from years gone by…

Regards

Dave”

(Latest ebay cheat sheet here)

Now on to Terry. I just know there’s somebody out there that can help:

“I read with interest a posting from Joe who is using British engines on his Florida layout.

I travel often to Europe and as a model railroader I seem to end up at a hobby shop somewhere sooner or later. When an engine catches my eye, my first thought is: will it run in the U.S. This brought up a question that’s been running around in my mind for several years:

I realized the 230 volt power to the transformer is converted into a DC voltage for the engine. Now I’m wondering if the power needed to run any engine is the same all over the world… i.e. 12-16 volts. If so that solves my problem and I will have no fear of buying something that will not run in the U.S. If not, then what’s the solution?

On the same subject…what about the light bulbs inside passenger cars..any problems there?

Thanks so much

Terry

Idaho USA”

A big thanks to Dave for sharing his Bachmann Deltic locomotive – and to Peter, and who can help Terry?

That’s all for today folks, because I really am short on time today.

A big thanks to Dave and Peter. And who can help Terry?

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.