Model railroad layouts plans

“Al… I just saw Richard, from Utah, posted a nice video of the great UP BigBoys excursion to Utah.

When I was in Cheyenne, WY last May, I had the opportunity to tour the maintenance facility in Cheyenne as they were refurbishing 4014 and 844.

The included photos show 844 almost ready and the unassembled 4014 nearing assembly time. The massive size of just the boiler was awesome. The day we were there every square inch of the boiler was being checked for cracks and thinned spots.

The boiler was gridded off and a chart reflected finished sectors. The sheer size of the main trucks just boggles the mind. Again those are in the foreground of the boiler pic. A really nice closeup of the cab shows the complexity of what it takes to tell the behemoth to move.

Mike”

“Al, don’t know if you have seen any of these, or are even interested in them.

They were taken by my cousin in Evanston Wyoming earlier this month. First outing for the 4014 since the rebuild. Had traveled to Ogdon Utah as part of the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869.

Joe”

And Brian has been in touch again with some more pics (his last post is here).

“Hi Alister,

I have not been active for a while as my eyesight is not as it should be. Have not been able to do fine work, only in short periods of time like an hour per day. (Get a headache and eye strain if longer).

In the meantime, have been doing electrical work on lighting buildings and switches for them. (An hour at a time)

I will do a write up on the harbor build a bit later explaining how to from start to finish of it.

All the best

Brian”

Have really enjoyed the pics and videos of the Big Boy – they really do show how the loco got its name.

Can’t wait for Brian’s next instalment too – I do love his stuff.

That’s all for today folks. Please do keep ’em coming.

And don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide if you want to start your model railway journey today.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

Well, hopefully you are seeing this post, and the site isn’t asking you for a username and password.

Apologies for all the technical glitches.

It was an absolute nightmare this end.

Anyway, onwards.

Here’s the post I know most of you will have missed.

And here’s a really nice follow on:

“Al

Haven’t written before but I want you to know how much your site means to me and my modeling hobby in the basement of my house.

This past weekend I went to the Golden Spike ceremony in Corrine, Utah. As a native Utahn I am proud of our heritage in joining the continent together.

At the same time Union Pacific brought the Big Boy to Ogden along with 844. I don’t know the last time that two engines of that size double headed in the United States, but it was an amazing site.

Attached is a video I made of the visit to Ogden and the trains coming into Echo just at the top of Weber Canyon, which the Big Boy was designed for to pull trains over the Wasatch Mountains.

Just some different perspectives.

Thanks for all you do.

Richard Shaw

Carbonville, Utah, USA”

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

That’s all for today folks – I’m still recovering from this weeks technical gremlins. What a week. Thanks for all your kind comments – they far outweighed the rude ones, and that meant a lot.

Please do keep ’em coming folks, and don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

Paul’s been back in touch, this time he shows us how to make HO scale hay bales.

(his last post is here).

“Hi Alastair recently some people asked how to make hay bales.

I responded that Woodland Scenics sells them but they are costly. Here is how I make mine.

First get some round wooden toothpicks and secure one of them in a vise as shown.

Get some JUTE twine as shown to wind around the toothpick. Put a layer of glue on the toothpick and wind an initial layer of twine around the toothpick.

Clamp the ends and let dry or use a hairdryer as I did. When dry put another layer of glue on the twine and wind a second layer of twine on top and clamp.

Continue with as many layers as you like.

I feel 3 is sufficient to give me the size hay bale I like. When dry cut to length with a very sharp razor knife. I find 1/2″ is about right.

Paul”

Paul’s pics reminded me of Michael’s post: HO scale bails of hay.

And I’ve had quite a few mails on this now, enjoyed them all:

“Al

Haven’t written before but I want you to know how much your site means to me and my modeling hobby in the basement of my house.

This past weekend I went to the Golden Spike ceremony in Corrine, Utah. As a native Utahn I am proud of our heritage in joining the continent together.

At the same time Union Pacific brought the Big Boy to Ogden along with 844. I don’t know the last time that two engines of that size double headed in the United States, but it was an amazing site.

Attached is a video I made of the visit to Ogden and the trains coming into Echo just at the top of Weber Canyon, which the Big Boy was designed for to pull trains over the Wasatch Mountains.

Just some different perspectives.

Thanks for all you do.

Richard

Carbonville, Utah, USA”

“Hi Al,

I’ve seen a few requests for the track plan for my switching layout.

Instead of drawing it out and I don’t have a CAD program I decided to take a flight over the layout and snap a picture. What I attached is very close to the full 4×8 layout. It shows the full track plan. Gives a good overall view of how things are set up.

Also shows the last small section of Pink Foam board left that hasn’t had scenery added yet. That pink will disappear yet today 🙂

Thanks!

Bill in Virginia”

A big thanks to Paul for showing us how to make HO scale hay bales.

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.