Model railroad layouts plans

Paul’s been in touch with his HO scale 4×8 layout:

“​Hi Al,

I thought I would send you a movie clip of my 4×8 layout.

It has two separate rail systems running. The lower rail is DC while the upper rail is NCE DCC. I have a MTH Dash 9 running at the same time as a Mantua 2-6-6-2 Steamer.

I started building this setup on Dec 1, and finished as shown by April.

My wife is an artist and she helped with the colors, textures, and ideas. She also did the painting at the rear of the lower layout section. Currently I am setting up my basement for a larger layout.

I can’t believe that at 75 I would be starting on this endeavor, but I have been encouraged by your daily blog and seeing all that others have accomplished.

Thanks for all your help.

Sincerely, Paul, Northport, NY”

(You can watch the larger version on youtube here.)

Here’s a collection of 4×8 layouts too:

HO train layouts 4×8.

And Brian’s been in touch again to answer a few questions on his layout (his post is here):

“Hi Alastair

Thanks to all those who posted encouraging comments on my layout, very much appreciated.

Someone wanted a track plan, so I have attached that.

The video footage of the layout was taken on a Panasonic DMC-FZ38 camera (tripod mounted) and the videos downloaded to my AppleMac and imported to iMovie for editing and compiling. For the sounds I searched on YouTube for videos of the actual locomotives (or close to) and converted the video to an mp3 file using a free YouTube to mp3 converter (there are several on the Internet).

After converting the mp3 files they were downloaded to the AppleMac and dragged into iTunes. These files were then imported into the iMovie project from iTunes and edited as required. Job done. It was great fun having a go at this and I was quite pleased with the resulting video although the actual video is a little burnt out – it was a very sunny day when I filmed the videos.

Jim wanted information on where to get N gauge helicopters. There are no 1/148 helicopters to my knowledge and I did search the Internet for some time. However, 1/144 seems to be a readily available scale with aircraft manufacturers. The helicopter in the photo is a Royal Navy Sea King HAR ‘Ace of Clubs’ from a 1/144 kit by Sweet purchased from Hobbylink Japan. The Chinook that I have just finished is again 1/144 by ACE Corporation and also available from Hobbylink Japan. Reveal did manufacture a UK Chinook in 1/144 but you may have trouble sourcing it now.

Eric (Leeds) wanted to know my next project – Have started a two level OO layout in the loft. The top level is a simple single loop DC circuit with fiddle yard, and the bottom level is a double loop DCC circuit with various sidings yet to be laid out. I liked the idea of having sound actually in the locos (too many locos on my N gauge layout to convert to DCC) so I have bought a few Hornby/Bachmann DCC Sound locos which are excellent. I have also bought a Faller Car System starter set which on initial trials is pretty impressive. However, the loft is too hot to work in during the summer months (particularly in this heat wave we’re having) so work has been put on hold. I’ll send some pictures and a video soon of my progress.

Here’s a few of pictures of the Chinook over my N gauge layout.

Thanks again Alastair for a brilliant newsletter.

Kind Regards

Brian”

And lastly, on to ‘Bonkers John’.

A few of you have been in touch asking about the printable buildings again – and I thought a very quick youtube from John would help:

(You can watch the larger youtube version here.)

That’s all for today folks.

A big thanks to Dave, Brian and Paul for sharing his ho scale 4×8 layout

If you want to leave a suggestion for Dave, please do so below!

Please do keep ’em coming – and don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide, if you want to get going on your own layout.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

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

Andrew’s been in touch, he’s shared how to build a corner tunnel for a model train:

“Hi Al,

Like so many of your followers I enjoy your blog. And like so many others have scrapped my last layout and started again (Photo Corner 1) using many of the tips and ideas that you have shared from other model railway enthusiasts.

I attach a series of photo showing my construction of a tunnel in the corner of the layout. The curve is standard Hornby Dublo 3 RaiI that is fairly tight (15 inch radius) and I wanted to be able to remove the tunnel top in case of derailment and for track cleaning.

Because there is critical clearance between the tunnel walls and the overhang of larger locomotives on the outside of the bend (Photo 1A) and passenger coaches on the inside I needed to ensure that the tunnel would be in the exact same position when replaced.

I made the tunnel from 5 mm ply (Photo Corner 2A) and used small pieces cut in a U shape on the baseboard to relocate the tunnel top (Photo Corner 2B)

I used expanded polystyrene and wood off cuts to form a frame for the scenery (Photo Corner 3) filled with newspaper (Photo Corner 4) and covered with light cardboard (Corner 5) – A mistake – I should have put the shiny side down as the plaster did not like sticking to the shiny side and requiring a pre-coating of PVA to secure.

I gave a coat of plaster of Paris, the first time I have used this for landscapes and found it sets very, very fast. A mixed blessing and I am told that the addition of household washing up liquid will slow the setting time – Perhaps one of your followers will be able to confirm. (Photo Corner 6)

I first give a coat of diluted green and brown acrylic paints then PVA and coloured sawdust (Corner Photos 6, 7 and 8). I have a petrol motor grass mower that allows some cuttings to fly up onto the blade protection cover and dries them. I use these with a thick PVA solution to make a rough heath-land effect (Photo Corner 9).

A special ‘Thank You’ to Dangerous Dave for his road tunnel – I have plagiarised his idea which may just be seen at the back of photos 5, 7 and 8.

Also a thank you to Fred and his trees. Mine are not as good and made from old wire, kitchen paper, shredded and spray painted and may be seen in photo 8

And I am a messy worker – (Photo Corner Mess)

Best wishes to you and all your followers

Andrew

Cooroy, Queensland, Australia”

(All images are clickable.)

1A:

2A:

2B:

Corner tunnel for a model train:

Corner mess:

A huge thanks to Andrew for sharing how to make a corner tunnel for a model train.

I don’t think he should worry, I suspect we are all messy workers. Besides, whoever has seen a tidy layout in the making?

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

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you get busy with your own model railroad, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

PPS More N scale layouts here if that’s your thing.

Bill’s been in touch with his track layout for N gauge:

“I started this custom n gauge layout about four months ago.

Eventually it will have a town on top level and on the lower level there is a beach a lake will have piers and fishing boats also there will be a power station and factories below the falls.

In the big open area on main level will have a complete zoo surrounded by high priced homes also will be a drive in theater and amusement park.

(All images are clickable.)

Beginning of waterfall and river:

Ground levels at the falls:

The falls:

---

Hope you enjoy the pics of my first layout.

Bill”

A huge thanks to Bill for sharing his Track layout for N gauge. He’s storming along with his layout – loved the waterfall scene.

I do love seeing a layout when it’s still in the early stages. Great to see some of the printable buildings on a layout too.

That’s all for today folks.

And don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide if you are fed up with everyone else having all the fun – take the first step 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.