Model railroad layouts plans

Bob’s been in touch with his 4×6 layout:

“Hello Alastair,

My first train set was given to me in 1949 when I was 5 years old.

It was a Marx 027 oval layout with steam engine, tender three cars, and a caboose. It had the red lever throttle. You changed direction by operating the lever quickly on and off.

When I was about twelve I graduated to an American Flyer S gauge Sante Fe Chief passenger set. Had that until high school when we moved into an apartment so no room.

I was away from model trains until 1974 when my mother bought my son a Tyco set for Christmas. Use to set that up ever Christmas until about the mid 80’s. Again I have been away from model trains until this past January. I have been receiving you emails for a while and decided to take the plunge again.

I have an 10.5 by 11.5 spare room that I decide to use for a 4×6 layout.

I bought a Bachman DCC starter set with EZ-track and bought some expansion packs for the EZ-track. I setup a double 0val with cross overs.

I also bought a second DCC Diesel Locomotive and some in expensive ( $5.00) cars. I had trouble getting the switches (points) to work in both directions when using the cross overs. After trying everything I found online, I gave up on the EZ-track and decided to go with Atlas Code 100.

I had no theme or period in mind just a general plan in my head. I used Atlas Track planning software to come up with my first plan.

I also wanted to have an incline. So I cut the base for the incline from ¼ in plywood and used blocks cut from 1×3 lumber to support the base. Once in place, I used spray insulation and spackling compound to form the basic rock structure. Then I used black, white, green, and brown all surface water based paint to get the effect I want and added some greenery.

Next I created the initial panel for the switches. I made test runs and then had to decide what scenery to add. About that time I decided to buy the big kahuna package of printable buildings.

I started assembling some buildings and still didn’t have a real plan. I built the diner, the storefront with the Antique Store, Barber Shop, etc., the grain elevator, and the corn storage. Then I tried to figure where to put them on the layout. I built a second storefront to use back-to-back. I will send another email with the next phase of the build.

I decided to create a town center in the middle of the layout. I also build the printed factory and an Atlas switch tower. I put the store fronts in the center and started laying out the roadway. After painting the base, ballasting, and adding power poles, I freehand painted a background.

In the next phase I add another locomotive and some lighting.

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I felt limited in how I could operate so I acquired another DCC locomotive, a Union Pacific GE EVO and some more cars. This allowed me to run two trains and have one loco to fiddle the hoppers and the box car.

My next project was to add some lighting. So I added some Just Plug lights. I placed light with extensions at the switch tower, the two grain buildings, and the loading platform. The other light are standard height.

Continuing on my expansion, I added two sets of flashing crossing signals with two controllers. I will provide pics in the next installment. Since the grade crossings for both ovals are close I installed the flashing signals to cover both ovals at the same time. The only problem with the signaling is that the Walther’s Controllers use light sensors and they don’t work in the dark but I still am satisfied with what I had accomplished.

I enjoyed my 4×6 layout for about a month and then I guess I caught the Dangerous Dave bug and decide to expand my layout.

I came up with an expanded track plan and I turned the layout 90 degrees to accommodate the 4×5 addition. In addition to expanded run lengths I wanted to try my hand at tunnels. Note: the C1, C2, C3, C4 indicate controllers for the Cantilever crossing signals that will eventually be added.

I made some portals from ¼ in plywood and used 2×2 1 in foam to created the mountain. I started with two tunnels but they just didn’t look right so I added a third tunnel. This time used plaster cloth over foam supports for the portion in front of the added tunnel.

I still didn’t know what scenery I was going to add to the expansion so I decided to try a water feature. I painted the layout with shades of blues with tan around the edge and then used high gloss clear polyurethane in several coats. I am happy with the results. Because the mountain appeared to just stick out of nowhere, I decided to add an outcropping between the water and the inner track.

I still didn’t know what I would put in the rest of the expanded space on the 4×6 layout. I decided to try my hand at scratch building. In my next submission I will provide pics of my attempt at an oil well and a oil pump with storage tanks.

The crude oil well was made with stir stick, balsa, and a piece of hanger. The pump is made of balsa and some hanger wire. The storage tanks are made with empty paper rolls, 1.4 in dowels, balsa, and some fuel line tubing.

These last two pictures show the status as of now. I expanded the background and that was fun painting from behind which made me paint upside down. You will also notice one set of cantilever crossing signals where the road goes into the background. I still have to get three more controllers and eight cantilever signals to finish.

That is all for now. Not as good as a lot of what gets posted but I am happy with it and enjoy it. I hope it will convince people to start regardless of what skill they think they have or don’t have. The fun is in the doing and trying.

Thanks again for a great site.

Bob, VA USA”

A huge thanks to Bob for sharing his 4×6 layout – a wonderful narrative and great pics too.

Hope you enjoyed it as much as me. it reminded me of Jim’s: 4×6 train layout.

Great to see so many of the printable buildings on the layout too.

And Charlie – a real whizz with Anyrail – has sent in a clearer track plan. If it’s not identical, you can bet it’s very, very near:

You can see more of Charlie’s track plans here.

That’s all for today folks – don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide is here if you want to get going on your layout.

Keep ’em coming.

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.

John’s been in touch with his N scale multi level layout:

“My layout takes up a 9 X 12 room

over head light is changed to track lights

there is enough room in the center for two people to stand

the main bed is 4′ 8 1/2″ off the floor

the reason being you are looking at the train from the side not the top

all electrical power is on one switch that way I leave nothing turned on

the base is Homasote much easer to work with then ply wood

frame is 1″X 4″s I weight 220 pounds and have been up on it

the ridge is wood frame with window screen covered with plaster

five different levels of track

a little change in elevation can make a big difference in looks

I try to give each person on my layout a personality what’s in their head

that way I can make their environment meet their needs

John”

(All images are clickable)

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N scale multi level layout:

A huge thanks to John for sharing his N scale multi level layout – just loved this layout. And 5 different levels of track too. Wow.

There are quite a few multi level N scales on the blog now.

The one that immediately springs to mind is Bob’s, not only is it multi level, it is stunning too. Have a look and see for yourself:

Bob stunning N scale layout

Brian’s is a lot of fun too:

3 level N scale layout.

And Nigel’s N scale is also multi level:

Multi level N scale

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming because I’m running out of stuff this end.

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.

Brian’s been in touch with his N scale helicopter layout:

“Hi Alistair

Firstly, thanks for a brilliant newsletter – it’s great to see so many modellers sending in pictures and videos of their layouts.

I’m one of the support team for the N Gauge Journal of the N Gauge Society responsible primarily for advertising. I’ve also written several articles now for the Journal on topics such as the 1988 Paris to Hong Kong Orient Express, The N Gauge Tomix Thomas the Tank Engine range, and modelling water.

My N Gauge layout built on three independent levels is totally fictitious and not based on any particular era. With my father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather all working for the Great Western Railway, it was important to provide part of the layout for the running of my GWR stock.

I’m old enough to remember the last days of steam in Plymouth during the sixties, so I wanted to include this era as well. And then with the four Grandchildren only seeing today’s private liveries, it was essential to provide for them.

The bottom level activity (essentially a twin track loop) centres around Mill Bay station and harbour. Mill Bay is a small seaside town and fishing port somewhere on the West Country main line.

The middle level, again a twin track loop, has two main areas – West Hoe station and The Friary through lines and sidings has a small engine shed for overnighting visiting steam engines and a diesel maintenance depot (Peco). West Hoe is another small town on the main line and a busy through-route for rail and road users!

I imagine the top level as a heritage line running on a single track loop with a branch line to the once busy Northlew terminus and goods depot, and the Rocks Chocs factory making fine speciality chocolates with only the best of Devon milk from the local Farm.

I don’t know why, but I like helicopters, and so I’ve added an RAF Westland Sea King performing a daring rescue off the cliffs of Mill Bay. I’ve also just completed an RAF Chinook which will take its place hovering somewhere over the layout.

Have attached a few photos and here’s a link to my YouTube video experimenting with adding real sounds – great fun!:

(All images are clickable)

Thanks again.

Brian”

A huge thanks to Brian for sharing his N scale helicopter layout. Stunning stuff.

And now here’s something completely different, thought it would be fun to go from a finished layout (are they ever finished?) to a new one. Brand new in fact:

“Well, the bug has bitten me and I have started my “Chicago Northwestern” HO prototype.

Here are some early stage photos.

I know I’ll be referencing you guys as I get into the finer details of this awesome hobby.

Tom”

Not much to see, I know, but this hobby is all about making a start – that’s why I post ’em.

And lastly, here’s a tip that Mike has sent in that I thought was clever:

“Cork sheets of any dimension x 1/8″ thick SOAKED in water (with any outdoor scent) until the sheet is totally pliable!

Lay the still soakedly wet sheet over any object with your preferred shape even some objects gathered together to form your shape.

LET IT DRY until it is firmly dried out of all wet.

Periodically during this drying period, hand & finger press areas in order to guide the drying shape closer to your preferred shape’s details.

After the shape is COMPLETELY DRIED, move the light weight structure (usually a mound or rock face) to wherever it was meant to stand.

PAINT the shaped cork sheet as required. Use white glue (dries transparently) to emphasize raised spots.

Mike”

That’s all for today folks.

A big thanks to Brian (N scale helicopter layout), Tom (brand new layout) and Mike (another good tip).

Please don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide, if you want to get going on your layout.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

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