Model railroad layouts plans

Mike has been in touch – his theme is a kids model train layout.

It’s another great example of your layout can be whatever you want it to be:

“Greeting, Alistair-

Like many I would guess, I begin each morning propped in bed sipping my morning coffee (or perhaps tea) and reading the latest from your blog. Just pure pleasure to see the ingenuity and artistry of so many modelers.

Here’s my latest effort- not terribly ingenious or artistic-but it is a complete success. The theme here is fun. My 4 year old grandson is mad about trains (and garbage trucks). He lives in Benecia California and every day he gets to hear the California Zephyr and numerous other freight and commuter trains roll along the banks of the Straits of Carquinez headed for San Francisco.

So I set out this winter to build a fun model train layout using some of my old Lionel rolling stock that the kids could play with.

We had a huge family reunion around the solar eclipse this spring so we had a half dozen youngsters playing with this train- they ran the wheels off it, and not one problem! (and no, I don’t work for Lionel)

It was fun to build – nothing is particularly to scale, the colors are vivid, and it’s more playful than realistic. But I’m happy to say- the kids loved it, and I’d like to think it may have sparked an interest in model railroading that will stay with them.

Best Regards,

Mike from Indiana.”

Kids model train:

A big thanks to Mike for sharing his kids model train layout. I suspect in years to come the memories from this layout will always raise a smile from both generations.

And now on to Paul, who also shares a fine a example of a layout can be whatever you want it to be.

(Paul’s last missive is here: model train room.)

“This was my first attempt at building a model railway (and a house!) and I was so pleased with how it turned out I have not changed or added anything to it.

I do however miss the building of it so I have taken to making model aircraft from kits, The 1.72 scale fits well with OO, so they are hanging from the ceiling in the train house. I will send a photo of them soon.

There are 32 planes now a few of which were salvaged from the 50s/60s. They needed some repairs but that’s half the fun.

It’s important to have access to all areas of the layout. A friend of mine tried to make a railway and spent time making his hill with a tunnel, then he had a derailment had had to pull the whole thing down to reach the train. The second picture is the answer. I learnt that before I even started.

Once again many thanks to you Alastair and to all the people for their lovely comments.

Paul”

That’s all for today folks. A big thanks to Paul and to Mike for his kids model train layout.

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.

Anthony has been in touch with his Kato HO scale Unitrack:

“Hello Al.

My name is Anthony. I live in Pittsburgh, PA – USA.

On January 22 of this year, I started building a platform for a train layout in HO scale.

I am using Kato Unitrack. To this date, I have 4 lines of track on the platform, three of which are connected, and one is separate.

The platform is 10 feet by 13 feet. The HO track is all completed and laid out, but now I will spend the next several years laying scenery and will be trying to add some realism to the platform.

I will try to send you 15 pictures of my current Unitrack layout.

Again, just started on this Kato. Feel free to use my pictures and layout in your circulation. Take care.

Anthony”

Kato HO scale Unitrack:

I love what Anthony has done with this HO scale – he’s made a start and that’s what it’s all about.

There’s quite a few Kato Unitrack layouts on the blog now.

HO scale Kato model layouts

Kato Unitrack HO

Kato track plans

Now on Wally:

“Al: I thoroughly enjoy all the videos and tips. I would like to pass on an observation on a recent video.

The HO loco being cleaned on the Trix wheelcleaner is going to have contact problems. The brushes clean the wheels, but also leave microscopic pits. This happens with any scale. A better method is alcohol on a strip of paper towel. This cleans the wheels without wearing them down. I use this myself, and it works great.

Thanks for the listen.

Wally”

---

“Hi,

I saw the post on moving the small scale 3X4 layout. Easy. Nail or better yet screw some 1X4 strips on the outside, then a ¼ inch of plywood cut to the size of the layout screwed to the top. Another piece of plywood on the bottom to protect wiring and then it I ready to move. And stack where ever by the moving company. A couple 1X2 cross braces can be put on the top to protect but as small as these is they may not be needed.

Bruce”

A big thank to Anthony for sharing his Kato HO scale Unitrack. Thanks to Wally and Bruce too.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you get started on your layout, whatever the scale may be, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Remember, it’s the start that stops most people.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

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

Dan’s been back in touch with more of his train layout HO scale:

“Al, this set will wrap up my layout. I have a gazillion photos of my layout. As I said, I have completed several other layouts. I would be glad to share them with your readers.

HO Bench work completed

Gold spike. I used gold paint on a rail spike.

The monument for all to see. I have done this to all of the layouts I have built.

Some night views. I do not normally run in the dark. Looks like someone in in the bank after hours.

Railroads are a 24/7 operation. The engine house is no exception.

Another view of the engine house on the layout.

Train layout HO scale:

Looks as if there is some overtime work to be done at the welding shop.

At work late at the layout freight house.

Dressing up the shop windows. The mannequin in the left window, in white, has been cut off at the legs to show just clothing item to be sold.

I often put a figure in a window.

Something that does not exist today. Full service gas station. That is a Walther’s cast metal kit. The “oil” cans are short lengths of dowel rod.

A rail fan at a tunnel. In this photo I used a kicker incandescent light for a little shadow and again warmer look. My layout is considered flat lighting with very little shadowing. I did this on purpose so I could add shadows where I wanted them.

The higher the layout bench work the more light you need.

My HO layout uses florescent lighting. I used a strip of “GE Light Sticks” for the section of the layout with the

The GE lights were a redder, warmer, light. In this photo I used a kicker incandescent light for a little shadow and again warmer look. You can see these in this photo. They were 24 inches verses the 48 tubes.

The basement had a strip of 3 foot ceiling panels rather than 4 foot panels. The room is 15 feet wide and not 16 feet.

This wraps up photos of my home layout. This has been a great pleasure sharing my layout with you. I have four others I hope to share with you. Al has some video of the layout.

Dan*”

A big thanks to Dan for sharing more pics of his train layout HO scale.

You can see more of Dan’s work in the Hall of Fame.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you stop dreaming and start doing, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

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