N scale turntable – Geoff’s

Geoff’s been in touch – have a look at his N scale scale turntable.

But first a quick heads up.

Today is the last day of the silly sale.

So after today, no more ridiculous savings on the printable buildings, track plans PDFs and the Beginner’s Guide,

If that’s not fair warning, I don’t know what is. Just scroll to the bottom to grab it.

Now back on to Geoff. He’s done a great job:

“Hi Alastair,

It’s been quite a while since I sent you my N Scale 4 x 3 layout.

Since then I have retired and moved out to Southern California where I have updated my 4 x 3 and built another N Scale 6 x 3.

The central theme was the roundhouse and turntable and facilities. It also has a stockyard, milk and meat processing, along with farming equipment stores.

There is a veterinary along with houses and a host of other ‘scenes’ throughout the layout. Both ends of the layout have working lights (WS Just Plug).

I wanted a layout more of a display, so that I could have as many of my engines and stock cars on show as possible; between the two layouts. I did purchase all twelve of Micro-Trains Friendship Food Train.

I will if you are interested send a filmed version of this train running on my 4 x 3.

Just a note on my 6 x 3 (and 4 x 3) the railroad is known as the AE&SCRR, and I have a plan to build a website/blog related to my layouts.

You will also see my “Engine Shop”, my garage and both layouts side by side. The last pic is of the AE&SCRR Wine Tasting Special!

As always enjoy your blog, reading the comments and viewing some really excellent and professionally produced layouts.

Geoff”

model train layout N scale

model train track plan

N scale turntable

N scale shunting yard



N scale freight turntable

n scale model railroad

N scale turntable

Here’s two more 6×3 N scale layouts if they are your thing.

A huge thanks to Geoff – another example that this hobby is all about making a start, whether it’s your first layout, or your tenth.

I’ll finish with this: Today is the last day of the silly sale.

I can’t be more clear than that.

Today is the last day.

No more silly sale after today!

So after today, you won’t get everything below for just $9.

If you want to watch the full length version, with Bonkers John at full throttle, It’s here.

I’ve never given away so much for so little – just $9.

You get 33 printable buildings and the Beginner’s guide for just $9.

Even if you already have the Beginner’s Guide, there are still three brand new buildings.

What’s more, you also get the warm and fuzzy feeling of directly supporting the blog, which at the moment, is struggling somewhat.

Course, I’m biased, but the three new buildings on there own are worth $9 each – that’s what they sell for in the store.

So please don’t miss this offer – you are saving over $300.

What’s more, It will never, ever, ever be this price again.

Grab it right now before it disappears – it’s just $9 for the lot.

add to cart

printable buildings

printable buildings

Are you really going to miss out on this crazy offer?

Here are some of the buildings on your layouts:

“Al, like you I have been retired for some time now.

I have gone back to my American Flyer, s Guage boyhood train.

I have had “n guage, HO, G scale”, and this American Flyer has been the most fun of all. I guess it takes me back to my parents basement where my 4 x 8 foot layout was back in the early 50’s.

I resized your wonderful old barn and had so much fun building it. Here are some pics. Hope everyone enjoys it as much as I have.

Jerry from Illinois, USA.”

“Al,

Great project and a lot of fun. The barn is on it’s way to the Railroad Club.

Charles”

model railroad printable building

“Al

I have enjoyed your site for a long time, since I have retired had to find something to fill the spare time, I purchased one of your bundles and printed out one of the Engine sheds among many others.

I have created my own version of the Engine shed as shown in the pictures.

Side walls have ventilation fan vents.

I have dreamed to set up a model railroad layout for a long time and when I started to make it a reality one thing came up after another, like kids, education, weddings and now I have time and room to finish the dream, but not much of a budget.

Best to all talented people like Hall of Fame Dave, talented hobbyists and their many beautiful layouts.

Ryszard”

And of course, there’s lots of the printable buildings on your layouts.

Here some pictures of them:

Mike has used a lot of the houses and grain elevators (not featured in the bundle – just using a print out example).

You can see his post here.

Rick’s has also made quite a bit of the printable buildings for his layout:

Here’s Rick’s post.

Rob has also created quite a few of the houses:

You can see his post here.

Cecil did a fab job on the Church:

Again, the church doesn’t feature in this bundle but you get the idea.

printable buildings N scale

Lita has started the scenery with the houses.

More from Mike.

printable building bridge base

Here Glyn has used the viaduct print for a bridge base.

printable building engine shed

Gene adds a light to his engine shed and houses.

Rob’s barn looks fab.

Bob’s low relief engine shed.

tunnel printable building

Rob adds a tunnel to his layout.

printable buildings houses

Nick’s simple layout looks fantastic.

printable building engine shed

Fred’s engine sheds

ho scale train layouts 16 x 8 depot

Lawrence’s barn.

printable buildings

Dana’s engine house (It’s on the bottom one of this one).

model train scenery

Peter’s Viaduct (it’s on the bottom of this post).

N scale

Richard’s layout has lots of the printable buildings!

IMG_1761

Mike’s layout also has lots of the printable building on.

HO scale pick up truck

Stephen’s layout is another one with the Engine House.

Michael has done a great job on the houses.

Build model train engine house

Larry’s engine house

Ken’s house.

lionel engine shed

Rob’s engine house.

HO scale cardstock barn

Stan’s barn

Printable house models N scale

Bill’s layout

n scale 2x5 layout

Robert’s N scale.

HO scale cardstock farm barn

Don’s barn.

printable building

Andrew’s corn silo.

HO scale sidings expansion

Lots of the printable buildings on Bob’s HO scale

n scael house

Bill’s houses.

John’s printable building street.

There are many, many more on the blog. It really does make my day when I open my inbox and see some on a layout.

Also, they are a great way to make that all important start – and that’s what it’s all about.

Right now, until Monday, you get 36 free printable buildings with the Beginner’s Guide for just $9!.

Here’s what you get:

printable buildings

And these are the buildings made from them:

All of these buildings are made from the same print.

And in the one below, a different building has been dropped in to make a back drop:

This building has been added to the free bundle too:

So you get 33 printable buildings and the Beginner’s Guide for just $9 – but only until Monday.

add to cart

And here are some better pics of what you get – all for $9.

The prints make up a ‘scratch build kit’, and you are only limited by your imagination.

warehouse back drop

Here’s an example of the backdrops you can build.

printable buildings

printable buildings

add to cart



(Watch on youtube here.)

But don’t forget – it’s not just the printable buildings you get – it’s the Beginner’s Guide too:

Of course, I’m biased so here’s what others say about it:

“Al,

I really like the Beginner’s Guide. As a true beginner it helped me quite a bit. The Guide answered questions I didn’t know enough to ask.

I haven’t gotten to the building prints yet, still working on my terrain.

Bruce”


“Hi Alistair,

Your print out building kits have saved me hundreds of dollars on buildings and they provide the unique option of being able to customize the builds most any way I desire.

Until I came across your kits, I was very limited on what I could add to my planned N-scale layout. Commercial building kits are way too expensive for a retired person’s budget.

I now have the ability to not only build nice scenes, they don’t require weathering. Something I’m not terribly adept at accomplishing. Also, as a 70 year old kid, working in N-scale can be challenging for clumsy arthritic fingers. Your kits eliminate most of those issues. All I need is a sharp blade, scissors, glue and my imagination.

Also, your beginner’s guide is invaluable. I’m a retired network systems architect, so tech is not scary to me yet surfing the web for information can be tedious. I was a pre-teen the last time I played with model trains, and a lot has changed in the hobby since the early 60’s. You’ve solved all of that by providing one source for virtually all my basic needs, plus your daily email blog covers it all. What an incredible resource you are to this hobby.

Thanks for doing all of what you do.

Best Regards,

Ken”


“Hi Al

I really enjoyed the beginner’s guide book. I’m new to the train world. I have just retired and trying to make an attempt to start a hobbie with HO scale trains. You and your followers have encouraged me for the last two year’s. I Thankyou and your followers for sharing their train world

Sam”


Of course, I’m very biased, but I think the Beginner’s Guide and all these printable buildings bundled free are a real steal – just $9 for the next day or so.

I think Ken’s quote above puts it best:

“Your print out building kits have saved me hundreds of dollars on buildings and they provide the unique option of being able to customize the builds most any way I desire.”

You get 25 printable buildings with the Beginner’s Guide (although with a bit of imagination you can make, many, many more).

You’ll see these buildings sell in the store for $9 each or more.

And the Beginner’s Guide sells for $27.

So you are saving a massive $342 on this deal.

You’re also getting the track plans PDF too.

What’s more, have a look at throught the store and you can see it’s a real, genuine, saving.

But please bear in mind, this silly sale is only for a few days, and then it’s all goes back to normal.

I do like to think that when I have a sale it’s genuine, and there is real value.

So if you fancy this bargain before it disappears like a shadow in the night, grab it right now.

Or, I know some of you good people just buy it to support the site. God bless each and every one of you.

Whatever your reasons, the Beginner’s Guide for $9 and the free printable buildings make it easy for you to make that all important start.

And that, my friends, is what it’s all about. Making that start.

If I can help you do that for $9, this sale will have been entirely worth it.

And whatever start you make – have fun.

Best

Al

PS This offer will end abruptly – please don’t sit on the fence if you are mulling it over.

PPS There is also a 60 day money back guarantee, you have nothing to lose!




Model railroad layouts – Scotts!

Scott has shared his model railroad layout.

(His last post is here).

He’s been kind enough to send in pics, and a video of his layout in its early days.

I thought it worth posting, because it just goes to show it’s all about making a start:

“Alastair.

Some of the comments asked to see track plans.

Here are some early days on the layout without scenery.

Scott”

model railroad layouts track plan

model railroad layouts

model railroad layouts

model train track plan

You’ll remember from his last post that his layout is approximately 100 square feet with two layouts connecting from inner to outer.

His inner layout is from an old Atlas book with 18 radius turns and the outer was freelanced.



Bill’s model railroad layouts

“My wife thinks I went a little overboard as now I have the 4X16 HO switching layout and the 3X15 N scale layout and I’m in the planning stage of a 4.5X12 O and ON3O layout.

For the HO layout I have scenery basically finished and now I’m going into detail mode and will be weathering cars and engines and finishing up a variety of small projects.

While it’s mostly done it’s never done and Ive been enjoying operating the layout.

Bill”

bills model railroad layout

You can see all of Bill’s model railroad layout here

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

And now on to Iwan:



“I have something to show everyone: my ballast Despenser. An 0-4-0 loco hauls the wagon and ballast falls out the bottom on to track.

How to build:

Drill along the under side of the wagon so you have a long narrow hole from side to side.

Then add ramps so ballast goes out the hole. Couple to your loco, fill with ballast then go!

Yours truthfully:

Iwan”

ballast for model railroad layouts

A huge thanks to Iwan and Scott.

Still love seeing your pics and tips after all these years. Please, please do keep ’em coming. Just email them in to me.

That’s all for today folks.

And don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide if you want to get going, just like Scott did.

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.

HO scale 4×8 layout – Paul’s

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):

model railway helicopter rescue

“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”

HO track plan

model train chinook helicopter

model railroad chinook



model railroad chinook helicopter

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.