Model railroad layouts plans

Ken’s been back in touch with an update on his N scale multi-line layout.

His first post really does show what’s involved in the groundwork for good layout.

So, if you want to read his original post first, it’s here:

Ken’s N scale.

Now the update – it’s bit of a stunner:

“Hi Alistair

We all know you like an update, and this is what I’ve spent the last year working on, arthritis and all.

I’m still modelling in N Scale, and in keeping with my version of coal trains in the area in the late 60s/early 70s.

I extended the existing layout adding another 1.75 metre extension off the dogbone, and added a through station and shunting yard plus a few industries and a new pub to boot.

To make it all work, I had to reduce the gradient to the girder bridge to 2.5% and add a curve around a rock outcrop which descends into the new through station of Macquarie.

I added a new pub (The Summit) at the top of the western loop and built a trapdoor behind the hill for access (no lift-off top this time around).

I like adding little details as I find things – like the Rural Fire Service facility adjacent to Macquarie station.

I also came across some people making Australian prototype eucalyptus and wattle trees (endemic to this part of the east coast). Lots more to be added and other trees replaced.

I also like these days that there are a variety of Australian themed buildings, which don’t look too out of place with Metcalfe and Kestrel structures.

You get a good idea of the extension from the photo captioned “Macquarie Station & Shunting Yards”.

It’s still very much a work in progress, with lots more detail to add – and a lot of decent wiring into a yet-to-be-built control panel.

Unfortunately I don’t have a program to map out the track layout, but basically it’s a 2 road main with a through and a terminus station, and as many yards as I can squeeze into the space.

Cheers

Ken”

Diesels simmering in Macquarie yard

Down Gradient to Macquarie

Girder bridge-to-the mountain tunnel

Grey nomads.

Looking north over Yanderah station and yard.

Macquarie station shunting yards.

Old town brewery.

Rural fire service

N scale multi-line layout:

Saturday fresh produce market.

Summit Hotel

Sunny afternoon at the Great Northern.

Tunnel emerges from the mountain into Yanderah.

Tunnel under the summit.

Yanderah repair shops.

Yanderah station city.

Most of the locomotive power is NSW Government Railways, and carriages and stock as used from the 1940s to 1970s in a coal-producing region as I am modelling.

Although freelance design, I’m looking to incorporate the short north section into the Newcastle area (lots of license here). We still have lots of coal trains even today as the port is a major coal exporter.

Ken.”

A huge big thanks to Ken for sharing the update on his N scale multi-line layout.

(Here’s his first post again – Ken’s N scale.)

Ken’s layout also reminded me of Jim’s: N scale steam layout.

Hope you enjoyed it as much as me.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if you feel like you’re missing out and what have some fun of your own, 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.

I have two quick questions for you.

Firstly, Joe’s been in touch and I’m sure someone out there can help:

“I get your newsletter every day and find them fascinating.

So I got out all my old Lionel Trains,buildings etc to put together a 8×8 layout.

These are from 25 + years ago.

I found the track had black marks here and there on it. I’ve tried vinegar and alcohol to no avail, do you or anyone have any suggestions.

Thanks for any help.

Joe”

Who can help Joe?

Please leave a comment below if can, I do like it whe the blog inspires people to dig out their trains.

And secondly, are you really going to pass on this offer that ends today?

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! It will never, ever, ever be this price again.

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

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

And don’t forget Joe if you can help.

That’s all this time folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

Best

Al

Lewis has been in touch with some model train scenery pics:

“Well it’s been a while since I talked with you but this is Lew.

This is how far I am, money’s tight so I try to use whatever I can to form mountains and roadways and so beefing up the table some more.

I changed the lake configuration so that it was inboard instead of outboard and it has made storage a lot easier as well as more stability when moving the table.

I hope it’s a somewhat interesting to some of the guys and I’m sorry that I don’t know how to describe things as well as these guys do that send all of these things into you all the time, but I thank you for all of them and hopefully they’ll see something here that trips your trigger who knows.

Lewis”

“I introduce myself and just say thanks for all of the great posts you do daily.

Here a a few shots from my N scale model layout. I hope you enjoy these. My layout is 36″ x 120″ and I am about 60% complete still a lot of small detail work that has to be done.

Dave”

Now on to Pete, who shares what this hobby is all about:

“Alastair – I thought that you might be interested in a N-scale project my pre-teen grandson, Liam, has undertaken recently.

I know it might pale as compared to most layouts presented here recently and in the past. However, I believe it shows quite a deal of planning and innovation on Liam’s part.

He started with an old table from his favorite Brio trainset and superimposed this N-scale layout. Since he is very passionate about airplanes and airports, he said: “Papa, let’s add an airport next to the town!

Liam performed most of the airport runway painting and building placement in the town, including placement of the “castle” overlooking the activities.

He also added the cars/lorries and parking areas to handle the airport cargo.

Haven’t observed much from your “younger” fans, so this as might exemplify the next generation of “train spotters”.

Thanks for the review & Cheers Mate!
Pete
Washington State, USA”

A big thanks to Lewis, Peter and Dave for sharing their model train scenery pics.

Now on to Hall of Famer Dave:

“Hi Al…

I was up on the N.Y.M.Railway a few weeks back with the return of the famous British icon Loco A4 Sir Nigel Gresley.

Managed to get a few shots in along with a few other Locos

Just love to see this Loco running/

Regards

Dave”

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.