Model railroad layouts plans

Joe’s been in touch with his very large model train layout:

“Dear Alastair,

I have been enjoying reading about layouts others have been building and looking at step-by-step photos. It demonstrates how layouts are merely products of their creators’ imaginations. So I decided to participate and show the layout I have been building for the past 2 1/2 years.

For starters, it is an HO layout that measures 27’ x 10’. At my wife’s objection, it consumes about 2/3 of my basement. I have been dreaming about this project for my entire adult life, and at 67 I was finally able to realize it.

It is built with double ply 1” x 4” girders, connected by four major braces, and held up by eight legs. Photos shows the completed substructure. The next step was to construct the lattice work to which the 7” risers would be mounted (photo 3191). Finally, the sub-roadbed is made of 1/2” plywood supported by the 7” risers. This makes the top of the bench work 42” high (photo 3196).

Because of the size of the layout, it has been built in 13 sections that can be disassembled and moved to another located for reassembly. To make this possible, track and landscaping that span section boundaries can be separated. All wiring that spans section boundaries have had Hitachi-type connectors installed so that wiring can be disconnected.

I n my next email I will discuss the design and control aspects of my layout.

Thanks,

Joe”

My word, it’s going to be a very large model train layout indeed!

Now on to Michael:

“Thanks for sharing the great camera train video, see attached photo, may wish to share so others can see what to build to hold camera. And, if one needs a video camera, yard sales on Saturday morning is a great place to find them and cheap as well!

I am sure everyone would love to know what to buy and also see how this is done.

Much thanks

Michael”

A huge thanks to Joe for sharing his large model train layout – it looks like he’s going to build a stunner with all of that space. I can’t wait to see the next update.

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.

Well, I’ve got myself in to a right mess with my email account.

It seems I’ve missed lots of mails in the torrent I get everyday.

Anyhow, just a quickie today while I sort the mess out:

“Hi Al ..Just loaded this video , it shows a few changes ..AGAIN ..and a new addition from e bay again ..and then added some street musicians fron the Noch collection music included with the set

…Regards

Dave”

And of course, Dave always posts over Easter too:

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here

That’s all today folks – I’ve got to sort my mail out otherwise I’ll be in more of a mess. Sorry for the short post today.

Beginner’s Guide is here .

Best

Al

PS And if you’re wondering why he’s called Dangerous Dave, you’ll find the answer here. (It’s about half way down the post).

And next we hear from Hall of Fame member, Rob:

“Hi Al,

The area my old layout was in was an unfinished area of my basement.

The lighting was jury rigged and probably dangerous, it was alway uncomfortable there too cold in the winter and summer. Well bottom line, it had to go.

In order for the construction of the new room to occur, I had to tear down my layout Farland Howe. It was sad, but I was also looking forward to building an all new layout without all the problems a beginner can create on his first layout.

I wanted to eliminate for the start the poorly laid track, the added onto supporting train tables, the inability to reach certain areas so I was excited to build it new after, of course, once I got over the shock of tearing down 4 years work.

I started off using a computer program called Anyrail. There are several good computer track planning programs out there I chose anyrail due to a recommendation of a friend. It did have some drawbacks but it worked fine for what I was doing.

After exploring 3 completely different concepts for a track plan and studying all your online material and buying a couple books, I arrived at my swirl design as I call it. I experimented with many iterations of the basic plan while I was waiting for construction to be completed, but I think the plan I have started building will be a good one for shooting video and a fun one to run as well.

I chose a three main track layout. I considered four tracks, but in the end settled on three because I thought 4 mainline tracks would take up too much space and 3 would give me some flexibility.

Here is the final plan:

There are three basic heights to it. The town scene around the large main station will be set at the same elevation as platform height. The trains will then run slightly below that height. The smaller station will have a small village surrounding it and will be at a lower elevation. The main lines will have to decline down to that lower elevation and go under scenery to get there.

Any way, I have started building it and I am on part 4 so far. Here is a link to the latest installment of building Farland Two.

Rob”

Latest ebay cheat sheet here

A huge thanks to Rob – I do love his videos – very watchable and very helpful too.

Rob, as a Hall of Fame member, also helped out with the Beginner’s Guide.

Course, I’m biased, but the Guide is a great first step if you’re getting tired of keeping your armchair warm and want to get going on your layout.

It’s all about making a start!

That’s all this time folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

Best

Al