Model railroad layouts plans

I have a collection of tips for model railroading today, all from you lovely lot:

“I found a good use for the wrapping that tools and screws and such come in. It is almost perfect for glazing in the print out buildings.

Hope you can use this.

Guy”

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“Alastair,

My grandson and I have started our railroad project. The photos aren’t much but everyone says the first thing to do is get started.

We are doing an HOn3 logging theme as I was raised in the Pacific Northwest. I had built an O27 and S gage layout as a young boy. We have built a 4×8 base and we are currently planning the layout.

Working with my grandson is allowing me to teach him how to plan things and then lay them out. Soon we will be building and running trains.

Best Regards,

Lynne”

“Hi, From Joe in Fayetteville Georgia.

Years ago I wanted to do paintings so I purchased the “Joy of Painting ” book of Bob Ross and that go me into wall painting for my train layout. I am sending pic’s of mine.

I had a 25 x 25 workshop with HO scale and with dual manual operation. I have since moved into a smaller home and let all of mine go with the sale of the old home. As you can see with the layout you cannot tell where the layout to wall starts.

I even have clouds made with pillow stuffing hanging from the ceiling with fish line.

KEEP THEM ROLLING

Joe”

Tips for model railroading:

“A reader recently asked for help in deciding which to use – code 55 or code 80 N scale track.

Since you are asking, I must assume you are aiming for a realistic looking railroad. Let me preface my answer by stating that I model in HO, and I am using code 83 vs. code 70 and code 100.

I think code 100 is too big, out of proportion. I think code 83 looks OK, especially on the main line. However, I think code 70 would look more realistic, especially since I am modeling the 1930’s.

Code 70 should be used in yards and sidings. With code 83 I have had no derailing problems due to size. Code might present problems with larger flanges on older rolling stock.

My suggestion would be to create two dioramas, one using code 55 track, and one using code 80 track.

Other than track, they should be identical, about 3 cars in length and about a foot wide. Use roadbed, ballast, and grass exactly like you plan to use later. Place two similar cars, one on each diorama. Look at them both from multiple angles, and see which looks better in your eyes. Repeat with two engines. Now you can make your own decision.

It also depends on the era you are modeling. If you are modeling an older era (pre-diesel, for example) then light rail may look better. Also, using code 80 on your mainline and code 55 for sidings, then the contrast would contribute to an overall more realistic layout.

Once you are finished with the diorama, add a back to them, add basic scenery, and use them to display your models.

Keep on training,

Carl in Kansas”

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“Good day Al!

After getting back into model railroading after patiently waiting for 34 years, I was shocked to see how much the model railroad hobby had gotten expensive.

Thankfully I had purchased over 300 feet of atlas track and 36 switches back in 1983 and it was boxed up until February of this year when I started by long awaited layout. So, I was determined to make use of this track versus wasting it and purchasing something new.

As I have been re-educating myself on all the new stuff out there, I have also been wanting to make this affordable and see what options are out there to some of the more “expensive” items.

Now, first, I totally support quality products (as I have been in electronic retail & repair for more than 30 years with a brick and mortar store), but I feel there are times and situations that a cheaper alternative may be more fitting. I have been looking at a few inexpensive products I found for N scale and thought for a few bucks, lets see if they live up to what they appear to be and if not, I have learned my lesson. I have sent you photos of 2 products that I found and ordered and have been pleased and there is more to come.

I ordered a package of 100 painted people that was labeled as 1:150 scale (Europe N scale size). I just received them and I am very pleased with these. I measured many of them and they range for a person in the real world being 5’6 to 6’6, so actually they are not bad at all. Most were in the 5’6 range. Some people are sitting as well as standing. I thought this is a great bargain for $13.99.

I also have been making my own trees which has been fun, but again wanted to see what options where out there.

I found 24 trees for $5.99. Well, I must be honest, they were a little cheap looking out of the bag but I did give them some dressing up with spray adhesive and various colors of shredded foam and in my opinion, they now look pretty good for a mid to background area and especially mixed in with other trees. They are plastic and the trunk and limbs are brown but I plan to probably paint the main trunk a little to tone down the dark brown color.

They measure out to 2-3/4″ tall (1″ of that being the trunk) so in the real world this would be a 36′ tree…well within scale. This was a bargain for basically 25 cents a tree!

I have more items on order and will give you my opinion on those when they arrive. I wanted to share this for those who may want to try to save some money and have some cheaper alternatives where the more expensive items may be to far away to be appreciated.

Thanks,

Kevin”

Tips for model railroading:

And I got this in from Joe. It’s a problem that crops up time and time again on the site:

“Alistair,

I have been reading your messages and have found them very helpful. I am a Jamaican and am building an HO scale railway with some unique Jamaican scenes. As I advance I intend to send you some photos.

For now I have an immediate concern. I have acquired a set of very old Fleischmann engines and coaches, made I believe in Germany probably 30 or 40 years ago. I am adding to the collection by acquiring some contemporary engines and coaches and would like to interchange the wagons & coaches, but the couplings are incompatible.

I have attached 3 photos showing the difference in couplings. Can anyone help with a solution to this?

Thanks,

Joe”

“Hi Al–really enjoy your daily e-mails. Here’s something that I’ve been thinking about for a long time (but haven’t taken any action), and was wondering if any of your viewers had done it:

A 3 gauge layout–the gauge closest to the viewer would be O, a little farther back would be HO and in the distance it would be N. The idea is that the further you are from anything, the smaller it looks.

In my ideal layout a train would begin at the O gauge station, run around and disappear into a tunnel or something,go into a reverse loop and stop.

Meanwhile out from the other side of the tunnel would come the same train in HO gauge which would then do the disappearing act at some point and resume as N scale.

Each of the gauges would have a hidden reverse loop and automatic stop/start relays so after the N gauge makes its rounds, it would reverse itself and return in the opposite direction and of course when it goes into the hidden part of the layout, would turn into an HO version running in the same direction.etc.

Theoretically it sounds kind of neat and I don’t think it would be difficult to construct. As I said I’m just wondering if anyone has already done that and any problems they encountered.

Regards & keep up the good work

Terry”

Can anyone help Joe? And I know some of you out there have done exactly what Terry is suggesting. If you have, please do send pics.

Loved Lynne’s missive – I couldn’t agree more, it’s all about starting.

And poor old Joe, moving and having to let his layout go. Sadly, I get too many mails saying that!

Some more tips for model railroading and layout pics next time.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if you feel like you’re missing out on the fun, 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.

Bob’s been in touch with his Lionel prewar layout:

“Greetings, Al.

This is my first opportunity to reach out to you and your readers, although I have been reading and learning from your posts for almost a year.

I am resurrecting, and building on, family Lionel O Gauge trains, some of which date back to WWII.

This is my first permanent “adult” layout, encouraged by my recent retirement and the birth of my first grandchild.

I spent the first part of the winter months building the platforms 8’x12′ x 36″ high with a void area in the middle for access. I threw out all my old tubular track, which was badly pitted, and went with the Lionel FasTrack.​

Then the fun began. I had the Pennsylvania Railroad 2020 steam turbine locomotive refurbished. It was my uncle’s, dating back to WWII. I contacted the PRR Historical Society to get some background on the real-life engine. They were terrific, and sent me magazines, etc.

As it turns out, that engine wasn’t very successful (compared to the first diesels coming into service), so they only made one and it hauled passengers, not freight. So, of course, I needed to buy some Broadway Limited cars for a bit of historical accuracy.

My grandparents bought the Santa Fe Silver Chief set for me when I was about 10 yrs. old (1955 or so). I always had trouble keeping those 15 in. cars on track, so I put them on the outer loop with 84 in. curves and a modest grade and trestle bridge.

Historical fact: In the ’50s, the Broadway Limited would take you NY to Chicago, and the Silver Chief would take you Chicago to LA — a full U.S. cross-country representation here.

To build out a Pennsy theme, I decided to get a current CSX loco to pull some coal and oil. The Seaboard switcher on the inside freight spur has a few random operating cars, just for fun.

My wife is much more “craftsy” than I, so she is helping with the buildings, scenery and landscaping. I am keeping a few web sites in business building out town and country settings. I will stay in touch as I make progress.

Thanks to you and your contributors for sharing very valuable expertise and experience.

Bob”

There are quite a few prewar layouts on the blog now, but when it comes Lionel trains, I’m always reminded of Ed’s post:

Vintage lionel train layouts.

And of course there is Hugh’s too:

Pre war lionel o gauge train engines

Now on to Rowan:

“Al,

I have been working on a couple of layouts this past year a HO scale down stairs and an O scale up stairs. Both are a work in progress and I have taken many ideas from your blog.

I restarted my enthusiasm in railroading after my father passed – he worked and retired from the Kansas City Southern Railroad for over 40 years. Many thanks to you. PS my wife did give permission to use the dining room, she loves trains, too.

Rowan”

“Hi Al, A few photos of night operations on the Cascade Creek Railroad in HOn3.

Logging operations continue into the night on the Cascade Creek railroad.

1 – A train bringing logs to the yard for sorting and then onto the sawmill.

2 – Heavy work at camp 4 to get the logs loaded.

3 – Guys are busy in the yard at the town of Cascade Creek sorting incoming cars.

4 – Number 20 on its way to be turned on the turntable, refueled and ready for the next mornings run to Camp 4. The yardmaster is welding a repair job in the engine house, ready for the next mornings early start.

All lighting is from the locomotives headlights. Main lighting in the room is only a blue light for night time operations.

This is what the hobby is all about – having FUN.

Hope you enjoy.

All the best

Brian”

(You can see more of Brian’s stuff here).

A big thanks to Bob for sharing his Lionel prewar layout, and to Brian, and Rowan too.

I liked these layouts because they show what this hobby is all about – making a start.

That’s all this time folks. Please do keep ’em coming.

And for all those who want to take the plunge and get going, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

Hans has been in touch with his Trix HO scale layout:

“Hi, Al I am in the midst of creating a fantasy model railroad, built a few in my earlier life, 84 years old now and again starting modelling, like the creation of it, letting my mind working things out, have a look at how far I have come for now.

My name is Hans-Juergen and I live in Edmonton,Alberta,Canada.

Also would like to thank you for all the e-mails. It is always with anticipation to open your e mail.

My layout is HO gauge, Trix-express system. Very old and now, only available from Maerklin.

The rolling stock is out of circulation, especially the coaches are rare now, I think.

I try to keep expenses to the minimal. Seem to find a lot of useful items here and there, always see items and wonder if I could use them somehow. The back concrete arches are made from door protectors for Automobile shipments.

Some of the trees, like Elm and Lombardi poplars are made from weed seed pods etc.

Fences are made from mesh and the post are pins one gets buying a shirt.Terrain is made mixing wallpaper glue powder with insulation material.The resulting paste is used to create berms and such.

Balsawood is used to build overpasses, of course lots of stuff is bought in hobby shops. This report will be the it for now, till I will have gone ahead with more model construction.

Best wishes to all modellers.

Hans”

Trix HO scale layout:

A huge thanks to Hans for sharing his Trix HO scale layout – I loved it. And only 84 years young too. Hans touched on so many things I love about this hobby.

So here’s my call to my arms: are you still sitting on the armchair, reading, and musing that one day, you too, will start on your layout?

So many are. And sadly, so many don’t.

So take the first step with the Beginner’s Guide and 142 track plans, for just $19.

You’ll also be directly supporting the blog and be helping to keep the show on the road.

(In fact, Hans’s track plan is in the Track plans PDF.)

Of course, I’m a tad biased, and I make no secret of that (thankfully the Hall of Fame members all give it their stamp of approval).

So what else what can we do? Another great first step is any of the ‘print out’ scenery buildings – like the viaduct for example.

Again, I’m biased, but here’s the thing: you can feel the enthusiasm in Hans’ write up, and I know you can see the enthusiasm in any of John’s ‘how to’ videos, so what about you?

Right now – this very minute – is the perfect time to take that first step. Come and join the club! Doing and tinkering is a lot more fun than just watching.

To be honest, there are a lot down sides to running this blog. Once it started to grow, costs grew (It’s been going since 2011), and you need rhino skin to fend off all the bitter twisted folk that send rather unpleasant emails.

But do you know what makes it all worth while? Do you know why I dearly want to carry on the with the blog?

Waking up and getting emails like Han’s – that’s why. And he’s 84 years young too.

There are two ways you can help the blog keep going:

You can:

1. Buy the track plans PDF and Beginner’s Guide here.

2. Or you can dive straight into membership here. Stay as long or as little as you like.

(You can cancel directly with the payment provider at any time, or just mail me and I’ll do it for you. There’s no fuss or questions.)

I don’t want to bore everyone with the money side of running the blog, so I’m going to back off from that side now, and take stock and decide what needs to be done. I promise to keep you up updated.

Best

Al

That’s all this time folks.

Keep ’em coming.

Best

Al