Model railroad layouts plans

Got this in from Bob:

“Hy Al, I have found a neat little circuit to lite LEDs. I use a dual LED with both Red and Grn and common anode (+).

What I needed was a way to switch from red to grn without having to have a relay as I only had a single switch SPST available. I connect the anode to a 2k resistor to +12 Vdc, and one ot the LEDs to Grd. Then I connect a 1.5K resistor to the other LED to a switch to -12 Vdc. When the switch is thrown the negative LED lights and the positive LED is backward biased. When the switch is open the positive LED lights. The resistors may be decreased for more light output.

My switch is an over the center crank that hits a pin to make the connection. This is very low cost switch machine for a lot of switches.

The Best

Bob”

And Bob’s tip got me thinking – there’s been a number of posts on them over the years.

Matthews lighting ‘how to’ is excellent.

And so is Dave’s.

Mark sheds light on a few tips too.

And if you want to light up your coaches, have a look here.

In fact, the list is endless. There’s years and years of posts now…

Hope you’ve found them helpful!

That’s all this time folks, it’s all becoming a little thin on the ground so please do mail me if you have anything you’d like to share.

If you want to search through the archives by the way, you can if you’re a Beginner’s Guide member.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here. Some cracking deals about at the mo.

Rod’s been in touch again. He’s been on his travels – I do love all the odd train stuff that comes in:

“A trip behind ‘Himalayan Bird’ to Ghoom and back on the ‘Toy train’ tourist shuttle.

The loco is a Sharp, Stewart B class 0-4-0ST dating from 1892

First, just out of Darjeeling, a roadside stop to take water and some local advice on getting the injector to run nicely.

Secondly, firing up at the stop for the Gurkha memorial in the spiral loop at Batasia. Much easier when you can stand more or less upright and see what you’re doing.

Third, ‘Bird’ waiting departure time at Ghoom, showing the line laid right through the village street and an old pillarbox.

The line is a World Heritage site and there’s quite a few museums and explanatory notices.

Finally, is it a bird? The personalised cylinder jacket.

Rod”

Rod’s also posted some cracking stuff on the site:

Rod changes a chassis

Rod’s layout

More from Rod

And now more from Dangerous Dave.

He’s sent in another video – I thought by now I’d be getting tired of them – but no.

Every time I watch one I see something new and different on his layout.

Have a look and you’ll see what I mean:

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

Hope you enjoyed Dave’s vid and Rod’s pics as much as I did.

It’s wonderful to see all the interesting stuff in my inbox – I have no idea why but I’m utterly fascinated by all things rail.

Only last night I was watching a rail documentary and I found out about a chap called the wheel tapper: his job was to tap all of the train wheels to find the ones with cracks in.

Amazing stuff from a golden era.

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

And if you’re wondering how Dangerous Dave got his name, the answer is here.

The Beginner’s Guide is here if you want to follow in Rod and Dave’s footsteps.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

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

Mel’s been in touch – he’s been building a N scale train layout:

“Hi Al,

I’ve been following your posts for quite some time and have enjoyed the brilliant idea contributions from you and your horde of followers.

I’ve been modeling in N gauge on and off from 1970.

My current layout began seven years ago when I retired to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania across the pond.

I’m seeking any responses to the pictures of my layout to confirm/deny my “good work.”

Thanks for keeping a hobby alive in this age of I-phones, I-pods and other wastes of one’s time.

Mel”

Building a N scale train layout:

“Hi Al,
There are so many well built layouts thru out the world it seams, both here in the U.S. and overseas, that the builder or builders have put in so much time building and making the scenes so real and literly an exact copy of the area or towns that it was built to represent, yet the one thing that it seems the builders neglect to do to really make the layout look real, is to weather the cars, scenery, buildings, tressels, streets, etc.!.

The buildings look like they were just painted or built—-the streets look like the cement was just layed, the rail cars look like they just came from the factory that had built them, the same way w/th autos, trucks, construction equipt. etc.etc. ..

I do not have the skill to begin to build a good layout, and sure haven’t the talent to weather everything on the layout, so I give them credit where is due, but everything would look so much real w/weathering !

Just my 2-cents worth.

Jack in Tn”

And Hall of Fame member Dave has been in touch again:

“Hi Al ..had a good day upon the Moors to day ..some great steam Loco`s running …

Regards

Dave”

A big thanks to Dave and Mel for his take on building a N scale train layout.

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

Need buildings for your layout? Have a look at the Silly Discount bundle.