Model railroad layouts plans

Just got this in from Rob. If you missed his last post, it’s here.

“Hello Fellow Model Railroaders: My name is Robert and I am a 75 year old modeling fan and have been for over 50 years.

When I started building HO scale structures I followed the typical kit instructions.

By that I mean…cutting out walls and roofs and supporting them with the standard corner…wall…and roof bracing.

If you still build structures via this method I have a good tip for you to consider…”Solid Core Modeling”.

For years and numerous structures I labored over gluing up walls and roofs with the typical bracing method and hoped that all would be square.

In many cases I had to make adjustments because things just didn’t go together as I had hoped they would.

Even after years of building it simply seemed to take forever to build even a modest structure… forever meaning….2 to 4 weeks of gluing and waiting…gluing and waiting…and gluing and waiting.

When I was 20 I had plenty of time to take forever to build even a simple structure.

At 75 I do not have that kind of time anymore nor do I want to continue to struggle with the more complicated segments specifically: Roof angles…dormers with complex angles…gluing 4 walls together only to find that they are not as square as they should be… and when finished worry about warping.

Those days are long forgotten…and for several years now I have made the commitment to solid core modeling and will never go back to the old style of structure building.

Attached are some photographs of a new structure that I have designed for the sole purpose of validating the value of solid core modeling.

I have deliberately built in complexity so that you can imagine the time that it would take to build this structure via the traditional method.

Specific requirements:

Chop saw
HO scale rule
Exterior sheeting material
Roofing material
Trim material
Glue ( I use Titebond III)
Xacto knife
Paint

What you will see in the attached photographs was started at 8:00am today and was completed at 6:00pm just in time for dinner. The photographic results of day two (tomorrow) will be forwarded to Mr. Alastair at 6:00pm tomorrow night for your review. I hope that you will be pleased with what you will see and the time it took to deliver the results.

Best regards,

Robert”

And now more from Hall of Fame member, Dangerous Dave. I enjoyed the vid so I thought you might too:

“Hi Al , not sure if this will appeal ( my sons dog appreciated it ) , but being the holiday period , I have put this video together of some real Steam as seen on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway this week , and added some sound Loco`s on my layout , with description of each Loco …

Hope you can enjoy

Regards

Dave”

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

A big thanks to Dave and Rob.

I never know what will appear in my inbox after all these years – it’s still a real delight to see the different things you’re all up to.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if you haven’t taken the plunge yet with the Beginner’s Guide, you can grab it here.

Best

Al

I know lots of you are after free HO scale paper buildings – so I thought Larry’s post may catch your attention:

My word. What a clever lot you are. Look what Larry has sent in after Rob’ post.

“Here’s an idea I had for a scratch-built building, based on a real one next to by house.

While I have not decided on a permanent location for it on my Abingdon & Crane nor properly landscaped it, here it is.

This block garage was built in 1951. I photographed 3 sides of it, one side being too close to the house for an effective picture.

The other side, reversed makes up the missing east side.

A little photo manipulation of perspective and scale, gluing the cardstock to sheet plastic and cementing it together makes a great old garage for the town!

Larry”

A huge thanks to Larry for sharing his take on free HO scale paper buildings.

Here’s some free HO scale cardstock buildings of a freight shed which you can download right now:

There are lots of printable buildings here, but they are not free…

I love seeing where you all get your inspiration from – and how to attack the build! Larry’s last post is here.

Now on to Rob:

He’s been in touch again – and he’s very kindly answered from questions from his last post, which is here.

“Hello Al…

Here are some answers to the questions that I received via your posting of my “Solid Core” modeling.

1. Question: What do I do about windows.

Answer: I sheet the balsa blocks with 1/16″ thick scribed sheeting…clap board…board and baten similar material and by using an Xacto knife I cut out the window and door opening.

This leaves a 1/16″ recess in the siding to accept the blackout paper…shades…curtains and glass. Once these are installed I glue my Tichy windows and doors into place for a perfect fit.

2. Question: How do I cut the balsa block clean and square.

Answer: I have a Mikita 8″ sliding chop saw. I only deal with the standard angles to include 15 degrees… 22.5 degrees…30 degrees…45 degrees…60 degrees…and 90 degrees.

I do not frustrate myself with oddball angles that I can’t remember later on. Stick to the basics and you will never have a “no fit” moment.

3. Question: What saw do I use:

Answer: A Mikita 8″ sliding compound chop saw. An absolute gem to work with.

4. Comment: The cost of balsa is a little to expensive to entertain.

Reply: Interestingly enough when you compare the cost of strip wood (specifically 3/16″ or 1/4″) for which I would use nothing less for stability the cost difference isn’t that great.

I will have to admit that I am registered with some 200 different manufacturers and I acquire my supplies at wholesale.

5. Question: How do you add lights.

Answer: Excellent question and very difficult to explain with a drawing showing how I leave a void in the layers of balsa block to create an open room.

This is best illustrated by a drawing that makes it all very simple.

6. Question: Where do I source the cladding and fixtures from Ray in Australia.

Answer: Reference my comment in question number 5 above. I have numerous suppliers that provide a number of items that are not available outside of the United States.

Simply put they do not spend any time to market outside the country. This is sad since there is a “Horn of Plenty” available to me that overseas modelers can’t acquire.

7. Comment: To Tad in Long Beach…Reference comment number 4 above. I reside in Valencia (Magic Mountain) which makes us practically neighbors when you consider that a large majority of Al’s readers are world wide.

Best regards,

Robert”

Please please do keep ’em coming.

Thanks for all your comments on the Beginner’s Guide and ebay cheat sheet too – makes it all worthwhile.

That’s all this time.

Best

Al

Phile has been in touch again. His last post is here.

“Hi Al.

Many thanks for posting my correspondence to you,

My grandchildren and myself was taken aback when we opened the email link.

I would also like to thank the guys who made their comments, I have taken advice given as seen in these picture’s.

I will be working on the second deck of the track next then working out how to get more power to the top deck s I seam to be fading as the locos move away from the main power supply.

I have bought a DCC system but not got my head around the setting up as yet.

Both my grandchildren have put their mark on the layout TELLING me I have done things wrong keen to point out how

Thomas the tank is how a train set should be lol.

I have added a safety barrier in case of derailments as suggested by one kind gent.

Once again many thanks for putting a smile on my grandchildren’s face when they saw the pics posted on your site.

Cheers

Phil”

“Hello Al.

Tommy Wilkens here from Palm Coast Florida USA.

Thanks for the wonderful site you run and all the helpful tips.

I have enclosed some pictures of my little village layout that I built completely out of balsa wood and the whole thing was free hand built.

The names of all the building are named after my 5 grand kids.My train gauge is O scale.

I have really enjoyed the project and we keep building on.

Thanks again and please feel free to use the pictures I have sent to you.

Cheers Tommy”

“Here’s what I did with the facade. Thanks Al!”

Pete has done a spectacular job on with the print out scenery – don’t forget there’s lots more just like in the store.

And of course, there’s John’s step by step video for the embankment here.

That’s all this time folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

Beginner’s Guide is here if you want to get off the side lines.

Best

Al

PS Heading off to ebay? Latest ebay cheat sheet here.