Model railroad layouts plans

“Hi Al.

I contacted you some time ago telling you that I am building a large layout for my grandchildren Finley and Evelyn.

Both boy and girl love model trains and the overall layout with the small shops houses and factories cars trucks etc , I guess they can relate because of the size.

Just a short note on where I am with it all at the moment: –

This is the first layout I have ever attempted, I didn’t’ want to start a small project as that is not my way.

I have an engineering back ground so I have taken this project on and given myself a limited time to finish it in, that I must say passed some months ago LOL.

I am at the stage of getting live to all tracks, I have had trains running and I am just designing a control board that is “child friendly”.

My grandchildren are 3 and 5 years young and when they visit (which is getting more and more since the build) the first thing asked it IS IT READY YET.

Well I hope you think it is worthy of a post on your emails.

I must add I have taken a lot away as knowledge from others who have shown their work.

Please take a look at the pics and comment either way.

Kind regards

Phil”

And from the archives, here’s another one from Dangerous Dave:

“Hi Al

Just uploaded this video, new Pannier Loco again, the 64xx which I tried to get earlier, but all sold out but found this one in my local shop (unbelievable).

Also a couple of tips re using coal for the tenders on Loco`s, and coal trucks.

Also changing plastic wheels on old stock for metal wheels which run far more smoothly, then the Pannier Loco 57xx which I had sound added to has now been rectified on the amount of Chuffs per wheel resolution, so now sounds a lot better.

Then also as requested a few more steam Loco`s with sounds …bit longer than normal running time.

I tried to show as much as I could.

Regards

Dave”

Latest ebay cheat sheet here.

A big thanks to Dave and Phil.

Phil’s comments made me smile: a layout for the grandchildren. Isn’t that how they all start out?

Anyhow, if you’ve sent me a mail recently and I’ve not replied, please don’t worry. I’ve been away and now I’m trawling through everything, so please bear with me.

And don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide if Phil’s inspired you – grab it here.

Best

Al

Bill’s been in touch with his cheap N scale starter:

“Hi Al,

Here are a few pics of the B&N Shortline RR.

All structures, except three, were made from business cards, tablet backs, pieces of cereal boxes, toilet paper tubes, etc.

The trees are the top parts of slender pine cones except for those which are obviously commercially made.

The chain link fence at the B&N RR office building and the fence around the little park next to the pipe factory is made from a bag that held fresh garlic.

The layout lacks many details like people, traffic signs, fire escapes on the taller buildings, etc.

It has been fun taking up a hobby which I abandoned 60 years ago.

I am dazzled by the creativity and artistry of the model railroaders which display their work on your site.

Thanks for all that you do to promote the hobby. You have brought this 80 year old much pleasure.

Bill”

Cheap N scale starter:

“Al, Have a couple. I use empty spice containers (the ones with the small to medium holes) to spread ground cover (grass,dirt,etc).

These work well to get fairly even coverage shake harder for thicker coverage not so hard for lighter.

Spray your glue mixture where you want grass ,dirt etc then sprinkle to cover the area let dry lightly brush or blow off excess.

I use an old peice of straight track hot glue 1200 grit sand paper to it, let it cool for a couple mins, cut out between rails hook up transformer set engine on track,turn speed control to where engine wheel move at a steady pace between 5&8 should work fine be sure to hold engine to keep if from becoming an airplane . Adjust speed accordingly not to fast.

Let engine sit on paper about 20-30 seconds now your wheel are very clean and ready for hours and hours of use.

Be sure not to put pressure on engine from top hold in front or rear Watch the paper when it get worn peel it off and glue new peice down.

Usually cleans 10-15 engines. Be sure to clean dust off track after each cleaning. Brass track works best

Happy Rails

Greg”

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“I found that when you buy a plastic house or company that some of the long walls maybe warped they say warm water works.

I found that if you take a Iron on low heat with a towel and set on the warped piece and then turn the Iron off let it set til cool it will straighten right out.

Ric”

That’s all this time folks. A huge thanks to Bill for sharing his cheap N scale starter, and to Greg and Ric.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide if you want to jump from thinking about a layout to building a layout.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet here. Thank you for all your comments on it.

Got this in from Glyn. He’s shared an excellent post on making mountains for model trains:

“Hello Al – I’ve re-started some work on the layout once more, adding the first of a series of mountains to the right hand side of the double mainline.

It’s been an awkward reach but I’m managing to get it done piecemeal.

I should have done this at the beginning of construction but as you may recall I decided to add an entire double mainline loop to the back end of the layout just a couple of months ago, necessitating the additional landscaping as an after thought.

Hindsight is 20:20! I hope it will be helpful to some of your viewers.

I’ve been swamped with work but have started working on the layout once more after finishing the Bietschtal bridge project I sent in earlier.

Since the bridge installation I added railings around the bridge approaches shown below.

With the tunnel portals made I started on framing up the mountain to the right of the bridge.

I wanted a fairly high peak tapering gently down toward low hills which would be the backdrop of a smaller town on the right limb of the layouts E-shape.

I made a rough wooden frame out of wood off-cuts – not much to look at but it was sturdy enough to support the use of Woodland Scenics shaper sheet.

With the face of the mountain stapled on to the frame I began covering the entire structure, making allowance for the tunnel portals.

The idea was to construct a mountain that could be easily lifted off the layout in case of derailment or for track maintenance problems etc

Next came the plastering shown above and once that had dried I started to paint the shell using the Woodland Scenics leopard spotting approach with burnt umber, yellow ochre and Paynes Gray/black acrylic washes.

The initial result with this technique (shown below) is always a little garish but as it dries, the colours fade and become quite realistic.

Making mountains for model trains:

Next I started adding areas of light grass flocking and small bushes using lichen.

I also made an attempt at constructing a tall pine tree using Luke Towan’s technique using BBQ skewers with coconut fiber rings to create the framework for the flocking. He has a superb YouTube video describing the technique and achieves amazing results at a fraction of the cost of buying ready made trees.

The effect was fairly pleasing so I began to add electrostatic grass to the softer shoulders of the mountain and then added more trees, both deciduous and conifers.

I also added anther smaller summit to the main mountain as I didn’t like the angular profile of the original construct.

I had added some vines along the edges of the precipice but found that too dark and unrealistic so off it came. This is before I removed the vines.

With some of the vines removed I added more trees and electrostatic grass.

The final result is fairly pleasing at this stage but I plan to add more trees and bushes to the main mountain as well as to the smaller outcrop to the left of the tunnel portal.

I will also have to camouflage the junctures between the portals and the mountainsides and add a tunnel portal for the logging road at its base.

Then it’s on to building more mountains to the left of the Bietschtal bridge! And so it goes on!! I’ll send some video once I have it edited.

Thanks again,

Glyn”

Well what can I say? I stunning ‘how to’ on making mountains for model trains. I think they look amazing.

(It reminds me of Jim’s post: DIY model train mountains.)

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

And if Glyn has left you feeling inspired – the Beginner’s Guide is here.

That’s all this time folks. Hope you enjoyed this one as much as me.

Keep ’em coming.

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.