Model railroad layouts plans

There are lots of OO scale layouts on the blog now, here’s Geoff’s:

“Hi Al,

Geoff Tate here from Northumberland. I have been building a OO scale model railway in my 8 x 6 garden shed (its expanding into the garden now!)

Its no where near finished, but the pics help me identify what needs to be done. Control is DC, stock is mostly Hornby. Track is Hornby/Peco/Atlas.

I am also building a HO scale railroad in my garage in Florida (where I have more space). I started that one in April this year, in the space vacated by my 1982 Corvette! This one is DCC. No pics yet but back out next month so I will keep you posted.

Geoff”

OO scale layouts:

Now on to Cameron:

“Dear Al,

Another instalment.

The next building in the Lanarth line up is the signal box. Unlike the goods shed there were no plans available for this building on line so I
needed to work up the plans based on photos from the site.

I wanted to show a bit of detail inside the signal box so spent some time scratch building the furniture that would be typical for this type of signal box.

For the windows I first tried plastic mullions but these were too thick. In the end I used clear acetate sheet with the window mullions painted on using a bow pen. This turned out to be quite quick and very effective for a building that has a lot of glazing and mullions.

The progress and final photos are attached.

Cheers

Cameron”

“Hi Al , Have been asked a few times re putting weights on to rolling stock to help keep them on the tracks ..well here is my answer with a couple of tips ..

Hope this can be of some use to some of the modellers experiencing these problems

Regards

Dave”

A big thanks to Dave and Geoff for sharing thier OO scale layouts. Hope they’ve inspired you to roll up your sleeves and get going! The Beginner’s Guide is here if that’s you.

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

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

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

Fernando has been in touch with his O scale lionel layout:

“Hello Al:

My name is Fernando Gomes and I live in Longueuil, Québec.

I have been following your site with all comments, ideas, counselling’s and pictures.

Today I am sending you pictures of my layout O scale that took about 2 years to build.

Although I started with old Lionel stuff, gradually I change everything to Atlas tracks and Railking to the rolling stock.

All the buildings, electrical posts, fences and most off the trees were hand made from scratch.

I am thinking to eventually change everything to DCS but that is another story.

Is not perfect but is my work. I hope that you like it.

Thanks for your site.

Fernando”

O scale Lionel layout:

“HI Al.

I have been railroading since my first train set back in the 50’s…. I thought your readers would like to know how I made a lake…. Well, my mom being a Disney artist took a mirror and some realistic rubber shrubbery she lined the mirror with the shrubs and wow it sure looked great

One can use their imagination on trees and shrubs…Sorry to say I have moved to Idaho and am waiting to build another railroad

Thanks.

Danny”

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“Al: Regarding your dust cover note today, here’s what works for me on my 6 x 10 foot S Gauge island style layout. It’s a 16’ army surplus parachute elevated by a $10 Tripod from the second hand store. The layout is in the loft of Wyoming un- air- conditioned house, with the windows open most of the summer and gravel roads and driveway. So it gets dusty within but this provides adequate protection from dust and pterodactyl sized flies. FYI. You are welcome to republish. Thanks what you do for our hobby. All the best,

John”

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“Well Alastair.. The best model Railroad tip that I use ta use, when I was a boy, was to use green and yellow spongie craft stuff from my local Hobby Shop.. And use craft glue to glue it to real small ( like only 2″s to 4″s long ends from real trees out in our yard, and some of the bottoms of the tree/sticks could simply be stuck into 1/16th to 1/8th holes drilled into the fiberboard, or plywood or what have you, Friend !!!

Or if ya used some clay that is molded while it is wet, you can just use it to stick this small tree branches into the soft clay, and wait while it hardens over night Brother !!! Hope those ideas help ya Guy !!! :o)

Curtis”

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A big thanks to John, Curtis, Danny and to Fernando for sharing his O scale Lionel layout. I never know what will turn up in my inbox – I do enjoy seeing all the different styles, scenes and scales.

It just goes to show this hobby really is for everyone. You can do whatever you want on your own layout – the golden rule is there are no rules!

That’s all for today folks. Don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide is you’ve got an itch you just have to scratch.

Or if you just want to ease yourself in with a few buildings, the store is here.

Please do keep ’em coming.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

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

Pete’s been in touch with a clever take on model train table dust covering:

“Hi Al, Pete from Fl here.

First i would like to thank you for all the videos and pictures. All i can say is WOW.

I’m new to the hobby. Started my first layout in January, n scale 2′ x 5′, good size for a beginner as myself. One of the questions i had was keeping dust to a minimum.

I goggled this question with little satisfying results. So my idea was to make a cover. I sure this idea isn’t new,but i have not seen it anywhere.

The cover is made of cardboard, 1/4″ styrofoam sheets from dollar tree. Added some ideas

to top and front. Soon realized this could be a project in itself. No scale used, just come measuring, cutting and hot glue.It works well,lightweight,stays in place, easy to remove and put back on.

Pictures below of cover and few pictures of layout and lights. Added building and towers with lights last month, parking lot lights this week.I like it. I think i’m on the right track.

Still a lot to do.Changing tunnels some, reason for no portals at this time and a lot of other things to do.That’s about all for now. Have fun.

THANKS TO ALL…………..

PETE

FL.”

A huge thanks to Pete for sharing his take on model train table dust covering. It’s funny how after years of doing this, I still think the simple ideas are the best ones.

Now on to John. He’s made another model from the print out scenery range.

If you want to have a go at building any, you can get them here – and also in the old store here (I’m slowly switching them over to the new store. Going as fast as I can!).

And here’s some pics of the foot bridge. I dropped it before I took the pic, so the roof got bashed a bit. Sorry:

If you want to have a go at building the bridge, you can get it here.

Please do send me the pics of your handy work – I love to see them.

That’ all this time.

Don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide if you want to get off the armchair and on to the starting blocks.

Best

Al

PS (Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.) Still going strong!