Steve’s been in touch – he’s put together a check list on adding a model railway station to your layout:
“Hi Al
After an unexpected larger amount of time free at the weekend I have continued with the station project! with some hopefully acceptable results.
There are three parts to this story!
1) The first three are the signal box views at the main station entrance, this was not finished last time and the lack of a proper signal box was correctly mentioned, but it is getting close now so here are three views ,this shows the main entrance with the tracks splitting into the platform roads, (the small signal box out of view shown previously control the engine shed and some freight sidings off view). The box is basically in the middle of it all which hopefully the views show
2) The second lot shows a single shed near the model railway station for servicing and quick turn round, this is my first attempt and would welcome suggestions. I have tried to show an old steam shed which is now being used for what was then modern diesels reminiscent of the sixties and seventies, there is a new fuel depot behind the old shed.
3) the third lot shows the platforms at close quarters in an attempt to check if it is convincing. Platform heights do indeed vary up and down of course but I think I have this about right for a model station.
I have made an attempt at some scenery for the first time having studied the great videos from this site which can bee seen in the background (as ever thanks to dangerous Dave and Everard Junction on U Tube – both great for ideas and training on how to do it properly!).
So far so good but finishing touches are always necessary. Covering wires and various items related to analogue is always a challenge and requires finishing here but that’s for another day!.
Please note the glue is still wet on some of these pictures and tidying up is required in a few places, that’s for the next time!
Al you mentioned about a procedure list for people who might be interested from my amateur attempts at building the model railway station procedure list – so here it is!
1) ensure your board is dead flat use long spirit level in multiple directions first before you do anything make adjustments at this stage – trust me its painful after !
2) thoroughly clean the area and re check you have sufficient room for the model railway station! sounds crazy but you should take into consideration the station approach car park etc
3) lay the track in place but do not fix taking care with the spacing and centre to centre references from points at the station throat this will look a mess if not carried through.
4) lay the platforms upside down so that the edge stones which protrude out act as a guide to space the tracks between platforms I find this works perfectly assuming no curves.
5) try two or three carriages up and down the carefully placed set up plan and either make adjustments and then lightly tac the tracks in place
6) for off the shelf platforms and if you use the foam ballast as I do then you need to lift the platform up slightly to correct this to look right. I know this is open for opinion and platform heights do indeed vary however I think on my layout at least it looks correct see photos submitted n this blog. I use thin balsa for this you can buy a pack of various sizes which is easily cut with a sharp blade. Place under the platform and re check everything so nothing touches
7) If all OK lightly glue the platforms in place without moving the track (which is lightly tacked in place ) do this slowly and carefully running the eye regularly along the extending platform to avoid any creep or misalignment this does take time to get it right! I used a 4ft straight edge to check this regularly as the platform was laid
8) recheck all clearances and if OK then pin the track in its permanent position.
9) Add secondary fixes such as security walls fencing and hand applied ballast between the tracks and weather the platforms
9) Add details such as lights, buffer stops,signal boxes etc
10) Finally add the roof if you have one or canopies etc.
Steve”
Model railway station:
And Hall of Fame member, Mark, sent this in, which I loved:
“Hi Al.
Here is my tip for the day. Model Railroading is fun! So why not include YOURSELF on the layout?
Using my iPhone, I snapped a shot of a photograph I have hanging on my train room wall of me driving the Shay #7 Locomotive after a run from Bear Mt in California.
I reduced the digital image, cropped just my photo and mounted it inside one of my UP engines on the layout. Now I am a permanent part of my own layout. I even get to “rail fan” and watch other locos pass by! (See short video clip).
Using this tip, you can place a photo of yourself anywhere on your layout – in a restaurant, at the market, in the control tower, riding inside a boxcar, etc. The real fun comes when you ask a visitor if they can “find” you on the layout. I had one determined fellow look for over an hour before he discovered “me” in the UP loco.
Mark”
And here’s the video:
I couldn’t agree with Mark more – if you’re not having fun, what’s the point? It really did put a smile a my face.
A big thanks to Steve too for sharing his model railway station check list.
So if you fancy having some fun of your own, but you haven’t made it out of the chair yet, 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.
