Model railroad layouts plans

David’s been in touch with his industrial model railroad:

“Alastair:

Since I last sent you photos, I have taken on two projects. The first is expanding my HO layout with an industrial yard. My HO layout now extends approximately 15’ x 15’.

My HO layout is not proto-typical, but it does honor the small businesses in my town of Greenfield, Indianan and two of the adjoining towns.

Second is that I have revitalized the remnants of my 027 gauge Christmas Village with an adjoining section for Wrigley Field and Soldier Field (Department 56 porcelain structures).

I am originally from Chicago. My 6 an 8 year old granddaughters have taken a liking to my trains… who would have thought?

David”

And David’s O scale:

A big thanks to David for sharing his industrial model railroad.

You all know how much I like a layout with a theme, and industry is a popular one – there are a few that spring to mind.

HO Walthers Industrial substation – John’s layout is fabulous, it looks great fun.

HO scale industrial layout. Carlos from Portugal has a great layout with freight, logs and coal.

Industrial HO scale I do like it when you can see a layout from start to finish.

Don’s steel mill is another one too.

Then of course, there is Hall of Fame Fred’s N scale facory, which is just on another level. Have a look and see:

N scale factory.

(You can see more of Fred in the Hall of Fame.)

That’s all for this time 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.

Rob’s been back in touch, this time with his scratch built model railway signal box:

“Hi Al,

I finished my new scratch built signal box which controls my Howe Street Station. I am pleased with the result.

I intended to build this ever since I put in the new cross-over from freight siding 1 to the goods line. 10 points are controlled from this location plus 12 signals. It is a busy location.

I used Tichy Train Group windows and also the door.

The interior levers, instrument shelf, instruments, and other furnishings came from a Severn Models etched brass kit.

The brick plasticard is Wills, the clapboard siding is Evergreen Scale Models styrene.

The stairs are Walthers,and the railings, catwalk and platform are scratch built.

Rob”

A big thanks to Rob for sharing his model railway signal box – his scratch builds really are top notch. You can see his last post here:

Model railroad church building.

And there’s this one too:

3 light model train signal

There’s lots more of Rob in the Hall of fame too:

Hall of fame.

Speaking of which, there’s a new member of the Hall of fame.

I haven’t done his page yet, but how I overlooked him for all these years is beyond me.

You’ll all know who it is in a few days. I suspect most of you can guess.

That’s all for this time 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.

Hall of Fame Rob has been back in touch, with his scratch built model railroad church building:

“Hi Al,

I hope you are doing well.

After spending many happy hours conceiving, planning, and building, I then created a home for it on my layout. The St Breock church project is complete. It turned out okay.

I have learned a ton from it, and this knowledge and skill will carry on with me to the next project I work on. I have started a new signal box for my layout—more on that in the next submission.

Here is the video for the church completion:

Rob”

(You can see Rob’s first post here: Church scratch build.

I did smile when Rob wrote his Model railroad church building ‘turned out okay’. I think it looks amazing.

Now on to Dean:

“Al, cheers from Dean in New Mexico.

With summer upon us, it’s time for me to start back on my latest N-scale Model Railroad, the Santa Fe Northern, an N-scale L-shaped model layout.

The first step was to build the baseboard and movable table. Here’s a photo of the completed support.

Rather than plywood, I used two sheets of 2-inch purple foamboard, cut to size and glued together with Liquid Nails. The edges of the foamboard were surrounded with 1×2 boards which were cut and glued to the foam with Liquid Nails and screwed together at the joints.

These boards strengthened the foam assembly and also give something to fasten the backboards and facia. After assembly I let everything set for several days. The assembly was very strong as I was able to move it around safely by myself.

The table support was put together with 2×4 legs and 1×2 select pine boards. I’m going to use a 1-inch foamboard (indicated) to hold the track and cut and support it on blocks so that the track can rise and fall. The 1-inch board is also shown, again two foamboards.

Here is the layout diagram. I used SCARM software as always to plan and print out the layout.

Here’s the cutting schedule for the lower 2-inch foam.

And the upper 1-inch foamboard

Here I’m gluing a side piece to one of the boards. I used shipping tape to tightly hold the board and foam together.

I also used tape and Liquid Nails to hold two boards when gluing them to the foamboard

This photo is of a completed legs assembly. Two more sets were made to size.

And here is the table partially assembled.

I used swivel wheels on each table leg to make the assembly easy to move.

Here’s the completed table

The 2-inch foamboard was screwed to each of the 2×4 legs to hold it down.

So that’s it. You can get more details on my video.

Here’s the final photo of the support and baseboard.

That’s all for this time folks. A big thanks to Rob and Dean.

Please do keep ’em coming. Just email me if you want to share anything.

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.