Model railroad layouts plans

“Hello Al: railway shelf layout.

We don’t see many narrow gauge shelf layouts on your website, so I thought you might like to see my little shunting shelf which is nearly complete.

As you know my 00 gauge South Wales layout is in the garage but I don’t always want to venture out on a cold rainy day so I’ve built this railway shelf layout so I can get my “fix” in the warm. I have a few off-cuts of MDF from a job I did. They are all 4feet by Varying width so I used this as a base. I already had the track and points, so apart from the timber frame it cost nothing.

At first it was just 4feet X 8 inches, that was fine, but then I decided I wanted somewhere ‘off scene’ to send the trains, so I added another 17 inches either end which are non scenic I then decided I wanted another siding so I had to add an extra 3 inches to the width at one end.

All the points are remotely operated by brass rods, part of a paper lip soldered to one end and bent at 90 deg which fits through the tie bar. There are also 6 isolating sections as I have 2 locos.

About the locos, they are both MINITRAINS , a Baldwin which was used by the Americans & British to move ammunition and troops to the trenches during WW1, the other, a Brigadelok which was used by the Germans for the same purpose! I bet they never met in real life – but that’s part of the fun with a shelf layout, or any layout in fact.

I still have more to do, fit a back scene and add a bit of foliage etc.

I did start a 009 shelf layout on the highest shelf in the garage, but I abandoned it, that’s where I got the track for the one I just described. But this morning I took the Baldwin to the garage and it looked quite good. So I think I might have another go at it.

That’s all for now, best wishes

Alan”

I’ve lost count of the number of railway shelf layouts on the site now. Those who are already on the newsletter will know what I mean.

Here are just some of them:

John’s shelf layout

“My shelf layout is On30 — O scale narrow gauge running on HO gauge track.

John”

You can see all of John’s pics and narrative of his shelf layout here.

Peter’s shelf layout:

The layout has two layers… and three track and is 11×15.

The inner track runs only on top level.

The two outer tracks run on both layers…[with a double gradient at one end]

Peter”

You can see Peter’s shelf layout here.

Bee’s shelf layout

You can see all of Bee’s shelf layout here.

John’s stunning shelf railway

“Amaranth Falls is built on a simple raised plywood table covered with a one-inch foam slab. Dimensions are 8 ft. x 16 inches similar to a long wide shelf.

John”

You can see all of John’s stunning pics here.

It just goes to show, lack of space should never be a reason for starting on your layout. And when you do, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

A big thanks to Alan (again).

That’s all this time folks. Keep ’em coming and don’t forget the ebay cheat sheet. Still going strong.

Best

Al

John’s been in touch and has added to the On30 shelf layout plans on the blog:

“I have been busy lately on another small layout…

This one is in On30 (O scale on HO track).

The layout is 8 Inches Wide and 48 inches long… I also built a similar one in the same size but for HO standard gauge… This latter one is about to be fully rebuilt… I did not like some of the things I tried on it….

I have shot pictures on the On30 layout to illustrate what i call “Eye-Scale” modelling.

The structures are removable and cost me a grand total of $5.00 U.S. to build… For the pair!

Since these pictures were taken, I have also added a tree… The tree and the structures are removable for easy transport….

This is my second On30 layout….

I hope you enjoy…

Sincerely,

John”

On30 shelf layout plans:

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“Measure twice and cut once.

In kit bashing or scratch building, it doesn’t hurt to make a mock up of a building first.

If a piece of rolling stock, good clear photos are invaluable.

Make sure all your liquid material is relatively fresh and new.

Do you have all building materials that you need?

I have learned the “hard way” from the above and now have made my own “check list” before I start.

Rich”

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“1) Mix powdered resenol adhesive with ballast then apply the ballast to the track and shape it the way you want it and then spray it with a mixture of alcohol and water wipe the rails, it will dry like a rock and you are done.

2) Mix powdered tempra paint with plaster or hydrocal before you add the water, then use it to make your scenery, if it chips it won’t show and you can still add color to it to make it stand out.

3) Use women’s eye shadow and masccara to weather railroad rolling stock, and structures, and scenery works great and you can get it in several shades from white to black and everything in between, makes excellent rust and mud.

Thomas”

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“Al:

My tip for the best and lease expensive track cleaner- Wahl hair clipper oil spread from a track cleaning car and dirt picked up with Masonite pads riding under freight Cars and held down only by their own weight. I have brass track in hidden staging which has been cleaned this way for 30 years with no problems.

Paint from a spray can good enough for brass steam: Napa CDC502 flat black. It’s a nice dark grey, not really black and it goes on without spatters and runs if you are careful.

Superelevation without shims can be done by tilting the risers slightly when the benchwork is being done.

Doug”

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And lastly, in the previous post, I asked some questions about the Flying Scotsman. Thanks for all your replies. Here’s one from Geoff that put me straight:

“Hi Alistair

Re your question about the 100 mph record:-

The answer is that both claims are worthy. GWR’s City class no. 3440, City of Truro, which was built at the Swindon Works in May 1903, was hauling a mail train from Plymouth to London in May 1904 when it reached a claimed top speed of just over 102 mph. This was while going down a slope at Whiteball near Somerset.

The background of this engine is that it was one of 20 built during the first decade of the 20th century. By the 1920s it was thought to be out of date and by 1931 all of this class had been scrapped except City of Truro. This locomotive was then taken to the newly set up Transport Railway Museum – now the National Railway Museum. It has been brought out of retirement a couple of times previously, but this year it was overhauled and put back into working order at a cost of £130,000 for the centenary of the record run and the rail bicentenary, Railfest.

The 102.3mph run, however can only be a claim. It was recorded by railway journalist Charles Rous-Marten, but there was no second timekeeper to confirm his reading. City of Truro’s record has therefore always been a matter of dispute.

By 1934, however, locomotives attempting records had a dynamometer car attached, with all sorts of devices for measuring speeds. The name ‘The Flying Scotsman’ referred to an express train service, which ran between London and Edinburgh. From 1925 to 1963, a Pacific steam locomotive pulled it and was itself named Flying Scotsman. It was designed by the engineer Sir Herbert Nigel Gresley. Flying Scotsman was the third of the A1 Pacifics to be built, and the first new locomotive built for the new London North Eastern Railway (LNER). The locomotive first ran in 1923 and in 1924 she was at the British Empire Exhibition. It was on 30 November 1934 that Flying Scotsman achieved the first properly authenticated 100mph for a steam engine. This was while she was running between Leeds and London.

Regards

Geoff”

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That’s all this time folks. Thanks to John for adding to the On30 shelf layout plans.

That’s all for today 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 Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

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

Tom’s been busy on his U shaped HO scale layout:

“This is my first serious attempt . It is HO. Been at it about 3 or 4 years. Other hobbies get in the way, especially in summer!

Started out with diesel power circa 1990 to present day.

Recently I have decided to build a much larger layout in one of my business buildings when I retire. So I am changing this layout to steam era 1950-1960s.

The larger layout will be diesel. I will be able to work on the current U shaped HO scale layout in my basement until then.

I enjoy building mountains and scenery the most, so my layouts are based around the Appalachia region of Kentucky and Virginia and just generally the South. Of course a lot of that is coal mining.

Tom H. Ohio, USA.”

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Stunning stuff from Tom. And his first layout too. For everybody else there is always the Beginner’s Guide.

U shaped layouts are always popular because of the thorny issue of access. It doesn’t matter how big a room you have for your layout, if you can’t get to all of it, comfortably, you’re sunk.

I know that may sound simple and obvious, but it’s something that comes up time and time again on the blog.

Michael’s U shaped HO scale layout is also a bit of a stunner.

Next, that famous engine the Flying Scotsman has sprung back to life.

And I’ve had a few emails asking why the number on it has changed. It was 4472, but now it’s 60103. I haven’t a clue why – but I’d love to know if anyone does.

Also in the same bag, The Flying Scotsman’s claim to fame was being the first loco to do 100 mph – but some folk say it was The City of Truro.

Can anyone put me out of my misery??

That’s all for today folks.

Please do 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.