Model railroad layouts plans

Glyn has been in touch again with an update and a video this time, it’s on so much more than just HO train table construction.

If you need to jog your memory, Glyn’s last post is here.

“Hi Al

Ive just uploaded my first attempt at a video of my HO layout construction.

It’s not terribly professional I’m afraid but it does give some sense of how things are progressing.

Having edited the video about a month ago I’ve since added another outer double mainline loop to extend and connect the 2 outer limbs of the layout to create a mainline through station instead of the end terminal station shown in the video.

I’m in the process of starting to video the extension construction but it will take some time editing the clips.

I’ll get them to you as soon as I can.

And here’s the video – HO train table construction:

Thanks again for all you do to bring us together as hobbyists.

Regards

Glyn”

Next, some pearls of wisdom from Mike:

“Scale-

You can purchase an app to help with scaling conversions. I used Woodland Scenic Scaler. Very helpful as I added road beds, scratch buildings, and scenery.

Laying the Track- I use an all in one track for my layouts because most off the shelf beginner sets come with this style of track.

Its easy to work with, come in many different lengths, straight , curved sections, and you can add turnouts, crossings and crossovers.

It does have some limitations but it is perfect for most beginners.

The plastic road bed does not look realistic however with a little weathering and some ballast it looks just great.

In my garage, I measure and tape out on the floor the shape of my layout. Once completed I then layout the track.

The all in one track makes this very easy as it just snaps together and apart.

Note: I made a few early mistakes (costly) when purchasing locomotives and rolling stock.

Follow the manufacturers recommendation on ” runs best with 22″ or 18″ radius track” if its best run on 22″ and you have 18″ you will have issues with operations on the curves.

Power Up- I switched from DC to DCC on my second layout. Most new sets come with a very basic DCC system.

The basic sets are easy to program and add a bit of realism that really adds to the fun.

I used the Bachmann Dynamis system but there are many others out there that are more and less expensive.

The beauty of these systems is that you can control the entire operations of your layout from the tip of your fingers. ( lights, speed, sound, crossings, turnouts etc.)

The newer controllers are even more advanced. You can run your system from your phone or tablet.

Scenery- Most of my tips are already posted but I do like to add real items like rock, moss, dirt. I will use ground coffee to simulate dirt and small twigs and branches for my trees and shrubs.

I like to make my own signs and billboards when possible. Its much cheaper and I think they look very realistic.

I just search on line for the signs I want to build, ( billboard , street signs, railroad signs etc,) print them to scale and use painted balsa wood to build the posts and frames

I also add graffiti and decals using a similar technique. You can purchase decal/transfer paper at a local supply store. find the graphic you like on line, scale, print and apply. Cheap and easy

I build mountains and tunnels with foam, plaster sheets and sometime a combination of both.

I did learn from an early mistake to add an access panel on the back side of the piece for the unfortunate derailment or cleaning.

I think that’s all I have for now.

Best,

Mike”

A huge thank you to Glyn – did enjoy the video on HO train table construction and a wholelot more. It’s strangely satisfying to see what other folk get up to in their garages, basements and lofts.

That’s all for today folks. Please do keep ’em coming because it’s getting very thin on the ground this end again.

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.

If you’re after narrow gauge layout ideas, Grant’s layout should get you thinking:

“Hi Alastair, and all readers.

Today I have for you both an update on what I am doing and a request for advice from your readers.

Over the past couple of months I have been starting a Narrow Gauge 009 layout called Foyers Falls. Today i finally had the track powered and the first run of my locos.

Foyers is a small town on the coast of Loch Ness that at one time had a small narrow gauge line to supply a local hydro plant and attached Aluminium Foundry.

It ran down to the small pier to gather bauxite and deliver processed ingots.

Eventually the foundry was closed and the power station upgraded to supply the local town.

While the foundry was open, a small Andrew Barclay was used to run the line. “The Fair Maid of Foyers” is in a museum today.

After the closure and for the upgrade of the power plant they used a Runston Hornsby diesel

The original line was a simple 1 mile stretch with a spur to the pier. I prefer circle run layouts so I added a great deal of artistic licence. Here is my track plan.

On this the “Goods Shed” will be the Foundry, with the power station on the far lower left.

Here is the track all laid out. there has been some editing.

Next is the control box. My father in law, an electrician and train enthusiast built this for me.

Today it was all running.

Now, to the questions I have for the group.

I tried very hard to source either a working model of the Andrew Barclay Fair Maid, even commissioned a local man to scratch build, all to no avail.

Finally I have this minitrains Kraus loco which I will somewhat edit to make into the Fair Maid.

There are already limitations on how close I can get it, so true prototypicality is beyond achievement. Also, the carriages I have are also German.

I want to know, beyond a fresh coat of paint any suggestions your audience may have to make these things more British.

I have already cut the smoke stack, removed the steam reservoir and bought a green paint.

I was considering extending the side tanks to match the original, but the loco has such wonderful detail on the side of the boiler, it would be a shame to hide it.

I will be going for an extremely weathered look.

Anyway. I hope this has been interesting and that there are some good suggestions and feedback coming.

Regards

Grant.”

Can anyone help Grant with his narrow gauge layout ideas? Please do post a comment below if you can.

Next, on to John.

Here’s the engine house he made from the printable buildings:

“First timer, so fingers crossed….

I must commend the artwork it really turned out well.

Thanks again and regards.

John”

Doesn’t it look great? And it’s one of the printable buildings too.

That’s all for this time folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if there are any stragglers out there, today is the VERY LAST day for the silly sale – 36 printable buildings and the Beginner’s Guide.

Tomorrow, it will be back up to $27 – and no free printable buildings or track plans.

I can’t say more than I’ve said over the last few days.

If you’re still mulling it over, grab it now, there’s a 60 day money back guarantee, so you really have nothing to lose.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

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

Here’s another ‘how to’ video from the talented John.

I gave John the latest offering in the print out scenery range, so he could have a tinker with it.

But I have to say, I was amazed with what he came up with.

Believe it or not, it’s all made from just one print (printed out lots of times…)

It really does show how this embankment is only limited by your imagination.

You can make an embankment as long or as short as you like.

Here are the pics of his ‘creation’:

So how did he do it? Well, John was kind enough to record this ‘how to’ video:

I really can’t thank John enough.

(The embankment print is HO scale at 100% – as they all are. Print out at 54% for N scale).

You can see more of the print out scenery here in the store.

For all you arm chair modellers out there, if the stone wall doesn’t get you excited for a first project, there’s always the Beginner’s Guide.

And now for the latest from Steve’s layout:

---

“Hi Al

The modern engine shed area under development!

This is the latest area following the station projects and this shows it partly finished as above which will hopefully be useful to viewers.

Many ancillary buildings and other parts are yet to be placed, paths, fences walls etc are partly fixed.

First I thought was a perimeter wall to keep train spotters out!( always a challenge in the old days but I always got in!).

I had some fun with this as I have left a small gap in the wall to creep though!

Note the 3mm of cork packing under the shed to compensate for the foam ballast this will be covered completely once completed similar to the small shed by the station shown in the first photo.

Learning from my own errors here is what to watch out for

1) Curves will create fouling issues always double check as the track is laid relative to buildings and other solid objects!

2) check track spacing for alignment and centre to centre ( you can buy ready made spacers for this)

3) Check the track fits in the shed correctly this often requires altering the approach roads or centres to fit and remember long locomotives will requires more space.

3) I laid the walls first immediately in front of the( rear) main line to create a realistic barrier

4) in an effort to convert the train set to something realistic think about buildings and services typical of a depot , car park, freight entrance, offices, storage buildings, roadway approach, gates, paths and equipment, some compromise is usually necessary but well worth thinking and “playing” about shows with it until it is as near right as it can be!

Hope your viewers find it useful and this addresses some of the questions and thanks for the positive comments,

Steve”

That’s all this time folks.

Thanks to Steve and John.

Please do keep ’em coming.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.