Model railroad layouts plans

Mike’s been in touch with a tip on model train block detectors:

“Hi Al,

Been reading your blog for nearly a year now & found some great tips. I particularly like “Dangerous” Dave – his layout is superb.

I was watching his post of a few days ago when he was on about the 12 outlet connector blocks, something I hadn’t thought about.

Only problem from my point of view is that I will need quite a lot for my layout & it would get very expensive. So I thought I’d make my own.

Apart from the obvious cost advantage – I bought a 10 pack of 12 block strips for £3.50 – you can also make them whatever size you want.

So if you only want 8 connections at a certain point, you’re not wasting 4. Or if you need 15, simple, just join an extra 3 on the end.

Here is one I made for 8 connections for a series of lights. I used 9 blocks but you could you use 8 if you want to be frugal & use the fist connector for feed & output if your wires are thin enough.

I started by taking some wire (I used the core from some 13 amp power cable but any wire would be suitable) & bent it to shape to fit into the connector blocks – pic 1. (Don’t fix the first until you have bent the second so that you have a pattern to work to.)

Insert in one side of the block & tighten screws – pic 2.

Do same to second block.& then stick back to back, superglue works well – pic 3.

All that remains then is to put some coloured insulating tape over the wire to easily identify positive & negative & insert your feed wires – pic 4. Turning the block over, you now have your parallel lines of connecters for your outputs..

I hope you like this tip & consider it worthy to pass on.

Thanks

Mike”

Model train block detectors:

A big thanks to Mike for sharing his model train block detectors tip. It’s great when one tip leads to another.

If you missed Dangerous Dave’s last post, it’s here.

Looking back over the year, it’s amazing what subjects have been covered, and what remarkable tips have come in. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time and trouble to contribute.

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.

“Hi Al , Just posted this HOW TO video, showing how to add lighting to buildings with cheap strip LED lights , also a few new Neon signs added , and Tonys Night Club in Full swing at 15.45 min. ..its a bit of a longer video but a few tips in there .

Regards

Dave”

“Hi Al,

Here is a photo of a Bachmann 14 ton tank wagon plus a platelyers hut, which I assembled from a kit.

The kit just had a printed corrugated iron roof, so I brought some corrugated cardboard from a craft discount store, and made a new roof for it.

Paul”

Thanks to Dave and Paul. I have no idea where Dave finds all the time for his layout – but I’m thankful he does.

In my last missive I showed you the most viewed layout of this year. It was no surprise. But the second most viewed post is.

It might strike you as a novelty layout, but no, have a closer look. It’s superb. It’s here.

That’s all this time folks – unless you want to grab the Beginners Guide and get going.

Please do keep ’em coming. Submissions have gone awfully quiet (just hit reply to any of my mails) – but I guess it’s because it’s that time of year again.

At least the ebay cheat sheet prospers when it’s like this. Have a look and you’ll see what I mean.

Best

Al

Mark’s been in touch with a very useful tip on how to build model train scenery.

“Hi Al.

Here is my ‘Tip for the Day’. Trying to complete a lot of scenery on your layout all at once can become very tedious and sometimes frustrating.

I’ve found that taking a small area, planning it out and then completing it before moving on to the next project is more rewarding.

This method allows you to try different techniques using various materials. If you complete a scene, and are not truly happy with it, you haven’t wasted a lot time and material.

You can continue to ‘tweak’ it until you are completely satisfied and then move on to the next project.

Every time I complete a project, I like to add a small “signature” of some sort – much like putting a cherry on top of the ice cream!

Sometimes it’s just a small sign that I remember from my younger days, or naming something after a friend or, in this case, I placed “myself” in the scene enjoying two of my favorite things – railroads and fishing!

Anyway, whatever you do on your layout should be fun and bring you great satisfaction at completion.

Attached is a ‘before’ picture and two photos of the completed scene along with a short video.

Keep your rails shiny!

Mark”

Next, on to John:

“Hi Al,

I had been using Sea Foam to make trees for my layout and have been very pleased with the results, but have been looking for a cheaper option.

Yesterday whilst sitting in my garden I noticed our Smoke Bush ( Cotinus Coggyria) had what looks like a viable alternative.

The ‘flowers’ have some tiny seeds which need to be snipped off, but my first attempt, using hairspray and scatter, shows promise.

Maybe needs a trim, some more scatter and placed in a group.

Obviously I don’t know yet if they’ll stand the test of time, but at the moment they seem pretty robust.

Best regards

John”

Wise words from Mark – A big thanks to him for sharing his ‘how to build model train scenery’ tip.

It’s a tip that is echoed by others in the Beginners Guide too.

There are also more scenery tips here too:

Model train scenery.

That’s all this time folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

Best

Al