Model railroad layouts plans

Mike has been in touch with his model railroad canyon layout:

“My Copper Canyon model train is coming along nicely…Couple pics….Have a great week…..

And a “Hint”…For building the finish rock around buildings I wrap the building in SARAN-WRAP then install in it’s place and finish the rock work….Rock hardens…Lift out building…..

Mike”

A big thanks to Mike.

If you are eager to see how it turned out, here it is:

N scale canyon layout.

“Hi Al! It’s been a long time coming but I finally figured out how to send you my O-Gauge video.

The platform is 7 feet wide and 18 feet long, takes up most of our living area (The wife she is a blessing to
allow this, that’s why I named the railroad after her – JDH). Just a Toy Train layout with lots of buildings. Two main lines, inside & outside, recently converted from Lionel

tubular track to Lionel FasTrack. The two Trolley lines, Upper back & front, and the Underground lines are all “027”.
Still some work to be done on the Amusement park area and extension.

I hope you enjoy the video and feel that it’s good enough to post.

Thanks for all you do for the hobby. I love the site but don’t often contribute. Never know what to say that hasn’t already been said.

Jim (Jimbo) Moran – Florida USA”

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

Big thanks to Mike for sharing his model railroad canyon layout and to Jim too.

After all these years, I still love seeing what is going to show up in my inbox each morning.

If you anything you’d like to share, just hit reply to any of my mails and I’ll reply as soon as I can.

And thanks for all the comments on Beginner’s Guide. It’s good to know it’s hit the mark.

Please keep ’em coming folks.

Best

Al

Mark’s been in touch with some very good model railroading tips:

“Hi Al.

My “Tip for the Day” is that one of the greatest personal rewards in model railroading is not necessarily modeling a prototype right down to the correct number of rivets in the boiler…

Or freelancing a never before seen Short Line (although these can be fun)…

But utilizing your imagination to create something in the model railroading hobby that is very personal and unique that brings you great pleasure.

This can be any number of things, but one of the easiest, and best, is a good “story” or “lore” for your layout.

Let your imagination run wild and you will be amazed at how much fun and relaxation you will achieve in your hobby.

For instance, here is a quick story for the attached video clip.

The management for the Sweetwater & Thunder Mountain Short Line Railroad chartered the famous Napa Valley Wine Train ALCO FP4-A Engine #72 for an “Employee and family private excursion” lunch run from Sweetwater to Eagle Pass one afternoon.

We had the bosses’ nephew, Elmer, stationed up on Eagle Mt. with a movie camera to record the event as the excursion train passed by Thunder Mt . Station.

He saw a Burlington U28B rolling out of Tunnel #9 across the Martinez Bridge and got so excited filming it that he almost missed the Wine Train rolling past TM Station!

He recovered in time to get the footage and save his job!

If you look closely you’ll see me standing on the rear deck of the open air observation car trying to figure out how to get a siphon hose into that tank car full of wine from the “Loos Family Winery”!

(And, yes, that is an actual winery in California run by distant relatives).

Anyway, that’s my story for now – it may change next week.

Model Railroading is FUN!

Turn up the sound and enjoy.

Raising a glass to you,

Mark”

A huge thanks to Hall of Fame member, Mark, for sharing his model railroading tips.

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.

Mike’s been in touch with an update of his HO track plan 8×12.

I do love it when an update gets mailed in. It was a while ago he sent in pics of his layout (his first post is here).

He’s been busy on his scenery, and it looks great!

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“Hello Al,

Been working on my layout and I believe I’m almost finished. I added 2 new locomotives and new scenery.

I’ve kept with Bachmann ez track and locomotives.

To answer a few questions,

1. HO scale

2. I added on to the layout so the new layout is 8X12X12-L shaped.

3. I won’t let it be used for a Godzilla movie but my cat got into the room and played CATZILLA… major carnage.

4. Thanks for the tip on the plastic ballasted track. I will weather and use small ballast to cover it up.

Thanks again.

Mike”

HO track plan 8×12:

I thought Mike’s layout is wonderfully busy! Course, I’m biased, but the printable buildings look really good too.

I shudder to think how many hours of toil there are in this layout. But worth every minute I’d say.

Next on to Brian:

“Hi Al

Another photo (bottom) of the cotton bud smoke effect out of the smoke stack on my HOn3 K37 locomotive. It is seen here leaving the yard after having taken coal, water and sand.

Top photo titled – Hey, no fishing allowed here,this is HO scale territory. (Motor boat is kit built) I don’t think either of them realize that there is no water yet.

Thanks Al

Best regards

Brian”

That’s all this time folks. Please do keep ’em coming.

Please don’t forget to have a peep at the latest ebay cheat sheet. Still going strong.

Best

Al

PS The Beginner’s guide is here if you’ve decided it’s time to stop dreaming and start doing.