Model railroad layouts plans

Eric has been back in touch with his Peco N scale layout:

“Having rebuilt my layout I am now going to send you a few e-mails containing pics of my latest version of Wensdale an N scale layout depicting a small village in East Yorkshire on the way to the coast. I sincerely hope you receive them, please feel free to put them on your mail out.

All the boards above tracks can be removed for access, this has given me a nightmare of wiring so that I can take each section away, I used the double block connectors that pull apart but still a chore to do as I have a pair of twisted hands to work with, but the need to lift the sections is rare as you will note there are just two points under the boarded area the rest is twin track so very few issues with derailing.

The park in the centre all lifts out for easy access. Bernard I agree I hate lights that are too bright, an anologue controller works a lot better for that.

I use Peco track, mostly Settrack but use the longer points so I can get more rails in. All the curves are also Settrack as my fingers wont work well enough for bending track myself.

Yes all the boards lift. The bridge i did originally use the shorter points and had room for piers but hey, I’m not an engineeer so did it this way:-)

It has taken me around two years to get to this level so your praise makes it all worthwhile thank you.

Thank you for the kind comments and thank you Al for letting me share my layout with you all.

Eric”

This is the plan of the revised layout, it is built out of a built in wardrobe in my small flat, I used compressed cardboard sheeting for the boards. The layout uses a one and a half turn helix to attain the height. I use analogue controls and also use another control for the lights so they don’t appear too bright. The wall is solid so I have to go round it.

A wonderfully British Peco N scale layout from Eric. And a nice narrative too.

It reminded me of this post: English model trains.

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

Need buildings for your layout? Have a look at the Silly Discount bundle.

Mike is up first today:

“I’ve been adding details in sections over the past 3 months. some of the additions are scratch built ( the bridge over the stream, some of the trees, the chain link fence and the guardrails)

I worked on the downtown area adding additional trees, people, cars, and some animals. I added some great HO scale neon signs. Each one has multiple animation sequences. They look great and add a bit of realism.

The park has been fun to work on. I added joggers, kids flying kites, ducks and swans in the pond and a few other touches like the flag. In the farm and mountain sections I used some real rock , plaster, and shaped and painted foam. Some of the elements are not exactly to scale but I think they look ok.

I use Bachmann EzTrack and their wireless dcc controller. Ive enjoyed the ease of operation and the realistic lighting and sounds on the locomotives. My next additions will be lighting and crossing gates. I’m not an electrician so I’ll be looking for some help with this part.

Mike”

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And now more from Arnie:

“Hi Al,

While you were working on the update of the blog, I was working on a new video. I think it will go well on the new blog though it’s a bit unusual for the time of the year.

That is, it’s a video on my newest steam locomotive acquisition – the Berkshire #1225 which was built in 1941 and is still in mainline excursion service. Despite it’s being well known as an excursion train, it came into renown when it was used as the prototype for the steam locomotive in the Warner Bros. animated hit movie, “The Polar Express.”

This video is my rendition and simulation of the Polar Express excursion train in a fictional plot; that is, the Polar Express excursion train’s visit to the Susquehanna Valley and Gulf Summit Rwy (my N scale layout) at the onset of the year-end holiday season.

I hope you and the readers will find the video as enjoyable as I did in making it.

Thanks again for all your hard work on the new blog and my inclusion in your Hall of Fame.

Arnie”

Well, what can I say, other than it should be me thanking Arnie for all his contributions and expert advice over the years (particularly so with this).

Please do keep ’em coming, folks.

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

Best

Al
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“Hi Al. First of all ..Great job on your blog.

I do enjoy seeing how creative others are with their projects. I haven’t thought about model railroading for almost 40 years, then last year when we were reorganizing some storage totes I came across all the old stuff from my childhood. I decided to build a 14 x 10 room in the basement for the hobby.

My Grandfather started working for the Canadian Pacific railroad in 1918 in northern Ontario, Canada and on to the Pere Marquette in the 40’s in southern Ontario and eventually on to the Chesapeake and Ohio until his death in 1967. As a kid, my father took me all over to watch and ride trains and it stuck with me. I have included a few pics showing my progress on the layout which will be 3 levels modeled after the 1940’s to 1960’s railroads my Grandfather experienced.

Cheers

Al (from Canada)”

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“Hi Alastair.

Yes Your right I have been receiving your emails now for quite a long time, I do find them helpfull and inspiration at the same time. Some articles are really good others just helpfull.

Last year i was a member of a local model railway club, It cost me £80 and to be honest learnt nothing. Now However the £80 saving is used to build a layout for me, yes its slow going. However your emails have really made the difference.

My layout is loosely based on The Somerset and Dorset Railway, see pics enclosed, shows just how far i,ve got since last september the whole lot is hand made by myself and most is reclaimed wood.

Thanks John”

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And the talented Dave has been back in touch! Here he tells us how he dreams up some of his ideas:

“Having visited this Model village and railway I was most interested in the harbour scene with the castle in the background. If this was incorporated in my model railway with say a track running up to the harbour this then could incorporate Unloading from small boats to cargo vans. With a backdrop of the Castle would be something spectacular on a layout …this is some project that I may consider during the next winter months .

Again this is something to do when out and about , keep your eyes open for scenes which give you inspiration.

Dave”

Big thanks to everyone – especially Canadian Al and John. It’s all about making that start! Course, I’m biased, but this will help if you want to bite the bullet. Not that I’m biased or anything!

And thanks to everyone who has emailed me about the ‘new’ site format. I really, really appreciate it.

Keep ’em coming, folks.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.