Model railroad layouts plans

After Arnie’s stunning past (here if you missed it), he’s been kind enough to mail this is:

“Hi Al,

You were certainly right about the extensive response I would receive to my video posting.

I want to thank you and all the viewers of the website for their praise and enthusiastic responses.

If I may address some of the inquiries about the video and layout:

I chose to do a night landscape to divert from the usual daylight running of trains.

The video is intentionally dark to capture a sense of a rural landscape at night while using both on- and off-layout lighting to provide sufficient illumination.

I have also taken the same video and have duplicated it but using a bit brighter imaging and a retro 1950s B&W film style to try to give it a more dramatic effect.

I could certainly forward that for the viewers if there is an interest in seeing it.

For those expressing interest in my plans for the layout and other things I’ve done on/with the layout:

I have some 40 or so other videos created on the layout.

Some are specific to the layout’s locale (Susquehanna Valley…); some are of other locations and eras using portable backdrops and rolling stock of the era being focused on; some feature a brief history and look at famous trains of the past (e.g., the New York Central’s 20th Century Limited) and present (e.g., the Acela Express); and some are purely whimsical (e.g., “The Wreck Train”).

One video I posted on your website before is the comprehensive “Life on the SV&GS”.

All these videos can be accessed via Youtube by searching under my user name “privprac48″.

I am working on an offshoot of the Berkshire video you just posted: An update of the Polar Express excursion train that is still running and is headed by the Pere Marquette Berkshire #1225.

I have also published several articles on my N scale SV&GS layout in “N Scale Railroading” magazine and annually publish photos in the annual “Walthers N&Z Reference Book”.

And I have a prospective article on the layout to be published in an upcoming issue of “N Scale Magazine”.

So, there you have it.

And I would be honored to share info, videos and photos wtih anyone interested.

Again, many thanks to you Al and all the readers of your website for your support and kind words.

Arnie”

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And Dangerous Dave has been back in touch too:

“Hi Al,

This is one I uploaded last night!”

Regards

Dave”

Big thanks to Arnie and Dave.

Don’t forget, the Beginner’s Guide is here if Arnie has inspired you.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

Arnie’s been back in touch with his model steam trains video – and it’s another stunner:

“Hi Al,

It’s been a long while since my last contact and submission to you.

Despite my professional and family responsibilities, I have tried to keep up with your postings.

I continue to be impressed with the way the posting submissions have grown in number and diversity.

I am forwarding to you a short video I put together today, entitled, “BERKSHIRES – STEAM BY NIGHT.”

It features the recently released version of Bachmann’s N scale 2-8-4 Berkshire steam locomotive equipped with DCC and Sound.

It’s Bachmann’s first sound equipped N scale steam loco.

The number of sounds of these locos running on my layout are limited since I have a DC not DCC powered layout.

Full access to the spectrum of sounds can only be accessed in DCC mode.

Nonetheless, the automatic sound control when operating in DC mode is respectable.

As I have a DCC powered test track, I’ve run these model stream trains locos in DCC and recorded the accessible and user controlled sounds of the whistle and steam release hiss and added them to the automatic sounds of chuffing and bell at various points in the video.

For the viewers unfamiliar with the real Berkshire, here’s some info:

It was first made back in 1924.

Two surviving examples are still actively in use today in mainline excursions – the Nickel Plate Road (NKP) #765 and the Pere Marquette #1225.

The 1225 is the prototype that was used for the animated hit movie “The Polar Express.”

These locos ran in both passenger and freight service.

Depending on the railroad each loco was designed for, they ranged in length (loco + tender) from 100′ 8″ to 105′ 2″ with 2754 HP to 2979 HP.

I hope you’ll find the video interesting enough to post.

Thanks,

Arnie”

Model steam trains:

Well, what can I say – except a huge thanks to Arnie for sharing his model steam trains video.

A stunning video and a wonderful narrative.

Please do post your comments below.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if Arnie has inspired you, 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.

Sam’s been in touch with some wonderful advice on weathering model trains – and the layout in general:

“I can’t believe how much time my layout takes – I love experimenting with different techniques – keep them coming please!

The Old B12 rusty loco was just an old bodyshell minus the front door – I glue gunned 3 wheels onto the body and applied rust effects (The Vallejo Rust and Chipping effects is a great set – comes with instructions and actually quick to apply with a brush and sponge)

Apologies for the Jurassic park going on in the background – my son does like to put some life into my layout!!!!

Vandals!!!!! A burnt out BR mail van – really easy – just attacked it with Dremell, stuck all the bits in the bottom with poly cement, liberally added some matt black paint and a few rust spots. The couplings were removed for realism (I actually used these to repair an old loco!). Took a couple of hours.

The rail carrier is the chassis of an old Lima coach with lengths of the old steel Hornby track – nicely rusted after leaving them in the garden for a couple of days – and held on with jewellery chain – rusted with the afore mentioned paint set.

I’m still analogue!!! but have isolation rails to allow several loco’s to ‘park’ in sidings.

If anyone spots the slightly strange road way, it’s actually an old Minic Roadways set from my late father. Scale OO. I have a rail crossing so we can set two trains going and race, trying to beat the trains to the crossing.

Home made pallets from thin veneer, sliced and glued – I measured a real pallet and divided by 76. Not sure if it’s worth the effort as they’re very fiddly to make!!!

Sam”

A big thanks to Sam. There’s quite a bit on weathering on the blog now – here are a few more:

Weathered HO scale locomotives.

Weathering HO freight cars.

Weathering model train cars.

Weather a model train.

Weathering locomotives.

Weathered train tracks.

Weathering model railroad cars.

Weathering model railroad rolling stock tutorial.

Weathering rolling stock.

Next up, Mark:

“Hi Al. To add interest to a still water pond you can add small lines of plaster to the pond bottom, then paint the bottom green and finish off with clear resin or Woodland Scenics water.

I added the BN red engine to better highlight the reflection.

Now if I can just get control of those pesky HO scale mosquitos…… 😉

Mark”

A big thanks to Mark and to Sam for sharing his take on weathering model trains.

Sam proves you should really never throw anything away – and I love how he’s given his layout so much character.

Mark’s pic is stunning – as always. And a superb tip too.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the big day when you spring into action, 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.

And there’s the Silly Discount bundle too.