Model railroad layouts plans

I keep getting emails on Kim’s track cleaner (you may remember it from way back). Anyhow, here’s Kim’s latest on it:

“Hi Al.

I forgot all about that track cleaner build. I see other’s really want the idea.

It really isn’t recommended to use the large motor to clean with as you can see it is so heavy it is bending the car frame lol.But man does it spin on a 2.4 battery.

So I recommend the smaller motor if you want to make one.The buffing pad is a kitchen scrubber. I recommend not to use the really abrasive pad like I have attached. Softer be better.

Okay cut the pad the same size of the track with a tiny tiny bit wider than the width of the track.

I used a empty crazy or instant glue tip for the post that the motor post will slip snuggly into.

I used a tiny washer on both sides of the pad.Force the washers around the glue tip on both sides as in photo.

Take your car and drill a hole in the middle of the steel plate. Make the hole the same size as the lip on the motor where the shaft comes out.It will fit snug.

Make a bracket or brace to hold the motor on top of the car. Dont glue the pad to the motor as you want to replace the pad when it wears down.

Im not sure what idea in them photo’s people want to build. I have a scrub pad and small motor cleaner and that huge 12 volt monster. That one scares me. The small motor one is easy to make and is powered either 9 volts or 2.4 volts.

The first picture is a simple cleaner.

You see the holes matchup and two screws. When you turn the screws they will put more force with the pad to the track like the expensive cleaners you see with adjustable screws same thing. I don’t like this one much. As I found if your track connections are not even or stick out that cleaner will get hooked on it. So I went motorised.lol

The last picture is a N scale cleaner.

The with paper is to show a car being there and the motor.I had 1 piece of N scale track to show it fits.That is a really small motor from ebay to power it. so if none want to make the motorised I have mixture idea may want.

Kim”

“Hi Alastair.

By building a helix you can literally double the running time on your layout.

The real key is to build the helix and then test the operation through at least all four seasons through heat and humidity changes.

Once you are happy with the stability of the operation, covering it up with scenery is a lot of fun and allows transition from one level to another very realistically.

Picture #1 shows the “testing” phase while picture #2 gives you an idea of scenery. This is one of three helix transitions on my layout.

Model Railroading is FUN!

Mark”

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Big thanks to Mark. Spectacular pics!

I had hoped to publish a great offer on the print out buildings – but I’ve not had time.

So I’ve bought back this silly offer.

Have a look at the buildings below – you can get all three for just $6. I think they look great (but have a look and make your own mind up).

At $2 a buiding, it’s cheaper than the Big Kahuna deal).

So if you want to have a muck about with some scratch building, now’s a great time to have a go. You get all three buildings, for $6, but only until Christmas day.

You can print them out to any scale you want too.

You can see some more pictures of them here. Have a look. He’s done a great job on the detail.

And if you fancy bagging this deal – all 3 for $6 – you can also do that here.

Happy scratch building…

Best

Al

PS If you’re looking for the latest ebay cheat sheet, it’s here.

Dave has sent his latest vid in.

After the first minute, I thought, “Oh dear, he’s been on the sherry again.”

But I couldn’t have been more wrong – it’s actually a superb summary of his layout.

And the Ebay cheat sheet just going bonkers at the moment.

A big thank you to all this time. Merry Christmas everyone.

Keep ’em coming.

Best

Al

(If you missed Alan’s last post, it’s here.)

“Hi Al, well, I’m very pleased a lot of my fellow modellers think so highly of my layout, thank you to all.

To answer several questions, firstly only the high level track is a circuit, the main (lower) one is terminus to fiddle yard (FY) I have included a picture of the garage entrance, and it shows a narrow gap between the Canal & FY. – No trap door! It also shows how I lowered the backscene at that end to allow more light in through the windows.

I intended to extend the H level track up to the windows and door, but then I thought it would cut the light and be awkward to get through the door, so it only goes 2/3rds of the way round. I did keep bumping my head tho, so I’ve stuck a load of bubble wrap to the underside of the bit that straddles the width of the room.

Yes I do make as much as I can from scratch, I find picture mountboard very useful for lots of things such as the coaling stage, platforms, scenery etc.

It also saves money & I have enjoyment making them. Paper clips, parts of old Biro’s, infact anything might come in handy.

I will send a trackplan at some time, but it’s nothing special, the main station/goods yard started 4 yrs ago as a Peco set track plan (Wallingford) but after moving house, it sort of evolved into what it is now.

The tracks from the FY’s enter the goods yard or station. There is a carriage siding which can be used for freight if no coaches are using it, a short spur leading to a crane also used for the station pilot when not shunting. Another track leads to the brewery, creamery, goods shed and canal wharf.

Then of course the are the tracks to the station and engine shed.

There is a second G shed opposite the Loco shed The point switches are SPDT (spring loaded to the centre)

I have included a picture of a sea foam tree which I think you’ll agree looks fantastic. they come in a box all jammed in tightly. It’s a job to seperate them as they are so delicate. You can either use them as they are or add a little scatter to replicate more leaves.

20.50 pounds a box so quite expensive but you get a lot of trees.

By the way, the layout is DC operated, not DCC.

Thanks again for all your comments and thank you Al for a great web site

Cheers

Alan”

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I do love opening my inbox and seeing what the day brings – so a HUGE thank you to Alan for sharing. Hope you enjoyed his pics as much as I did.

That’s all for today folks.

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.