Model railroad layouts plans

Bill’s been in touch with his his scratch built HO scale bridge:

“Hello Al,

In response to your question, “What would be my best modeling tip?”, I would have to say don’t throw anything away.

Just about anything can become a useable detail piece on a model layout.

Just as an example, I am currently scratch building a curved bridge using Plastruct and Evergreen preformed bulk pieces, a few Model Power steel bridges, and a sheet of brass screen I sourced from my local sewing supply store. Total cost into the bridge is about $35.00 U.S.

In order to make the side support for the bridge I needed to kit bash the Model Power bridge sections together along with a few small pieces of styrene.

However this left me with a few smaller pieces.

Well, after looking around my layout I noticed I need a few vehicle bridges. So, this is what came out of the left over Model Power bridge pieces and a piece of leftover sheet styrene.

So for my money I actually got my custom bridge, two small vehicle bridges, and I have plenty of supplies for many other projects.

My wife isn’t a huge fan of my “keep everything” philosophy but it does come in handy and saves money when building a layout.

Also, creativity plays a huge part in building a layout.

Inspiration can come from anything you just have to look for it.

Regards,

Bill”

Big thanks to Bill for sharing his HO scale bridge scratch build – and just goes to show he’s spot on: don’t throw anything away ever…

It reminded me of this post: Scratch build a HO scale trestle bridge.

Next, a tip from Dan:

“When coloring plaster rock or retaining wall castings with diute washes of acrylic paint, you can sprinkle on fine ground foam (greens and yellows) to simulate growth of lichens, moss or tiny plants. No additional adhesive is needed.

Thanks, Dan S”

Now on to Rod:

“Sue gave me a little digital camera for Christmas and it can get into places the old ones never could, which is an awful temptation.

It’s fascinating to get sight of new angles, and a revelation how much better the little people look from a more natural eye level, but horrifying to see all the cracks, paint glitches, and various unfinished bits you left because ‘nobody was ever going to see the back’ of something.

I wish now more than ever that I had made the blessed backscene boards removable.

Rod”

(Images are clickable)

(You can see Rod’s original post here: European model railroad.)

That’s all for this time folks.

But please do keep ’em coming, it’s getting awfully quiet this end.

And if today is the day you decide to start laying track and join the fun, 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.

Had some more pics in from Jake. (If you missed his first post, it’s here.)

#1 Potomac sidings, box and crate factory on right, numerous factories on left are backdrop buildings

#2 a second view of the sidings in Potomac showing a chemical factory, tool and die, distillery, plumbing distributor, and lastly an electrical warehouse

#3 different angle of Potomac shows truckers getting a soda near a phone booth used to call their dispatchers

#4 a view of the loading dock at the meat packing factory, there is still more detailing to do here, for example the barrels will be weathered, maybe a cat or two chasing mice or just waiting for a hand out

#5 Engine 3104 pulling freight thru the pass near the mine, autumn scene. Trees are super trees and covered with Woodland Scenics turf, ballast is HO scale grey , code 100 track ( all sidings are code 83 )

#6 A look at the coal mine, note the rock faces are mostly carved by hand, this assures no two will look the same

#7 A better view of the backdrop behind the coal mine, ………. Might rain

Jake”

And here’s the latest from Dave. Interesting to hear his thought process on what he’s going to do next.

Heading off to ebay? Some silly deals to be had at the moment. Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

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

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

“My brother and I started this layout approximately 2 years ago, at that time we called it the “2 Jakes RR”, as time went on and construction moved at a fair pace we came up with the Potomac Branch & Jasper, the 2 main areas serviced by the PB&J( now known affectionately as the “Push, Bump & Jam”)

The layout is 17′ X 17′ and is a walk through. It has a double main line totaling 170 feet in HO scale. All engines are DCC with more than half of them with sound. we are presently motorizing the switches, we have plans to install block signals, lighting in some buildings, and caboose lights.

I use Woodland Scenics materials for the landscaping, in a few places rock molds were utilized but for the most part rock faces are hand carved and painted.

My brother handles all soldering jobs, engine and rolling stock repairs, painting and anything electrical. My job covers landscaping, model assembly,and weathering.

I`ll send updated photos as construction is completed.

Jake”

Elk River Logging Co. engine 9 hauling a load of bark across Elk River ( this Bridge was built by me 40 years ago, it`s been in every layout I have constructed, 5 to date)

A work in progress, inside the engine house, there`s a lot of work here to finish this scene …… stains on the floor from years of repairs, arc welder in the pit, overhead lighting, more furniture in the office,(files, shelves etc.)”

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“This is what the plastic kit sold in the US by AHM, Lionel, IHC and Model Power and probably a dozen other importers would look like. But having grown up in a cucumber [specifically pickle cucumbers] growing area I knew what a pickle plant should look like so I did a bit of kit bashing.

This is the final result. Now there are tanks for vinegar, purified (read filtered) water, a receiving dock and sorting room, a larger brining tank and a packing room.”

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enjoyed these two – a stunning layout from Jake, and John’s Pickle factory looks like a very satisfying scratch build!

And to all of you who haven’t started creating yet, “this will get your started.

Keep ’em coming.

Best

Al