Model railroad layouts plans

“Goodday Alastair.

My name is John and after looking at your tips and Dave’s layout photos , I was feeling confident enough to give it a go myself.

I actually had to build a shed first and sectioned a 6 metre area for the layout. Constructed a frame , topped it with orange-tongue flooring, designed the track layout , scenery , build the buildings etc. I had a lot of fun doing it as I am a recent retiree.

As I am nearing the completion I thought I would send you some photos of my work to see what your thoughts are. If you like what I have done I can send you some more photos including some of the trains I have which are mainly steam era.

I have a total of six trains , all DCC and three with sound. As you can see in one of the photos the trains are parked in a shunting yard where I can select the train I want to run, or as I did yesterday , had four trains running at once. I pay a lot of attention to detail, as you may have noticed. I made some of the trees myself, and a section of rock wall next to coal yard is real slate.

Thanks again for your advice photos etc.

John”

A big thanks to John.

Now on to Georg:

“Hi Al!

Here are the rest of the pics for my Z – layout. Plus one of my sailings ships.

Regards ,

Georg”

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Next up is Jim:

“My current project for my scale layout.

A Coast Guard buoy tender made from plans I got on the internet. Still waiting for Flags and Decals.

Jim”

Lastly, on to Kim:

“Hi Al.

Just a pole update. I made up plastic insulators. Suppose I could have done a better job on them. If you want the how and what to use to make these I will send in the how to.

Kim”

That’s it for this time. A big thanks to everyone, especially John, it just goes to show it’s all about making that all important start.

And here’s something to help you get started – the latest in the printable buildings.

There are four new houses.

What’s more, if you use the coupon code carrot123 you can get them at half price at the moment. That’s just $3.50!

Here they are:

The Miller’s house

The Davis’s house

The Johnson’s house

The Smith’s house

Like ’em? Don’t forget to use the coupon code carrot123 to get them half price.

Please do keep ’em coming.

Don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide is here it today’s post has inspired you to spring into action.

Best

Al

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

“Light bars for lighting cabooses or passenger cars can be made from 5mm LEDs and clear drinking straws. One in each end wired appropriately. The light carrying medium is 5 minute epoxy from one of those Loctite instant mix tubes. (One minute epoxy is too fast and sets in the mixing tube.) Squirt it into the straw, cap with the LED then cap the other end with the other LED. This is all much less expensive than lighting kits. With the new Evan Designs LEDs, no decoder is needed. Any voltage source works.

Michael”

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“The best tip I got when starting an HO layout,was to spend the extra cost for nickel silver track.

Richard”

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“Dear Alastair

Sixty years on I got my train set out again, invested in new track etc. and off I went only to find I am not that clever.

I was trying to set up a continuous loop using four tracks but hit problems when I tried to put in a cross over to reverse direction.

See attached photo: I want to cross from “A” to “B” and inserted insulating fishplates at “C” but when the engine gets to the fishplates it stops ! !

Could I solve the problem by inserting “D”, adding insulating fishplates at each end and wiring in a parallel electric supply to that section ?

The points at either end are Hornby R8073 & R8072.

I have looked on the Internet but am getting more confused. Can you advise please.

Please excuse track spacing, I am only running single track and tried to gain as much space as possible.

Thanks in anticipation

Bernard”

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So who can help Bernard?

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

Best

Al

Alick has been in touch with his HO scale layout:

“Hi

Some pics of the layout HO – I am working on…

Alick”

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“I am a retired engineer and have been frustrated with the high price of contact cleaner.

Well I found that automotive MAP sensor cleaner will clean contacts, motor armature’s, track, switches, etc…

It costs about 1/4 of regular contact cleaner and works just as well and will not damage many plastics.

It also is a good de-greaser.

Like any cleaner, you should avoid skin contact and inhaling the fumes.

It is wonderful for cleaning potentiometers that are noisy or spotty.

I hope this is a helpful hint.

Kevin”

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“Hi Al. just put this together with a bit of Youtube copy write free music , got a sort of swing with it , but having delivery problems with the coaches to go with the A4 and a few problems (gout) so could not get in to the loft to finish the changes , but this sort of made me smile when I edited it, so maybe your members may smile along with it …?

Regards

Dave”

A big thanks to Alick. Have a look at the comments below!

That’s all for this time folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

Don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide is here is you want to stop dreaming and start doing.

Best

Al

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