Model railroad layouts plans

“I do a lot of kit bashing and detailing, I especially enjoy taking an Athearn blue box car or locomotive (or something similar) and making it into a quality model. This is not an earthshaking revelation, but I find 91% alcohol usually works well for stripping most paint. Just soak the body shell, scrub with a tooth brush and then scrub with soap and water.

Sometimes I have let it soak for several days, but it usually works. The alcohol can be bought at CVS or Walgreens at a reasonable price.

Jack Monette”

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“Hi Al:

I really like your site and the contributions.

I am an old traincrazy kid. I have trains in all gauges from 1.5″ riding scale down to Z including N, TT, HO, S, On30. O, and G.

I was smitten by the G scale bug big time in the very early 80’s but it wasn’t until the mid 90’s I could afford to buy anything in Garden scale.

I have some pictures here of my G scale layout in the basement.

The layout is shaped like the letter g or the number 9 with a tail added at the bottom. The main part of the layout is 22′ wide by 17′ deep and the leg extends another 24′. then the tail off the leg is another 6′.

4 separate mainlines, all ovals which can all interchange and can access a 4 track yard. The whole layout can be operated point to point or just let 4 trains run and yak and watch with friends and visitors.

Hope there’s something here to like.

Sincerely

Dick”

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“Dear Al,

Firstly just wanted to thank you for hosting this fabulous site and service you provide to the model railroad community. I look forward to each and every post that is sent in. It is great to see others enjoying this hobby and there is something to be learned from all contributers.

I was thrilled with the feedback from your site on my last video about Buster and the Black Lamb so I have created yet another short clip following the same theme. The idea for this story line came from my wife who who knows I enjoy fixing and restoring things. This one took some time to make as it features a Schools Class Locomotive in various states of repair. Each verson required a different model, all made from Dapol kits. I won’t say any more as I don’t want to spoil what there is of a plot. Please enjoy the movie.

That’s all for this time peeps.

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 store.

They are great fun to make and great value too.

“Hello Al,

I did listen to everyone’s suggestions and while putting in kayaks would not work due this being N scale, I did make the river deeper. and greener by adding more layers as I explained in How To I wrote. Here are some pictures of new river.

Thank you so much for your site, and thank you so much everyone for your suggestions. They really helped. Happy model railroading.

Thomas”

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“Al,

Being new I’m not sure if this has been mentioned or not ….. more of a tool tip than a modeling tip.
Revlon makes a pair of tweezers that have a built in LED, very handing when working in small dark spaces.
I picked one up today and have already used it a number of times.
Revlon 15119, attached is a picture of one.

Unfortunately, all they had at Wal-Mart today were pink. LOL.

Barry”

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“Hi, Mr. Lee,

It doesn’t look like people like this stuff much for what it is designed, but it is great for model railroading

It is called Rustoleum “Deck & Concrete Restore® 10X”

It is meant to keep people from slipping on outdoor decks, but in the earth colors it make the best “rock face” I’ve ever seen. It actually has sand in it, with a strong binder. It is very thick, but can be applied with a paint brush. It is thick enough and applies rough enough to cover Styrofoam or plaster underlay so it looks like natural rock.

I don’t know if it is available in the U.K., but at Home Depot in the U.S. it sells for $45 for TWO gallons. That would cover a lifetime of most model railroader’s construction of layouts, so maybe it would be best for a club to buy it and divide it up.

It comes in dozens of colors and shades – even green which makes a great ground cover.

Check it out; I don’t think there is a better way to create a mountain layout.

Paul”

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And here’s the latest from Dangerous Dave:

Things happening on the ebay cheat sheet too: here’s the latest one.

Keep ’em coming.

Best

Al

“Hi, Mr. Lee,

It doesn’t look like people like this stuff much for what it is designed, but it is great for model railroading

It is called Rustoleum “Deck & Concrete Restore® 10X”

It is meant to keep people from slipping on outdoor decks, but in the earth colors it make the best “rock face” I’ve ever seen. It actually has sand in it, with a strong binder. It is very thick, but can be applied with a paint brush. It is thick enough and applies rough enough to cover Styrofoam or plaster underlay so it looks like natural rock.

I don’t know if it is available in the U.K., but at Home Depot in the U.S. it sells for $45 for TWO gallons. That would cover a lifetime of most model railroader’s construction of layouts, so maybe it would be best for a club to buy it and divide it up.

It comes in dozens of colors and shades – even green which makes a great ground cover.

Check it out; I don’t think there is a better way to create a mountain layout.

Paul”

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And here’s the latest from Dangerous Dave:

Things happening on the ebay cheat sheet too: here’s the latest one.

Keep ’em coming.

Best

Al

PS Want three times the content? And to search through the archives – that’s every post since day 1? You need the Golden Key.