Model railroad layouts plans

Claus has been in touch with some very impressive European model railroad scenery:

“I’m into N Gauge Layouts (Continental outline) and wondered if anybody in your circle would like to see some of my efforts from past years?

I originate from Austria, hence all my layouts have working catenary systems.

Here are a few…

regards

Claus”

European model railroad scenery:

“Hi Alastair

I thoroughly enjoy your website – you have some great contributors. I live in New Zealand but loosely model the Santa Fe diesel days of the 1950s to the 1990s.

When I turned 65 I considered it undignified for a pensioner to have to use a duck-under. So. On rebuilding my layout following the earthquakes of 2010-11, I built a lift up access in the corner by the door.

Fortunately I have not had any accidents involving trains going over the “cliff” but the potential problem needed addressing as I do not always close the lift up section when operating.

Far too late I considered fitting micro-switches to the tracks operated by the lift up section. Instead I came up with the attached cheap, simple and effective manual alternative using a piece of wire and a short length of foam plastic.

Fingers crossed I don’t get lazy and forget to install the foam buffers!

Kind regards

David”

I do love the different solutions and tips people send in. I think it’s wonderful too see so many different ways of sorting out different problems.

Reminds me of just how different we all are. Do you know some people mail me the kindest words about this site – others just hurl abuse. Suppose one man’s pleasure is another man’s poison.

Anyhow, thanks to Claus for sharing his European model railroad scenery, and to David too. And please keep them coming. Hope you enjoy them all as much as I do.

And if today is the day you pick this fine hobby back up, 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.

Ron’s been in touch with his winter wonderland train layout:

“Merry Christmas, or if you are the politically correct type, Happy Holidays, from Florida in the US of A.

Each year my girlfriend and I put a miniature village on a 32 inch square glass end table in our living room. Using Winnie the Pooh and Disney cottages, figurines, trees, bushes, and of course snow.

This year she said she would like a small train to run around the park and ice skating pond area.

Barbara then searched the internet for a small Christmas Holiday train and came up with one made by Bachmann. We checked the size, N Gauge, at a local model train show and it looked as though that size train would work with some modification of the layout size.

After expending a lot of brain power, I haven’t built any sort of layout since I was in my “teens”, I’m now 76. After touring the local big box store, Lowes, I decided on 1/2 inch foam insulation material reinforced with 1X 2 pvc trim. Some adhesive caulking and X-acto knife kit and I was ready to make a stab at it.

We increased the size from 32 inches square to a 32 X 48 inch rectangle with a rounded corner to prevent snags when someone walked by.

The materials were easy to work with and after setting the locations of the cottages and the track, started construction. I found it was easy to cut the insulation board with a long X-acto blade kept at an angle to form the hills and the pond.

I found that putting the track directly on the insulation material and running the train was quite noisy, so I used 1/4 inch thick sponge type weather stripping in between the board and the track to quiet it down.

The hill top is removable for access just in case the inevitable derailment occurs.

After assembling the pieces using the adhesive, I sprayed it with a white primer and then an orange peel coating used on interior walls for a texture similar to snow. Then the buildings, landscape, etc. were added. The foil side of the insulation board is aluminum and looks a lot like ice. This was glued under the cutout for the pond after painting was completed. The edge of the pond is lit up by a string of battery operated LED lamps pushed thru the foam insulation board.

We have attached photos taken as the build progressed.

We are pleased with the results and hope you agree.

Ron and Barbara

PS We look at all your emails an find them informative and educational.”

Winter wonderland train layout:

A big thanks to Ron for sharing his Winter wonderland train layout.

When it comes to snow I always think of Ton’s Model railway snow themed layout.

Now on to Bob:

Hi Alistair,

Ref scale speeds:-

For OO gauge, 4mm = 1 ft
60 mph = 88 ft per second
Scale 60 = 88 X 4 = 352 mm per second
= 21.12 metres per minute.
30 mph = 10.56 metres per minute
And so on.

Suggest you use a set length of track say 2 metres.
So from above, times for 2 metres are:

60 mph 6 seconds (to nearest second)
30 mph. 12 seconds (“)

Trial and error with controller will allow you to mark speeds on the controller and scale other speeds between and above 30 & 60!

BUT You will need do this for each loco!!! Because of different gear ratios!

Bob”

Lastly, here’s Hall of Fame member, Dave:

“Hi Al… just one more before Xmas, its a class 24 Suttons Sulzer with all the sounds added, even the drivers sound.

I bought it a few years back but still consider it one of the best for sound production, they are at a premium to buy, but as the saying goes if you want quality you have to pay for it…

Dave”

That’s all for this time 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

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

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

Need buildings for your layout? Have a look at the Silly Discount bundle.

Just two quickies today – I’m up against the clock, again…

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“One of the best money savers that I’ve found, after decades of using cartridge caulks is:

After you’ve clipped the tip of a caulk or an adhesive tube cartridge, make it just barely large enough to insert a bamboo skewer into it’s tip.

Then, insert the bamboo skewer to puncture the internal plastic seal. Remove the skewer, wipe it off, and you’re ready to squeeze the cartridge trigger gun. Press out what you need for your current project, then reinsert the bamboo skewer about five inches into the cartridge, through the tip. Wrap the tip in blue masking tape.

I’ve found that the bamboo skewer re-inserted into the tip process allows me to then remove the bamboo, and use the rest of the contents of the cartridge for over the next year or so.

The bamboo skewer creates a clear channel for Caulk/adhesive to stay inert from the tip through to the cartridge, but you will need to squirt away about 6 inches of the product to get to the good stuff.

BIG TIME MONEY SAVER”

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Here’s Dave’s latest update on his new layout. There’s no stopping him!

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here. have a look and bag a bargain.

And do please do keep ’em coming, folks – just hit reply to any of my emails.

Best

Al