Model railroad layouts plans

“Hi Al , Just uploaded part 8 of my new Model Railway Layout , all starting to take shape now , getting a nice run round now with the trains

Regards

Dave”

I do love it when folk who work on the engines get in touch, and paint a powerful picture in a few words.

Here’s Mark’s response to the Flying Scotsman post:

“Hi Al,

I too am a fireman on the 3716 out of Summerland B.C. She is a 101 year old 2-8-0 Consolidation class steam.

Right now I and my colleagues are tearing down the ol girl for winter servicing and I completely agree with a love hate relationship with these engines.

Right now its cleaning the smoke box…my wife didnt recognize me when I got home because I was covered in black soot.

They are a lot of work but once there done and your up in that seat with the rails flying along under your wheels its exhilarating.

I wouldnt trade these cold, dirty, wet, greasy, oily, dirt choked, soot covered, cramped, back breaking, head banging, blood letting..days for anything..

Mark”

That’s all this time. Please do keep them coming.

And don’t forget, now’s the time to save a fortune with the ebay cheat sheet.

Best

Al

“Hi Al

Just about finished my exhibition layout (Westalan). It has been built to use as a fundraiser in support of Macmillian cancer support, in memory of my late wife, my best mate Alan West & his wife, who all died of cancer within 12 months of each other. Alan and I started the layout together, but unfortunately Alan never made it passed the baseboard stage.

It has taken 2 years of nearly something done every day, but it was well worth the effort. There is full lighting, a working electric turntable and flying helicopter.

I have attached a few photographs, and hopefully you and the other guys and gals enjoy them as much as I did taking them.

Cheers,

Gray”

Big thanks to Gray for sending this in. Really hope the layout does well for you.

That’s all for today my friends.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you want to make that all important start, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

Andy’s been in touch with his T-trak modules, and fun theme too:

“Alistair,

Some time ago some friends and I were discussing what we could do to capture the interest of the young and old. The advent of video games and “green screen” technologies produces a realism that really ups the stakes for today’s modeler. If we cannot capture and inspire then the younger generation will just move on to something that does. So how do we do that?

As such I like to build modules that capture the imagination, whether it is in the details or the entire scene. Some are serious modules while others are meant to be “Out of the Box” One such module is my “War of the Worlds Module” this is a double module (single wide) and it brings the 1953 George pal version to life with the 2005 Steven Spielberg version. You would be surprised at how the module starts some conversations with the young and old alike. Grandparents telling their pre-teen and teenage grandchildren all about the original and its effects on society then, Grandkids talking about the walkers and how the effects are so much better (of course) but yet did not have the impact of the original H.G. Wells radio version. Lots of attention grabbing and questions, lots of interest and after all that IS what we are shooting for if we want the hobby to continue.

The Module started out with a double bridge and I had to come up with a way to make the ships seem as if they were flying. I used baling wire and some woodland scenic trees and produced a stand for each. I needed to be able to run the fine wire (magnet wire) down the trees and to the “Strobe” module and the power source below. It is easily covered with the foam from the trees. The strobe module comes from “Iron Penguin” and is actually a welding strobe but works great for this purpose.

The walker is a Pegasus models offering and I built in a few “extras” the most obvious is the LEDs and SMLeds (look at the pincers) these were a meticulous labor of love and took some creative wiring to get it all into the shell. Along with that I added a “wireless: camera” that transmits to a receiver that puts the Pilots perspective up on the screen. People can watch the trains as they pass under the walker and through the bridge. I still have not figured out how to create the “Train on fire” from the movie but I am working on it. Here are some pictures of what I have created on this one module.

Enjoy!

Andy”

T-trak modules:

A big thanks to Andy for sharing his T-trak modules. Just loved Andy’s take on War of the Worlds too. And to crow bar it in to a layout, too – genius!

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

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

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