Model railroad layouts plans

Kim’s been in touch with how to clean model railroad tracks.

Just have a look at the comments on this one!

“Hi Al.

Hope your doing well.

I have something for ya. I made up a track cleaner.

The ones for sale here are way to expensive. Works good was easy to make. Need a how to build it I will send in a how to.

Like most of these, takes a bunch of time to clean the track.

Now when I went to test it first time, I left the pad way to wide.

It started off well, till it got to stuff I had track side. Wam! It started taking out stuff.

I ran to it not thinking to run to the power and cut it. It outran me and got itself jammed into the bridge I made and started freaking out.

I call it The DESTROYER.

Then I got an idea. Why not put a 12 volt motor on it and run 9 volts to it.

Holly crap it sure cleans and super fast as well.

Ya I know looks like the motor would sit still and the car spin like a helicopter lol. It did at first.

Speed must have been 3500 rpms lol, so I decided better to use a 2.7 volt battery to run the beast – worked better and less scary and no more hair blowing as it spinned.

So build number 3, a smaller motor run on a 9 volt battery. Works really well and does the job super fast.

Not only does it clean the top of the rail but all of it. If you like can show the members my builds some may find it interesting some may laugh and some will like them lol.

Its all about showing others what they can come up with if they think about it.

The first pic is the scrubber you can add weight to the posts, the second is my upgrade to a 12 volt motor and 2.7 volt power source,the plate was added to beef up the car…the second is a smaller motor and can use 9 volt if ya like power or 2.7 volt with less force.

The pad is a dish cleaning pad.The ones with the motors will clean ya track like new and in seconds.

Kim”

A big thank to Kim on his take on how to clean model railroad tracks- I thought it was genius. I really am thinking about adding it to the ebay cheat sheet.

And have a look at the comments below. Kim’s cleaner really struck a chord – it reminded me of Cal’s too:
Cleaning model train track.

Don’t forget, if you have a tip, pic or video you’d like to share, just hit reply to any of the emails I send.

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.

And there’s the Silly Discount bundle too.

“What a beautiful photo of that stretch of abandoned railway included with your Wonderful scenery pics email..

Though not as beautiful as the photo you displayed, I found quite an unusual line of track fairly close to my home on Long Island. It was abandoned some years back however it was recently cleared and now serves as a path for freight service.

I love to sign on and find your wonderful emails.
Regards,

Sal”

No words from Bill, but he sent these in. Old pic but I still like the layout:

“Hi, I have an good tip; if you want to fill up your/a wagon with coal and you don’t want to use loads of it, you can fill your wagon up ¾ of the way with cardboard, then you can mix some coal with PVA glue until it makes a paste and the glue goes greyish, then you just put it on until you can’t see any cardboard and then leave it to dry. Once it has dried it will look realistic.
Adam”

“Hi Al,

Here are some photos of my layout showing the progress so far.

Track has been ballasted, scenery still to build, wiring still in progress.

Paul”

“Hi Al , love the tips keep em’ coming.

New to modeling and need all the help I can get. Just thought I would throw you some pics of my layout so far. All of the road bed is cork that was in a big roll my father gave me. Couldn’t see paying them high prices for roadbed cork from the store so I hand cut and fit each piece. I read and save all the great tips that I’m getting from you . Will email some more pics as progress continues.

Walter”

And this in from Dave:

“Hi Al , just uploaded this video on youtube showing a new mini camera in a cam truck I have just bought , well pleased with the results …

Regards

Dave”

Please do keep ’em coming. Enjoying the scenery pics – just beautiful. Just hit reply to any of my mails and you’ll get through to me.

That’s it for today peeps.

And if today is the day you jump out of your arm chair and spring into action, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

“Alastair,

I cannot resist sending the attached photo to you for all those modelers who research real life RR sites for possible incorporation into their layouts.

That said, I don’t know how one might travel the track below.

Love getting your emails and photos/videos of what others are doing.

Sincerely,

John”

“Hi Al

Progress on the wharf model, 5 buildings shown in the photo. Must cut the pilings to fit under it and add the details on it.

Mirror show reversed signs on building in order to read them correctly.

Cheers

Brian”

“Hi Al.

Remember awhile back I made up a small power station. well im finally finishing it off. I started adding power lines and such.not finished yet. lol

Kim”

“ok, so you want my best tip,this is probably my only tip for scenery, when using styrofoam for mountains, spray with elmers spray on adhesive, small sections at a time. the glue will melt into the foam and make indentations lie real rocks have. i of course reccommend a little practice and experimentation first. have fun.

bojos”

“Hi,

I have an good tip; if you want to fill up your/a wagon with coal and you don’t want to use loads of it, you can fill your wagon up ¾ of the way with cardboard, then you can mix some coal with PVA glue until it makes a paste and the glue goes greyish, then you just put it on until you can’t see any cardboard and then leave it to dry. Once it has dried it will look realistic.

Adam”

Thanks to everyone who has mailed me.

Please do keep ’em coming. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here. Still more comments on this than anything else.

Best

Al