Model railroad layouts plans

Jim’s been in touch with his N scale freight layout:

“Info: i used to model the gwr & br many years ago.

But when a good friend of mine started his attic railway i got the bug again.

He sadly passed away with his project just started – this was a very sad time so i thought i would finish his dream layout in my attic with his fleischmenn N scale freight trains i pursched from his brother, as no one wanted them.

My attic railway took a lot of planing as i wanted a dust free attic with a ring main power with 12 plug scockets.

This was completed with the help of one of my friends & the model rail project was born,it took around two years to complete.

The layout which still has no name is based in germany on the db but i run u.s stock as well, as i love all trains all eras any thing go’s e.g electric,gas turbine,steam,diesel.

The layout is like a big number 9 with a big 12foot terminus.

The layout is all dcc with most locos haveing sound. the layout has around 100 lights installed.

There is also a stand alone narrow guage system which runs on the inner edge of the layout which the younger generation use.

The next stage is automation linked to a p.c. & the main command center.

Jim”

You can see Jim’s Union Pacific youtube here.

Now on to Alasdair:

“Hi al, just a few new pictures of my layout now,I am looking for a 060 pannier tank with dcc sound and lights fitted,so if you hear of one for sale I would be very interested.

thanks again and best Wishes

Alasdair M”

(Images are clickable)

A big thanks to Jim – what a layout. It reminded me of the post Dean did on adding weights to his N scale freight: Rolling stock weight.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you poke boredom in the eye, 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 Silly Discount bundle.

Tom’s been in touch – he’s been busy on a module for the Northwest model railroad club:

“Well. Alastair, from one old man to another, there is nothing that makes me happier than showing my model railroad photos and my track plans formerly drawn with WinRail and MS Paint but currently drawn with WinRail and Paint.NET.

Here is a selection of attachments including progress on the Northwest Crossing MRRC Parker module and progress on the crude and vacuum unit that caused so much trouble but is due to bring so much glory when it finds its place on the Northwest model railroad club Free-MoN modules dedicated to petroleum transport, refining, and general handling on or near Houston’s own ship channel as seen from Google Earth.

Tom”

Plan is clickable!

---

“Hi Al just posted this one , new Loco I have just acquired , the Deltic , one of the favoured ones in the UK for all the railway fans and hobbyist , she needs a re blow on the sound , but what a beautiful Loco …

Regards

Dave”

A huge big thanks to Dave and Tom.

That’s all for today folks. Until tomorrow!

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you stop dreaming and start doing, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

“Hi Alastair,

My name is Jim Volmer Sr. and I live in Buffalo New York, on the western side of the “big pond”.

I have been involved in model railroading most of my life. I started very young, age 5 with my first train from Lionel. Boy do I miss that train. When I was in College, I gave my train away. What a mistake that was, looking back on it now. But as they say, ‘can’t cry over spill milk’.

So after I got married, I decided to get back into the model railroad again. With a young son, I started to build my layout, in HO that I have had for over 32 years. My son is grown of course so now it is time to start a new layout.

I have included some pictures of the original layout to see what I did.

The Mountain in the background is so of light in the photograph. I built the mountain out of strip carboard and screen, over which I applied some joint compound that I had. It was applied very thin, over which I hand laid small outcroppings that I made using Hydocal. There are over 1,000 little stones on that mountain. It took several days to complete

The next picture is looking down the double track toward the mountain. There are several switches with Control signals wired into each switch, that control the movement of the trains.

The next picture, shows one of four sidings that I have. This one is for the Cement factory.

The last picture shows the Diesel Engine Facility. There are three buildings, Car Shop, Engine House, and Service shop. The Car Shop was accessed using a turntable. The Engine House and Service shop are accessed by a Transfer Table that I bought from Walters a few years ago. This section was an add on to the old Layout.

Now that this layout has come to its end, it is time for a new era in my railroad.

I have included a drawing for the new layout. It will be on backwards 7 design. 8 ft X 11. Does not sound impressive, but I think the drawing will speak for its self.

As you can see there are a lot of new ideas going into this layout that were missing from the old layout. The Mountain will have four portals: two on the lower level, and two for the upper level. The Second set of portals will lead the train up an incline to 3.072 inches ( grade incline of 2%) through the Mountain, exiting to a 3 Foot Bridge, followed by two girdle bridges down to a zero landing to a reversing loop that will allow the train access to the Container Terminal. All trains can reverse the loop back again travelling through a series of switches

As you will notice, there are two service areas, one for Diesel, and one for Steam.
There is also a logging camp with several buildings. The Saw Mill is noted. Buildings 1 ( Wood Chipper ) 2 ( Log de-barker ) and 3 (Truck Loader )

Next to the Steam Engine Facility is a small holding Yard.

Well there you have it. I would appreciate any comments from your readers.

And as always HAPPY RAILROADING.

Jim”

“Alastair,

The photos of the town scene were all taken with a Sony digital camera DSC-F707 model (about 9 years old and still going strong) with the f-stop set on F8, manual focus and an approximate exposure time of 30 seconds. Camera did all the work in adjusting the exposure.

The only lighting used in all of the photos was the street lights on the sidewalk. (except the daytime photo).

This town scene is only four foot six inches long by one foot wide.

All the products used here are from the Woodland Scenic range.

All the best – Brian”

Thanks to Brian and Jim. Don’t forget the latest ‘ebay cheat sheet‘ too – still amazed at the comments I get on that.

And as always: keep ’em coming.

That’s all for today folks.

And if today is the day you spring into action, 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 Silly Discount bundle.