Model railroad layouts plans

Brian’s been back in touch.

I really enjoy watching the ‘walk throughs’:

“Hi Al

This layout was started about four years ago on a wood framework covered with two inch thick Styrofoam and painted an earth colour.

Using this thickness foam allows me to cut down to water level as well as ditches, rivers and culverts without having to cut into the bench work.

The harbour areas water was painted with a green colour for effect until the whole area is complete and then will pour Woodland Scenics realistic water product into it.

As can be seen from the photos / videos, the layout is far from finished. The detailed buildings take up a lot of time BUT the layout is operational using DCC controls.

I have three controllers with access points around the layout and I am using the Lenz DCC system with full sound.

There are 2 Shays (3 truck), 2 Heislers, a C 16, a C 19, 2 Galloping Geese, a K 37, a 2-8-8-2 logging locomotive, all brass and painted and weathered by myself.

I also have 2 Blackstone K 27 locomotives painted but not weathered yet.

I have a lot of scratch built rolling stock, kit built stock and some coaches bought as is (Blackstone and PFM). A lot of the stock has self-made and self-designed decals for my logging road name (Cascade Creek)

Not all of it is on the layout at the moment as it is still under construction for scenery and buildings.

I will send more photos of the layout as it progresses.

At the time of writing this, I have written an article with construction photos (pdf format) on building the 2 stall engine house kit (Fine Scale Miniatures kit – 1974 era) from start to where it is at present.

All that has to be done to it, is wire up the lights under the layout, add the dirt around it and then put the final details on the outside of it. Then the article will be complete.

Btw, D & RGW (Denver & Rio Grande Western) on my layout stands for Dangerous & Rapidly Growing Worse.

I hope that the above information will help with what my layout is all about.

Al, use whatever what you want/can of the info sent for your website.

As always, keep up the excellent work so far.

Brian”

A big thanks to Brian.

That’s your lot for today.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you leap out of your arm chair, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

Fred has sent in the pics below of his layout. Another one to make me envious!

And Brian’s video made me think how his stunning pics don’t do his layout justice…

(Images are clickable).

“Al, as can be seen in this view, some of the building are complete and the card stock ones are of kits to be built.

The reason for cardstock mock-ups is for kit bashing purposes before building the actual kit and messing it up is because if it does not fit the area that I want it in then you have a dilemma..

Brian”

Please do keep sending in your pics and tips – I enjoy them as much as you.

Best

Al

Kevin has made this fabulous backdrop for his layout:

“Hi Alastair,

Here is a few photos of Amberton town scene under construction, the back scenes are scratch built using Plastikard and the viaduct is also scratch built which goes through the town.

The backdrop is made from two blocks of flats have been raised from ten floors to fourteen floors they stand at 2 feet tall,the football stadium is made from the same materials has the rest of the model.

You can see from the first photo how I used the kit to slowly build up the flats, then I just repeated.

Kevin”

A big thanks to Kevin.

There are lots and lots of posts on the site about backdrops – here’s one from Frank that springs to mind:

Frank adds a backdrop

Now on to Neil:

“Hi Al

I have a couple of photos of my layout not finished, is it ever,.

Regards

Neil”

A big thanks to Kevin for sharing – love what he’s done for his backdrops. Clever stuff.

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 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.