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Even more tips and pics

“Here’s a tip for realistic country blacktop roads over foam:

First, mark the path of the intended route.

Then mark the edges with painters tape.

Spray Rustoleum black paint between the painters tape.

If there is a risk to other structures in the area of the road, mask with newspaper, perhaps held down with the tape placed along the road’s route.

The result is that the rustoleum eats just enough of the foam underneath to give a nice weathered surface.

Michael”

“Al –

I realize that I’m not submitting an actual favorite tip … it’s more of a “lesson learned” kind of thing. Hope I don’t waste your time.

At one time I belonged to a model train club. Eventually, I found this group to be comprised of three categories of RR guys: Collectors, Modelers, and Toy Train guys.

Collectors all seemed to be quite egotistical, spending tons of money purchasing the most precisely detailed scale models, bringing their acquisitions in on club night under tight security and (perhaps) putting juice on the track to run them.

Modeler types were more sane, but obsessed in spending every waking moment gluing and trimming and fussing over minute details without running their trains every meeting.

I found I belonged to the last category – I was content to just put my childhood trains on a track and watch them run around and around. I do that at this time of year with a track on the floor; it’s all the thrill I could want out of that great toy invention.

So, the lesson I learned was that the three categories of train guys I had joined didn’t mix too well all the time.

Their goals are different, and when it comes to putting on the annual train show, one quickly discovers the hierarchy of the groups.

Collectors trump modelers and toy guys… only their cars are good enough for the public to admire.

Modelers are more respected by the public… they get the most questions to answer, about their clever landscaping.

Toy guys are at the bottom of the food chain. I had fun, but without having much track time. My trains were… just toys.

I still love them.

— Mike”

“Sir;

I’m kinda a rookie all talk and no action but I was going to try and use diluted inst. coffee crystls for rusting or weathering train cars or buildings…There is a commercial for Advair the gal or guy is in a fog Something to create the fog on the surface of an area will give an aged look Still thinkin on that one….

Crushed eggshell feed used for raising chickens would work for ballast but it would need to be crushed finer some way I talked once about using rice barley flax for cargo and ground clutter even ballast My wife said I’d have mice eventually. I said thats why they make traps isnt it…..Traps would be good for someething….

I’m going to try sections of broken glass for water the underlayment will need some features painted or drawn first then the glass overlay. Shorelines will be a challenge

Duane”

“Hi Alistair,

Mine would be plan, research, budget. It’s easy to be woo’ed by the amazing models and technologies, the craftsmanship and the cool factor, then go to a store or show and spend like you on drugs! We have all done it. With a solid plan in place, you can get the reward without the buyers remorse, and still be cool!

JB”

“Hi Al

I took a couple quick shots from my new layout expansion. Not the best pics, but gives you a good idea what I’m up to. The foreground mountains/rocks are not completed yet.

Thanks for all you hard work throughout the season.

If someone is interested I’m happy to answer questions.

Regards

Matt”

“Hi Al, Jim here from CO. I had a couple of HO layouts back in WI years ago, about 30 I guess. So I am totally new to On30 and have been waiting for information I sent for. In the mean time I have built my first structure for my Florence-Cripple Creek railroad. I can see the entrance to the old narrow gauge railroad from our home and have been up there many times since moving out here 26 years ago.

I am going to try to sent a picture of my Water Tank.

In the past 35 years I have built three full size airplanes, two biplanes and a 1909 Bleriot XI so I guess it is time to get back to my old Hobby. Thanks, Jim

Some great tips -and pics. Please keep ’em coming.

That’s all for this time folks.

And if you think everyone else is having all the fun, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

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.

More tips and pics

“i just though i would share a few pictures of the mountains and water fall i have been working on.

So far this is the best ones i made, im kinda new at this so i hope everyone enjoys these

thanks for taking the time to look

Andrew”

“Hi Al.This is the tower i did with the strobe light.And this is a transformer station i been working on.The transformer is a burnt out relay cover with window blind parts for fin’s.And used instant glue tips cut into sliver’s and clear beads inbetween for insulator’s.I’m doing a few more tower pieces and then hook lines up and such.Will keep ya updated.

Kim”

“Hi Alastair

A quick tip for you. Save the cedar liner that comes in cigar tubes. It is beautifully thin and is excellent for siding over card stock or plastic and very terrific for cedar shingles. A chopper works well with this stuff.

Fred”

Dear Al,

The box it came In.

The layout I had prior to this one I had a very long time ago. I kept it in the garage next to my Dads workshop. From there it provided hours of enjoyment for a number of years.

But like many layouts it became neglected, dusty and fell into disrepair.

On one memorable afternoon I came home from school to find my beloved beagle standing on the layout chewing its way through the small town and most of the rolling stock. I forgave the dog but it was too late for the layout.

As you can imagined this experience has somewhat shaped my approach to the new layout. I am quite determined that this layout not become a victim to vermin or dust. Thus “the box”.

Although the lid (pictured) makes the whole thing pretty heavy I think it will protect it when it is not in use and hopefully make it more reliable when it is.

The lid itself is 9mm MDF with some light pine framing to stop it bowing. I also attached couple of gas struts to the lid to help lift it up and down.

The front panel folds down flat to expose the control gear. It can fold either flat or all the way down for when I am working on the layout and don’t want to be leaning all the way over the control panel.

The black wire ducting is made from some sections of steel stud work. You need to be careful not to have any exposed wires inside the duct. I have also painted them black inside and out to provide a bit of insulation.

The steel studs are quite light and a fraction of the cost of an equivalent plastic duct. I think the studs cost a total of $8. The studs interlock so you can unclip the top plate to get access to the wires when you need to.

Cameron”

Rod’s been in touch again. You may remember his layout – there aren’t that many with an Italian theme.

Anyhow, thought his pics were interesting and worth posting.

“We had a trip on this line a bit south of Auckland, with a guided tour of the shops by a friend of a friend, very nice day out.

New Zealand Railways are 3’6″ gauge but the stock’s impressive, they have a 4-8-2 in use (sorry, parked in a dark shed behind a pillar) and several old British export diesels, such as the red Bagnall Dsa shunter shown, as well as the 4-6-4T in the pix, which reminded me of the old Tri-ang Transcontinental loco I used to lust after in the catalogue – only that, mind, I was brought up on Hornby Dublo! Glenbrook station itself is nicely restored, with working signalbox and a connection to the Kiwi-rail main line, and the train has open cars as well as closed so you can soak up the cind… err, atmosphere.

Rod”

That’s all for this time folks.

A big thanks to Rod, Cameron, Fred, Kim and Andrew.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if you feel like you’re missing out on the fun, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

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

Model railway layout tips

“Hello Alastair,

After spending six decades in this hobby, I’d have to say my best tip is to think small.

Gargantuan layouts are fantastic, but for many of us they are impractical, if not overwhelming.

I’ve achieved my best results with the good old 4 X 8. When I tire of one, I simply dismantle it and build another.

Of course there are compromises due to the smallness, but it’s easier to wire, scenic, and operate the completed layout.

Admittedly, no layout is ever truly finished, but it is easier to gain a sense of completion (success, if you will) with the smaller pikes.

I’ll leave the huge layouts to the masters. I certainly enjoy seeing them, but I have to accept my own limitations as far as skill, energy, and finances. I also need to be aware of my wife’s interests.

Not really a technical skill, but it might encourage a few folks who are just beginning, or even simply needing to downsize.

Thanks for the opportunity to spout off.

Ray”

“Alastair – When laying track ballast (relatively large stones) for “0” gauge track, wet the stones in salt water first and apply them wet. After the ballast has dried, the salt binds the stones to keep them from straying and adds to their appearance.

Roger”

“Hi Al,

Here is a tip for you, I admit I got this one second hand.

If you need to remove track that has been glued down to the roadbed, and ballasted.

First pour hot water on the track, this dissolves the glue and loosens the track.

Leave it for a while, then start dismantling the track.

This works well for track renewal or replacement, also if you want to be Doctor Beeching and close a branch line.

Paul”

“Al,

I like to keep my train’s and car’s serviced, cleaned, and oiled about every 4 week’s. Even if I have not run them, and I have very few problem’s over the years.

It also give’s me a break from, my busy life & buisness. It is very relaxing, as well as good for the equipment. I don’t have much of a layout, but love to hear the trains run on the track, and change them up quite often, and just so they don’t get a lot of wear. Busy work I guess.

Love your book’s and information. When I retire, (soon), I plan to use some of your idea’s for a big layout, to keep me busy.

Thank you for all the information you share.

TP”

“My best tip, or advice, is to pay close attention to the prototype that you are modeling.

If you are free-lancing, then pay attention to the prototype of a railroad that resembles what you are trying to do. Study. Take photographs. Compare your trackwork and scenery to the real thing.

If you do these things, you will be able to create a more realistic model railroad, assuming that’s your goal. It’s certainly mine.

Brian”

“One way to make realistic wood piles is to use old wine corks sliced vertically into wedges

Dennis”

“hi allistair

here are some of my latest developments to my oo gauge layout my layout is made up with three stations and up and over .we then added a container base to it .also stead loco depot with turntable I will forward you some pictures of it along with the diesel repair shed

hope they are of interest

john”