Model railroad layouts plans

“Alastair

as promised attached are the remaining pictures of my bridge now completed.

The set prior to completion attached are the bridge painted.

The track and gravel bed is fixed to the bridge with double sided tape attached to the underside of the cork bed of which the ballast is glued.

Andrew”

“Hi Alistair.

Tips on WHITE LINES

By using small envelope addressing squares I cut them 1cm in width and to the required lengths, then pva glue just for additionl adhesion works very well, They are neat and will easily shape themselves to any bends in the roads they can be dirtied to show tyre marks crossing over them by dirtying the wheels of cars and running them over at certain points on the road.

Cheers

Stuart”

Enjoyed this lot. A big thanks to Stuart and Andrew.

That’s all for this time folks.

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

And if today is the day you blow the dust of your old locos and find some track too, 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.

“Hi Alastair

Here is some new pictures of my new viaduct scene.

I’ve used static grass,seafoam trees and Heki flor to recreate flock.The viaduct is scratch built using emboss plastikard and greenscene plastic strips.

The river is Woodland scenic realistic water and realistic water effects and dry brushed white paint.

Kevin”

“Dear Al

Having been grateful for the help you have given me in layouts and other peoples ideas. I thought I would show my first skeleton picture of my anticipated layout. The trains have passed the layout test so next time I will show you the completed article

Thanks for your assistance

Regards

Michael”

“For more realistic hillsides I use coat hanger wires free formed to stretch your screen wire over. I drilled holes in the table to insert the ends of the hanger wires into then glued them in place. Next I temporarily hold the ends of the screen down with thumb tacks and then liquid nailed all the ends of the screen to the table top. Finally tie small copper wires to help hold the screen to the hanger wires. This allows you to free form hillsides and make shelves to place your landscape trees onto. Lastly I applied drywall compound over the screen and added/embedded crumbles of sheet rock for exposed rock type details.

It is both strong and light weight not to mention cheap.

Ed”

Some wonderful pics! Please do keep ’em coming.

Heading off to ebay? You know the drill. Ebay cheat sheet is here.

best

Al

“I contacted you just about a year and a half ago as I reentered the hobby after being out of it for more than twenty five years. I asked if you could solicit your loyal readers and have them give their opinion on what comes first, the buildings or the track. Many responded and it was pretty much evenly split as to their preference.

Subsequent to that time, I joined a traveling modular group called the Miami Valley Modular Railways, which has a very large traveling layout comprised of members individual modules which are constructed to be able to match the neighboring units. They can set up anywhere from 24’ x 80’ to 36’ x 132’. We set up at last year’s NMRA convention in Grand Rapids and are planning to set up in Atlanta this coming May for the 2013 NMRA convention as well. We also travel all over the mid-west to do train shows on average of twice a month from August until May.

It took me almost fifteen months to finish my 30” x 96” unit and I have attached photos of it. I am currently working on 30” x 196” steel mill which covers two units.

The finished grain operation is modeled after the Cargill Processing Plant in Dayton, Ohio, our home base. The backdrop is a combination of that operation and three other grain operations I Photo Shopped together.

The basic principal of the module is to represent a brand new facility next to an much older one which is being rehabbed back into operation. The Cargill plat in Dayton produces both corn syrup and vegetable oil so we have covered hoppers coming in and tankers going out. Next to the two surge bins above the pit building there is a group of men welding the support structure for a third bin.

Hope your readers enjoy the photos.

Pat”

Nice pics, Pat – even if the jury is still out and what comes first, the buildings or the track!

Don’t forget, the very latest ‘ebay cheat sheet is here. Have a look right now and bag a deal.

Best

Al

(There are hundreds and hundreds of posts to enjoy and learn from – but the only way you’ll get to see them all is by being on the newsletter).