Model railroad layouts plans

“Something I have done that did not turn out so cheap ( because of the size of that layout) was using insulation spray foam to mold and shape mountains etc.

I then covered it with plaster cloth (using a spray water bottle).

Poking with sticks and fingers to take to the shape of the spray foam was an amazing realistic look and time saver, however next time I will semi preform the mountains with chicken wire to save costs.

Dave”

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“I like using black drywall sandpaper for roofing. It looks good and easier to cut than plastic roof slate.

Michael”

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“I would like to add to Dave’s comments:

1) Start small & simple. Plan your work and work your plan. Just because you have 100 sq feet does not mean you have to fill it ALL immediately. It is easy to get overwhelmed by too large a project.

2) Break your schedule down into smaller “achievable” projects. The sense of accomplishment on each project will encourage you to move on. You can always expand your layout as time & resources permit.

3) Get at least 1 locomotive & some rolling stock operational. It serves as to break to just to watch something moving (see #5).

4) If in doubt: a) seek help; b) experiment –> be patient, not everything works every time, even on a real railroad!!

5) Most important: RELAX!! HAVE FUN!! ENJOY IT!! Model railroading is a hobby – not your life’s work.

Cheers

Peter”

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“Don’t know how much help this is… but

1) Don’t be afraid to make mistakes

2) Don’t be afraid to change scales!

I went from ”N” gauge to a 1:20.3 garden Rail Road. THAT has been a lot of pleasure! I can finally see what I’m working on.

I still have the small loop of track outside, but it’s not much fun freezing my “Jingle Bells” off in the winter but great fun for my grandson and I when the weather is nice.

Having been bitten by the “Narrow Gauge” Bug AND the “Geared Locomotive” I am now working in On30… and plan on following my own suggestions.

Been thinking about a Shelf Layout, but don’t know if that will satisfy me… now that the kids are out of the house I just might take-over their bedrooms. LOL

Don’t know if this helps…. But it has been my experience as time went by. When I started in “N” Gauge there was no way I could have afforded a Bachmann 2-Truck Shay for an outdoor layout.

Sometimes… our wants and capabilities change over time… as long as we STAY in the best hobby in the world… no worries.

Thank you!
Jeff ”

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“I have used plastic straws for lamp posts, and I used them to put the wires through the track base for street or any other lights for the houses, etc. We use rynolite instead of plaster mould for scenery, i.e. mountains.

Kind regards,

Noel ”

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“Alastair after getting your email some time ago on tips sent in by Roger on Model train flat bed loads I decided to give it a go.

I have included a couple of photos on my finished product on which I think have turned out rather well.

The only problem is that the liquid last for some time and it takes time to gather enough to make some more.

Hope you like the photos and look forward to receiving more of your email tips.

Kind regards

Dennis”

The flat bed ‘how to’ was sent in by Roger, and it’s here. It’s also reminded me, I have another of Roger’s which I haven’t published yet.

Latest ebay cheat sheet is here. Have a peek!

Best

Al

“Hi Al,

Just finished compiling another ‘chapter’ in my proposed video “Exhibition Clips” series: “Diesel Operations on the SV&GS (Part 2 ) — A Fantasy Look at Passenger Trains” which depicts the “California Zephyr”, “The City of Fantasy” and “The McKinley Explorer.” I hope it meets with your approval for sharing with your readers.

And I hope you don’t mind my addressing some questions asked by the readers of the prior submission: My layout is the Susquehanna Valley & Gulf Summit Railway (N-scale) with a locale of roughly rural New York and Pennsylvania. The layout is 8′ x 5′ with two levels, as the name implies, that can operate four trains simultaneously.

The backdrops are strictly portable for photography and videoing purposes. They are photographic lithographs manufactured and sold by Realistic Backgrounds.com (also available from Scenic Express.com and other vendors). I used peel-and-stick lamination sheets on the back of each backdrop so that I coud use tape to temporarily secure them to wooden paint stirring sticks without the risk of tearing the backdrop card stock paper surface. The paint stirers are then taped to the layout fascia (see the 2 enclosed photos showing the backdrop front and rear when mounted).

I’ve also enclosed an illustration of the layout/track plan as many have requested. Again, thanks to you Al and all the readers for their expressed interest and phenomenal feedback.

Arnie”

Latest ‘ebay cheat sheet’ here

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A HUGE big thank you to Arnie. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

If you’ve sent stuff in and not seen it yet, please be patient. Going as fast as I can 🙂

Best

Al

“Hi Alastair,

Several comments on how I did the sky, thought I’d share the technique with everyone.

It’s all done with emulsion.

First, paint the complete wall with whichever shade of blue you would like.

Then when it’s dry, with a stiff brush no bigger than 1/2″ start by painting the outer cloud with pure white in short circular motions, 1″ at a time and moving along right to left.

As you come further down into the cloud let the brush dry out of paint on it’s own accord until the blue starts to come through the cloud. This way you can layer the cloud as often as you wish.

On some of them smoothly merge a grey into the bottom of the white to emphasise the shade from the sun.

For the whispey bits of cloud (which are not too prominent in the photograph) very lightly with a smaller stiff dry brush, paint a few whispey lines away from the main cloud in a slightly wonkey motion to fade out to nothing.

It took a few days to paint the clouds and get it how I wanted, but is was certainly worth it.

Will be in touch again when got new photos, Just doing my church at the moment

Cheers

Stuart P”

A huge thanks to Stuart.

Backdrops make such a difference to a layout. But I know from your mails and comments what a thorny issue they are.

I thought Stuart’s solution was fab.

What I like best about it, is if it doesn’t work out, another lick of paint and it’s all back to normal.

Please leave a comment below if you’re going to give it a go!

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide is here, if you
Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.