Model railroad layouts plans

The talented scratch builder John has created this video ‘how to’ on lighting.

Hope it helps, because the lights always drive me insane. Thought it was good.

(But not as good as the ‘ebay cheat sheet‘!)

Best

Al

Visit John’s site here for more tutorials

“Hello Al,

I’m a new “subscriber” from Pennsylvania in the U.S. I have been modeling in N-gauge since 1970, but still consider myself an amateur.

I think I have a twist on one of your contributor’s submissions. When ballasting in N-gauge, I use a very fine screen to eliminate dust in the ballast. The real “trick” is to add a few drops of “wetting agent” (dishwasher product like JET DRY) to the diluted white glue/water mixture.

This eliminates surface tension in the water which causes bubbles when applied to the roadbed. The applied ballast will absorb the glue/water mixture like a sponge.

Has anyone ever suggested using the metal tops from pencil erasers? Here in the U.S. some of them look identical to oil drums. (probably best for use in HO modeling due to scale)

One silly question. What is the most popular height (from the floor) for setting up N-gauge layout tables?

M”

---

“Alastair,

Here is a useful tool. I had a bunch of baby food jars. Filled with play sand from the home center store, they make excellent weights for holding down foam, cork or track if you are using glue to attach any of these. Just enough weight but not too much to damage track or push track out of guage. I have enclosed three pictures of the jars in use. A plus, the glue you use (I use yellow carpenter’s glue) doesn’t stick to the glass jars if you use a little too much.

Ed”

---

“Hi Al,

Here are some photos showing my Layout, including my turntable made from a cd disc.

Paul”

“Al,

Here some pictures of the grey house. I hope you can use them. As you can see I am still in a starting stage. I’m a bridge freak so I’m trying to get them in place right before I move on.

Thanks,

Ken”

You can download the house ken has made here.

A real mixed bag this time – hope you liked them. Let us know below!

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide, if you want to get going on your layout.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

Kaustav has kindly sent in more pics of his fabulous layout. If you missed them first time round, they are here.

---

“Thank you Al! I am glad that everybody liked the layout.

As a ready material, here are some pics of my latest build – the main freight-house of Wrightsville Port, along with a ‘Magic of Black ‘n’ White’ photo! Hope you like it.

For all my future progresses, I will make sure to send you the details.

Once again, thank you for the space! 🙂

Kaustav”

“Al, the attached photo is how I decided to “customize” the print out building a bit to give it a little more depth and texture and personalize it to my layout (which is a long way from complete). I mounted the print out to foam board making the concrete caps (painted balsa) easy to attach. With the imaginations I’ve seen out there, the possibilities with print out scenery are endless…

Keith”

I do love seeing the printout scenery on your layouts. The factory is bundled in the Big Kahuna deal.

And now a question for you all: how come you are all be so shy on the tips? Come on – if you’ve got one, please share!

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.