Model railroad layouts plans

David has kindly done another video on ballasting, covering a lot of questions from the first video.

It’s superb.

A big thanks to Dave!

Dave sent in the link to his new video on ballasting.

As usual, it’s worth watching.

This came in from Dave which I thought worth a mention – I thought it very impressive!

“Also the tunnel tips is most timely as I’m just planning a “shelf” layout for my garage, about 14 feet along one wall x 20″ wide with a corner return 6 feet long x 12″ including a lift-out fiddle yard. So a tunnel for the corner will be included.

All very “future” at the moment as all I have is a Bachman S&DJR 7F and about ten feet of loose track!

That loco was chosen because I finished building a 5″G live steam S&DJR 7F about nine months ago (see attached pics) and then Bachman brought out their OO model, so I had to have one, didn’t I?

7Fs are one of my favourite locos – anything with more than six drivers ….

Cheers,

Dave.”

Wow! Now that’s either a giant bench in the background, or it’s a brilliant model!

And some more tips for you. Please keep them coming!

“I attach the anode of a red LED to the cathode of a green LED and then attach the other ends together.

I put a 800 ohm resister on one end (series)and attach them to a track.

When the train travels one direction, the green LED lights. When traveling in the other direction, the red LED lights.
It’s an automatic switching signal powered by the track voltage and polarity.

–Ben”

“When building mountains and hills I use Oatmeal (as in Quaker) to create texture. It’s inexpensive and easy to do and it dries hard as rock.

— Marc”

“I use free styrofoam. You know the stuff they use for packing. It comes in verious shapes, sizes and thickness. Carve it to shape then paint. I use spray paint to make it look like rock or granite. Vakspar Stone looks like grannit and Krylon has different colors in theiir “Make it Stone!” Both paints are Premium Enamel and they do not harm the styrofoam in any way.

— Wayne”

“I do appreciate the time you take and the information that you pass along.

So, I thought I would let you and the other readers know of something I have been doing.

Most home health stores and/or pharmacies receive in the shipping cartons for their lift chairs
two blocks of polyfoam, guessing it is polystyrene, that which I have gotten, measures 3″x4″x29″.

I have used it in pretty basic landscaping and it works well. My biggest pleasure is that I can
have all I want and free, because otherwise the rest is trashed.

— Bill”

“Great ideas,and useful.

Sometimes when adding car roadways in rural area,a possible quick way is to use the non skid grey tape that you put on stairs an maybe walkways It comes 4 inches wide and in long lengths up to 50 feet Looks good and its a quick way to modify an area It takes on the look of a gravel type roadway

Regards,

–Nick ”

And don’t forget the latest ebay cheat sheet is here. Thanks for all your comments and emails on it.

Best

Al

PS Beginner’s Guide is here.