Model railroad layouts plans

Dave’s been in touch with his CSX N scale layout:

“Al

I am a long-time reader. I am in awe of the talent of your contributors.

My layout is 8 X 14 in N scale.

Modern era with CSX, Norfolk and Southern and Amtrak since those are the local railroads (Cleveland area).

The layout is DCC using JMRI to run everything. I use Arduinos extensively to operate the servo turnouts and the crossing signals.

Definitely a work in progress.

Overview: Please excuse the mess on the floor. I have a new young rescue dog whose job is shredding cardboard and disemboweling his toys.

Suburb

Rural

Mountain: All the bridges except the road bridge in the foreground are home made. I found that store bought bridges constrained the spans too much.

Horse Farm and TBD:

City

Industrial Work In Progress:

I have not ballasted the track because a previous mistake filled layout resulted in too much trouble related to stray ballast causing derailments. So I painted the cork gray and called it a day.

There are gaps everywhere that need to be filled in as soon as modelers block is resolved.

I really enjoy the emails you send.

Dave in Strongsville Ohio”

A big thanks to Dave for sharing his CSX N scale layout. Can’t wait to see an update on this one.

I do enjoy seeing the printable buildings on a layout too.

I always think of Bill’s layout when it comes to N scale printable buildings:

N scale rock cliff

Next up is Jay, who sent this in which I quite liked:

“My best model railroading tip, I’d have to say it’s not a technique nor a construction idea. It’s more subtle than that.

My tip is to appreciate the PURE ENJOYMENT OF MODEL RAILROADING no matter the scale. Whether it’s G gauge, O, HO, N, Z or any I’ve missed, model railroading gives those engaged in it the pleasure and satisfaction of planning, creating, constructing and running a railroad that is our own unique self-expression.

Whether we model the serenity of the British country side, the soot and grit of Pennsylvania coal mines and steel mills, or the rugged grandeur of mountain railroads in our Western States – our imaginations can recreate almost any place in the world where we find railroads.

So let your imaginations take you to your favorite place and enjoy creating the model railroad of your dreams. Sure there are challenges but solving them is part of the hobby. So appreciate the fact that Model Railroading gives us a gift – PURE ENJOYMENT.

Jay”

That’s all for this time folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you stop dreaming, start doing, and join in the fun, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

PPS More N scale layouts here if that’s your thing.

Need buildings for your layout? Have a look at the Silly Discount bundle.

Ken’s been back in touch with his HO double oval with crossover.

He really has created his own little world, and it’s a real stunner:

“Hey Al,

It’s been a while since I’ve reached out. As you know, you’re never really done with a train layout.

I’ve added a bunch of grassy areas and weedy undulations around the layout to give it a sense of depth.

I’ve included a new YouTube video with three 20 car trains concurrently. It’s about 13 minutes long.

One of the best things I could’ve done is install Keep Alive’s on each locomotive. With an imperfect track I would occasionally get the dreaded stall, but since the Keep Alives are in each locomotive, they just run and run and run!

I also installed the Broadway Limited Lightning machine. It does add a cool effect when the lights are low.

I hope you enjoy it. Let me know.

Ken”

(Watch on youtube here.)

A huge big thanks to Ken for sharing his HO double oval with crossover layout.

If you missed his first post, it’s here: HO scale layout plans.

I do love the detail Ken has added to his layout, it’s packed with different scenes that really bring it to life.

Did you spot the UFO and aliens?

The train room is impressive too – the monkey made me smile.

I’d really love to you hear your comments on this one, please do leave one below.

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 Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

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

Need buildings for your layout? Have a look at the Silly Discount bundle.

Dan’s been in touch with his Christmas train display.

And Dick shares a bit of fun too:

“Al,

I began getting things together for a G scale train setup for a city conservatory. I formed a small crew of 4 to get the job done.

We get the annual train setup running. Get the locos and rolling stock ready to go. Then the conservatory crew does all the setup with at least a hundred Poinsettias and village plus a train around a tree.

It is joint effort and the conservatory crew also puts lights in the plants photos also inclined.

Next My model railroad club helps setup a display at a local bank. I have been getting everything ready for several weeks.

The train around the tree.

Part of the set up.

More of the setup.

This is a large part of the village.

The lights on the plants.

The bank display.

I am at the bank the entire moth of December running the trains and talking to folks visiting the display. It is a banker’s hour day all month. This will be my 34 consecutive year.

I have had parents bring small children and then the children bring their children and now grand children are coming.

I talk trains and I have helped many get started in model trains and I also help solve model train problems.

Dan”

(You can see more of Dan’s bank display here: Model train display.

Now on to Dick who’s been having fun with a Christmas train cake:

“Al, I hope you can share these for Christmas.

Layout base was cake, train bodies were little cakes, then frosting, sprinkles, cinnamon bears, licorice, etc.

Next I will update my next setups which includes the G scale, Lionel 3 rail, HO, TT, and N scale layouts.

Merry Christmas Al and prayers for good health to you and family.

Dick”

A big thanks to Dan for sharing his Christmas train display, and to Dick too.

(There’s more Christmas fun here: Christmas model railroad.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if you want to get stuck back in to the fun of trains, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

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

Need buildings for your layout? Have a look at the Silly Discount bundle.