Model railroad layouts plans

Hall of Fame Rob has been in touch with a very simple way to make model train train trees.

They look amazing too – and the ‘how to’ video is only 6 minutes too. Well worth watching when you see his pics:

“Hi Al,

I thiought you might be interested in this.

I took an 11 minute video and compressed it to 6 minutes. It is all about a method for making trees.

The method can be adapted to a variety of types of foliage. In the video I demonstrate one type.

The way I have demonstrated is using ground scatter as foliage for your tree. This works for many types of trees. It is inexpensive and easy to do.

I have really enjoyed my adventure in tree building and it has certainly enhanced my layout. My biggest problem is making them small. I must admit I struggle with getting the size down to what I think would be an ideal size for my 1:76 layout.

I recommend one tries building several trees at a time instead of just one. When you put all your eggs in one basket, then that is the result you think you must live with.

When you build several trees and vary them as they are made, you get a variety of results.

Like me, some will be great, so will be so so and some you may wiasah you could start over.

The materials for these foreground trees are relatively inexpensive.

You can certainly build these for less than you could ever buy the expensive prebuilt one for.

With practice you will find you are making trees that are much more interesting and better models of trees that can be bought commercially.

Trees in seven Steps

1) Build wire armature

2) Add smaller branches with loops

3) Use modeling paste to disguise the wire and bulk up the trunk and major limbs

4)Paint Trunk and major limbs

5) Add fine branches (static grass)

6) Cut loops and shape

7) Attach foliage

Note: Use Liquitex Matte Medium as glue for flexible long lasting results

Rob McCrain – Farland Howe”

A big thanks to Rob – you can see more of his excellent model landscaping here:

Model train landscape

Now on to Bob.

I usually just direct people to ebay when they are after something, or want to sell something, but in this case, I thought I’d post:

“I was wondering if you know of anyone who may have a right hand HON3 # 6 switch they are selling.

A friend of mine is needing one to finish his current HON3 layout.

I’ve been trying to help him with this, but it seems like an endless trail of not in stock.

He has cancer and would like to see him finish this project.

Any help, leads or info, would be of great help.

Thanks

Bob”

Please do leave a comment below if you can help.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you poke boredom in the eye and join the fun, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

Dean’s been back in touch with his Union Pacific N scale layout:

“Al, greetings from Dean in New Mexico.

Here’s my latest input on my Conejos Valley Railroad, a 32” x 80” N-scale railroad designed for two train running as well as switching operations.

At this point, the table and baseboard are completed, and all the track work has been constructed.

I wanted to check out the operations of the track with a typically sized train before I moved on with scenery. Movement in and out of yard leads, cross over from the inner to the outer loop, etc. was completely tested and shown below in the photos I’ve included.

Note that as you can see, I’ve begun to test out colors and methods of scenery construction.

Also, ballasting. I’ve standardized on an acrylic paint color and material for texturing the surfaces (sifted dirt from my front yard) and you can see that in the photos. This will be discussed in a future report.

Remember, the track was laid on a sandwich of three layers of white Styrofoam under a 1/8” sheet of Masonite. The outer loop was raised 2 inches and the Masonite gave a solid base for the flex track I used.

First, I made up a train by putting together cars in the yard.

The freight train moves on

Below I show it successfully crossing over from the inner to the outer loop.

Finally, I backed the train though the complex double-S set of switches into the yard for the night.

The video shows all the operations:

That’s all for now.

Cheers, Dean”

A big thanks to Dean – his layout reminded me of Andrew’s: Union Pacific N scale

And if you want to see Dean’s last post:

Dean’s Union Pacific layout.

Lastly, Keith has sent in this question that I thought worth posting:

“Hi Al –

I’m a beginner and am doing a 4×8 layout. I’m doing a layout loosely based on the Florida East Coast Railway. I feel good about benchwork.

However, as I look forward, I am concerned about laying track.

I would like to use roadbed, thinking cork. But, as I lay track, what do I nail the track into? The cork?

If so, what type of nails do I use? Do I use long nails to reach the plywood below?

Thank you for your help.

Keith”

Who can help Keith? Please do leave a comment below, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this one.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming because it’s jolly quiet this end. Tomb like, in fact.

And if today is the day you get started on your layout just like Dean did, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Remember, it’s the start that stops most people.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

Boyd’s been back in touch with his latest update on his HO scale DCC layout.

To refresh your memory, here’s his first post, and here’s a pic from it too:

As well as an update, Boyd has also answered the questions on his first post.

Here’s what he’s been busy with:

“Hello Alastair,

I must say I was surprised and very flattered for the attention received by my initial post.

If you are ever short of material, here are a few more details that address some questions/comments, as well as a couple pics of the next scene completed.

First to the comments/questions.

The hardwood floors were already there when we moved in a few years ago. I am fortunate to have this area that has become my mancave/train room.

Although the floor is nice, I can unfortunately attest that in a battle of floor vs jumper loco, floor wins.

I have an NCE DCC system with sound decoders in the 3 locos that I have so far, the horns and bells are a big hit with the grandkids.

I didn’t have a specific wiring plan. The layout has a double main, as well as a yard area and a branch line. I ran a separate bus for each of these lines, and they are isolated so a short in one area will not shutdown the other sections.

At some point, when funds are available, I will install circuit breakers and a booster. I ran the power feed to a 4-block splitter bar, then used suitcase connectors to attach the feeders to the bus.

For those who expressed surprise that this is my first layout, thank you for supporting my contention that anyone can make a great product, just get started. I watched a lot of Youtube videos by some amazing folks who make everything look so easy.

Some of it is not easy, at least for me. It took me 6 tries at tree making to get a product I was satisfied with, but that’s all part of the fun. I still can’t get static grass to stand up properly, but I keep plugging away.

When I start a new scene I am always amazed that it actually looks OK, and if it doesn’t, since all the scenic material is homemade or bits and pieces I pick up in the yard, I just rip out what I don’t like and start again. Fortunately, I haven’t had to do too much of that, but every new scene is a great learning experience.

Now to the latest scene. As I mentioned in the first post, I am moving on to the logging area.

I started by planting trees and adding forest floor materials to the quarry ridge that is the background for the logging area.

Future logging area:

Forest started:

Wildlife has moved in already:

The locals say there are some strange goings on up on that ridge, but I haven’t noticed anything so far….

That’s it for now, take care, and happy railroading.

Boyd”

A huge big thanks to Boyd for sharing his update.

I will never tire of seeing a layout emerge from the choas of the starting table.

What’s more, I think Boyd is spot on with what he says. Sometimes learning on the job is indeed the best way.

If you missed his first post it’s here: model train hobby.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming because you’ve all gone very, very quiet.

And if today is the day you get started on your layout just like Boyd, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

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