Model railroad layouts plans

Malcolm has been in touch with his Z scale model train.

And his layout really does highlight how different life is for folk with different model scales.

Now that may sound dramatic, but here’s a pic from yesterday’s post, Bill’s stunning O / On30 layout:

Bill hired a truck to get his layout to his model railroad show.

(And if you watch his vid, you can see the whole operation.)

But Malcolm?

He models in Z scale, and only has to pick up his display up:

“Al,

I’ve attached 8 photos of the Z scale (1:220) layout that I take to train shows.

The layout is about 46″ x 26” (~ 117cm x 66cm) and can be carried by one person, although it’s easier with two.

I like the Santa Fe so I model the mid-1990s and I prioritize SantaFe, Burlington Northern and BNSF, which gives me maximum flexibility.

The track and turnouts are some old Marklin materiel I had lying around.

The scenery is obviously nothing special, but the kids love watching the trains go through the tunnel. The plexiglas enclosure prevents little fingers from clutching at little trains.

What you see in these pictures is mainly, though, Canadian Pacific and Canadian National locomotives and rolling stock.

The CP and CN rolling stock includes a covered hopper, 53′ well car, gondola, flatcar, bulkhead flats and boxcars.

Why the emphasis on CP and CN in these photos when I model the ATSF and BN merger period and have mostly American rolling stock and locomotives?

That’s because some time ago somebody told you that they considered Z scale but couldn’t find any Canadian models. I think that this demonstrates that they may not have looked very hard.

In N. America it doesn’t make a whole lot of difference because shipping mixes up the rail cars, so you can see BNSF, Norfolk Southern, UP, CSX, etc. up in Canada and CN and CP down south on the Gulf Coast.

We also have “run-through” where locomotives are handed off to other carriers, just switching crews, to save time in forwarding a train.

I’ve seen pictures of Ferromex (Mexican rail line) locomotives up in the Canadian snow and BNSF locos on the East Coast. How the RRs handle all this is a mystery to me but it is done every day and apparently the locomotives find their way back eventually.

By the way, the containers in the well car are made for me by the Chinese (incredibly precise pad printing) and I make the Walmart (and other) 53′ trailers. I have a small (joke) business making and selling Z scale accesories.

Best regards,

Malcolm”

A big thanks to Malcolm.

For me, Mal’s layout and Bill’s layout demonstrate admirably how it’s worth thinking long and hard over what scale to choose.

Over the years the blog has been littered with posts from folk starting in O scale, running out of space and then trying again with HO scale.

The same goes for HO scale, it’s still just as easy to run out of room – Mike’s HO scale post springs to mind.

But in the same light, there are just as many folk who have tried N scale, found it was way too fiddly and also tried again with HO scale.

Personally, if I even tried Z scale, my eyes would go squiffy within days.

That said, HO scale isn’t the answer to ‘what scale to start with’, but I think it’s a very safe bet.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on scale – please do leave a comment below if you’d like to chip in.

In fact, as I write this, I’m reminded of a post from a bit ago that went mad in the comments – you all had lots to say:

How to start a model train layout.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you decide to build a layout to take to a show, 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.

Bill’s been back in touch with his O/On30 train layout – and my word, it’s a stunner:

“Hello Al and fellow modelers!

Been a while since I sent in an update on how my O/On30 is progressing. I still have scenery and some buildings to make for it but major areas are complete.

In fact it was far enough along that I displayed it at a local model railroad show in Richmond Virginia this January.

This layout I have built for the purpose of talking it to shows and hopefully spark enthusiasm for model railroading in future generations.

I still have a year or more before I retire or at least soft retire (do something I want to do for work lol) so this first show was a test to see if the layout would transport well and more important if I enjoyed doing it.

Thankfully the answer to both is yes.

The layout moved well and worked like a charm at the show and I loved every minute of the show.

I was blessed to see the kids faces light up as they watched the trains run. I had added port holes in some of the facia so I could get my hands in if needed but those turned out to be the perfect height for little ones to peer into the layout and see the trains blast by them lol.

The smiles on their faces made it all worthwhile.

I’ve added some pictures of various scenes on the layout. As noted I still have a ways to go but I’m getting there.

I’ve also added a video that shows what was needed to get it to the show, the show and then some afterthoughts once I hit back home.

You will note in the video I talked about engines that bite the dust while running. Be happy to know I have them resurrected already and have added more to more engine roster.

Happy modeling all!

Bill in Virginia”

A huge big thanks to Bill for sharing his On30 train layout progress – an absolutely stunning layout.

If you’d like to see his last On30 layout post, it’s here.

I have to say, if this doesn’t inspire the young folk to take up this fine hobby, nothing will.

Hope you enjoyed it as much as me.

Please do leave a comment below, would love to read your thoughts on this one.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you get inspired by Bill and make a start on your very own layout, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

Henry has been in touch with is model railroad diorama ho scale:

“Hello Alastair

Thank you for your continued service to the model railway fraternity.

I look forward to your emails every day.

This email is a little different from my usual, as it does not show my layout, but a model railway diorama I was asked to build for a lady whose husband was a collector of South African model trains.

He sadly passed away, and he had gathered some items to build a display for one of his locomotives.

He never got to build it, and now his wife had asked me if I would build the diorama for her to display his favourite locomotive.

I include a few pictures of the diorama. I added a few details of my own, like the pigeon on the telephone pole and the cart with the milk churns.

I also replaced the incandescent bulbs in the signal with LED’s and wired it up to work.

I routered out a space in the wood to place a 9v battery and installed a centre off toggle switch, so the signal can be turned to red, green or off altogether.

Yours sincerely

Henry”

Now to Hall of Fame member, Rob.

He’s shared his latest video on track laying:

“Hi Al,

This time I packaged up all the track laying wisdom I have learned over the last 12 years of building layouts and laying track.

In all I pass along 12 items of experience. It has proven very popular on my channel. I hope your readers can find a nugget or two that will help them.

Rob”

Thanks to Rob.

And a very big thanks to Henry for sharing his model railroad diorama ho scale – it has a touching back story.

That’s all for today 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 HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.