Model railroad layouts plans

Manny has been in touch with his 5×9 HO scale layout:

“Hi Al

My name is Manny Papagolos. I’m from NH, USA.

I have been following your posts for a few years and I finally found the time to send some photos and a video of my HO layout.

It’s 5ft X 9ft. with the ability to be split in two separate halves 4 1/2ft X 5ft for ease of moving, double figure 8 running through a narrow river gorge with a lot of bridges to get the trains through the mountains, built from an Atlas track book copyright 1958,1971 2nd edition “railroads you can build” I’m sure there will be a few people that recognize it (Granite Gorge & Northern).

I started it in the late 70s and I am still working on it. It’s very enjoyable and inspiring to see what others are doing on their layouts. I would like to thank you and all the others that post for giving us all great ideas and tips.

My layout started out as a DC system and has since been changed to DCC NCE 5 amp booster with a wireless control system.

I do not run it as a prototypical railroad. I just enjoy working on it and running it in the winter as I am retired now and have the time and space. So the nice thing about building the layout was that the book gave you cookbook directions so it took out the guesswork engineering to get you started.

As I said, I started in the 70s when my children were young. I now have grandchildren so we do get a lot of enjoyment out of it. One of the drawbacks is it was built with all pieces of Atlas track, I wished I had used flex track to have less joints.

It has a plywood base with a cork road bed. The mountain is made with a cardboard framework with household screening and joint compound. It has access at the rear.

I have placed the layout on 6 caster wheels with a large shelf underneath for storage. The wheels make it easy to move it around to get access to the other two sides.

As one can see I still have more work to do.

Manny”

(Here’s the ‘larger’ version on youtube.)

I really enjoyed Manny’s video – it’s a joy to see trains running at slow steady speeds.

A big thanks to Manny for sharing his 5×9 HO scale layout.

(It reminded me of Dana’s: HO scale layout 5×14.

I think it has bags of charm – it’s another simple layout that looks great. You can really tell Manny has enjoyed every second of it.

Please do leave a comment below – I’d love to hear what you think of this figure of eight.

That’s all for today folks but please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you stop dreaming and start doing, just like Manny, 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.

Jim’s been in touch with his 4×6 N scale layout.

“Al,

Attached are 6 photos of my layout and the start of my paint job on a N scale GP-35.

My layout is 4feet by 6.6feet with a yard and round house off to one end with a lift gate to a door to the rest of my garage.

Jim”

(Jim’s layout reminded me of Richard’s: 4×6 N scale layouts.

Now on to Gordy:

“Things I have found useful:

Mix latex paint with wet Plaster / Basecoat, same color of scenery if chipped will not show. When applied, sprinkle fine mixed scenery material (sand, leaves, wood chips, twigs)
Chop up in an Old Blender.

Leave gaps/( loose Joiners) for tracks to expand / contract track gets out Of gauge on curves & switches.

The greatest frustration is to have derailments in an operating Session. (Losing an ore train, with loose iron ore is really bad — worse in tunnels, you can’t reach)

After years of running trains, when we dismantled layout, we found some ore cars inside the tunnels.

Good wiring, 16 ga. minimum Size, clean joints, use 60 / 40 solder with liquid rosin flux, DON”T MOVE JOINT UNTELL SOLDER HARDENED!

Cold solder joints are a railroaders dilemma (and electricians ) use color code – or have fun tracing wires. Same on circuit boards. Engines etc.

Make use of weeds, some bushes makes fine Trees, spray with cheap hair Spray, sprinkle with Leaves, (Model Woodland Scenecs eg.)

Easy way- (Shake & Bake Method ) Put Sprayed Tree, in Plastic Bag with Foliage, and Shake.

Gordy”

“After 40 years of being away from model railroading, I jumped back in on or about January of this year.

I’ve purchased some engines. 15 received so far, and about 50 pieces of rolling stock, more coming.

Not being as proficient as my colleagues on this blog, I bought folding tables, 2 x 2 foam board, the easier to take apart my dear and have raken over a good part of our sun room.

My usable space is 7’5″ x 15″0″ and this is what I have accomplished so far.

Ken”

I love what Ken has done – purely because it’s making a start, and that’s what it’s all about.

A huge thanks to Jim for sharing his 4×6 N scale layout, also to Ken and Gordy.

I know I keep saying it, but I do love seeing what is going to pop up in my inbox each morning.

Please do keep ’em coming, folks.

That’s all for today folks.

And if you’ve decided you’re going to make that start, just like Ken, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet 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.

Jim’s been busy on his N scale modular layout for his model railroad club:

“Alastair attached are photos of the 2 6foot modules that myself and another member of our model Railroad Club are building.

Still needs more detailing but we do have N Scale trains running.

Our club layout has always been HO so members of our club running N scale were not able to run our trains with these new modules we will be able to and club members can cross these modules with there trains on the upper level.

I have sent a total of 9 photos 3 on this email and 2 more with 3 each

Jim
Moose Jaw, SK. Canada”

Jim’s modules reminded me of Gary’s: N scale modules.

Now on to Eytan:

“Hi Al,

I m a newcomer to that game, When I lived in London in the 60-70s, I bought from Hamleys a Fleishmann set.

For 30 years it was laying in an old suitcase.

Cov-19 made me do work at home and I found the suitcase…

I started reading on the internet everything about layouts and how to start.

Your site is my daily teacher and master.

I table is 330cm u shape and 150 deep (on both sides and 80 cm at the centre).

I used only wood from old pallets. I have started building 8×4 feet, but very soon realised that I would not be able to reach all points on the table.

Then I decided to change it to U shape.

not knowing/having a computer programme, I started with my own planning.

I m enclosing my layout without and scenery.

I m sending a few photos.

Many thanks indeed for all I have learned from you

Regards Eytan from Israel”

A huge thanks to Jim for sharing his n scale modular layout and to Eytan too.

I really do enjoy reading about how you all fell back into the hobby, and seeing the pics of your endevours make it even more special.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you pick the hobby back up, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.