Model railroad layouts plans

Peter’s been in touch with his HO gauge layout:

“Alastair

As promised, find some attached notes/photos

I have 2 usable layouts, both HO gauge – consisting German/Swiss/Austrian.

Both are digital sound with ESU Loksound decoders, run on Lenz controllers.

I currently purchase the blank decoders and blow the sound on using a Lok-Programmer and sound files from the vast collection from ESU.

The layouts have been constructed over the last couple of years.

The track is Peko flexi and ballast.

The bridge is home made using plastic sections.

The snow scene area looks good, but causes problems loco running.

The fir trees are home made.

Regards

Peter”

HO Gauge layout:

Thanks to Peter – his layout reminded me of Dan’s:

HO gauge layouts.

Now on to John:

“Al I have been out of contact with you for some time. I moved back to Virginia after 20 years in Florida.

I had a 6foot by 10 foot HO gauge train layout over the top of a pool table. Because of the move it had to be disassembled and only the trains and buildings survived.

I’ve attached a picture of the beginning of my new layout which is two feet wide with a four foot wide circle at rack end.

John”

And now on to David, who has been back in touch with an update.

He’s a man of few words this time – but the pictures speak for themselves.

And besides, for me, it’s all about making a start, which I why I post half built layouts.

“Hi Al,

Attached are some latest pics of my layout:

regards

David”

A big thanks to Peter for sharing his HO gauge layout and to David too.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming because I have nothing to mail now. Yikes!

And if today is the day you get started on your pride and joy made of rails, swear, tears and toil, 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.

Yanni’s been back in touch with more pics of his stunning layout – it really does show off the HO scale detail parts.

(If you want to get up to speed, his last post is here.)

There’s no narrative with this batch, but that’s fine because they are stunning pics. So I thought I’d put my own ramble under the them.

It’s surprising how many layouts do feature castles – there is something enchanting about them and they add a lot of interest to a layout.

When ever I see a castle I’m reminded of Bob’s layout: Bob’s layout

People milling about a scene really do bring it to life, as this pic shows.

It also reminds me of Dan’s post on adding people, which is good adivce I think: Model train people.

Every inch of Yanni’s layout seems to be detailed and weathered – it’s a joy to look at.

You don’t see many horse and carts on a layout, but with the soft street lights, it doesn’t look out of place at all.

This pics is a great example of how different a layout looks at night with a bit of ligting. Taking the time to add LEDs lights to your layout is a sound investment of your time.

The platforms looks busy as they should be on every model railroad.

Why just a passenger when you can add one carrying balloons? It’s touches like this that add so much to a layout.

Another example of adding people transforms a layout and brings it to life.

LED lights make all the difference. It reminds me of Bob’s excellent post on adding them to your layout: Model train LED lights

Adding workmen as well as passengers is another touch that add so much charm to this layout.

Another good pic showing how much a difference lighting can make.

A huge big thanks to Yanni for sharing more pics of his HO scale detail parts.

(His first post is here.)

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming though – shortly I’ll have nothing to post at all. You’ve all gone very quiet.

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

Joe has been in touch with his HO scale multi level layout:

“My layout is in a small corner of my basement.

Instead of a 4×8 table, I decided to do so bench work and go around the walls.

As you can see from the photos it fit very nicely allowing me to actually go three levels.

It is all DCC with sound.

The railroad itself is just based on scenes I remember as I kid.

A train Museum in New Hampshire gave me the idea of the train and trolly park.

I painted and put decals all my engines.

The little town and train yard are just my imagination at work and I really feel that is the fun in building a railroad. Use your imagination.

All together it took me almost 6 months to complete.

I actually built it for myself but love the look of the grandchildren when they watch with eyes so wide open. You can’t buy that look anywhere.

Regards

Joe”

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A big thanks to Joe for sharing his HO scale multi level layout – and I loved Jo’s words too. Who can resist a grandchild’s amazement and wonder?

I did like the way he used all of his available space too. I’m sure he must have been tempted to go for a 4×8 layout, but look what he got instead, and three levels too.

It just goes to show a little planning can go a very long way when you are planning your model railroad.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the big day when you stop dreaming and start doing, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS The very Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

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