Brent’s a man of very few words – but he’s made a cracking layout. He’s added to the collection of 4 lane HO track layouts on the blog.
Clearly it’s struck a chord with a lot of you, just look at all the comments!
“Hi Alastair,
Just wanted to send you a few picks of my almost completed HO layout. I think it’s coming along nicely.
Cheers
Brent”
(All images are clickable)
A big thanks to Brent for adding to the 4 lane HO track layouts – some wonderful detail there.
I do enoy reading all the comments on all the posts, and it’s easy to see Brent’s layout is a popular one with you all.
I think I should add it to the HO scale train layouts.
Over the years there have been some stunning layouts, and certainly HO is a popular scale.
The ones that spring to mind for me are the ones with a strong theme or backstory. Here are some of them:
And of course, there is James’s layout:
1950s HO scale model railroad.
Glyn’s is also one that is hard to forget, an absolute stunner:
I really enjoy the ones that are work in progress too, they don’t have to be finished and stunning to be interesting, like Wayne’s:
There are quite a few updates from Wayne on the blog and I’ve enjoyed them all.
If you’d like to share your layout, Just like Brent did with the 4 lane HO track layouts, please just email me.
Lastly, if you’ve been sitting on the fence about the Beginner’s Guide and printable buildings, I guess it’s now or never for you.
It’s nearly the last day day for the silly sale, I thought I’d show just how good value it is with some more scenes made from the printable scenery in the silly sale.
If you want to watch the full length version, with Bonkers John at full throttle, It’s here.
I’ve never given away so much for so little – just $9.
You get 33 printable buildings and the Beginner’s guide for just $9.
Even if you already have the Beginner’s Guide, there are still three brand new buildings.
What’s more, you also get the warm and fuzzy feeling of directly supporting the blog, which at the moment, is struggling somewhat.
Course, I’m biased, but the three new buildings on there own are worth $9 each – that’s what they sell for in the store.
So please don’t miss this offer – you are saving over $300.
What’s more, It will never, ever, ever be this price again.
Grab it right now before it disappears – it’s just $9 for the lot.
Are you really going to miss out on this crazy offer?
Here are some of the buildings on your layouts:
“Al, like you I have been retired for some time now.
I have gone back to my American Flyer, s Guage boyhood train.
I have had “n guage, HO, G scale”, and this American Flyer has been the most fun of all. I guess it takes me back to my parents basement where my 4 x 8 foot layout was back in the early 50’s.
I resized your wonderful old barn and had so much fun building it. Here are some pics. Hope everyone enjoys it as much as I have.
Jerry from Illinois, USA.”
“Al,
Great project and a lot of fun. The barn is on it’s way to the Railroad Club.
Charles”
“Al
I have enjoyed your site for a long time, since I have retired had to find something to fill the spare time, I purchased one of your bundles and printed out one of the Engine sheds among many others.
I have created my own version of the Engine shed as shown in the pictures.
Side walls have ventilation fan vents.
I have dreamed to set up a model railroad layout for a long time and when I started to make it a reality one thing came up after another, like kids, education, weddings and now I have time and room to finish the dream, but not much of a budget.
Best to all talented people like Hall of Fame Dave, talented hobbyists and their many beautiful layouts.
Ryszard”
And of course, there’s lots of the printable buildings on your layouts.
Here some pictures of them:
Mike has used a lot of the houses and grain elevators (not featured in the bundle – just using a print out example).
Rick’s has also made quite a bit of the printable buildings for his layout:
Rob has also created quite a few of the houses:
Cecil did a fab job on the Church:
Again, the church doesn’t feature in this bundle but you get the idea.
Lita has started the scenery with the houses.
Here Glyn has used the viaduct print for a bridge base.
Gene adds a light to his engine shed and houses.
Rob adds a tunnel to his layout.
Nick’s simple layout looks fantastic.
Dana’s engine house (It’s on the bottom one of this one).
Peter’s Viaduct (it’s on the bottom of this post).
Richard’s layout has lots of the printable buildings!
Mike’s layout also has lots of the printable building on.
Stephen’s layout is another one with the Engine House.
Michael has done a great job on the houses.
Lots of the printable buildings on Bob’s HO scale
John’s printable building street.
There are many, many more on the blog. It really does make my day when I open my inbox and see some on a layout.
Also, they are a great way to make that all important start – and that’s what it’s all about.
Right now, until Monday, you get 36 free printable buildings with the Beginner’s Guide for just $9!.
Here’s what you get:
And these are the buildings made from them:
All of these buildings are made from the same print.
And in the one below, a different building has been dropped in to make a back drop:
This building has been added to the free bundle too:
So you get 33 printable buildings and the Beginner’s Guide for just $9 – but only until Monday.
And here are some better pics of what you get – all for $9.
The prints make up a ‘scratch build kit’, and you are only limited by your imagination.
Here’s an example of the backdrops you can build.
But don’t forget – it’s not just the printable buildings you get – it’s the Beginner’s Guide too:
Of course, I’m biased so here’s what others say about it:
“Al,
I really like the Beginner’s Guide. As a true beginner it helped me quite a bit. The Guide answered questions I didn’t know enough to ask.
I haven’t gotten to the building prints yet, still working on my terrain.
Bruce”
“Hi Alistair,
Your print out building kits have saved me hundreds of dollars on buildings and they provide the unique option of being able to customize the builds most any way I desire.
Until I came across your kits, I was very limited on what I could add to my planned N-scale layout. Commercial building kits are way too expensive for a retired person’s budget.
I now have the ability to not only build nice scenes, they don’t require weathering. Something I’m not terribly adept at accomplishing. Also, as a 70 year old kid, working in N-scale can be challenging for clumsy arthritic fingers. Your kits eliminate most of those issues. All I need is a sharp blade, scissors, glue and my imagination.
Also, your beginner’s guide is invaluable. I’m a retired network systems architect, so tech is not scary to me yet surfing the web for information can be tedious. I was a pre-teen the last time I played with model trains, and a lot has changed in the hobby since the early 60’s. You’ve solved all of that by providing one source for virtually all my basic needs, plus your daily email blog covers it all. What an incredible resource you are to this hobby.
Thanks for doing all of what you do.
Best Regards,
Ken”
“Hi Al
I really enjoyed the beginner’s guide book. I’m new to the train world. I have just retired and trying to make an attempt to start a hobbie with HO scale trains. You and your followers have encouraged me for the last two year’s. I Thankyou and your followers for sharing their train world
Sam”
Of course, I’m very biased, but I think the Beginner’s Guide and all these printable buildings bundled free are a real steal – just $9 for the next day or so.
I think Ken’s quote above puts it best:
“Your print out building kits have saved me hundreds of dollars on buildings and they provide the unique option of being able to customize the builds most any way I desire.”
You get 25 printable buildings with the Beginner’s Guide (although with a bit of imagination you can make, many, many more).
You’ll see these buildings sell in the store for $9 each or more.
And the Beginner’s Guide sells for $27.
So you are saving a massive $342 on this deal.
You’re also getting the track plans PDF too.
What’s more, have a look at throught the store and you can see it’s a real, genuine, saving.
But please bear in mind, this silly sale is only for a few days, and then it’s all goes back to normal.
I do like to think that when I have a sale it’s genuine, and there is real value.
So if you fancy this bargain before it disappears like a shadow in the night, grab it right now.
Or, I know some of you good people just buy it to support the site. God bless each and every one of you.
Whatever your reasons, the Beginner’s Guide for $9 and the free printable buildings make it easy for you to make that all important start.
And that, my friends, is what it’s all about. Making that start.
If I can help you do that for $9, this sale will have been entirely worth it.
And whatever start you make – have fun.
Best
Al
PS This offer will end abruptly – please don’t sit on the fence if you are mulling it over.
PPS There is also a 60 day money back guarantee, you have nothing to lose!
Fantastic. Really like the waterfall – super effect.
Brent, your scenery is great, I really love the waterfall! How big is the layout?
Cheers! NJ Mark
Nice layout the desert scene is very good as is the water fall and pond. Only one small item is the 90 degree corners on the roads outside the town hall type building.
Well done a lovely layout especially the change of environment.
Stunning set up given me some ideas for my own when I finally get round to setting it up
I love the dark rock detail. Those are not molds. You sculted those free hand didn’t you? They are fantastic.
The waterfall and the river are the bomb.I have to do that asap,great layout
Brent – how did you do the waterfall?!? It’s amazing!!!
Outstanding work! The desert scene and the waterfall are beautiful.
The ghost town is the most imaginative thing I have ever seen! I would like to know how you made the water fall and the shale rock above the tunnel. What a great job. Much to be copied.
Very nice modeling. I like it. Very realistic, Rob McCrain
Love the waterfall! The rest is very well done!
I would think the city road department would straighten out those sharp corners by the firehouse. I like the water falls look good
People always show the details but never the big picture. I would like to see some pics where the whole layout is shown. Some pics as though we are walking up to the layout and can see it in it’s entirety.
Inspiring layout. I liked the tunnel to tunnel run.
The detail and effect of the waterfall and beyond is beautiful!
Superb work and love it!!
A great job on the desert scene.You’ve given me a great boost in trying to figure out my desert scene and what I want to achieve!! Thanks!!
You are definitely correct, MTH stuff is way over priced and overrated. I have some Bachmann engines that are superb and some old Spectrum that I converted to DCC with even old Digitrax decoders that are just great. Sound is fantastic plus how about 1” movement in one minute for slow speed control !?!
Larry
AWESOME!!!!!!!
Overall the layout is superb. Shows a lot of thought and an over all plan for one area and scene to meld into the next one. What is the size of your layout? What radii are you using for your curves? Send more posts!
Frank & Kathe , Florida
Brent, excellent work, and one of the best waterfalls I have seen. You must enlighten us on how you did it. Also, do they make HO scale Sears catalogs for the outhouse?
Minnesota Dan
Great work, I don`t keep many post but this one I will save for future viewing and to help my work. Tom in Payson AZ
For my $.02 worth I think you are going in the right train of thought with the revamp of the electronics jmo !
George
Greg;
Adding DCC decoders to a poorly running locomotive will not fox any of your problems. You will still be using the same motors & gears you have now. I would suggest you take a little time on YouTube to learn how to service & repair your locomotives. I was scared to death to open my first one, but now people pay me fix theirs and upgrade to DCC. It’s like Alastair says all the time, “It’s just a matter of getting started”…
To Greg,
I myself have seen sefveral people to have issues with MTH HO Scale locomotives, and mentioned that same thing to them, Turns out I was asked if I’d do the work to make them more “regular” DCC then the MTH set-up…… Plus $150 is a bit much to dump into something, a LOT of the time seems to be there issue, not the consumer!
ANYWAY, Yes, I’d go the more conventional “regular” DCC route to lessen the $$$$$ burden! -I myself, have taken one of the early made SD70ACe’s and totally made it DC Cab Control (as I run mostly older stuff), I just can’t justify the cost involved with DCC so…. I stayed in DC cab control because of the sheer size of my collection….. The MTH works GREAT in DC Cab Control now without a problem!
excellent detail Greg
nice layout
yeh the waterfall is awesome
keep em runnin fellas
stjohn in long beach calif
Amazing waterfall! Fantastic layout!
Great layout. Very impressive detail. Thanks for sharing.
overall layout track plan please .
Terrific water work!!! I would add some people,but otherwise lookin good!!!
Great looking layout. Nice details with the water features. Being partial to the desert, l really appreciate your modeling skills in that area of your layout.
Jim AZ
Greg.
I have one MTH engine that has their supposed DCC decoder. I find it very difficult to operate the engine and I am considering replacing the factory decoder.
AJ
Beautiful work.
Many great scenes.
As to MTH… — I actually have two and a Bachman Shay that I am thinking on pulling the electronics on and making straight DC analogue units out of them.
Several reasons for this…. Biggest one is that the noise/sound unit in the MTH loco is annoying to me and disrupts operation when I am switching. ON the Bachmann, the decoder fried and I do not use it anyway.
John from Cali
Hi Brent,
Excellent work on the entire layout. I do agree with another commenter that I wish people would add a picture of their entire layout…the big picture like you are walking up to it, I think it adds a more complete point of view. Thanks for sharing and again excellent work!
Absolutely stunning landscaping around the lake and waterfall – one of the best that I have seen. Also, very nice rock faces by the tunnel. Excellent work!
Brian
Amazing photos. unbelievable scenery. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome layout, Love so much of it, the ghost town is so cool. Also like the dark rock formations and the tunnel out of a ridge or mesa…..Well done. Very imaginative.
Very nice layout. Best waterfall I have seen. Would like to know how you made it, please.
Hi Brent
Wow I really must say I am impressed. Well done. your rock formations are really well made also. Keep up the enthusiasm or should I say zeal.
Great job. I see you have some of the woodland scenic buildings that I have. I usually pick mine up at swap meets or occasionally on ebay at about 1/2 price or less. Add some people and bring the layout to life ! Excellent work.
If you look around, you will see many people in these scenes. I particularly like the guys pushing the car into the gas station, and the folks in the park. Did the lady fall down in front of City Hall? Oh, and the wedding couple at church is a nice touch.
Hi Brent love the scenes especially the water they look so real and the waterfall is so great
Wow Brent, that rolling scenery and water work is spectacular! Some of the best I’ve seen. Very realistic.
Excellent.
Brian, Wokingham, UK.
Hi Brent Great layout water feature really well done. However you have made the same, in my opinion, mistake as many other layout builders do. Have you ever seen a town or road with square corners to the junctions. All roads have even a small radius at the road junctions. I think rounding of the corners would make a great layout , outstanding.
Very nice Brent you have the touch!
Brent,Great Diorama but where’s the trains?By the way your water scenes are realistic good job.
The Critic
Great scenery from Brent, the missus particularly like the waterfall and a brilliant video from Dave, just goes to show, that when you think you’re finished with a build, there is always something to upgrade 🙂
i just don’t get it. Dave builds these fantastic layouts and all of a sudden they get torn up and something else that is also fantastic is built. He must spend thousands on track and supplies. Myself, i just would not have the patience for that. What ever makes you happy Dave.
Thanks for posting. Great pictures. Especially liked the Autumn effects
Brent…..great job……I particularly love your mountains…..and the detail at the lake scene Is great……… The desert town was a nice touch…….
About the square corners, the town in which I grew up in Kansas USA had square corners in both the downtown area and the residential areas. The blocks were very rectangular in both places
Great job on waterfall
Brent, Beautiful layout! I especially liked the desert ghost town and the waterfall. I too would like some wide angle photos that show the whole layout and/or a copy of the track plan so we can better appreciate the overall picture and how the individual scenes relate to the whole.
Dave, You never cease to amaze me. I don’t think I would ever be able to summon the courage to take a sledge hammer to a completed layout as nice as yours. But then that’s probably why I’m still working on my first layout 23 years after I started building it and still haven’t got any trains running … 🙂
Brent, I too would like to see your overall layout and the transition between the sandy, desert portion and the greener side of your layout.
One comment on square corners on roads: If you drive thru the U.S. Midwest on county roads most corners make square turns because they follow the section lines – can’t be encroaching on a framers land.
Brent, I too would like to see your overall layout and the transition between the sandy, desert portion and the greener side of your layout. But also, a track plan and an overall photo would be wonderful. From what I can see, you’ve done a great job!
Great Layout ! How u do it is all that matters and that u enjoy it! well done!! Dont listen to the Critic,
Very nice, I especially like the lake cottage and the pier. Nicely done!
Just repeating what many others have already said that waterfall scene is great. I think looking up the valley gives the whole scene so much more of an impact. For me the use of a more contemporary bridge with obviously older period infrastructure gives even more subtle ‘reality’ to the whole view.
Inspirational. Well Done
Wow !!! One of the best attention to detail setup I’ve seen. Bravo !!
Best waterfall ever!
Look pretty kool.!!!!!!! I only hope mine turns out that good.
Everyone loves the waterfall and so do I. But here’s an idea: continue the visual water stream back to the wall window and make it look as if the water is coming through the window from outside the building!!
Thanks
Terry/Idaho USA
I agree also with the waterfall and the valley scene. Some fantastic work!
I don’t know how you do it Dave, but keep doing it we all enjoy your skills. Where do you find the time and patience for what you do?
Thank you!
The only thing this layout is missing is a video with some trains running…
I love the spartan design . Not too busy just amazing!!!!!
Keep up the great work!!
Brent Outstanding Job!!
Fantastic layout with great scenery. I liked the out post desert scene. Great job!!!
excellent
Brent,
Your desert scene is obviously in the Sonoran desert as thar is the only place the Saguaro cactus grows naturally. Great layout and the waterfall is fantastic.
Love your work ! Great detail. Could you comment on how you made the waterfall ? The vertical drop looks very realistic.
Excellent layout and awesome scenery. I really liked the dark rock detail on the mountains and the waterfall is fantastic, well done !!!!!!!!!
cool. love the waterfall. my cousin has a real one on his, has to seal everything, and has had to replace the motor a couple of times over the years but, it never leaks. very good terrain.
One of the best I’ve seen both in layout and scenery. Great job…
4 lane HO layout? Did you build a slot car layout?
butiful
very good
Amazing !
Brent,
A very fine model of sections of your railroad especially the waterfall although with that amount water I thought that maybe you would have had more ripples beneath the bridge. Also would to see an over view and schematic of the track.