Dave’s Monster layout

“Hi Alastair

I bit of a reconfiguration of the layout.

After some time making mess with construction and plaster etc, I get to the point I just want to run trains.

Anyway, have added a mine with a pretty cool n scale rope shovel.

Still a long way to go, and I need the eBay gods to deliver some more scenery material, but here’s some shot from today. Ran some new kato with an old sentimental favorite, the concor black widow pa.

Regards

Dave”

HO scale model railroad

HO scale model railroad

HO scale model railroad

HO scale model railroad

HO scale model railroad

HO scale model railroad

HO scale model railroad



And lastly, you may remember some excellent tips from Alan in this post.

Well, he speaks with good authority, have a look at his last layout (the poor soul had to break it up when he moved).

IMG_3126

IMG_3127

That’s your lot for this time peeps.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you find the motivation to get started, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.





52 Responses to Dave’s Monster layout

  1. C.J. May says:

    Awesome!

  2. Timothy says:

    Awesome picks love it

  3. mike(newbe) says:

    Dave did you a marrow to take your pic’s everything is backwards , dads train room is hard to read,

  4. dennis Franklin says:

    It looks good and spacious – not overcrowded like some.

    “Dad’s Train room” – Is Dad really that backwards ? (joking of course)

    AL – Is your spelling going to pot – “Emporer (?) Way ” ?

    D. I. Franklin

  5. Arnie Steiner says:

    Hi Dave – Looks like very interesting track plan from the pics. Nice job of scenicking the rugged terrain.

    Arnie

  6. Andrew Johnson says:

    It’s a lovely layout
    and nice to see the pictures. but why are some of the pictures mirrored?

  7. Richard H chapple Sr says:

    I really like your scenery work. The grounds and rock work look very natural. The mine area is super looking. And enjoyed the close up of the dash 9 crossing on the bridge to show off more of the ground works. Look forward to seeing more as you continue.

  8. ben miller says:

    like it lots to work from

  9. Joe says:

    Awesome work…love it.

  10. Ed Dunaway says:

    Totally agree with You about spending quality time with kids.
    My niece and I spent hours and hours running trains when she was little.
    Best time Ever……
    Nice Layout more pictures Please!

  11. Can’t wait till it’s done you make me want do just as good

  12. Peter the mackem Jones says:

    Looking very impressive Dave. The scenics are tremendous keep up the great work. Peter

  13. Dave Leask says:

    Great Layout, Mate!

  14. Mark noble says:

    Please tell what are those great looking
    Mountains made from

  15. Tom says:

    Dave, thanks for sharing what you do best. I am very great full to you for what you have taught me through your continued commitment to this site.
    Thank you Al for bringing it to us.

    best regards.

    Tom

  16. Russell House says:

    Hey Alastair. Like others, I noticed that all the pictures for “Dave’s Monster Layout” are backwards. No biggie. Just noticed, that’s all. Great layout, though.
    I work for Caterpillar Inc., which purchased Bucyrus recently. So, the rope shovel caught my attention. I couldn’t read the decal to determine who’s it was, but it being yellow could it be a Cat machine?
    Thanks!

  17. tadheath says:

    That is a sweet a layout!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love the loco

  18. tadheath says:

    That was suppose to be….LOVE THE LOCOS TOO!!!!!!

  19. Ray Appenzeller says:

    Nice layout! I was wondering where you got the locomotive maintenance building/shed. I like the design of it. I have one more small request or statement regarding the pictures in general. This has nothing to do with anyone’s layout at all. It must be me, I would love the opportunity to enlarge the photographs, my eyesight is not as good as it use to be. Would it be possible to develop a photo enlargement selection link to the photographs?

  20. chris says:

    Very nice layout , more pictures please.

  21. Dennis says:

    Dave must have 2 things I don’t. Money & time.
    Great work Dave.

  22. Ross says:

    Great layout! Well done!Gtave me some ideas for mine. Cheers Rossco

  23. Eric 7 says:

    Love the mountains, but the engine shed must have been thirsty work 🙂

  24. george greasley says:

    Notice this project has drove you to drink!! The 3 bottles in the one picture…lol Nice layout and keep us posted on the progress.

  25. Ray Ehlert says:

    regarding that comment on enlarging the pictures, I go to the top of my screen and click on view and then click on zoom that pops up and then click on 200% and they get much larger. try it …

  26. Garry says:

    great looking layout congrats love to see the track plan

  27. Preston Dannelley says:

    I really admire the abilities of you N-Scalers. Trying to work in such small areas and in such intricate detail would cramp my bigass hands and drive the rest of me bonkers! Pardon my French, hehehe. Well done sir and thanks for taking the time out from running your trains to take some pics for us.

  28. Jim says:

    Very nice layout. Keep up the good work

    Jim AZ

  29. Warren Ferguson says:

    Dave, you have a great layout already, but when the eBay gods come through for you, it’s gonna be superfine! Please send more pics as time permits. I love to see the progress of the work. Warren, AL, USA

  30. David Hannan says:

    Wow! What a wonderful room! What are the dimensions out of interest?

  31. Robert Brady says:

    YREV ECIN lol Very nice layout

  32. John zupancic says:

    Love that drag line. Was it a lit or did you scratch build it?

  33. Kenneth says:

    All the pictures in this post were reversed for some reason, look closely and you will see the reverse lettering ……..

  34. Chris Sylvester says:

    Wow !!!! That’s a great job on your layout!!!

  35. Henry Ellison says:

    Great layout

  36. Ron says:

    To zoom in on pictures, click the picture, hold the Ctrl button down and then click the + button as many times as you need to enlarge the picture. Click the return arrow button to return to the email.

  37. John Bullock says:

    Nice and natural scenery. Good flow to this layout!

  38. Frank says:

    Had a hard time reading the description, but nice layout.

    My observation is that there is a lot of track and yard space where most people would fit in a lot of buildings and such, but it has realistic look and feel. Most train related activities are off the main path and tracks often run behind and through forested areas.

    Plus you see the trains better with a more open, less cluttered layout. Again, not to disparage that, but this seems appropriate.

    Frank in Orlando

  39. Will Catz says:

    Everything looks great, good luck on finishing. A word on Ebay; every time you use their shipping label, there is an up charge for the easy print option, Ask the seller to do normal mail saving you up to half but generally a third of the shipping charge. Also While bidding is great, as you bid higher and higher my bid also goes higher, someone has to win. Well not necessarily, many things can be bought at your local hobby shop for less helping the community and keeping your regular supplier/hobby shop open. There is on YouTube how to “make scenery” yourself. Happy Training,,,

  40. Bob Hutchens says:

    Al; The images remain the same size, when I click to open them. Seems to me that they used to open in a larger format when viewing individually. Is there something differant, or is it on my end? I really love the site, but my 75 year old eyes need ALL the help they can get. Thanks, and keep up the good work. Bob H, Southern Indiana. U.S.A.

  41. Jeff K says:

    As crazy as it looks don’t think they’re mirror images the CSX is printed front to back XSC the entire layout is printed backwards very uniquely done. One of a kind.

  42. Mark Hawk says:

    I really like you layout and it’s size and length. (I had one almost finished when the pipe from my toilet let loose after i used the wrong pipe cleaner.)
    So now after rebuying track and supplies, I am slowly trying to rebuild my layout.
    I would like to see how you have the layout setup.
    Keep up the great work and keep sending your pictures as it progresses.

  43. Kenneth Fox says:

    Okay, how BIG is the monster layout? Also, it does not go anywhere, just like shelf layouts. They just go forward and backward, which in my opinion, would not be very much fun. Sorry Dave, but I like train layouts that run around the track, and have a purpose.

  44. Bob Ravano says:

    Dave – I have a lot of extra scenery materials that I would like to sell. Are you interested in them?

  45. Liz P in Texas says:

    Absolutely wonderful layout — it really is what most modelers would dream of having! I always enjoy looking at amazingly well-created scenery as it gives me an idea of what to strive for. Can’t wait to see more pictures as progress continues!

  46. Welder dave says:

    I think why some look backwards is because he used his phone to take the photos l have noticed that they do that. Nice uncluttered layout .

  47. robert dale tiemann says:

    really nice. the backwards sign was funny, if it was meant that way.

  48. Bill says:

    In the age of high resolution cameras and iPhones, a layout would be much more appreciated using these items to photograph your masterpiece. A model railroad is detail! So show it at its finest with high resolution pictures. We would enjoy those sent in pictures so much more. Blurry pictures are out of style.

  49. robert dale tiemann says:

    love the bridge work, awesome terrain.

  50. Patrick Cancilla says:

    Love the layout. Wait! Is that an SP Alco PA in a Black Widow scheme pulling a freight?

  51. Jon Webb says:

    Great layout start, and I have no doubt it will be as remarkable (or more) than the last.

  52. Foola Sheet says:

    It’s a good thing you put that sign up “Dad;s Train Room” your family would never have known.

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