Dean’s been in touch – he’s putting together a step by step on his N scale scenic ridge layout.
“Al, greetings from Dean in New Mexico! Thanks for your blog which I read without fail!
It’s been awhile since I’ve posted but I’ve been working on other things.
A couple of months ago, I started my second version of the Woodland Scenic’s N-scale Scenic Ridge layout.
This time, I wanted to put out a series of construction videos to document progress. I’m hoping that in the series there will be some ideas for both beginners and experienced modelers.
The entire series, as now envisioned, will be as follows:
1. Introduction to Layout and Base Construction
2. Track Laying and Wiring
3. Switches (Turnouts) and Switch (Turnout) Motors
4. Outer Walls, Bridges and Tunnels
5. Terrain Supports and Plaster Cloth
6. Roads and Buildings
7. Final Scenery: Ballast, Ground Cover, Trees, River, Rocks
These show foam pieces with applied plaster cloth construction after track was layed.
Thanks, Dean”
A big thnanks to Dean for sharing his N scale scenic ridge theme. Now on to Butch.
Some people like running trains.
Some people like the scenery side of things.
And some like both.
Butch likes making buildings – and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s all about having your own fun:
“From 1995 until 2001, I assembled approximately 80 buildings and then packed them in boxes and stored them in the attic.
About 5 months ago, I retrieved the boxes from the attic. I found that, because of conditions while in storage, many repairs were necessary.
With the repairs completed, I assembled the structures into neighborhood blocks.
I am still in the process of building neighborhoods but intend to construct a complete city. I estimate that about one half of the project is done.
I will have no railroads but with my fleet of 20 trolley cars, my city will be served by street raiiway systems.
Charles
Northampton MA USA”
That’s all for today folks – please do keep ’em coming. A big thanks to Butch and Dean.
Please just email me if you’d like to share anything.
And don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide is here if today is the day you start on your own layout.
Best
Al
PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.
Great start from Dean, looks like a great little layout, with a lot of the work done now, it’s good to get to a stage when you can run trains.
I like Butch’s town layout, can’t wait to see some trolley cars running through it. I
I am trying to build something similar but with street running trains down the middle of Main Street as they do in several US towns.
Mike S
A good start there Dean , and Butch you sure will have a layout with plenty of things to see all those buildings will sure bring it tom life …Dangerous Dave
Fantastic work by Butch/Charles(?), the main church looks fantastic. My only question is ‘What is his wife/partner (it’s modern times) going to say when he starts nailing the track, for his trolley cars, down onto the table?’
😉
Graham
Both projects look great!
What software was used in Dean’s layout design?
I love the trolley idea in Butch’s plans. We used to have streetcars in Pittsburgh and a very famous trolley in Mr Rodger’s Town. The buildings, especially the number, are impressive. Are they all scratch or kits? If kits, which ones?
Dean, good idea and a good start.
Butch, The start of a nice layout, awesome looking buildings.
Great buildings, and town layout Butch. I too love building them and have a fairly good sized German city going on my layout. Building kits is a good hobby for winter in the American upper Midwest during the winter when our basements get really cold. Think about adding in some major and minor park space to layout.
Rob Schweitzer
Murren & St. Goar Scenic Railway
Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Really like the idea of neighborhoods served by a streetcar line. Nice concept. Building models look great when grouped together! Grew up in Philly with neighborhood streetcars to take you downtown to work & shop. Bill – Dover, DE
Great idea Dean
An informative series of videos as you progress from one stage to another will be a valuable resource to leave for everyone.
Pretty neat keep up the good work.
Layouts are always interesting, as well as the pictures and videos.
Is there any way “these posts” can include
Layout length, layout width, and layout height (when completed)?
Nice start on your layout!! show us when its complete!!
Nice array of buildings. They look like several of the Heljan buildings I have on my layout. I’ve added a/c units, vents, some weathering and gravel to mine as well as lighting. They are oldies but goodies.
Jim AZ
Hello Dean:
GREAT Ideas for those of us “Old Timers” who used to build everything out of Plywood and other wood supports.. Using Foam is much easier and light weight, to move as we all get older. Woodland Scenic also has H.O. Scale Model RR Kits? And raiser material, etc. I sort of used my own version, using 1 inch thick Blue Board insulation material for a Layout Base, instead of traditional 1/2 thick plywood screwed or nailed to 4 inch x 1/2 inch x 8 ft and 4 ft long white pine lumber. Or as others used 2 x 4 x 8 to support the table top. … Using Foam Insulation boards make it easier to move after construction and to store it if you built a Christmas Layout. Secondly… Butch’s H.O. Scale City Trolley Layout, The buildings create the realism in that amount of space is very well done. Are you going to put that onto a “table top” base instead of just using the Dining Room Table? I have the same problem of Buying Kits. building some, then storing it all for Future use once I retired. Well, am 70 and Retired.. Guess I had better make use of it before too long. Thought of building a sectional railroad a little at a time so when the time comes to move it is possible to do so. ~ From Mike in N.H. U.S.A.
It’s great to know there are modelers still interested in traction.Traction lines only need one car to make up a train.
Overall, everything look good, but I would like to offer a comment. Placement of trees are too symetrical in relation to the buildings. They would look better if randomly placed.
Butch have you thought about a garden on the roof of one of your buildings?
Dean can’t wait to see your video!
I like the idea of making “city blocks”…..
That looks really nice. I will be completely starting my layout over from the beginning. I am making preparations for the final design. I will be including step by step tips and pointers I have learned.