Eric the firefighter has been busy on his layout with some HO scale scenery ideas:
“Hello Alastair
I would like to show updates that I have made in the past few months.
I will break this down in 4 emails.
PART 1
I needed to do something to the layout . So in my mind I heard, just don’t stand around do something – change something. What could I do to spend more money and take up some time that I didn’t have?
SO after studying the layout I came up with removing my access panel to the upper layout and far coner of this lower layout. This had the flat mound that had the shooting range atop with a gun shop.
1st pic is with the mound in place .
2nd will show the mound removed from lower layout. (24″ x 20″ access hole.)
The rest will show the progress that started after the removal. I cut out a new section of plywood and foam board to begin building the new addition which was unknown at that time.
Next I covered with Woodland Scenics grass mat and then added foam edging around the seams to match existing layout.
Part 2 will come soon.
Thank you Al for sharing
Eric The Firefighter St. Louis Area.”
Eric’s previous post is here if you want to get up to speed.
And here’s the one before that.
I do love seeing an update, especially on a layout we’ve all been following for a while.
I can’t wait to see the next one. I think Eric is doing an excellent job, and best of all he seems to be having fun along the way.
A big thanks to Eric for sharing his HO scale scenery ideas. Clever stuff.
Please do keep ’em coming.
And if today is the day you poke boredom in the eye, the Beginner’s Guide is here.
Best
Al
PS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.
Need buildings for your layout? Have a look at the Silly Discount bundle.
Eric- Very interesting! I especially like how you have been taking us through the building of your layout bit by bit. Looking forward to finding out what your new scenic area will be!
Has Eric got an enormous dog?
Look how high is the dog food and water bowls!
Thank you for demonstrating an idea i was dawdling over to finish my N scale RR. Tunnels are a solution for more than the RR. My table is getting full and no place to go, roads are second priority. but a tunnel obfuscates the issue..
Eric
I really liked what you had. You will have to step up a notch to do better.
Thanx for the updates. Do you have any videos?
Be well & safe
George for LI,NY
Looks Good.
Sorry off thread but this reminded me to ask; does anyone know what HO set was the first for Lionel? I believe I have it.
Thank you in advance!
So what will you do with the section you removed? I guess save it as a diorama or reuse the models and figures on the layout? You’ve made people angry now that they have no place to buy guns and ammo and to shoot. I bet they’re raising their tiny Ho scale fists up at you and asking, “Hey, what’s the deal here”?
Frank in Orlando
Wow …now that’s an impressive liftout and layout…..
Eric….looking forward to seeing what you will be putting into that spot.
So to answer the questions,
Dog bowls up high, help your dogs when eating there food so they are not hunched over. Golden doodles.
The piece that I took out is on a shelf for future use.
Thank you for your comments, part two I will send to Al Monday.
At firehouse today.
Eric
That’s a great job on the update great idea! Thanks for sharing the idea !
well done
First time ever I’ve seen the ready-ballast track that looks really good. Guess seeing is believing, rest of layout well done also. And yes, did notice the 2 corner different landscapes that have actually matched rolling foothills.
Rich, Regarding
Rich B., perhaps it the added ballast along the side that brakes up the very even edge of the molded ballast.
Roger that “s” on the ballast addition, just never saw it done before.
Regards, Rich
Hello From Eric the Firefighter.
Rich B.
Kato track is what I used. Yes it has the best ballest track around. I then added their matching Ballest to help it blend in better, that what you see.
Al posted my N scale beginnings don’t miss it, same track.
George, I believe you will like the new insert.
Gary, Stand by.
Eric The Firefighter St Louis area.
NICE!!! Something every BIG layout needs
i like it very much. nicely done.
Thx on that Eric. Too, never realized that was actual option for the track. Looks really good, well worth that addition.
Regards, R
Great updates. I will attempt to use your idea for the removable hatch for the far corner of my L-shaped layout. Continue to do good.
I have 2 removable 2′ x2′ sections on my 12 x 8 HO layout that have scenery on them. Each was done separately by marking road/access points, etc on the bare plywood in my case.
One of them has a siding that connects with the rest of the industry siding on the main layout. Both have lighted buildings and street lights and both are aligned and secured from the bottom of the layout. All wiring has pull-apart connectors and the buildings are lifted off before I remove the panel (s).
Takes about 5 min. to remove a panel but they are only removed when access is needed. I let those projects ‘build-up’ until it is worth removing them.
Supwerb trees! How/where?