British model railway

Joe lives in Florida – but he’s made a very British model railway:

“Hi Alastair,

My Story Part 3

I have appreciated your website over the years and its ability to share this wonderful hobby with all modelers worldwide.

I started this hobby, at the age of 12 or 13. It was an off and on project. I finally got it all together when I lived in England.

I then began again moving to Minnesota, then again, moving to Tampa, Florida. I finally finished it, but as a model railroader, you are really never finished.

I hope you enjoy my photos and video of my lifelong hobby that is provided me with an outlet for my creativity and relaxation.

I finally completed my total rewiring for DCC. I should have done this a long time ago.

I purchased a back scene from you (Alastair) and installed it by wallpapering it on a 6’ x 16“ Masonite board. Below is the before and after…

British Model railway

model railway with backdrop

What a difference!

model railway tunnel

Added a 2’ x 16” back scene Masonite board on the side…

model railway high street

High Street buildings and street lights powered by Just Plug

model railway lighting

Just Plug Light Hubs and connections

model railway high street

The British model railwway High Street at night, with town’s people shopping and enjoying fish and chips, pints at The Swan Pub.

model railway pub

I think the same people are there in the daytime? Great Pub

The Alley way to the Cinema



Waiting anxiously for the “Sound of Music” performance

You are able to eat at “Joe’s” day or night.

model railway pond

As spring came, so did the ducks and a black swan

british model railway

model railway

Enjoy the video and put the sound up.

My best,

Joe
Tampa, FL”



A huge thanks to Joe for sharing his British model railway – I absolutely loved it.

If you want to see part 2 of his layout, it’s here. It’s worth revisiting because you really get a sense of how Joe put this layout together.

(The backdrops he mentions are on the bottom of this post.)

That’s all for this time.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if you want to make a start, just like Joe did in his previous post, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS More layouts like this here: British model train layouts





25 Responses to British model railway

  1. Oldtaz says:

    Really nice layout, well done. A lot of details, backdrop looks like it should be THERE.

    YOU HAVE DONE A SUBURB JOB!!

  2. Jack Bury says:

    Great job, Joe. I like all the detail you have put into the layout.
    Jack in Pa

  3. george zaky says:

    Joe
    Fabulous work & layout. (tongue in cheek) now make a big pond and start a Yankee layout. You cant stop now.
    Thanks for the show.
    All the best
    George from NY

  4. Eric Rayner says:

    Well filled layout, lots of little scenes,Both nighttime and daytime action, Well dome Joe

  5. Robert Brady says:

    Lovely Joe,Enjoyed the ride.

  6. Roger Dale Shaw says:

    Very nicely done. Enjoyed the pic’s.

  7. Ben says:

    Great looking layout Joe, the details are great and love the backdrops , they fit right in with the scenery and give a lot of depth

  8. Leo Sweeney says:

    COAL CRACKER pa. joe as I watch your video I was ermined of the advice given to me by a dear friend (God rest his soul) when I acquired my first move camera. When you think you are going slow enough. Go slower. But any video is joy

  9. Bill in Virginia says:

    A wonderful layout! I love all the details you added. Makes it look full of action and life. Nice work !!

  10. Laurent says:

    Thanks for the nice pictures, Joe. For once, it’s nice to have decent size pictures where we can zoom in and look at the details!

  11. Jim AZ says:

    Nice. You’ve captured some great scenes with your layout. The sidewalks look really good and I would like to know how you made them. Thanks for sharing.

    Jim AZ

  12. Michael Brookman says:

    A lot of fun in a small footprint! Thanks for sharing that.

  13. Robin Holland says:

    Where about’s in Florida are you? I am in Jacksonville.

  14. Ray Suckling says:

    Love the layout, could we see a track plan please.

    Ray
    Oz

  15. Will in NM says:

    Really nice layout Joe. I especially enjoyed all the little vignette scenes that you created. They add a lot of character and interest to the layout. Also the backdrop was a great addition. It brings the whole train layout to life. I’d love to see your layout track plan. Thanks too for the under-table photo of the “Just Plug” lighting system. I’m getting ready to use that on my own layout.

  16. Thomas Watson says:

    I am afraid that I cannot see the fascination of a switching layout. In my minds eye trains should start somewhere and finish somewhere else.Any guidance out there for me?

  17. Peter Pocock says:

    Well done Joe. I’m yet to see a model railway that did not improve with a backstage.
    BTW, love the cricket match on the green, nice touch.

  18. Rob McCrain says:

    Wonderful railway. Many very clever scenes to study. Well laid track.

  19. Really nice. I’m just getting started again. What scale is this layout?

  20. Richard Chapple Sr says:

    Joe you have gained a lot of experience over the years. Good work!
    Lots to like here.
    Did you take Al’s backdrop scenes to a copier store to have a nice size one piece backdrop?
    Or did you print them out yourself? Nice work.
    I too like your cricket field and the other small scenes you shared.
    By looking back at your earlier posts it is easy to see your track layout.
    Enjoy!!!!

  21. Bill Holt says:

    YO Joe, Bill from Brandon here…………good on ya Joe, WELL DONE MATE !

  22. James says:

    Awesome detail work! So very nice!

  23. Brian Rockey says:

    Nice work Joe!
    Regards to all!
    Brian, Wokingham, UK

  24. John Frye says:

    Outstanding work on all aspects of this layout. I love the slices of life in the people, and their day to day activities. Great details that take a model and bring it to “life”.

    John From Baltimore

  25. Jim Robinson says:

    Nice work!

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