Mike’s been back in touch with his Kato N scale layout:
“Hi Al:
Delighted to see a pix of my first n scale attempt in your recent post. Reminded me I haven’t sent any updates.
After scrapping all the Bachmann track and moving layout to another room with all Kato products, I got started on a new DCC layout still incorporating my Hill Valley town from Back to the Future.
I last added a new main line route up and over from outside to inside loop.
Wish I had more time to keep going, but I’ll keep you posted.
All the best.
Mike
Grand Rapids, Michigan.”
A huge big thanks to Mike for sharing his new Kato N scale – really looking forward to seeing this one progress.
I’ve put a collection of Kato layouts together, and I’ll be adding Mike’s very soon:
Now on to Brian:
“Hi Alistair,
As always, my submissions are not incredibly fancy, but relative to folks like me in temporary apartment living may be of some benefit.
My most recent addition is lighting for the village buildings and houses. I spent three dollars on a Christmas light set and drilled holes through the base and slid one or two lightbulbs into each of the buildings from underneath.
So nothing fancy, but a whole layout lit up for three dollars and an hours worth of work.
Brian”
Brian’s lighting is a simple solution, but it’s one that’s often used because it’s so cheap and easy.
The next step is toying with a few LEDs – and Bob’s post will point you in the right direction for that:
That’s all for today folks. Thanks to Brian and to Mike for his Kato N scale update.
Please do keep ’em coming.
And if today is the day you get started on your layout, the Beginner’s Guide is here.
Best
Al
PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.
PPS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.
nicely done & love the passenger train
The salmon color landscape is knockout (color that is appearing here). Makes entire project just “pop”. Only if the ant hill in back corner was beginning, representative of mountainous region. The ceiling tile idea would absolutely work here. Not mountains on layout but veering out and up from RR, separate support shelving.
My RR is part of oil tank in far corner of basement. Have my ready mountain there (oil tank) and tunnel traversing below. Yes, everything accessible to tank piping, fill gauges (2) and TRACK. What else is oil tank good for lol? Layout at chest level (cookie cutter) and can be unattached from tank if required. Finished off garage loft too but too cold in winter to do anything with trains there, not heating that!
Here we go again with another all about me (why not I guess) point being, put railroad someplace not used still retaining foot print under to store junk. IE/me- unused chairs, rubber floor tiles, 4 wire tele. cable spools, break away shelving, storage boxes etc. ‘nough said for today.
R>Rich
Super layout
Love the western color scheme. Can’t wait to see it completed. I’m amazed at how much more track you can fit in a layout by using N scale. It’s nice to see another western Michigan rail fan here. I’m in Holland.
Hi Brian, excellent looking layout you have there. I would bet on it that once you have added more detail and scenery, it will be a great layout. Keep up the good work and look forward to your progress.
Brian – the HOn3 guy from Knysna RSA
My only comment is this: This layout as well as many others did a great job with the landscape or at least, start of the lanscape, but the buildings are too plastic…. You guys are talented people, make your own buildings and accent them with wear and tear…. Just a personal observation….
nice work. like the back drops.
Great job on both layouts !!! Love the back to the future theme!! Thank you for sharing the pics and ideas. Chris – Michigan