Micro sized train layout

Noel’s been in touch with his micro sized train layout.

He’s another example of how lack of space should never stop you having fun:

“Hi Alastair.

My name is Noel and I’m from Sittingbourne in Kent.

Thanks for such a great website, full of so many useful tips and ideas, even the most experienced modellers can surely learn something new from time to time here, I know I do.

Please keep up the good work.

I have been modelling for more years than I care to remember.

Due to a lack of space I build ‘micro layouts’, mainly of industrial narrow gauge subjects.

However, my latest layout is somewhat different and of a more unusual subject.

It is based (somewhat losely) on the London ‘Docklands Light Railway’ (DLR),and as it has the flavour of the DLR and is not completely accurate, I’ve called it the Docklands ‘LIKE’ Railway.

This Is one of my largest layouts so far, 3’3″ X 18″

I’ve attached a few photos of my DLR layout in case you feel they may be of interest.

Looking forward to your next posting.

Kind regards,

Noel.”

micro sized train layout

micro sized train layout

micro sized train layout

micro sized train layout

micro sized train layout



A big thanks to Noel for sharing his micro sized train layout.

And because the ‘Scumton’ video proved so popular, here it is again. Bob – who made it – has kindly got in touch with these words:

“Hi Alastair..

It’s Bob here of Scumton.

I’m amazed it’s been so popular & really pleased it’s giving some of your members a laugh!

It’s really just a compilation of my past youtube videos cobbled together…resulting in the chaos you see!

I enjoy modelling grimy urban scenes…the grubbier the better..so I thought the name “Scumton” seemed appropriate.

I did start off trying to be serious but the big kid in me took over & couldn’t stop myself from messing about…

The animated car scenes were mostly created using thin wires…a lot quicker than stop motion..& the other silly scenarios mostly came about after one too many glasses of wine, lol.

I’m so pleased I was able to share it with you, thanks to Dave..& thanks to all who’ve left such brilliant comments!

Regards,

Bob.”

It still makes me laugh the second time round.

If you’d like to make your own Scumton video, think of all the buildings you could make with the Silly Discount bundle for just $29.

That’s it for today.

Please do keep my inbox busy.

And if today is the day you get going on your own masterpiece, 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.





50 Responses to Micro sized train layout

  1. nice little layout there that you have created Noel ..well done , and Bob , we all look forward to seeing your future video`s , keep up drinking the wine , it works wonders

  2. Martin C says:

    Love the “Docklands Like Railway” layout Alastair, I think a lot of us go too big, where in this case small is beautiful! I need a rather high wall on my layout and was wondering how you made the very impressive concrete retaining wall? Thanks to all, especially Al for taking the time to post all these tips etc. Cheers

  3. frederick brown says:

    I had to watch Scumton again brilliant. VW T2 van being crushed by two trains had to look at the detail again as to how it was done.
    There are some big spiders in Sittingbourne, no must be 00/ho.
    Do you ever take the layout on show at exibitions or is it fixed.
    59 replies on first showing by Alastair must be a record.

  4. Ralph Berry says:

    Great compact layout Noel. It brings back memories of my visit to London and the trip down to Greenwich.
    I don’t remember the cricket game but I am sure they were playing it somewhere.

  5. Albert Weir says:

    Hi Bob
    it was good of dave to share this vidio you did a brilliant job it was such a good laugh and very clever also . Keep them comming they are great amusement
    cheers
    Albert

  6. Albert Weir says:

    hello Noel
    great job mate .Nice compact little set up you have there
    cheers
    Albert

  7. Alan says:

    Absolutely love the video, especially the spider and the car recycling

  8. James Quirk says:

    Inspiring! Gives new meaning to what a modeler should think of beyond the static form in a scenario.

  9. Frank O says:

    This carefully crafted animation has an excellent short story theme.
    Scumton!@ great to watch a craftsman have fun ans a sense of humor bringing reality dragged into the matrix as well.

  10. Lawrence Phipps says:

    Scumton brings back the fun to railway modelling !!!!
    Brilliant video look forward to another

  11. Tom says:

    Where would we be without all the wonderful people we come into contact with on this website. There good nature; willingness to share; and do share their enormous talents with us.

    I look forward each time I open my email hoping to find the latest email from Alastair. Alastair with all your hard work I can say you have opened my world back to model railroading. I thank you for that.

    I am enthusiastic about building my 2′ X 9′ N scale railroad … with the advise from all other modelers I will not have any problems with it. I just refer to this website and check things out.

    Just like the latest from Noel and Bob … great work!!

    Thank you everyone … especially Alastair!

    best regards and good luck in your model railroading.

  12. mike says:

    I liked the film,top marks,well done. Mike

  13. JR Gray says:

    What a great and hilarious video, I have shared with many model railroad friends and their reactions are as funny as the video… Thanks for the post..

  14. paul starr says:

    What a great video,says it all really

  15. Thomas Meleck says:

    Hey Bob,

    Great video. Thanks for sharing your secrets to moving your autos around too.
    Please keep up the good work.

    Tom

  16. THOMAS says:

    I WISH I HAD THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE TO BUILD A LAYOUT.

  17. john coffey says:

    this would make anybody laught great job.

  18. Dennis says:

    Bob’s video is great. Wonderful imagination. Funny!

  19. Steve from Exeter NSW Australia says:

    Absolutely love the video. What great fun! keep up the great work.

  20. paul Otway says:

    neat Layout

  21. Jesse Hunt says:

    I really got a kick out of the video, a lot of imagination. Keep up the good work!

  22. James says:

    Excellent layout Noel. Very impressed with what you have created. a wealth of detail and quite inspirational. please make a video of the layout operating for Youtube as I would love to see it operate

  23. brian butterworth says:

    help got 8×4 base want 2 build oo modelrailway never done before need guidance

  24. Bud Holzman says:

    I just gotta agree with all the comments. If I can forward the video, I ll do it .

  25. John Reynolds says:

    “Scumtown” is brilliant…
    As to “micro-layouts” and “mini-layouts”.
    If is fun to dream about building the great “Atlantic and Pacific” but…
    I too have constructed more layouts than I care to remember… Only one or two have qualified as “true” micro-layouts according to Carl Arndt (layouts less than four square feet in area). Most have qualified as mini-layouts with the largest completed layout to date having been a 4′ by 8′ “walk in” layout. I have tried to build larger (Yankee thinking… Bigger is better) but they never got anywhere beyond adding track to a baseboard.
    From what I personally have experienced, here are my thoughts about the advantages of small layouts (5′ by 9′ and smaller)…
    1. They are great platforms to try new ideas.
    2. They are gifted opportunities to develop new skills and techniques.
    3. They are a Godsend for impatient builders.
    4. They are blessings for those with limited funds but who love the hobby.
    5. They are very kind to those who are limited on available space or time.
    6. They can be very quirky and very fun.
    7. Like potato chips, it is almost impossible to have just one!

  26. John Reynolds says:

    As to the individual with the 4′ by 8′ base… Alastair has recommended a great book. There are also others available — If you have a hobby shop near you, I can bet you can find a local modeler who would enjoy helping you… Part of enjoying a hobby is sharing that hobby.
    One other advantage to very small layouts, they are easy to take places and share them with others.

  27. richard says:

    Bob,
    your Scumton video is a work of art. I loved the “Christine” bits.
    The final laugh was the hood (bonnet) falling on the mans hands.
    What can I say brilliant.,…love the screams sound effects!

    Richard

  28. Mike Richardson says:

    I love Scumton. I have watched it 3 or 4 times and I still get a laugh. Keep up the good work.
    Mike

  29. Larry Bradley says:

    This video is a complete hoot! Love the old “travelog” music. The layout has some amazing detail work, it truly has an urban “down by the tracks” look.

  30. Jim says:

    What fun for modeling. Very creative Bob. And patience and timing a must. And of course. And very very funny.

    Noel, I love the detail of the fencing. And the retaining wall is super. Great work.

    Jim AZ

  31. Michael Reilly says:

    Hi. I’m looking to get a model of the dlr train for so wine which leaving dlr after working 30years for them. Do you know where I can get a model if the train from

  32. Warren Ferguson says:

    OK, OK, I know there are lots of great comments about Scumton, but I just have to throw in my two cents worth. What a great job you’ve done! If this is the result of too many glasses of wine, heck, I’ll buy you a case to produce more videos! Warren, AL

  33. Warren Ferguson says:

    Cheap wine, that is…

  34. George M. Steffens says:

    The Scumton video was hysterical. A little immagination and talent can make the ole model railroad come alive. Great job! George, U.S. of A.

  35. carpy geoff says:

    very clever and fun to watch thanks for posting
    carpy

  36. Ross Johnston says:

    Bob! I really enjoyed your video. Thanks for sending it in. Cheers Rossco, Adelaide, australia

  37. Dug Sitowski says:

    I’m a 72 year old train modeler from way back who requires spectacles to see anything smaller than G-scale so, when I saw your blurred video through my aged eyes, I went for my specs and had a good laugh (several as a matter of fact). Your fun layout proves the adage that these are our miniature railroad empires and we can do whatever we #/%&* well please regardless of prototypical operation. Nosdrovia, Dug from New Mexico (that’s in the US, by the way).

  38. Best video eva !!!!

  39. noel
    nice layout
    bob
    great video watched it twice funny stuff
    good work guys
    bob from florida

  40. Marklin ed says:

    Skip the video at first. NOW I see that it is wonderful and full of great funny things. I’ll put in a bid for the car
    Thanks
    ed from upstate Ny

  41. Frank says:

    To Noel,
    Your mini layout looks amazing. I liked the grass field and those fences and that little bit of shrub around that shed or box.
    I have considered making a small switching layout or module just to use and display what I have sitting in a footlocker.

    To Bob,
    I am not sure, but I thought I saw the van from the “A Team” and the station wagon from “Ghostbusters”. I found it all very amusing and loved the cereal box buildings being knocked over like dominoes.

    Frank in Orlando

  42. Dan Willams says:

    Another great posting!! Thanks for giving us Scumton Bob!!

  43. Old Ben says:

    You gotta love the video.. FANTASTIC We want more

  44. Terry Jacobs says:

    Love this Scumton video

  45. robert dale tiemann says:

    different layout, nice.make sure the kids with the dog clean up after it. a red light district, naughty.

  46. TJK says:

    Scum Rocks! Great job

  47. Steve Ruple says:

    AWESOME VIDEO, LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  48. Norman r Rosen says:

    Totally enjoyed Bob’s sense of humor. Haven’t seen a ’58 Plymouth in years. I only wish the video was in better focus.

  49. Phil from Durham, UK. says:

    Fantastic video, I’ve never seen anything like it, before!

    Pure brilliance, Thanks for sharing such a simple, yet very entertaining video!

    ‘Christine’, the red car was also, pure brilliance, another fantastic video, well planned and exceptionally made!

  50. Ross Charles Johnston says:

    Bob! Your video was brilliant and made me laugh loudly on several occasions. Thank you. Cheers Rossco, Adelaide, South Australia

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