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Amazing Wild West Town Scene Built By Mike

wild west railroad town sceneMike Racine kindly sent in these photos to share.

I named the town Racine City Nevada. I built this for my Pop because he loves old west stuff. The buildings were awesome and easy to build. It just takes a little patience, a steady hand (sort of) and a bit of creativity. The cool thing is you can add whatever woodworks on the outside and the combinations are endless.

Mike downloaded the plans here.

The figures are all hand painted and everything on the dio is scratch built besides the buildings. I decided to paint up a quick background to give it some depth.

You may notice Waldo in one of the pics. That was just me being goofy. I also have an extremely multicolored horse ( not pictured) that I call a “Horse of a different color” (The Wizard of Oz reference). Those are just kinda like a signature because I like to keep everything light hearted.

western town models to makewild west cowboy town scale models

I’ve since moved on to complete two other major projects which was a tropical paradise with waves crashing on the beach and my latest project was the Pompeii Amphitheater which came out pretty cool if I say so myself.

scale models wild western town cowboys

I just wanted to show that with your products and a good imagination you can make any train layout or diorama a beautiful work of art. Mining town plans also available here.

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Setting Up a Layout Using Old Equipment

Richard is seeking advice from others:

“I am about to set up a layout and I have only old equipment that was bought in the 1970’s-1980’s and I am wondering if I will have any problem adding modern trains or electronics to an old equipment layout? I am going to start building soon. I have a room about 10 feet by 8 feet.”

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HO vs HOn3

Wayne would like some guidance from those in the know:

“Either scale would be appropriate for the era modeling, space is at a premium to some extent. Is one head and shoulders above the other – HO vs HOn3?”

Add your comment below.

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Set Up Two Tier Layout

Lou has O gauge and asks:

“I’m using a 4 by 8 sheet of plywood. How do you set up a second tier. Thanks.”

Small space???

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Affixing Stone Ballast

H.O. enthusiast John has this question:

“My track is down and now I want to pretty it up with stone ballast. I have sieved a crushed quarry bi-product and now have bottles of this fine stone to use. I also have the dust to fill in between the sleepers to save the fine stones. How do I glue this ballast down so it won’t move. Keeping it away from points / switches is a well known problem. A common kitchen sieve was used for the screening process.”

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Gluing and Pinning Track in Place

Online train club member Perry posted this question for fellow railroaders:

“I am almost to the point of layingtrain track railways my first area of track and wondered if I need to glue it as well as pin it down? Someone told me I only needed to fix it directly to the board. I’m using 12mm thick marine ply. If I need glue – what should I use?

Use the COMMENTS link to add your thoughts.

The ASK A QUESTION link is under every post if you have a question you would like published.

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Have a Safe Trip Home?

 

You can read what you like into this.

Photo credit https://pxhere.com/en/photo/310992

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How To Connect IR Switches

Don models N scale and has this question for readers:

“I have a bunch of IR switches a (small bulb) one side is lighter than the other. It has 4 wires coming out the bottom, and I am not sure how to connect the in / out power etc.”

If you have a question you would like published, simply submit it using one of the “ASK A QUESTION” links on this page. Remember to include plenty of details, because poorly worded questions that are incomplete or confusing often struggle to invite good answers.

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How Much Can A Loco Pull?

Don asks readers:

“The grade calculator at http://www.modelbuildings.org/free-calculator-tools.html was great thanks.  What I need most is what is the most grade an HO engine should pull ( ballpark )”

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Assembly Instructions

Peter asks:

“Hi. Does anybody out there know where I can purchase assembly instructions for a OO Mercian Models SG20 Bishops Castle ‘Carlisle’ 0-6-0 loco. I bought this sometime ago and have mislaid the plans. Any assistance would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance”

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Ideas for Small 55 Inch x 23 Inch Layout

Matt from NSW in Australia has this question for those in the know:

“I live in an apartment (I think you call it a condo in the states) and haven’t got a lot of space for an HO layout. I want HO not N scale because I like the larger train size. Don’t fall off your chair but the surface I have to work with is only 55″ x 23″. I know that’s not a lot of room to play with and know I will need to stick to small switcher engines and the like. My preference is for continuous running with possibly a distorted oval design with possibly 10″ turns? Not really sure what will work best.

I would appreciate any ideas for types of layout and rolling stock etc.? Haven’t started yet so am open to suggestions. Thanks a million and thanks for publishing my question!”

To add an answer or comment click “COMMENTS” underneath. To ask a question click “ASK A QUESTION” underneath any posting. It’s that easy.

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Locomotive Issues

John has a couple of questions for blog readers:

“I have a 4-8-8-4 loco with a 4-10 tender and the only name is made in Italy. I place this N scale loco on a flat track and it doesn’t get under way but just sits there and spins. All other locos get around with no problem.

Also, does anyone know of a repair shop for Trix locos? I consulted the repair shops from a rail mag and many of the shop are no longer in business. ”

Post you comment on the blog using the COMMENTS link under this posting.

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No Train Expected Any Time Soon?

 

When you look closely at rail yards sometimes you see the strangest things!

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Felt Cover for 4ft by 8ft Layout Board

Lou models O scale and has this question:

“I have a green felt material covering my plywood. How do you attach things (houses etc) to the board? Would I be better without the felt?”

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Derailing Locomotive

Marion sent in this question:

“My husband gifted me with a wonderful BLI HO loco that won’t stay on the track. Our other locos have no problem. Others, who have the same loco, are having no problem, apparently. We have adjusted track, etc., and still have the problem. Some of the wheels are really small, but, again, others don’t seem to be having the problem. HELP!”

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Fixing Dead Spots On Crossing

Dave has this question:

“Does anyone know of anything that can be done to reduce dead spots when a loco passes thru crossing slow speed. Seems like the smaller the angle, the worse the performance (i.e. a 19 degree is much worse that a 12.5 degree crossing).”

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Scaling Objects To HO

David posted this question:

“Does some know the formula for figuring out the HO size of normal wooden dowels? Example how big is a ½ dowel in HO?”

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LED Lighting in Downloadable Buildings

LED building lights scale model

Bob might have spotted the LED lighting in Rich’s photos below and has this question for readers:

“What is the best way to control led light bleed in downloadable card stock buildings? Black core flute and interior walls?”

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