Construction
Everything on model trains, model railroads, model railways, locomotives, model train layouts, scenery, wiring, DCC and more. Enjoy the world's best hobby... model railroading!
Upper/Lower Deck Connection On Planned HO Layout
If you have ever built a model railroad with a gradient, then you might be able to give ‘Pepper’ some tips. Here is what he has to say:
“I am getting ready to start planning my new railroad.
I have a space of 12′ x 20′ to use and I will be using shelf brackets and 2″ foam. The layout, other than for the two yards, will be basically 12 – 16″ wide and run around the perimeter of the room.
I want to have two decks, a lower and an upper deck.
I will need to connect the two decks and am stuck trying to figure the best way to do it.
It seems that if I want to keep the max grade at 2%, I am going to need about 40+ feet to bring the track up from the lower to the upper deck(s).
Short of using a helix, does anyone have any suggestions that would help me get the track up without taking 40+ feet to do so? Thanks so much.”
To comment on this posting click on the green comments tag below.
Gordon Tells Of His Elevated Side By Side O/027 Train Layout
Gordon has built an elevated side by side O/027 train layout running around his son’s room. Here is what he has to say about his project:
After a couple of trips to our local grocery store, Wegman’s and seeing the standard elevated train circle above the juice and milk cases, I was inspired to build an elevated train tressel around the perimeter of my son’s room. The room is 12′ x 16′.
Last year I completed a single loop using tubular track cut to size. This year I am in the process of completing a second loop. The track sits on 3/4 x 3/4 x 5.5″ ties supported by 1 x 2’s on edge spaced with 2×4’s. This arrangement provided the best viewing of the train and track from below.
I hope to finish the installation of the second loop and add a few accessories, i.e. a water tower, overhead bridge signal, target signal and a semiphore. The tressel is supported by wall brackets.
If you have an elevated train layout and would like to share your ideas with others, simply click on the green comments link below.
5 Connected Tables Base For Model RR Layout
Gene sent in these photos and story for publication about his latest model RR project.
The newest HO layout that I’ve just begun consists of 5 connected tables set up in a 10′ x 14′ spare bedroom (including closet area). Table sizes are 36″ wide, and lengths are: 6′, 8′, 6’7″, 7′. The closet tables are 5’x 24″, and are arranged to wrap around the room.
Early track plans began with a Lizard Head idea, but was morphed into a final layout that accomodated 
the space, track radius needs, and buildings.
The layout includes an industrial area (coaling tower, iron ore mining, blast furnance, rolling mill, electric, and gas), roundhouse, miscellaneous (such as tire shop, junkyard, etc.) corner mountain/waterfall/lake, city section, farming, and county fair (including roller coaster, big top, ferris wheel, spinning tea cups, kiddie train ride using N scale track, engine & cars, western & spooky towns).
One section of elevated track runs the length of 1 room side, and another section runs the width of the room. Numerous curves, turnouts/crossings are in play to keep things interesting. Steam and diesel engines will be used to run through the mostly 30’s – 50’s era scene-scape.
Purists may find some aspects to critique, but due to the limited space and the irresitable urge to buy what catches my eye, I will rely on the old adage…”It’s my train set & I can do what I want”!
My wife is bringing her landscape design talents to the fore, and has used great imagination in adapting unusual items for my needs, i.e., cutting short pieces from the bendable section of a plastic straw, painting it gray, to use as “metal” culvert drains!
My wife is bringing her landscape design talents to the fore, and has used great imagination in adapting unusual items for my needs, i.e., cutting short pieces from the bendable section of a plastic straw, painting it gray, to use as “metal” culvert drains!
This raw work-in-progress shows the basic track layout. There are up to9 rail lines across the 36″ wide table span between the rolling mill andblast furnace, and 4 across the city/farm section. The ultimate goal isto have a balance of busy train activity and still leave space forbuildings/scenes.
There is another 7′ table that will hold the country fair and N scale”kiddie” ride, but work has not begun on that section yet, thus no photo.
I will be pouring the lake and finalizing the coal/iron ore minelandscape next week. The next step will be to complete the area infront of the blast furnace and install the roundhouse.
Ping Pong Tables Base For Model RR Layout
Matt has sent in this information about his growing HO layout:
I have four old plywood covered ping pong tables used for an HO scale layout running two lines. One is used for freight and the other used for passenger trains. It started with one table and then expanded to four.
An 8 foot custom made bridge was added to join two tables. This bridge has two levels with two tracks on each level. It is made with metal studs and flat bars for supports in the design of a truss bridge. Another custom made 4 foot long bridge is a real suspension brige using metal studs and thin cable wire. And, yet another custom 3 foot long bridge is made form milk crates and designed into a truss bridge.
The running hardware (already on-hand) will include steam & diesel dockside switchers, GG1’s, FE3’s, steam 2-10-2’s and various other engines. This project is coming along slowly as time, new crazy ideas, and funds permit.
To comment on Matt’s layout click on the green comments link below.
Station Track Plans For Shelf Layout Wanted
Niels from Denmark has an HO layout and is looking for track plans. If you want to help Niels simply click on the green comments link below this posting. Here is Niels posting:
“Hello fellow RR’s. I am revisiting the H0 modelrailroad-hobby, which started in the 1960’s. Anyhow – I have decided to take a modular approach to an around-the-walls layout. For a start I have a dog-bone layout. I have made 2 temporary ‘turning loops’ and now look for a track plan for the 1st real module: a small station on single track mainline, also starting point for a single track sideline and with room for few warehouse/shuttle tracks. Size of the main module should be approx 200cm x 60 cm (approx 7′ x 2′). I would like to hear from readers who might have any suggestions for a track plan?
Experienced Model Railroaders Wanted
If you belong to a model railroad club, or have some experience in the hobby, please DON’T keep your ideas to yourself. There are lots beginners who could benefit greatly from your model railroad experience and expertise.
You can help by answering some of the questions submitted by readers to this FREE blog site. Simply click on the GREEN comments link below these postings and post your answers and ideas to help others.
Everyone has to start somewhere and unfortunately many newbies are put off the hobby, because they don’t know where to go for help. It is a shame to lose people from the hobby when we can all help each other. It is not like we are competing in business and want to keep our knowledge secret. I encourage all model railroaders to join a model railroad club and network.
Over the past year or two this FREE blog has proven to be a help to many in the hobby, but I need your help and ideas to keep it going. Please add your comments, answers and ideas to help others in the hobby. Please join in and contribute your thoughts and together we can help others.
Share Your Model Railroading Knowledge
This is your opportunity to help others in the hobby. Here are three questions from fellow model railroaders who would like your suggestions. Simply click on the green comments tag below to offer an answer.
“I have a 6×10 train o gauge layout. When it comes around the far end of the layout the trains get very slow and sometimes almost stop. What can I do to fix this problem. How can I fix a Lionel coal tender it has a whistle on it, but it rattles & whistles. I see a wheel under neath the goal tender, should I spray WD-40 in the wheel that spins? Please can your readers let me know their ideas. Also I have built a lot of houses and different things out of cardboard, with paint they look pretty good instead of spending money on plastic models. The videos are great thanks a lot!”
“I am having difficulty in finding a book that contains layout plans (particularly n-scale) that includes a track materials list along with the plan. Otherwise it’s just a big guess on what to purchase. I received layout books from Kalumbach ( 101 plans & 48 top-noch plans) but they didn’t help. Any suggestions from your blog readers?”
“I’m doing a landscape design project for a class I am taking and would like to use a railroad flatbed as a bridge over a small creek. Do your readers know where I can get some drawings of flatbeds? I’d like to be as accurate as possible. Thanks for any help your readers can give me.”
To offer your suggestions or thoughts, simply click on the green comments tag below.
Model Railroaders Need Help
This model railroader blog is for you to use and share ideas with others in the hobby.
Here are three questions submitted by fellow model railroaders who would like some help.
If you are able to give some suggestions or advice, simply click on the green comments tag below. I’m sure they will appreciate your thoughts.
Model Railroader Question 1:
“I have a question. I’ve just constructed a 6 x 10 foot wood table setup. Will be running American flyer s gauge. Plywood top with Homasote over plywood.
Anyway, I want to prepare the homasote with a coat of paint. Any idea on the color? What type. I’m not really into realism. Just want a basic set up and will establish scenery as I go along. (with many of your suggestions).
One idea is to use an earthen color and add green later for grass. Or just paint green. I’m kind of reluctant to paint green to prevent pool table look.
For now I just want to start laying track and getting started. Any ideas on what to use to fasten track to homasote? Any help from your readers would be greatly appreciated. “
Model Railroader Question 2:
“Are there any methods to create canted or banked curves with HO flextrack? I’ve never seen a model RR with banked curves. They look great on real RRs.”
Model Railroader Question 3:
“I have a 6×10 layout with 3 different tracks, someone said that I will need a barrier strip and jumper. When train goes at the far end of the layout it slows up a lot or stopping. Would I need the barrier strips and the jumper? If so, how would I hook them up I do not know? Would your readers have a diagram or step by step instructions. Thank you! “
If you would like to help these model railroaders and suggest an answer, simply click on the green comments tag below.
Model Railroad Layout Construction
Getting Started
Do some research and have a good long think before getting started on building a model railroad layout.
What you create (or recreate) is really over to you. You ideas can and probably will change and evolve as your knowledge of the hobby expands.
Most model railroaders make changes to their model railroad layout and add new elements as they progress.
Start by researching the section of full-size railroad that you will be modeling. Document it physically and operationally, and then scale it down to fit in a reasonable layout space.
The options are endless, but you will need to take the available space you have into consideration.
There is no point in trying to replicate hundreds of miles of mainline track if you only have limited space available. Your available space may also dictate, to some extent, which scale you decide to model.
Popular themes to consider include: an engine terminal, shunting yards, a horseshoe curve, town scene, industrial theme, or even an important railroading location from history. Researching your ideas before you get started can be a lot of fun and help you avoid making unwanted mistakes.
42 Amateur Model Railroad Videos Released
After a year in the making a series of 42 amateur model railroading videos were finally released today.
These videos do not pretend to be Hollywood productions as they focus more on providing good content rather than flashy presentation.
The 42 model train videos cover a range of model railroading topics and include tours of several private layouts… not normally open to the public.
These videos, available by download, also feature visits to some train shows and include lots of useful ideas and tips to help hobbyists build, or improve their own model railroad. Other video topics cover baseboard construction, electrics, foliage making, DC and DCC operation. The series even includes three videos about building a garden railroad.
These videos range in length but average around nine or ten minutes each. The step-by-step tutorials in the videos provide answers to many common (and not so common) model railroading problems.
Access to these videos is by “membership only” so is restricted to a limited number of keen model railroaders.
To find out more about these model train videos and to read the list of contents and see a sample video click on this model train video link.
Happy railroading!
A Shelf Layout Can Fold Away
A shelf layout is ideal when space is limited because it can be fitted in where a looped circuit would never be able to fit.
Another other advantage of building a shelf layout is that the folding baseboards on a shelf layout can be constructed in such a way for them to be easily folded away when not in use.
Being smaller in size means that shelf layouts are often quicker to construct, require less modeling, use of less materials, less trackwork and require less rolling stock. A shelf layout is therefore usually much cheaper to build than a traditional model railroad layout.
Depending on the amount of space available, it is often possible to expand a shelf layout along more than one wall. This results in an L shaped, or even a U shaped, shelf layout design.
In summary; if space is problem for building a continuous run or looped plan, consider a shelf layout. A shelf layout can provide for interesting operation, good scenery and structures, great realism with potentially a lower overall cost and shorter construction time.
Model Train Club News
Model train clubs are a great source of model railroading news, information and ideas sharing.
Staff at your model railroad hobby store probably have contacts at the local model train club and may be able to put you in touch with the model train club members. Most model railroading enthusiasts are more than helpful and gladly give you the benefit of their experience and introduce you to others with a similar interest in the model railroading hobby. This way, you can learn insider secrets and model railroading tips and tricks.
Don’t think that everyone in a model train club is experienced. Most model train clubs enjoy a mix of long-time experienced railroaders and new model railroad club members. It is a good place to learn, because most model train clubs encourage the exchange of ideas between club members. They swap train photos, show train films, discuss model train techniques, network with other model train clubs and even have guest speakers from time to time. Joining a model railroad club can be truly rewarding experience in terms of what you can learn, the people you meet and the fun you have.
Trains, Model Trains & Model Train Help
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