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The ‘HubTown Loop’ N Scale Layout
Dave has sent in these photos and story for publication.
My layout is a modified version of a layout I found in a book called ‘N Scale Model Railroad That Grows’ by Kent Wood and Ric LaBan. I live in a bachelor apartment so my space for a layout is limited. The layout size (40″ x 60″) is ideal as I have a large kitchen and able to mount it on an old kitchen table I borrowed.
The layout comprise three loops. An outer loop, (main line) just inside the edges of the base, a second loop that rise approx. 2″ over 3′ crossing a viaduct & over a small pond, looping around a multi purpose farm and Industrial Park, returning to the main line by grade over one plate girder and three truss bridges, and one smaller loop at the opposite end which passes through a tunnel under the farm and through a small town. There are two passing tracks and a triple spur into the Industrial Park.
There is also a deadend spur which can be used to expand the layout onto another module if desired.
My rolling stock comprise of three diesel loco’s, about 20 various freight cars and a four car passenger set. The base of the layout is made of foam core as per instructions in the book, so it is very light and portable.
I’m only into DC at this time. There are 12 remote turnouts and 9 track blocks. In lieu of the slide switches which come with the turnouts, I built a set of probe points for each and have the block switches and probe points mounted on the roof of a building which I scratch built.
I have been a model builder from childhood, starting out building ‘EasyBuilt‘ balsa models and expanded into tall ship models and woodworking over the years. This is my first venture into model railroading.
Town Scene A Feature Of John’s Layout
John has sent in this information about his O layout for publication.
My layout is very large 26 X 24. It consists of a very detailed project.
I do not place buildings, switch towers etc. just to have all acc. working. Half of my L.O. consists of a oil refinery with derricks and storage tanks with smoke stacks and billowing smoke(cotton). Also in the refinery are many pipes leading to the tanks and all is very detailed.
In the midlle of L.O. is the rail yard with a large scrap yard in between two tracks that are switched to the main track for loading with 2 cranes Operating. On the far side leading down a lonhwy is a service station and a motel with a coaling station in the rear.
When you arrive in town there is a Hospital, police station , fire house, church and cemetery with three stores of a mexican flavor and resturant. All this is connected by hwy and bridges and in the center of all is my access that is covered by fake water and rocks with water fall.
I have two operating trains with a large elevated tressel that proceeds next to a large mountain with trees and hanging grass. The are 11 signal bridges(2-153s) that have dwarf signals. The back of LO is formed and painted rocks with a waterfall. Quite immpressive. Many other things not listed.
Famous Trains On Model RR
Walter has an interest in famous trains and wants ideas from readers.
“I would like to develop an HO layout featuring famous trains and wondered if your readers might offer me some suggestions. We have recently moved and I now have a whole room to myself. My model materials are still in boxes but I am formulating a plan which is still in the mentally visual stage but I have lots of space to incorporate my ideas into an active layout, Right now Im not planning a specific layout but would like to develop the concept of famous trains.”
To make suggestions click on the green comments link below.
N Gauge Traction Problem For Locomotive
Howard has an N guage layout based on John Allen’s original Gorre and Depheated layout and asks for readers help:
“I have a N guage layout based on John Allen’s original Gorre and Depheated layout. It is the same size as John Allen’s HO although the grades are less the John’s. The locomotives without cars can’t climb the grades. Is there some way I can increase the traction? I have considered scoring the rails, but am concerned about excessive wear on the driving wheels and am reluctant to take a chance of ruining a locomotive. Thoughts from your readers on the subject would be appreciated.”
To comment on Howard’s posting simply click on the green comments link below.
Drinking Straws Used To Make Culverts
Gene has sent in this clever idea to make realistic looking culvets from drinking straws. His wife cut short pieces from the bendable sections of plastic straws, painted them gray, to use as “metal” culvert drains.
If you have some clever ideas to share with others in the hobby, click on the green comments link below and add your ideas.
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.
Milwaukee Model RR Layout
Robert has supplied this information and photo for publication. His HO layout is the Milwaukee Road Superior. The photo shows the Erie Built 007 Hiawatha on the upper line.
I lived in northern Minnesota and came to love the Milwaukee and the DM&IRI I model the area of north central Wisconsin. The layout is a double deck. The upper is the rural area from Milwaukee to the dairy country.
The lower level is the industrial area to the Chippewa flow age in central Wisc. Part of the main line crosses the Mineral Point branch line.
50 X 75 ft DCC Layout With Coal And Mixed Freight
John is a member of the Fox Valley Model Railroad Club in Illinois and has sent in this information about his club.
The Fox Valley Model Railroad Club layout is modeled after the Milweekee road in Iowa. The main room is 50 X 75 ft. The model RR layout is all DCC with a lot of coal and mixed freight. The Fox Valley Model Railroad Club present project is to extend model RR layout in the new basement. Proto type operations are the norm but then there are the fun sessions too.
Guests are welcome but please call ahead Contact Ted at Rails Unlimited Hobby Shop. The Fox Valley Model Railroad Club layout is at 126 will scarlet, Elgin, Ill.
Model Railroader Asks For Help
Zac is planning an HO layout and wants suggestions from readers.
Here is what Zac has to say about his planned Liberty Xpress HO Layout:
I’m in the essential planning phase of my HO layout. I have got 10’x7.5′ to work with. I am wanting to do a large mountain with 2 tunnels and a bridge on one side. I could go on and on with plans. I would be interested in getting feedback and ideas from your readers to help me plan my layout. Thanks Zac
Model RR Features 3 Tunnels, 3 Passing Sidings And 5 Industries
Photo shows a view of downtown Hoovertown on the Richlawn Railroad.
Rick has kindly sent in this photo and story about his HO model RR setup for publication. It looks and sounds like an amazing layout.
Richlawn RR is set in Louisville, KY during the 60’s & 70’s with the L&N. The layout features mountains, hills, a yard, a handbuilt trestle & several towns.
I finished the basement train room myself in May 2008 and moved in the existing 4′ x 9′ oval section that I completed last year.
Background by Backdrop Warehouse with hand painted sky & airburshed clouds. Benchwork is flat top 1/2 plywood for the 13’x2.5′ yard with open “L” girder for the balance. Track is Atlas code 83 on the mainline & 100 in the yard. It is on 5/8″ plywood with cork and has a maximum of 2.5% grade. There will be three tunnels, 3 passing sidings & 5 industries.
Scenery is cardboard web hot glued with plaster cloth, hand carved rocks, ground foam, “puff ball” trees & handmade trees. My wife does the finishing touches on landscaping and is a valuable consultant!
Latest progress: detailing of the Matthews Freight Yard including swamp, detailing of Hoovertown with the addition of permently attaching it to the layout.
To comment on Rick’s layout simply click on the green comments link below.
HO RR Layout Stretches 2 Rooms And 4 Seasons
Ray tells about his four seasons AS&ME layout which comprises most eras.
I started my layout about 9 years ago on a 5×9 sheet of plywood. It now is in 2 rooms has about 1000 ft of track, 40 locos, seven sets of controls. Converted to DCC about 3 years ago. Have summer, fall, winter and spring scenes. Model Soo, Milwaukee Road. Wisconsin Central and Amtrak. I have the Hiawatha through current locos.
I have groups come to see it – pre-schoolers through scouts, and many grandchildren. I enjoy sharing it. I even have a camera mounted on a loco which transmits to a TV, looks like you are the engineer.
Model RR Club Plans To Set Up In Old Train Station
Charles a club member at the Lehnis Heart of Texas Model Railroad Club has submitted this club info for publication:
Lehnis Heart of Texas Model Railroad Club
We just started last January and have a old train station that is going to house the club. Right now we have the model RR layouts in the museum. The train station needs lots of work, after we get the RR layouts done at the museum we will start on the old train station.
This christmas (2008) we will have open house from just after thanksgiving to before christmas and will be sell tickets for an o gauge train set. Hope to see a lots of model railroad fans. The Lehnis Heart of Texas Model Railroad Club is at 700 East Adams Street, Brownwood, Texas, USA.
About The Northern Lights Model Railroad Association and Railroad Museum
Club member David sent in this information about the Northern Lights Model Railroad Association and Railroad Museum.
The purpose of the club is to share the joys of model railroading. The experience is not limited to controlling trains as they go around on the track but include a number of other disciplines including artistic construction of models, programming controllers, wiring electrical circuits, woodworking, and the thrill of seeing a plan put through from an idea to something that works and you can see in action.
Members also meet new people with similar interests and share other aspects of life related to the hobby.
The layout is a HO scale model railroad. It is located in it’s own room and the layout is 32 feet by 17 feet. A public viewing hall on one side borders the room and is glass enclosed from the public. The layout is a double dog bone. It was designed with two factors in mind, It was designed with no duck under, and that it would be DCC controlled.
The layout is powered by its own dedicated 30-amp power supply with lighting and power surge protection. It is wired for DCC with two separate buss wires of #4 bare copper ground wires.
Digitrax manufactures the DCC system and the layout uses a DB 100 and a DB 150 as a booster . There are 14 UP 3’s space around the layout plus the the layout is also fully radio and infrared compatible using 300R hand throttles and Digitrax UR 91’s radio receivers. All wiring is heavy duty commercial and relays, which were used, are Potter Brumfield bottle relays with 12-volt control voltage.
The layout will have a full size double ended yard, full engine facilities with a working 130 foot turntable, round house and backshop, store house and power house. There is about 1500 feet of code 100 nickel silver track.
In the future the club has plans to be able to dispatch trains from the Telegraphers office through the use of the club computer.
In addition to model railroading, the Association is also dedicated to preserving the history of railroading in the region. The Association’s museum has a number of pieces that represent railroading’s past including the caboose, switch gear, signaling equipment and several motorized railroad vehicles.
Current projects include restoration of a Great Northern Caboose, Expansion of Casy Holt Juction (Club House/Railroad History Museum Building) Restoration of serval motorized railroad vehicles and Track Relay Project.
The project will include:
- A #9 90 pound left-hand switch
- 500 feet of 90 pound track
- A road crossing and road bed
- Working crossing signals
Northern Lights Model Railroad Association and Railroad Museum 219 20th Street NE, East Grand Forks, Minnesota, USA.
Tricky Backdrop For Model Railroad Layout
Cal is in the process of creating a backdrop for his model railroad layout and would like to hear from readers who have made a backdrop. Here is his question:
“I would like to put up a curved backdrop to be paintable as sky & clouds. Where can I find a roll of cardstock about 36″ high that will work? I need about 50′ roll. Is there something better to use?”
If you have made a backdrop for your model RR layout and would like to comment on Cal’s posting, simply click on the green comments tag below and post your thoughts.
Laying Track The Easy Way
Edwyn has a question for readers:
“I find track laying a pretty demanding chore at best. But the additional tedium of separating strips of rail joiners and then removing any ‘tongues’ and then hoping like mad that the joiners will fit, only adds to much of the frustration. Has anybody got any suggestions how to simplify this procedure for me?”
Comment on this posting below.
Melbourne Trams For Train Layout
Rob from Victoria Australia has a question Melbourne Trams in HO or OO scale:
“Does anyone manufacture models of early Melbourne trams that do not need assembly?”
Tortoise Mounts Puzzle Jerry
Jerry has a question for you on tortoise mounts on his HO layout:
“I have a pair of NJ lighted crossing gates and being the novice I am, I need to know how to mount the tortoise switch machine under table in order to control the gates of the crossing signals.”
DCC Wiring And Reverse Loops
Rob has a N Layout and writes:
“Has anyone got any advice for wiring up peco scissor crossing to peco point motors for digital operation?”
Ray has an HO Layout and writes:
“I need help finding reversing loop modules or switches. I thought I found one on ebay but it was taken off must not of worked. I am running my trains on dcc. Can some thing be built to switch the power at the right time with out a big price tag?”
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