Time spent on building the layout Youll be surprised!

Read an article the other day on the time it takes to build a layout.  I cannot remember just where I read it but it was probably on a blog somewhere.  It talked about the time it takes to build a layout. It had a lot of great points but I wanted to put my touch on it so here it is!  Now of course we know that layouts come in all shapes and sizes.  A basement empire is going to take longer than say my small room sized layout.  I have broken down the different stages into percents of time spent on each.  So lets go through a build and see where most of your time is spent.  Let's start from the beginning:

Planning:  Most of us are always planning and if you are like me, your even planning after you think all your track work is done.  Starting on a new layout, most know what railroad they want to model and finding that space is always the hardest part.  Once you find that room or basement, the planning is in full gear.  The internet provides more info on specifics than we could ever imagine.
10%

Benchwork:  This is usually a quick weekend or two.  Once you know your space and what you want to do, it's time to hit your Home Depot or Lowe's.  Lumber is not cheap these days but is a necessary thing to support our empire.  You will be making several trips here over the years so get used to it.  I love to go to my local Home Depot!
10%

Track work and Electrical:  This is the most important step in the whole process.  Good track work and electrical wiring will save you lots of time in the end.  Try to only wire the track and maybe signals. Electrical turnouts can be hand thrown so this could save you time especially if you have a bunch of turnouts.  Labeling/color coding your wires will definitely help if you have problems later on.
15%

This is the point where a lot of layouts stop.  Because of the simple fact that you can run your trains and that was most of what we wanted to accomplish.  Scenery and build structures are difficult and most have never attempted them.  Maybe the structures.  We tend to keep adding locos and freight cars instead of the obvious.  So the first three categories are complete and we are up to only 35%!

Structures:  These are the life blood of our railroads yet a lot of time can be spent on these.  A lot of modelers even have someone else build them for them because so much time can be spent on them. Mike Confalone is one of these and we see how great his railroad is.  Walther's kits can save time but your layout should not look like the Walther's catalog.  I'm even guilty to a certain degree. I think 80% of us modelers have the Walther's grain elevator. I plan on one day going back and changing that elevator a bit.  It's a good stand in now.   Slight changes to these types of kits or scratch building is a great way to make your railroad look unique.
25%

Scenery: This is the one everyone likes to avoid.  We are all scared we will mess it up.  That's part of life!  When I first started doing scenery, I thought of it as making a pizza. Start at the dough (base) add glue (sauce) and add toppings!  I've noticed my scenery gets better the more I do it.  Scenery Express items are recommended over Woodland Scenics.  I have used both, but SE just looks better!
30%

Weathering:  This category is a lot like scenery, people are terrified of it.  We don't want to mess up a $30 freight car or a $200 locomotive.  This is a must for any realistic layout.  For me, nothing is worse than seeing a beautiful layout complete with shiny freight cars and locomotives   Even a quick shot of Dullcote is better than nothing.  Don't forget to weather the structures too!
10%

In closing, we can see that most of your time will be taken up on scenery and building the structures. I'm at that point now on my layout.  I have several structures to build on my layout including a new grain elevator (Walthers no less!), a depot, country store and farmhouse.  I could have been done on my layout a couple of years ago but I decided to add my lower level.  So this whole process started over.  Hope I helped you put your time into perspective and remember every minute counts and I didn't even count distractions!  That's another topic for another day!  Happy Modeling!

Continue reading →

Slug o

Erie no.B25, a slug, photographed probably sometime in 1968. Collection of author.

Remnants of Erie boxcab unit no.25, this slug sits in a yard in this fairly unremarkable photograph. So why bother to post it?

The photo and the transformation of a boxcab to a yard slug suggest a way of operating a model railroad. Instead of trying to create a layout that is a snapshot of a railroad at a particular time and place, how about creating a layout that is maybe more like a film or a book about the railroad?

This photo suggests to me that a different understanding of a railroad can be had from including the time element in the presentation of a railroad during one operating session or over the course of an extended amount of time. Taking the extended time frame first, a series of operating sessions could start in one year, move to another year the next session, and so on at each significant point in the railroad's history. Choose early and late in history for a stark contrast between steam and diesels and types of cargo and amount of traffic, or present it in a slowly evolving narrative picking up on nuances of logo changes, yard track arrangements, evolution of weathered structures, and to our photo above, the transformation of a locomotive from a rather elegant boxcab one session to an unglamorous yard slug the next.

Doing this in a short time frame like one evening's operating session would be akin to watching a documentary on the railroad, and it would lead to a much different presentation, obviously, but more importantly, to a much different understanding of the railroad by its operators. I think this idea has some legs - or at least some traction motors.

Continue reading →

Build or Buy

I work as a software engineer for a major pharmaceutical company; our group develops applications for chemists and research scientists of many disciplines. When we are approached by a research team or department to address a potential new challenge, one of the first questions we ask ourselves before lifting a finger is, do we build it, or buy it?

It's hard to know the right answer, because there is usually a long list of pros and cons for either approach. Generally speaking, buying has the potential of bringing a project to completion in weeks instead of months, but it requires a substantial capital outlay, and the project may still get bogged down with customizations required to get the application into a form suitable for the users. Building has the potential of providing an application that precisely suits the users' needs, but it might come at an expense of effort measured in man-years; we might also lack the internal talent required to deliver certain highly specialized solutions.

Perhaps not surprisingly, model railroaders face the same issues when it comes to creating our layouts. Do we build our models, or buy them?



Building a model is naturally very satisfying. And it results in something unique, something that will not be found on any other layout. Even before construction begins, though, a substantial time investment is necessary in order to research both the actual object as well as the model construction materials and techniques. It may also require skills that not everyone possesses, so it may not be an option for some of us.

Buying a model provides instant gratification and accelerates layout-building, allowing us to reach a satisfying level of completion earlier, leaving us more time to operate and enjoy our layouts. Also, being less emotionally attached to our models frees us to experiment more, to move or replace them in order to try different approaches.

Most modelers strike a balance and do both: it's impractical (or impossible) for many to scratchbuild locomotives and rolling stock. Indeed, it's safe to say that the vast majority of modelers buy their rolling stock: there would otherwise not be so much discussion (sometimes rather heated) at online forums over the accuracy of commercial locomotives and such.

Just as it is in the business world, though, time is every bit a commodity as materials. Scratchbuilding is of course more economical than buying kits or built-ups from a materials standpoint, but one must also factor in the time involved. These days, with time being a key factor in both my work and hobby budgets, I'm inclined to look at my modeling effort as an investment. That $20 kit might only represent $5 of materials if scratchbuilt, but it might take $100 of my time to scratchbuild it. Another business parallel is the Return on Investment (ROI) angle: will it be worth the effort to scratchbuild certain mundane detail items when perfectly adequate kits exist?



Lately, as I attempt to squeeze in a few precious minutes of modeling here and there in my crazy-busy schedule, I face the build or buy question almost continuously. As is the case for my work, I much prefer to build because it is far more satisfying, and I get exactly what I want (more or less, depending on skill and a bit of luck). But when my modeling progress can be measured in inches per year instead of feet, I must stop and think hard about striking a compromise in order to achieve my goals in a more realistic timeline. Yes, I realize that others will recognize nearly every building in my model town, and this will not accurately reflect my true desires or skills as a modeler. But at least I have a town, which would not be the case if I built everything from scratch.

For the time being, buying rather than building is a stop-gap measure, a means to cut to the chase and get up and running more quickly. I know that when I retire, all of the business-like time/cost factors will go away; I will be able to kick back and spend large blocks of time modeling at a leisurely pace, and I will almost always build before I buy, no question.

But I'd still like to be able to run a train through a landscape populated by buildings and scenery before I retire! So, out comes the plastic, and to the web stores I go a-shopping. (I like to further justify this approach by thinking that my relatively tiny contribution helps to support the growth of the industry...)

Thankfully, those of us who choose to buy—whatever our reasons—know that we are perhaps enjoying the "golden years" of model railroading right now. Never before has there been such a bountiful crop of quality goods. For some, it's the only way they will be able to enjoy a layout right now; for others, it's the only way to enjoy a layout at all.

Continue reading →

Final Track Plan in HO Scale for the HOG

Here is the final track plan for the HOG in HO scale.  

Click to Enlarge

Continue reading →

Ho vs o gauge train sets

American flyer trains s gauge & american flyer ho scale trains, Highest quality american flyer trains s gauge gilbert american flyer ho scale parts for steam diesel accessory supplies information. Two rail vs. three rail o gauge - train tables, train sets, O scale and o gauge trains run on either two or three rail track systems. learn the differences and how to convert from one to the other.. Mrc 1310 throttlepack 9900 dc high power - train sets, The 9900 replaces mrc's 6200 (aa222) with a complete revamp and new circuitry. the 9900 will be more efficient and operate at a cooler temperature..

Slot cars 1/32, ho, 1/43, 1/24 scale parts and accessories, This is your first purchase? please proceed to continue first-time registration..

Shinkansen - wikipedia, The shinkansen uses 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1 ⁄ 2 in) standard gauge in contrast to the 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) narrow gauge of older lines. continuous welded rail and.

The guide to ho steam locomotives, The guide to ho steam locomotives this document is a guide to ho steam locomotives (of north american prototype). it is organized by manufacturer..

Ho vs o gauge train sets

Athearn trains for sale

Model Railroad Track Gauge Comparison http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t

Model Trains Online Australia – Arthur C Sadler

Continue reading →

Where to get Model train shelf layout plans

For you Model train shelf layout plans

Ho scale model train layouts & model railroad track plans, Model railroad guide to ho, hon3, hon30 & oo scale model trains and train layouts, featuring model railroad layout photos and track plans.. Where to start when you want a real model train layout, Any elaborate model train layout design is going to have switches. drill holes where the wires from the switch motor can be dropped below the table or shelf.. Building my shelf layout | model railroad hobbyist, Hi ken. thank you for the pictures. when i get to build my shelf layout, i will need to do things very similar to what you are doing. i will be taking over out son's.

Interested in building a better model train layout?, Interested in building a better model train layout? “get all the clever model train scenery ideas you'll need saving you time and money. to help you plan and.

Building your first model train table – model railroad trains, Model railroads come in all shapes and sizes. the design of your train table will depend on many variables. among the things you’ll want to consider are.

Model train layouts & track plans - various projects, This is the most complete online database for free model train track plans and layouts of scarm projects and designs. search it for railway layouts and railroad track.

Yesterday i was found the Model train shelf layout plans Finding results for Model train shelf layout plans it is not easy to obtain this information Before going further I found the following information was related to Model train shelf layout plans check this article

one photo Model train shelf layout plans

pick up Model train shelf layout plans who ample man court geezer happen lucky because hit Model train shelf layout plans

Maybe I really hope Model train shelf layout plans post useful this post is great for you know or even for your business plan

Continue reading →

Access Ho train car sets

Ho train car sets

Sample images Ho train car sets

Ho scale train sets | modeltrainstuff.com, Ho scale train sets from popular manufacturers including atlas, athearn and bachmann. we have sets ranging from early steam locomotives to modern diesel and electric. Trainworld - model trains | lionel train sets | ho trains, Lionel model trains at train world - train land, america's largest international mail order discount model train store. your source for ho scale, n scale, o gauge, g. Ho train sets - ho teach units factory direct trains, Cheapest blueline, blue line, best prices on model trains, ho scale, n scale, broadway limited imports, bli, pcm, precision craft models, trackmobile, track mobile.

Ho scale buildings and structures | train sets only, Shop for: ho scale churches, ho scale houses, ho scale industry, ho scale town/city, ho scale train stations, ho scale farming, ho scale old west, ho scale low.

Factory direct trains - model trains, railroad accessories, Cheapest blueline, blue line, best prices on model trains, ho scale, n scale, broadway limited imports, bli, pcm, precision craft models, trackmobile, track mobile.

Train sets | modeltrainstuff.com, Shop our online selection of train sets from your favorite manufacturers including lionel, mth, bachmann, athearn and many more..

Easy Ho train car sets maybe this post Make me almost know more to process the work though

Continue reading →

Useful Scale rideable trains

Sample picture only for illustration Scale rideable trains

Home - railroad depot, Arizona railroad depot builds vintage trains of america, canada, europe and the rest of the world. we also build specialty vehicles to transport and entertain people.. For sale, live steam trains, Fobstrains for sale. live steam trains for sale. buy and sell live steam trains. the discover live steam for sale page, where you will find more rideable backyard. Live steam publishers - live steam railroading discover, Live steam and outdoor railroading the magazine of model steam engines. the in-depth guide to the world of steam power. the home railway journal.

See the astounding $3.5 million home with a scale model, A unique home in oregon will appeal to kids of all ages, as it has a fully rideable railroad, complete with bridges, tunnels, that fully encircles the 19-acre estate..

Vial of the sands - item - world of warcraft - wowhead, The vial of the sands is a mount item, which teaches you to transform into a sandstone drake. the mount is learned from recipe: vial of the sands, which is only found.

Collecting antique, old and vintage toys, So you've decided on collecting antique toys? the good news is: your interest in antique toys is unlike many other forms of collecting antiques -- it can be.

Hi there This can be specifics of Scale rideable trains The appropriate put i may clearly show to your Remember too lot user searching Scale rideable trains Please get from here Honestly I also like the same topic with you Information is you need Scale rideable trains so it could be this article will be very useful to you

Continue reading →

Cleaning Model Trains

Cleaning model trains needs to be done from time to time, but it doesn't have to be difficult. A train left sitting on a shelf for a few years can develop a surprising amount of dust. Removing the dust can be tricky, especially on a detailed and delicate model train.

Dust

There are two good ways to remove loose dust from models, brushes and compressed air. A dry, soft-haired brush works best for gently removing dust from a model without damaging delicate details. Brush lightly, working from top to bottom. Be particularly careful around details and electrical contacts.

For getting into tight places, compressed air is a modeler's friend. You can use canned air cleaning products designed for electronics, or an airbrush. In addition to cutting costs, an airbrush allows you to regulate the pressure. Start low and work up. Air is a good alternative for getting dust out of trucks, running gear and other areas with moving parts.

Grime

For stuck-on dirt and grime, you're going to need more than just a dry brush. Use liquid cleaners very sparingly on models. Some chemicals can attack paint, decals, even plastic. Museums generally use an extremely mild (1%) solution of soap and water to clean artifacts. The same will work on models.

Apply a mild soap wash with a cloth or towel that is lightly damp. Work slowly and cautiously until you find the pressure and moisture necessary to remove the dirt and only the dirt.

Cotton bud sticks work well and make sure not to use a soap that is 'Gentle on Hands' it will put more residue on your project. These are tighter wound and won't leave lint behind like Q-tips.

Wheels and Electrical Pickups

Dust and grime on the piece may ruin a model's appearance, but the same dirt can destroy its operation if it coats the electrical contacts. Left unchecked long enough, dirt build-up on wheels can even cause a derailment.

For normal cleaning, soaking a paper towel in liquid cleaner works well. Place the towel on a track and drag cars back and forth, pressing down lightly. For locomotives, clean one truck at a time, keeping the other truck off the towel on the tracks for electrical pick-up. To clean while you play, try some of these easy-to-make passive wheel cleaners.

For heavy dirt build-up on wheels, a small flat-head screwdriver or hobby knife can be used to gently peel off the grime.

Don't forget electrical contacts inside the trucks as well. It may be necessary to partially disassemble the trucks to get to the contacts. Clean the backs of wheels and the metal contacts gently with liquid cleaner. Blow any dust out of gearboxes and wheels as well.

While you've got the trucks apart to clean wheels and contacts, take one more moment to re-lubricate. A small drop of light oil in the journals on freight and passenger cars, and a compatible grease in gearboxes will reduce friction and noise. A little is all you need.

Source: 

Continue reading →

Topic First ho train set

Popular First ho train set

Ho train set ebay, Find great deals on ebay for ho train set and lionel train set. shop with confidence.. Ho scale train sets modeltrainstuff.com, Ho scale train sets from popular manufacturers including atlas, athearn and bachmann. we have sets ranging from early steam locomotives to modern diesel and electric. Ho train layouts model train layout photo galleries, Find amazing ho train layout images along with explanations and tips about how to build ho train layouts that creatively express your vision..

Ho scale model train specials - trainworld.com, Product disclaimer. the model railroad equipment & accessories we sell are not toys, and are not intended for use by children under the age of 14,.

Bachmann ho scale ready-to-run starter set video - youtube, Hints and tips for assembling your new ready-to-run bachmann train set.

Ho scale electric starter sets - lionel train sets, Model trains train sets toy trains trainworld general disclaimer. prices are subject to change without notice. prices in stores may vary..

There are eight reasons why you must know First ho train set Search results for First ho train set and your search ends here Before going further I found the following information was related to First ho train set check this article

illustration First ho train set

Continue reading →

Choice Ho train sets malaysia

Photos are illustrative Ho train sets malaysia

Shipping - lionel train sets ho trains bachmann trains, Model train shipping for shipments outside the continental united states, customers will be charged the actual cost of shipping, as it is quoted by dhl/ups/fedex. Train sets ebay, Find great deals on ebay for train sets and hornby. shop with confidence.. Hornby train sets ebay, Find great deals on ebay for hornby train sets and hornby locomotives. shop with confidence..

Hornby r3361 railroad 0-4-0 'hogarth stone' ex-sr, Categories. train sets. all train sets; digital train sets; analogue train sets; locomotives. all locomotives; steam locomotives; diesel & electric locomotives.

Propellers - hobbyking.com, The biggest and cheapest range of propellers from the best brands like dal and gemfan. hobbyking has the plastic that will make your drones zing. browse now!.

St food - the straits times, Serving up trusted food reviews, delicious recipes and hottest news..

Hello Everybody This can be specifics of Ho train sets malaysia The suitable area i most certainly will indicate to your account This topic Ho train sets malaysia Please get from here In this post I quoted from official sources In this work the necessary concentration and knowledge Ho train sets malaysia Lets hope this data is advantageous to your account

Continue reading →

Learn A scale trains

Title: A scale trains

Manufacturer of ho and n scale trains - scaletrains.com, Scaletrains.com is an innovative manufacturer of ho and n scale trains. sign-up for our newsletter to be the first to know about our new models.. Ho scale - factory direct trains, Cheapest blueline, blue line, best prices on model trains, ho scale, n scale, broadway limited imports, bli, pcm, precision craft models, trackmobile, track mobile. Ho-scale trains resource, The ho-scale trains resource provides this information to visitors thanks to generous donations of materials and funds that enable the websites.

Williams 3 rail o scale : bachmann trains online store, Williams by bachmann® trains are o scale 1:48 ratio. this means that for every 1/4 inch of the model is equal to 1 foot of the actual prototype..

Welcome to usa trains, Quailty g scale trains, largest selection of g scale rolling stock in the world.

O scale trains magazine online, Welcome to o scale trains magazine december 16, 2016 issue #89 is in the mail. *** o scale trains magazine has moved *** i’m in my new house/office and i’m sorta.

There are six reasons why you must discuss A scale trains what is mean A scale trains it is not easy to obtain this information below is information relating to A scale trains here is the content

Sample images A scale trains

Palm Trees Trains Wargame Diorama 5 12cm HO 1 87 1 35 Scale eBay

Model trains ho scale , home and away spoilers october 2013 ,

NEW Red LED Lighted 10" Bridge Track. Lionel FasTrack Straight (Fast

MODEL TRAINS GAUGES

Mid-America Railroad Train Table in N-Scale at eMotion:Pictures

Guide to model railroading scales and gauges ModelRailroader.com

Continue reading →

Tell a G scale trains rc

G scale trains rc

Foto Results G scale trains rc

G, n and ho scale model trains melbourne rc cars, boats, Hobby shop for ho, g, n scale model trains. airport west hobbies was established in 2005. growing up, kevin had a keen interest in model trains and radio control, so. G scale trains ebay, Find great deals on ebay for g scale trains and g scale locomotive. shop with confidence.. N scale trains - n gauge trains -tk train & hobby, N scale trains and accessories 1:160 64255 n scale bachmann alco rs3 diesel locomotive (dcc)-prr #5604 (black w/yellow lettering).

Marklin trains in ho 1 and z scale at miami marklin dealer, Marklin dealer maerklin european model trains manufacturer in ho, 1, z gauges. find here the complete marklin trains collection.

G gauge model railways & trains ebay, Shop from the world’s largest selection and best deals for g gauge model railways & trains. shop with confidence on ebay!.

Model trains o scale ebay, Find great deals on ebay for model trains o scale and model trains g scale. shop with confidence..

A G scale trains rc can be use for your plan Make me almost know more to process the work without confusion.

Continue reading →

Nice Scale train catalog

Nice Scale train catalog

Ho scale catalog - tichy train group, Mow car kits 120 ton industrial brownhoist steam wrecking crane this exciting kit described by the japa-nese magazine train as “the finest plastic kit to ever come from. Forums - g scale train forum.com, I thought i would share this with you. i have always liked the prr t1 loco and i am investigating a lionel 4-4-2 atlantic and thinking about using the drivers times. Ho scale model train layouts & model railroad track plans, This ho scale model railroad guide features a directory of ho scale model railroad layouts, photos, videos, tours, track plans, product reviews, expert advice, and.

Welcome to scaled down, Scaled down specializes in scale replica items for a variety of hobbies. we carry a large selection of items for model train, doll house.

Tyco brown box train sets - ho-scale trains resource, When reviewing tyco's train set offerings, one notices that often a train set name will return across a number of years..

Ho scale - wikipedia, Ho scale (1:87) model of a center cab switcher made by bachmann, shown with a pencil for size comparison..

There are several reasons why you must discuss Scale train catalog Find here about Scale train catalog you have found it on my blog the results of research that many people look for a pdf version too to find Scale train catalog here is the content

Foto Results Scale train catalog

Continue reading →

2014 Mid Atlantic RPM Meet this past weekend

Sorry no updates on the layout in this post but I do have several pictures from the Mid Atlantic RPM meet.   


My pictures are only from Friday's models that were displayed. I did not get the chance to get more pictures on Saturday. I'm a co-founder and overall it was a great meet in our second year. Over 250 models displayed and 18 dioramas/structures were displayed. 

http://www.pbase.com/vamidlandrr/2014_mid_atlantic_rpm_meet_fredericksburg_va

Continue reading →

Helix operational video

As promised, a video of the helix in operation.  I now have to get cracking on the lower level track.  I'll update with a post by Sunday.

Continue reading →

Decaling overload motive power update and continuous running

This week has mainly been getting 2 new locomotives onto the layout and getting some needed freight cars onto the layout.  The Mine Run branch is complete, or is it?  Thinking about putting in a lift out portion of track to connect the lower level at Orange and Mine Run for continuous running.  Not sure on it yet and this would change Orange a little.    Lets get to the locomotives:

Here is VMID GP40-2W in fresh paint.  She will receive the newer logo and will be weathered.  Her number will be #288.

The new SW1200 for the VC has received her paint and now waits for decals during my decal purge today.

My decaling tools of the trade.

My many sets of decals.  Boxed up and unorganized!

More progress on the decaling.  The SW1200 has her logo.  Patching and reporting marks were the main thing today.

Alot of work on this chip hopper.  Even did a VMID ortner Ex-SP.

VMID #288 is nearing the end of her decaling job. 

Continue reading →

Topic Ho high speed train sets

Info Ho high speed train sets

Electric train sets : bachmann trains online store, Bachmann trains online store : electric train sets - catalogs large scale ho scale all scales n scale o scale on30 scale williams 3 rail o scale product lines. High-speed rail in the united states - wikipedia, Plans for high-speed rail in the united states date back to the high speed ground transportation act of 1965. various state and federal proposals have followed.. Model train stuff ho scale 4-6-2 (pacific), At the turn of the century, increasing passenger traffic left the railroads with a need for a locomotive with greater steaming capacity than a 4-6-0 ten-wheeler, more.

Gp9 locomotives ho scale modeltrainstuff.com, Sale price: $199.99 warehouse find. no restock expected. you save $89.99! 3 in stock.

The play trains! guide to the best wooden train sets 2016, A train expert's guide to the best wooden train sets for children, from small beginner's train sets to themed train sets to big complete train sets..

Hornby railways collector guide - train sets, Ebay for hornby. hornby trains hornby railways collector guide ebay search system. current hornby. hornby (uk) hornby international scalextric. forums.

There are ten reasons why you must have Ho high speed train sets Search results for Ho high speed train sets and your search ends here the results of research that many people look for a pdf version too to find Ho high speed train sets check this article

Here is Ho high speed train sets

Continue reading →

Model train track planning software

Model train track planning software

Here a Photo Model train track planning software

Model train track planning software

Model railroad track & track planning software - railserve.com, This page provides a directory of model railroad manufacturers offering track, roadbed, and bridges, plus track planning and layout design software, for g, ho, n, o. Model railroad links: software: track planning, Software : track planning. model railroad layout design and track planning software. 2d and 3d programs for sectional track, flex track and tinplate layouts.. Model train diorama software, led lights, evan designs, Model trains scenery and miniature dioramas made easy! create paper building this post is great for you knowr model train layout with our easy to use software. leds for lighting your models..

Model railroad track plan - expanded ho train set, Track plan for a 4x8' ho scale model railroad which builds on the oval of track found in most sets with added sidings for operation..

Model railroad track plans, Model railroad track plans. after developing your concept, or theme, you're now ready to consider various model railroad track plans. the information on the first.

Trainplayer software for model railroaders, Trainplayer software brings model railroading out of the basement and onto your screen! i f you design, build, or operate a model railroad -- or you ever.

Continue reading →

Share Large ho train sets

images taken from various sources for illustration only Large ho train sets

Ho scale model train sets - hobbylinc.com, Online shopping for ho scale model train sets, saving you up to 58%. items include diesel and steam ho train sets.. Ho scale train sets modeltrainstuff.com, Ho scale train sets from popular manufacturers including atlas, athearn and bachmann. we have sets ranging from early steam locomotives to modern diesel and electric. Trainworld - lionel train sets ho trains bachmann trains, Lionel model trains at train world - train land, america's largest international mail order discount model train store. your source for ho scale, n scale, o gauge, g.

Model train sets - hobbylinc.com, Online shopping for over 300 model train sets, saving you up to 65%. discount pricing on ho train sets, n scale train sets, thomas-the-tank electric cars, g scale.

Atlas ho scale layout packages train sets only, Ho scale layouts ho scale atlas layouts select from one of our pre-packaged ho scale atlas layouts which are s..

Train sets modeltrainstuff.com, Shop our online selection of train sets from your favorite manufacturers including lionel, mth, bachmann, athearn and many more..

Hi It's the specifics of Large ho train sets Then This is the guide This topic Large ho train sets For Right place click here Enjoy this blog Some people may have difficulty seeking Large ho train sets Hopefully this review pays to back

Continue reading →

Wordless Wednesday 19

Continue reading →

Popular Ho train set union pacific

Above is a picture example Ho train set union pacific

Ho train set ebay, Find great deals on ebay for ho train set and lionel train set. shop with confidence.. 30-4228-1 o mth railking 2-8-0 steam freight train set r-t, Home; train sets; o scale train sets; 30-4228-1 o mth railking 2-8-0 steam freight train set r-t-r w/protosound 3.0-union pacific. Outstanding ho & n gauge train auction - upcoming, Outstanding ho & n gauge train auction. 10:00 am saturday, october 5, 2013. gilman, il 60938. click here for the complete proxibid catalog. large selection of mostly.

Ho scale model train diesel locomotives - hobbylinc.com, Online shopping for over 2,200 ho scale model train diesel locomotives, saving you up to 65%. bachmann is ranked #1 in ho scale model train diesel locomotives.

Ho scale model train specials - trainworld.com, General disclaimer. prices are subject to change without notice. prices in stores may vary. some prices are for mail order only. not responsible for changes in.

Ho scale electric starter sets - lionel train sets, Model trains train sets toy trains trainworld general disclaimer. prices are subject to change without notice. prices in stores may vary..

Good day It's the specifics of Ho train set union pacific The ideal site i can exhibit back Many user search Ho train set union pacific Please get from here Enjoy this blog In this work the necessary concentration and knowledge Ho train set union pacific I'm hoping this info is useful to you personally

Continue reading →

Valley Forge RPM Meet this weekend

I will be attending the Valley Forge RPM Meet this weekend up near Philadelphia, PA this weekend.  I was planning on attending since Christmas but my hospital visit in January nixed that.  Norm Wolf called me about a month ago and wanted to see if I wanted to go.  He had reservations for him and his wife but she had something come up.  So I do get to go up there after all.  Looking forward to attending as a guess.  Our RPM meet in the Fall is a lot of work and you don't get to socialize as much as you would like.  Looking forward to seeing friends of this great hobby and just getting away for a few days!

2016 Valley Forge RPM Meet


Our RPM meet: Sept 30th and Oct. 1st
2016 Mid-Atlantic RPM Meet

Continue reading →

1955 HBS Track Plan

From the HBS Real Estate Report, 1955 in collection of author.

Enlarged view of HBS Yard

This track plan is kind of buried in the HBS Report, so I thought I would post here for Bruce, Mark and all the folks following their Hoboken Shore layout construction at Railroad Line Forums. The enlarged view shows the location of the double slip switches in the conversation. There is a nice post on page three of that thread which has images of a brochure probably from the 60s.

Continue reading →

Nice Model train plan

Get Model train plan

Amazon.com: model train plans, 1-24 of 1,337 results for "model train plans" one hundred and one track plans for model railroaders (model railroad handbook, no. 3) aug 28, 2008. by linn westcott.. Model railroad track plans - a comprehensive guide, Model railroad track plans. after developing your concept, or theme, you're now ready to consider various model railroad track plans. the information on the first. Track plan database modelrailroader.com, Model railroader is the world's largest magazine on model trains and model railroad layouts. we feature beginner and advanced help on all model railroading scales.

Free track plans this post is great for you knowr model railway, Free track plans this post is great for you knowr model railway layout, railroad or train set. designs, ideas, layouts, and prototype drawings of railway stations.

Model railroader magazine - model railroading, model, Model railroader is the world's largest magazine on model trains and model railroad layouts. we feature beginner and advanced help on all model railroading scales.

Toy train wooden plans - aschi's woodworking model plans, Build as many wagons as you want and set a record in longest train model building the plan is very easy to build and has child-safe couplings!.

There are several reasons why you must think Model train plan what is meaning Model train plan and your search ends here below is information relating to Model train plan check this article

Sample images Model train plan

Continue reading →

Awesome pics video from yesterday and TBT August 25th 2016

Yesterday, My two sons and I headed due north up to my favorite hobby shop:
Mainline Hobby

It's a long drive but always worth it.  As usual, we do some railfanning along the way.  The Maryland Midland interchanges in the area of the hobby shop which is located in Blue Ridge Summit, PA.  The name is where I got my name for my HO empire.  I've been coming up here for 15 years and one of the first time I did, I stumbled upon the Maryland Midland.  The paint has changed recently but they represented what I wanted in a railroad.  I railfanned them alot over the years and knew the line like the palm of my hand. We lucked out as we found them in Thurmont, MD as we were heading up.  The chase was on once I saw this lashup!:

FIVE Emds on the head end?  Must have a big train.  Turns out that it had 54 loaded cement cars and 2 boxcars for the run up the Catoctin Mountains.

2006 lashup

2016 lashup

Continue reading →

Traffic Lights Part I

The same day I was putting the final touches on my Northern Light & Power kit, my little box full of green, yellow, and red 2mm LEDs arrived in my mailbox from eBay, thus kicking-off the start of my next project: traffic lights! I have two ‘T’ intersections on my layout’s road system, both of which I wanted to be controlled with traffic lights. I wasn’t satisfied with many of the commercially-available light systems that are available in my area, as most were un-realistic and far out of scale, not to mention expensive. The ones I did like however, wouldn’t fit correctly on my roads as I had built them slightly too narrow.

Faced with the issue of cost and adaptability, I decided to attempt my hand at building my own traffic lights. I had previously built my own trackside signals (see here), so I figured traffic lights would be quite similar, even though I wanted to build these a bit more to a prototypical scale size then the trackside signals. My model street lights are based on a common North American style with a curved light standard which holds the traffic lights horizontally over each controlled lane of traffic.

I started by cutting the face plate for each traffic light from thin styrene sheet, then carefully drilled 3 – 2mm holes in each face plate, spacing each hole 1/8” apart (center to center). For the lens shades, I used a single hole punch to punch out round pieces from very thin styrene. I cut the styrene disk back 2mm from its edge, trimmed each pointy edge, and shaped each piece by gently rolling it between my fingers until it had the correct curve to fit over each LED. I was able to make 2 shades from each styrene disk. I then glued 3 of these directly above each hole on the face plate.

I masked the backside of each face plate, and sprayed the front flat back, figuring that it would probably be easier to paint these prior to installing the lights. I masked the back side to prevent paint from getting on this area, which would need to be removed anyways when it came to gluing the LEDs to the face plate. I then counted out 6 LEDs in each colour (red, yellow, green) and tested each one with a resistor and power supply to ensure each one worked.

For the light standards, I used 3/32” diameter copper tubing, which I cut into 4” sections. I cut the sections at 4” so I had extra length to insert into the pilot holes in my layout when it comes to installing these. I needed to thread 4 wire leads through each, so the wires needed to be quite thin. I found an old computer hard drive ATA cable, which is comprised of several dozen very thin insulated wires, so I cut this up and saved the wire leads. I then threaded 4 wires through each copper tube, one for the green, yellow, red LEDs, and common ground. There were only 3 colours of wire however (red, blue, and white), so I just used a second white, marking it with a black sharpie for use as the common connection.

Once the wire leads were threaded through each copper tube, I bent the top of each tube to an almost 90 degree angle about 1” from the one end. I bent the curve over a thick marker container to keep the curve uniform and round. It’s also very important to make sure that the wire leads are pre-installed in the copper tubes, as the tube needs the internal support when bending. Without the wire leads inside, the copper tube would simply collapse and kink.

By this time, the paint on the front of the face plates had dried, and it was time to install the LEDs. I first cut off the long connectors to each LED with flush cutters, leaving only a small portion protruding from the back of each LED. I then glued each LED with CA to the back of the face plates, making sure the anode (+) connection on each LED was on the top position. You can distinguish what side is the anode connection on most LEDs from the curved profile on the base of the LED itself. The cathode (-) side is flat and squared off, and the actual connection lead itself is usually shorter than the anode.

Now for the fun part; soldering the connections to the LEDs. I used a small cardboard box which I cut a notch into for the front of the faceplate to fit into for support. The common (-) connection was the first one that I made. For this, I used one of the metal leads that I had originally cut off of the LEDs, spanning it across and soldering it to all three cathode connections on the LEDs.

For the controlled (+) connections, I carefully soldered each wire lead from the copper tube supports to the anode on each LED. I soldered the red wire to the red LED, the blank white wire to the yellow, and the blue one to the greed LED for each traffic light. The other white wire, which I previously marked with a black sharpie, was soldered to one end of the common connection. When soldering the wires, I made a point of positioning each wire so it would easily exit off to one side of the traffic light (the side facing the support column). This made the back of each street light look a lot less cluttered and easy to work with.

Once all connections were made, I gently and carefully (and I stress the gentle part), pulled the wire leads at the base of the copper tube supports, slowly bringing each traffic light closer to the support column. After I had positioned each traffic light right up against the copper tube supports, I adjusted each light so it was positioned level to the ground when positioned upright. The wires provided enough rigidity that no glue was required to fasten the lights to the support column. I then painted the back side of each light, including the connections and face plate, with 3-5 coats of black enamel paint, making sure I put on enough coats that no light was visible from the back of the traffic lights when lit.

The final step was to paint the copper support columns an aluminum colour, for which I used Humbrol metallic aluminum enamel. With the traffic lights now complete, they only now need to be installed and connected to a traffic light controller on my layout. I am currently exploring a couple of options for controllers, including building my own. That will all however be in my Traffic Lights – Part II post, which will hopefully be up sometime this summer. For now, I will return back to my current task of building more trees.

Continue reading →