I am snow free. Just not into working on the layout yet. I am in track planning stage and need to buy more track. I only have 4 new sections of flex. It's funny to have a layout big enough that 12' of track really isn't enough to get going on my new track. When I was a kid 12' of track was like a complete empire for train running. I also need to save some train cash to purchase switches with. So did you watch the video? My main point of posting was to share someone else's layout. I love seeing other peoples approaches to this whole outdoor thing in ho/oo.
Well this has turned into a blog of sorts. My latest addition to my fleet arrived the other day. first new loco I've bought in ages. I always liked these they're just so cute. Here is my new railway addition. The FS D.214 switcher by Roco. A couple shots next to an old Tyco GIJoe loco to give you an idea of how small the engine is. i also spent some time painting my new/old structures some more. Just a couple shots to show how it's coming along. I was using a fairly beat up brush and was not too pleased with the window sashes, but oh well I'll just keep painting and do my best with this brush for now. I have a package waiting for me at the post office. some kind of station. My British friends are oh so amused by my semi British layout, they sometimes send me gifts of old things. then again this could be my siphon G car. Been wanting one of those for a bit.
painting tip: Last night I was working the edges of of some paint lines free hand. They looked good but still had a bit of wave in them, so it dawned on me to get the #11 blade out and gently scrape off some paint to clean up the edges. I did this when the paint had a dry skin but wasn't fully hardened. It really worked out nicely. Those edges are really clean now.
Had a running day last week. Got a chance to see the new loco run and it's a beauty. Summer is coming and layout time is on me. Kind of backward from most people as summer means getting out of the layout room; in my case summer means getting into the layout room. The thing about this little switcher is it had a flywheel in it and it's very low geared so it just slides along nicely. I tried running my king george by Lima , but I knew it would have problems. After I bought it i set it on a piece of flex to see how it looked and discovered it has a bent axle on one of the drivers. Or maybe the wheel just got bent off of center. Either way the result is that the wheels won't turn. I'm going to have to tear it apart and see whats up with that and fix it. It should be a fun hour of loco fiddling. Next up was my Hornby Fowler. I love this loco. It was a bit noisy, but I like knowing where my train is so that's ok. It's a real beast. I ran the fowler with my small collection of utility vans. I am very impressed with this older stock, especially the Wrenn BR blue two axle wagon. Love that BR blue.
while I was at work a man came in who I had seen a few weeks before in possession of a photo album of old train photos. It turns out his grandfather was the station master for the Missouri Pacific, and spent 40+ years of his life with the railway. This time he had a box that contained a commemorative plate. Limited 2000 edition. He also had a gold belt buckle. Cut to the end of the story, he offered to sell it to me. I only had enough for the plate, but he said he will come back with more goodies. He also threw in an old photo of a train in the station. I expect my railroad memorabilia collection will be growing a bit soon. Lastly a photo to show the difference between OO scale and Ho scale. until a few years ago I had spent a couple decades as an N scaler. Going to Ho felt strange because I was used to the size and heft of N scale. Ho felt huge to me. Now that I also have British OO in my collection the HO seems tiny. I suppose it's just a matter of perspective. Plans are in the works to have a fully sceniced layout outdoors. So what you see for now is just plywood central, but at some point mountains and plants will begin to appear on the layout.
I decided to make a short but colorful train for my little switcher as I love it so much. Got this in the mail today. Mine is made by sachsenmodelle. Yes it is pink and yes it is prototype. Gotta find some more pretty train cars.
So glad to see you finally pulled the trigger and bought that switcher. It is a fine looking locomotive and I know its been your hearts desire for some time. I like what you've done in your garden. Is your scenery going to be plants, shrubs, and rocks or are you going to incorporate some artificial scenery into it. I jealous that you are able to do that. Eric
Well... So many options. first off, when you go outdoors you have to deal with the elements just like real trains do. So although i do know how to make some nice models, I'll probably be more focused on arms length weather and wildlife proof stuff. I've planted morning glories under my layout and they should creep up and provide some greenery in a month or so. I also was planning on having some herbs coming through cutouts in the layout for trees. Maybe some thyme for ground cover and rosemary trees. I'm also thinking of putting down ground cover. A lot of outdoor guys use those green scrubber pads as ground cover outdoors. I may try that. i've kind of hit that so much to do so little focus stage of layout building and really need to put some more track in. Not sure if I posted this here so it may be a repost. It's basically a double track mainline, but i added a up and over on the curve so i can also run a single train over both lines as one big double oval for 90 feet of mainline run. i have plans for a little bit of switching on it too, but right now it's all about runnin' them trains. Good to see you on TB again Eric. And if you are ever in Denver feel free to bring some of your On30 stuff for a couple runs around the layout. Brew and view is job one on this layout.
i've been slowly working on things. A shot of mainline double tracking in progress. This is my idea of the ultimate garden layout. Nice long sweeping curves and large bridges, mixed with a beautiful setting where people can sit and enjoy.
I've been working on my station platforms a bit. I cast them out of water putty with balsa formers. Now that I have done two of them I think I have the technique down. I could make two more that are perfect!... he he he Oh well, I have them cast and in place so the second rate ones will have to do. I added lamp posts today, Due to some drainage issues i also drilled some drain holes that worked very well during the last storm. My platforms can handle 8+coaches, not bad for a small roundy roundy in the yard.
oh yeah, I got my lamps cheap on ebay. Be nice and don't bid against this guy there will be plenty more coming up. http://www.ebay.com/itm/LOT-20-Mode...294029?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item2c6878954d 20 lamps for around 10 bucks is a good deal. i cut off the stupid little signs attached to them and got some nice street lamps.
Finally got my station building. Temporary placement of the station required some photos. it's exciting to get to a point where I can start putting down ballast and ground coverings. http://www.oogardenrailway.co.uk/gallery/image.php?album_id=33&image_id=1390 http://www.oogardenrailway.co.uk/gallery/image.php?album_id=33&image_id=1389
Garden road looking good. My wife asks if you haul veggies on it .... :question: I told her no , a garden rr is for running in the garden not garden stuff . Bless her heart . Now I want one .... or maybe two as I have a 1/3 acre garden ...
The front yard is layout and flowers. Most of the backyard is veggies and flowers. Although this year I experimented with planting potato plants in my flower beds. Potato plants make beautiful green filler plants and they do produce some pretty lavender flowers. Of course the best part is digging up the taters in the fall.
If you have any places with slopes, or where you could build a slope, you can get some amazing effects with HO scale in the garden: http://www.oogardenrailway.co.uk/gallery/image.php?album_id=40&image_id=1351
