cooler weather working on model train

[Beap52 823]

For the past 5 or 6 years, I've been putting together a model train layout in the basement.  I hardly look at it during the summer but once it becomes jacket weather I'll begin thinking about spending time downstairs.  I made a mountain range a couple of years ago and have been wanting a stream.  

 

I started on the stream today.  I'm extending the mountains to the valley below and going to attempt to get a semblance of one of the small rivers we saw while on a cruise to Alaska this past October.   The woven cardboard provides a foundation for the paper and plaster material.  The stream won't have water.  There are several ways to "make" fake water.  I leaning towards the toilet paper water.  

 

The second picture is my inspiration for my stream.  I'm leaning towards a trestle bridge something like we saw in Alaska. 

[8ntruck 7,025]

Looks good.  Looks like you could smooth out that curve at the head of your new valley with some custom cut track sections, or maybe some 1/2 length curve and straight sections.

 

In past years, we've set up our 6'x9' Polar Express themed portable layout at a small train show at our MO. location.  Unfortunately, last year was the last show.  I have not run any of my trains for several years.  I have treated myself to several Menards cars and the Halloween version of Lionel's 2-4-2 steam locomotive in the 2024 catalog.

[Pullstart 62,924]

Very cool!  I have longed for a train track on the walls of the house going from room to room.  Probably won’t ever happen, but it would be cool!

[Streetrodchev 800]

Last year around the tree, steam train on the outer loop, trolley on the inner.

[pfrederi 17,742]

Set up some of my LGB stuff for the neighbors little boys Birthday

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,729]

7 hours ago, Pullstart said:

Very cool!  I have longed for a train track on the walls of the house going from room to room.  Probably won’t ever happen, but it would be cool!

 

 

 

 

 

I can sit and watch someone else's train for way too long. Been that way as long as I can ever remember. I've had a couple small layouts when I was a kid but probably not since my early teens.

 

For a long time I thought it would be ridiculously cool to have one circling the upper foot or so of the great room upstairs in my house. Not likely I'll ever do it. But it would be neat.

[Beap52 823]

19 hours ago, 8ntruck said:

Looks good.  Looks like you could smooth out that curve at the head of your new valley with some custom cut track sections, or maybe some 1/2 length curve and straight sections.

 

In past years, we've set up our 6'x9' Polar Express themed portable layout at a small train show at our MO. location.  Unfortunately, last year was the last show.  I have not run any of my trains for several years.  I have treated myself to several Menards cars and the Halloween version of Lionel's 2-4-2 steam locomotive in the 2024 catalog.

Thanks for reply. 

 

The track is loosely laid as I check for fitment and clearance of cars on the curves.  Attending the model train show in Springfield, MO, usually results in more track and parts.  Currently the layout is "L" shaped about 11' by 22'.  I've been making the "scenes" as modules.  That way as I improve my skills or want a change, I can remove the scene and change it out.   It's been a fairly inexpensive hobby.  I doubt that I've spent over $300.  The most expensive was a passenger train set for about $150.  The original train was given to us by my wife's uncle.  Most buildings are scraps of foam board used in house construction or cardstock from the dollar stores.  I never planned on such a project but find it a good way to fill retirement time in the winter.

[953 nut 55,376]

Looks like you are doing a great job.

There is a gentleman in my church who has been expanding his train layout for the past twenty years. It started out in a corner of the 1800 square foot basement of their house and now it is up to about 1200 square feet. There are mountain passes, trestles, tunnels, grade crossings with functional crossing arms, just an amazing amount of time and effort. Ben a few years since I last saw it.

Last time I asked him about the trains he said he has an elevated control console where he can view and operate all eight train lines including a street car set-up and a roundhouse that allows him to move an engine from one line to another.

Love to look at things like this but don't have a passion for them.

[Wayne0 465]

When I was a kid, my Uncle had a HUGE layout in his basement.Several individual tracks. Freight trains, passenger trains, trolleys.

Whole villages with people and vehicles (all illuminated). Mountains with tunnels.

Track through the walls room to room and a massive control station!

I could watch that for hours!