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My HO Model Railway
History
After returning to model railroading in May 2001, after an absence of about 15 years while pursuing other hobbies (RC Model Aeroplanes), I needed to obviously build a layout, as the layout from back in my teenage years was long gone. Of course like most new model railroaders the desire is to have the biggest layout ever, but I resisted that temptation (at this stage anyway!) and decided to build a relatively small layout (7x4) that is completely freestanding in my enclosed back verandah. I still had all my track, locos, rolling stock and buildings from past years so was able to use some of these on the new layout. The main purpose of the layout was purely to practice bench construction, track work, landscaping and scenicing and some electronics before moving onto a larger and more elaborate layout to be built in an outside shed. The shed for the next layout needs to be extended slightly and completely lined out inside to minimize dust. This will hopefully be done during 2002.
The Practice Layout.
Started around May 2001, I needed a layout that could help teach me more than just building on a flat table top. Therefore an open grid type frame was constructed out of 70mm x 20mm pinus to allow for some gradient. The track is a single loop but goes twice around and crosses over inside a tunnel at the rear. In the centre there are yards and at the front a passing loop and small station. Grade Separation has been used. The centre yards are at a 0 elevation while one outside tracks goes down 40mm the other outside track goes up 40mm and then the opposite inside track goes up 40mm and the other inside track goes down 40mm to allow the two tracks to cross over with 80mm clearance inside the tunnel. This gives this layout a 2 percent grade which does give some hauling problems on the 14" & 18" radius curves. Small trains are the go here or double headers help the problem. The track bed is 5mm ply and this was cut out from one large sheet to the pattern of the track layout and then risers were screwed to the grid frame to form up the required grade. I originally used old steel track from my old layout but this gave me nothing but grief with poor running due to dirty contacts and oxidization so after much continuous cleaning of wheels and track I decided to purchase and relay new nickel silver track and fully solder all joins and this has eliminated 99% of running problems! The occasional rub over with a Peco rubber is all that is required now. Landscaping the terrain followed and this used the standard paper towel and plaster technique over crumpled newspaper. Scenicing uses fine sifted sawdust coloured with food colouring, fine sifted soil, and home made coloured foam made from cushion foam that is held against a rotary wire brush on a bench grinder and then coloured with dilute flat latex paint of the colour required (believe me you can't tell the difference from expensive brands like WS). Trees are all home made and these use twigs and polyfibre, flower heads from some specific succulent plants and Tee tree foliage.
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