I run a local transport business and spend most of my time in a truck, as you can imagine, listening to the radio gets old – real quick. However, it does give me a lot of time to stimulate my mind by listening to Podcasts and Audiobooks! Recently I stumbled […]

Glues and Adhesives for Every Occasion

I’ve been tossing around ideas for the final style of the layout, and the other day I had a hit of inspiration for the back corner module. We were in a bit of a hurry when we decided to start construction of this layout, finishing themes and style took a […]

This Corner Module got a Makeover. AKA: I dug a ...

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I built a tree! Well this is actually the second tree I made. Using real life, tree branches and twigs for armatures.   Here is how it started. A bag of sticks, some glue, a bag of lichen (next time round, the bag of lichen will be swapped for a […]

I Built a Tree!

I stumbled upon this great website the other day, http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/volcanic_rocks/ They have a great tutorial for using ceiling tiles to create volcanic rocks / rockwalls.   I’m thinking about using this material for creating larger cliff faces on one of our sectional modules. As you may have read we have […]

Ceiling Tile for Creating Rockwalls and Cliff faces

Whilst doing some quick reading about using Lichen for bushes and with tree armatures, I accidentally stumbled upon this brilliant article! For a few weeks now I’ve been thinking about how to model different styles of bushes, and I was coming up blank for this particular style. But this bloke […]

I Just Read About a Unique Way to Make Bushes. ...

Check out this video. It could be a game changer. I’ve been thinking about getting some rock moulds to add detail to my layout, but really wanted to do larger sections, then I stumbled upon this video and a new technique: Using Plasticine to create custom rock moulds!   I […]

Realistic Cliff Faces. Using Super Easy, Custom, Rock Moulds

The latest progress on the layout! Constructing a mountain! For this mountain we used aluminium flyscreen and Plaster of Paris. It has to be aluminium flyscreen (not fibreglass or stainless). Small batches of Plaster of Paris are a necessity – it goes off real quick when working. The beauty of […]

Mountain Construction with Flyscreen and Plaster of Paris

I received an old, heavy, Lifelike Proto 2000 series engine, it was included in a shipment of parts from Pat at OZ Model Train Supplies. I’m pretty sure its a Proto 2k, but it may be Proto 1k. I’m also pretty sure its an EMD SD60.   It was a […]

Repairing Wiring in a Lifelike Proto 2k Engine

Inspired by Shapeways.  The technology available to model train enthusiasts is now entering an amazing age. I love going online and reading the latest progress my friends have made, especially when it comes to detailing their layouts, and it truly is the little things that make the biggest difference. Unfortunately […]

3D Printing Accurate Detail Parts with Shapeways

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Check out this video of tree construction, using real tree/shrub roots as trunks for the model trees. What a great idea!   I cant wait to test out this method. Its something we can do with the kids, and it should be a bit of fun too.   Video by […]

Quick and Easy Realistic Trees [Video]

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Check out this video of grass application, no static applicators needed!   I cant wait to test out this method. We’re almost ready to start some more advanced scenery on our layout, and there will be a couple of perfect places to use it.   Video by Carstens Train Video […]

Easy and Cheap Grass, No Static Applicatior Needed! [Video]

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After running my consists around our first 4×8 layout for a little while I noticed my lighter, or maybe cheaper, cars tend to derail easier than some of the heavier ones. When running one of my favourite locos (an old DC unit from a Lima set), it seemed like the […]

Rolling Stock Derailing?

Initially I was going to wire the underside of my layout with quick clip solderless connectors, like you’d use in automotive applications, because I didn’t want to be cutting and joining wires for hours at a time and dealing with those associated problems. I was going to use these T-Tap […]

Probably the Greatest Tool for Wiring a Larger Layout

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Bare with me while I find more pictures, and write some more words. But for now,  here we go!     Test fit, for width. Both sides fabricated. We ended up much wider. For a single track and room on each side for the “0-5-0 switcher “.   Once the […]

My Dad built a pretty big bridge, from scratch!

Here’s a gallery of our original 4×8′ layout. It was retired when we started construction on the new 14.5×10′ layout. You can see it featured a figure 8 loop an oval around the outside and a couple of spur tracks. We had a great time forming the hills / mountain […]

The History of our Layout – 4×8 Settrack Goodness [Gallery]