Perspectives by David Lawrence: April 2015

SO YOU WOULD LIKE TO BUILD A MODEL TRAIN LAYOUT….?

Most of us who belong to the male gender category, if we are honest with ourselves, will have to confess that we have always wanted to construct a model train layout. There is just something about the allure of the rails and the temptation to build and construct something in which we can take pride that captivates us men. So many of us seize the opportunity provided by having a little boy to construct one for him. But, everyone knows, it is really for us.

I admit that I fell in love with railroading when at age eight my father took me on a train ride from Springfield, Missouri (my home town) to Kansas City, MO. The love affair has continued to this day and shows no sign of diminishing. My first “layout” was setting up my O gauge Lionel set that my father bought me for my tenth birthday first in my living room, then at my grandparents’ upstairs den, and then, combining mine with my friend Roy’s, in my basement. After my wife and I married and we had our own house, I began with HO, and I had some kind of a layout in every house in which we have lived through the years. The current one is in our condo in an upstairs room that I had constructed from an unfinished attic storage space.

So why build one? No one can answer the question except that it becomes an itch that has to be scratched. But my life has been devoted to critical analysis of propositions, so let me suggest a few:

1. *The joy of planning. We all enjoy thinking through, drawing up plans, putting scenarios together in our minds, and conceptualizing something that WE can accomplish.

2. *The joy of building. Why do we love building things? It is in our DNA. It is so exciting to see something beautiful take shape before our eyes, something we have done.

3. *The joy of showing it off. No comment needed.

4. *The joy of operation. Model trains work; they run; they move at our command. Maybe it gives us an unholy sense of power, but it is great fun.

5. *The joy of imagination. We can see our little world and allow it to become real in our minds.

6. *The joy of scheduling. Because trains run, we can simulate real train operations, whether freight or passenger, by establishing schedules and running the trains accordingly.

Then what are some key decisions that need to be made before construction?

1. *Survey your space. Model train layouts can be adapted to any space, small or large. It just requires some imagination and creativity, and we all pride ourselves on having both. Some people build on table tops or shelves. Others have a space large enough for an oval or a dog-bone shape. Basements or garages provide the most space in a house, mine is in an attic, and I have had them in bedrooms. Just see what the space allows, and begin your plans.

2. * Decide on your gauge. O is too big unless you have an enormous space such as an empty warehouse or store; most houses can’t accommodate a viable O layout. G gauge is for outdoor running and is fine if you have the yard space. (G = Garden). Z is very tiny and best for table-top operation. Most model train enthusiasts choose N or HO. You can model much more space with N such as running from city to city with plenty of country space in between. HO is twice the size of N (and half the size of O) and is more realistic and easier to work with, but you will be twice as restricted in space. I have used HO since 1960 and find it exactly what I want. My eight towns may be a bit near to each other, but I compensate by making several loops before the next station.

3. * Decide if you want a prototypical or mixed or hybrid layout. With the hybrid layout you just pick out trains you like with no particular reference to the line or location, and you run them and have fun. But many prefer to model a particular railroad that runs or ran in a particular location. After I began taking tours to Europe, I decided that the Swiss really made the railroad the central form of transportation in their country, and I just found them beautiful. Thus for many years, after starting with an eclectic, mixed European layout, I narrowed my focus to Swiss railroading. Thus I have selected to model several cities in Switzerland. I had a friend who modeled the old Clinchfield Railroad in East Tennessee, and another who created an environment based on what he observed as he traveled for his job, largely patterned on East Tennessee and involving CSX.

4. *Along with deciding about prototype, if you are doing anything other than the mixed or hybrid form of model railroading, you need to decide on the era. Most modelers like the 1950’s era because they can include both steam and diesel. That was the time when steam was being phased out but was still around, and diesels were being phased in. Some people prefer Civil War era so they can model the really old trains and many like a Western theme so they can do mountains and mining trains. Others will prefer a modern theme. I have failed to keep up with mine because most of my Swiss equipment reflects the 1980’s period, and it is still running well. But if need be I can change and bring it up to the present.

5. *You need to decide on the basic pattern of operation. You can have a loop or dog-bone configuration in which trains will run around your layout. In this way you can run them for a long time simulating longer distances. They will always return to their point of origin. However, you can design a point-to-point in which trains run from A to B but must then be able to return. That arrangement requires either a push-pull operation in which you are backing up in one direction, a wye operation in which the train turns around, or a double-track at the end in which you can uncouple the locomotive and do a run-around. Another possibility for reversal on a point-to-point, especially good for passenger operation, is to bring in a new locomotive that will couple to the end of the train and pull it out leaving the first locomotive in the station. I used to have that operation at two of my stations in my previous layout, but I lack the space in my current one. In my last three layouts, which have been my most extensive, I have had a combination of loop or dog-bone trackage and point-to-point. That configuration provides me flexibility and variety in operation.

6. *Another decision you should probably make would be how you want to power your trains. The old method was to hook a power pack (called a transformer in the old Lionel days) to your track. You then control the train movement by turning a handle that transmits six volts of electricity to your track. Most people prefer some kind of remote control. Aristocraft offers a remote controller that is linked to power packs. With it you can control several trains. Most modelers today use a cab control digital system (DCC) that uses a module installed in each locomotive. Train operations are then programmed into your remote control device. I prefer the Aristocraft system. When you want to park a locomotive and operate another one, you can put it on a blocked track that has a plastic rail joiner installed that prevents the flow of the electricity into that section of track. It can be powered by turning on a switch linked to that particular block. If you power from overhead catenaries, such as you would find in Europe or on American east coast rail lines, you can simply drop the pantograph, and the locomotive has no power. Some switches (turnouts) such as Pico will cut power when they are switched to a different track. My last layout had trains operating from the overhead power, but this one is powered from the track even though I still have catenary.

That is probably enough cogitation before you actually do something, because by the time you make all these basic decisions, you are going to be itching to get on with the program. The next step is to conceptualize the layout (a wonderful exercise for lying in bed, taking a shower, or driving to and from work), and it’s great fun. The next step follows very quickly: you get some paper, pencil, ink, ruler, and eraser and go to work with drawing a diagram. Don’t worry if you depart from it because you will make changes and adjustments, but you need to start somewhere, and you need a basic idea how you want to proceed. Sometimes you can get ideas from other layouts. “Model Railroader” magazine has some good ones; I found mine there in a published layout that some modeler shared. I made some adaptations but went with the basic design. It calls for trains to go from the station up a ramp to an upper level and then back down to the station, thus making two loops before returning to its point of origin.

Now that you have your plan, you have the first tangible element of your layout. Congratulations! Now you know you have really begun the construction of your very own railroad. I would suggest at this juncture that you make a list of the materials you will need and begin to collect them. The more you have in advance, the easier it will be once you start the actual construction. At that point it is annoying to realize that you don’t have what you need and have to order it or make a trip to the hobby shop. If it is your first layout you will need to think of materials for the bench work (train table or surface), track, switches, power packs and control devices, locomotives and rolling stock (to which you can always add), buildings, scenery materials, track nails, rail joiners, tools, and hook-up wire. Of course, there is always more, but those things can come later. Please don’t let my list seem to daunting to you. You don’t need to rush out and buy it all at once; just start collecting the things you will need. For my current layout I really didn’t need too much that was new as I salvaged so much from my previous one. I did buy professional catenary and operating signal lights, but the locomotives, rolling stock, and buildings I had from the earlier layout. Of course, I had to buy all new scenery materials. Let me say right now that doing the scenery is truly one of the most exciting and satisfying aspects of construction for me.

Once you have enough materials, and once you have your bench work in place, then you can start laying the track. At this point your layout is taking shape, and you will not only have great fun but realize that it is really happening! I suggest laying sheets of half-inch or ¾ inch Homosote on top of your bench work. That will make the work so much easier, and the trains will run so much quieter. Then buy some cork roadbed and lay it (nail it down) where you want your trains to run. The cork roadbed further insulates the trains so they run even quieter, and it provides a realistic look. Installing the track on top of the cork roadbed is great fun. You will buy 3-foot sections and nail at the pre-drilled holes. You will need to cut some of the track to make a proper fit which requires track-cutting shears. Have a file so you can smooth the cut area. Join tracks with rail joiners remembering to install plastic ones on one rail where you want to cut power to a block.

At this point you can wire the track and actually begin to run the trains. It gets more and more enjoyable! Install your buildings; you can always play with them, repositioning them until you have them just as you want them. Then you can start the really artistic work of installing the scenery. At this point your railroad will take on the appearance of being the real thing. You need ballast for the track (which needs a glue mixture to keep it in place. Start by wicking it with alcohol then dropping on white glue diluted with water. Let it dry overnight). Once track is installed, ballasted and buildings are in place, you can do whatever your heart desires. You can create streets, forests, install grass, add people, cars…whatever your layout plans call for. I even added tiny wildflowers. There is no limit beyond your own, as I said, imagination and creativity!

One example: I had a space shaped like a half-moon between two sections of curved track. That space is near my main station at Zürich and at the corner of the layout, about the first thing a visitor would see in walking into the train room. I wanted something really beautiful, so I designed a park. I had a piece of “water” made from epoxy from the previous layout. It had a man standing waist-deep in the water fishing. I incorporated the lake, designed walkways, flower gardens, and bought some really beautiful trees, put in people strolling along the walk and flowers along the side. I designed a flower bed shaped like a clock such as is often seen in Switzerland. I added picnic tables, a man working in the flowers…all kinds of activity. It is enjoyable just to look at it as it turned out so well. You can do the same kind of designing which will bring you much enjoyment and satisfaction.

The more attention you give to detail, the better. You will be glad later. And do not get in a hurry. So much of the joy is in the building stage, and you will not regret careful and meticulous construction. Take it from me. My previous layout was assembled hastily so I could begin running trains and then modified later. Taking the advice of a good friend, I took my time with this one, and I am much more satisfied with it.

Your hobby shop, “Model Railroader”, and others who have layouts can all become sources of information. What I have written here is just to entice you and encourage you to plan a layout. “Model Railroader” publishes some very useful DVDs that provide all kinds of specific, helpful information. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any help. Your layout should be what YOU want it to be; what you will enjoy. It is your world over which you reign as supreme. Enjoy the journey. Don’t let the frustrations of inevitable problems discourage you. Every problem has its solution! And the layout doesn’t go anywhere. You can leave off work on it for a while, and it will be waiting for you.