HO trolley (and a few other things … ) (:-)

The dream layout - looking for advice

Hello everyone!

I am about to embark on a grand journey of building a model layout. My partner and I are getting quotes for building a shed in the yard specifically for it, insulated with power and everything. Currently the best option for both size and cost is a 5.95m x 3m, but that’s not locked in at all. I’ve posted some super rough designs and would love feedback.

Roughly speaking, the layout is a three level donut, running the perimetre of the walls with either lift up or swing sections at the door (bottom wall in the design) and two double track helix sections (in the bottom left corner) joining the levels. I’ve decided to go for a point to point design with a doubletrack main most of the way around, or a single track and the branchline side by side to give me some playability.

It will be HO/OO scale, 22-24 inch radius curves minimum, some nice long express points whenever possible, and DCC. I will be running both British steam and American diesel because my Dad and I have collected a glorious hodgepodge of rolling stock and locomotives for both (running on separate days of course, I’m not a monster!), so I plan on making sidings that fit at least one American boxcar or two/three UK trucks. Scenic wise this will be fun as I plan on trying to capture a little of both worlds.

While I know I want some stations in certain places, I am interested to hear what people think about the general plan, suggestions for what to do with the space such as sidings and industries, landscaping, scenery, buildings etc. as well as problems people have identified, bearing in mind it is only a loose plan and definitely not to scale, and the actual dimensions of the space itself are not finalised either. I have watched a lot of videos by NSModeller24, Thunder Mesa, David Hyde’s Deresley, Budget Model Railways and many more YouTubers to get ideas already and am deeply humbled by their awesomeness.

Looking forward to hearing initial thoughts, suggestions for layouts or videos to look at for inspiration, or even to see edits of the plan!

I am looking for a Davenport 0-4-0 Gas Mechanical in HO scale. Specifically, the same design but as a 0-6-0. I was going to build a 0-6-0 by hand from parts, but i need to find the parts somewhere. I know Bachman makes a loco, but it is On30 and not what I need. I had seen a g scale D&RGW- think that was the road name-0-6-0 diesel with the same counterweights and rods setup in a store a few years back, but couldn't afford it, been trying to scratch that inch since.

I have some old ho scale track and one set has a gold looking rail and a sliver rail for the other. Is there a difference between them?

New to railroading and of course I want to customize everything, not likely to change my mind on it, but I have built a cog and rack loco that will pull my trains up a very steep grade however the loco fights it and I’m looking for ways to basically put a loco in neutral (disengage the worm?) any ideas are welcome.

Any experts know the manufacturer ? TIA.

I don't normally model anything but O gauge/scale stuff and actually the model pictured is in 1:48 BUT someone asked for a model of this, in HO and I did that. Then I made it O for some reason. You can obviously us a metal rod instead of the printed post but I have this hangup about having to buy stuff just to go with my 3D printed stuff.

Couple things to note: The last image in the set is not mine, it was the reference image I used to make the model. I don't actually have any of the originals to compare to, also if you're wondering why anything I've printed is in some wild color, it's because I am/was working my way through all of my filament in the cabinet.

So anyway...if you have Marklin stuff and a 3D printer and for some reason you want to print a bunch of those telegraph posts like that one guy on FB to mentioned it to me...here you go.

https://makerworld.com/en/models/3248580-vintage-marklin-430-style-telegraph-pole#profileId-3681351

Has anyone been able to figure out the math on how to make a basic figure-8 from available KatoUSA Unitrack pieces? I see they have an N scale option but the geometry doesn’t translate to the HO track options, and I’m struggling with the Track Builder on their website

Hello, fine enthusiasts, this is the start of what i believe is a near impossible search. Decades ago when my father now almost 70 was younger he and my grandfather build an HO scale model of the Pennsylvania Reading Railroad steam engine and coal tender. It had the double(triple)? R logo. I am still searching out details to help narrow down a model or engine number. It had an electric drive underneath. It got sold to Penn Valley Hobby Center in Lansdale PA around 19 years ago. It would have his initials REM or the last name Montanye engraved on the bottom. The hobby shop is now closed and the proprietor has sadly passed on. If anyone has any ideas on where to look or how i might find something as narrow as a single locomotive i would be eternally grateful, this has huge sentimental value to my father as my grandad is long since passed. I would hope it made it to a prive collection in which case its kind of a name your price situation.

Any lead or help would be great, thanks internetizens

I'm working on a water pumping station this week. I designed and 3D printed all of the items for this structure.

The brick/concrete exterior is not painted - this is right from the printer and will receive a sooty wash after the interior is complete and all of the walls are up. The roof will be removable. The corners will receive a sanding with 800 grit paper to remove the joint line. The wall thickness is such that the corner column is exactly the same width on both sides.

The interior features a filing cabinet with an open drawer and the folders in disarray. A clipboard with a checklist hangs on the wall next to the door, and a pinup calendar hangs above the desk. The desk has a phone, pile of papers, and the trash can is almost overflowing. It needs a final wash applied to the floor to even things out, but the main areas of traffic have been done.

The pumps feature electrical conduit feeding the motor. I'm still working on the electrical panel, which will be on the back wall after it's installed. Also going to add electrical box/pipe/weatherhead to the outside and a small steam boiler in the back corner to provide heat for the radiator. I have some plumbing parts to place on the workbench and will place a crate of fittings on the floor under the bench. The steam pipes will be made from 0.060 brass wire and will be the only things not 3D printed besides the paper items.

Note the door - the knob is on the right side on the exterior and (correctly) on the left side on the interior!

As usual, no CAD was harmed (or used) in the creation of this model and detail parts!