Thanks to All Who Commented

I just went through a ton of post comments and want to thank all for the many comments made on the many posts.  I know that replying to each one is more personal but I have run out of time so have decided on sending out this post so that all can read it at once.  Many have enjoyed the post on ’301 Moved Permanently’ and I am grateful that this post found entrance into so many people’s thoughts and feelings.  I also want to thank so many for passing this blog onto family members to view and read as well.

As far as the issue in IE, I think that this is a problem on the clients end of the web blog as it works just fine on my IE and I am using the new IE version 10.  So please look at your settings and check your IE settings out.

There have been many comments on where I get my information, well I find it on the internet and from model railroading train show and my past history with model railroading.

I am still going to put posts together to add to the posts on things to do when making and creating a model railroading layout.  These post come slowing but with time I gather more information that can be used for the next installment of these posts on this theme.  I want to thank those who are following these posts for their patience.

Please keep the comments coming and there is a like button on each of the blog pages for the person(s) commenting on not being able to like the page, it is there.

So until next time I hope that all will continue to enjoy the posts and I look forward to reading your comments.  One thing, when commenting on what you would like to read on the blog or want more details please be as clear as you are able to be when you are explaining your thoughts, thank you.

Specials Page

Well Spring is on its way and the weather is really looking very good.  If it keeps up the time to get outside and be working on the yard etc. will be very soon.  In the meantime, take advantage of those last winter days putting some finishing touches on your model railroading project.  We have many sales going on at Live Locomotion and there are many items to choose from.  Bachmann train items are on sale at 10% off again and there are a bunch of new specials on our specials page.  Take advantage of them all through the month of April.  Some will not last long as our stock is always turning over.  There are some items that we do not have many left at the present time.

Thank you for making Live Locomotion your number one stop for all your model railroading needs. Here are links below for our specials page and our Backmann page.

Well it has been some time since we have talked about model railroading and creating your layout.  I hope that you have been able to get some needed model railroading completed.  Last we talked about diagramming and detailing your service of your layout, and I hope that has worked out good for you.

The next thing is to have those materials ready to use.  There are hills, valleys, lakes, streams and many other types of landscape to create.  You can use chick wire, paper mache, molds, resin, etc. for creating the different layout service areas.  You can get natural items from around your areas to create the trees and shrubs.  If you are in a model railroading club presently you will know and learn some very interesting ideas and technics for building and creating many natural looking items that will be needed on your layout.  Of course you are able to buy many per made items from any hobby shop in your area or online.

This will take some time to do but probably the first thing to do is to lay down your track in the proper place(s) that you want your train(s) to run and then develop your layout around your per positioned track.  The time it takes to position your track will depend on the size of your layout, the number of tracks required and the scale of track that you are using.  The small the track the more time consuming it takes as there is less room to work with your tools as you are mounting the track to the layout surface.  Don’t forget to lay down cork or some other material so it is much easier to fasten you track to your layout.  You can use white glue to adhere this material to the layout supporting surface.  Once that is done and solid you can then layout your track on it.   Be careful not to damage the track when mounting it as it is easy to do and I have done in in the past without knowing it.  Also if you are creating a layout that is movable detail is very important when laying down your track so that it will go together and you have the proper connection so that all works when it is set up.

When you track is down now you can start on the landscape of the layout with all its hills, valleys, streams and lakes.  If you are recreating a specific rail line then use all the data and photos you have collected to position the layout out as it should be.  These will give you additional help in placing the different items on the layout so that it looks as it should look and your finished product will be as you have planned it.  As with the track if you are creating a layout that is movable you will need to create your layout landscape so that it can be taken down without damaging it and when you put it up again that the landscape looks as if it was always up.  

These different processes in building your layout will take some time to do.  There is no need for speed.  Enjoy the different aspects of the hobby and with time it will come together.  Rome was not built in a day so take your time, be careful, and enjoy the fruitful results of creating and building your layout.  Next time we will take about more of the details and add in some tricks and tips to help the process of building the layout be more smooth.

One more thing, I am thinking of starting to do reviews and some history on the different railroading lines and their engines, rolling stock etc.  please give some feedback on this idea, thank you.

We have gotten into the year and February is almost over. Next month is Woodland Scenics month. We will be offering 10% off all Woodland Scenics products. With the weather still not that great outside and the long winter nights I am sure that there are many who are spending a lot of time working on their projects in doors. What a wonderful way to spend your evenings working on the new layout or the new additions to an existing layout. Woodland Scenics offers many products to do just that. They have trees, tunnels, track accessories both in HO Scale and N Scale, ballast, rock molds, scenery suppies, layout supplies, talus and many more products to get your model railroad layout looking just the way you want it to look.
It is the perfect time to get your layout looking great just before the Spring weather draws you outside. It is also a great idea to have those new things you wanted to do done so that when the spring and summer holidays bring in your guests and family that you will have those new layout extras to show off to them.

We have just past the middle of February and the February Atlas Train Special is still going on.  On top of that there is a new item the Lionel “2-8-2 LEGACY MIKADO B&O #4507″ steam engine which is the weekly special.

This is an O Gauge Lionel steam engine.  Here are some detail of the engine, Dimensions: Length: 20 ¾”, RailLine: Baltimore & Ohio, Minimum Curve: O-36.  This weekly special will go on until the end of next week.  Come on in and check out these many great items at their greatly reduced prices while they last.

We have some new things going on at Live Locomotion as we have added a specials page. We also have our Atlas Trains sale going on at the present time for the month of February. All Atlas Train items purchases will receive a 10% sales discount. Also remember that purchase amounts of $90.00 or more will receive free shipping throughout the U.S.

One more thing, My friend’s three engines are still for sales. You can find the information to contact him on the “Items to Sell or Buy” page of this blog. These are great looking engines and I know that anyone who receives any one of these N Scale Engines will be totally satisfied with their purchase.

CN Diesel Engine

Atlas Classic Diesel Engine

Atlas Diesel Engine Markings 720 and Green in colour

The next step is to layout the structure of the details, and plans of the layout itself.  This is any other project.  Knowing how it will look on the base is very important.
One thing that you can do is to decide if you are going to cut out the raised and lowered section of the layout or not.  If you are going ahead and cut out the sections of your layout that you are going to transform into hills, mountains and valleys now is time to do that if you already have not done that previously to this point in time.

The next step is to start to trace out on the surface of your platform the diagram of where your track is going, your buildings are going to be etc.  You can use track to get the correct dimensions and radius of your curves.  You will then have a good idea on how your layout will fit and look on the surface that you have constructed.

This sounds like it would not take a lot of time but be prepared to spend a better part of an afternoon on it if you want to get it correct.  Doing this first and taking your time with it will save a lot of extra work in the future.    The size of layout will definitely determine the length of time for you so the time it takes you will be somewhat different.

You can also map out the electrical layout at the same time if you wise.  This will also help to cut down time in the future when it comes to installing the electrical wiring and connections needed for your layout.  I will give you some tips about the electrical aspects of your layout in a future post so look for that in another post down the road.

You have some work ahead of you so until next time; have a happy and safe time working on your layout.  Take your time and always plan to do it correct the first time then you will be able to enjoy it sooner.  Till next time keep modeling.

It is the middle of January and we are starting our weekly special again.  This week it is the    Master GP40-2 ST Lawrence & Atlantic 3804.  We have also start to put our weekly items on ebay now.  You are able to go to Live Locomotion or ebay whichever is easier for you. This is certainly a great way to get started for the new year to add to your model railroading experience.  This item and the majority of our items are of the N Scale modelling scale.

It has been a while since I started to write these posts on building a model railroad layout.  If you remember the last post had the layout process at getting all the required supplies to start to build the layout.  This would include 2X4s, plywood, nails and screws, and 1X1s or 1X2s for support pieces.

The beginning of the project has just begun and maybe you are wandering what I do next.  Well, now that you have your needed parts and supplies as well as the place to construct the layout the next thing is to begin.  Start with building the legs.  Make sure that they are the correct height as it is not great to have to take them all apart to adjust to the correct height. Once the legs are completed then you have the next step of creating the platform for the layout to be built on.

The platform itself will be needs to be built so that it can support the layout without any worry of it collapsing.  At this point in time hopefully you have made up your mind as to how the layout will be for future consideration.  If you are in your home and see no future move then you will probably create one solid layout.  If you are planning a move in the future or move a lot because of work etc. Or a member of a model railroading club and the layout that you are building will be part of model railroading shows then you probably need to facture that into the building of the layout and create the appropriate section dimension so that the layout is easy to transport when needed.

Also at this point if you have not already done this you will need to know how you are going to connect not only your layout together but also your track connections and electrical connections.  Preplanning is always a time saver with these kinds of planned ideas.

Now, onto the construction of the different components of the frame, legs etc.  Good Luck and have fun doing it.  Always remember that this is your hobby and you are to enjoy doing it.  Some things might be challenging and time consuming but never quit.  This hobby will be with you for a long time and there will be many great memories along the lifetime of this project.

Just an update.  I have created a model railroading product page.  This page will consist of items for sale.  Also if anyone wants to contact me I will be glad to put model railroading items on this page for them to sell as well.  There will be a fee for this so please contact me and we will be able to discuss this through email or over the phone.  Contact information is email: fvdave30@hotmail.com and phone: 1-306-419-9006.