Model Train Talk South Africa
Model Train Talk Workshop => Layout Design => Topic started by: capeklr on October 27, 2026, 12:20:07 PM
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Hi all,
I've have started to help a good friend to build his first layout one year ago.
We had been chatting about this for some time, but the first photo which I took on my phone is dated the 30/10/2025.
It's of the first design on the PC.
Staging yard with Märklin c track. This is an early design still using the R 1 curved points.
We later decided to do away with these and changed them to the newer wide radius R 3 curved points.
But as neither of us have the newer design programs incorporating these we had to buy a few and try it by trail and error.
Got it to work. :thumb:
First design.
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Main line with the station.
Very rough design, was changed a bit as you will see in later photos.
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Rough design for the upper level.
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We started by laying out the track on the floor to check for fit and get a feel for it.
This is still with the R 1 curved points.
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We decided to ban the R 1 points and all R 1 curves on this layout.
So here is the same staging yard with the R 3 curved points.
Just for reference R 1 is 360 mm radius while R 3 is 515 mm. Much better.
Note that the two rear lines run very close together as this was never intended to be used in this way by Märklin.
But it works perfectly. :thumb:
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Then we made lots of saw dust. :)
First few pieces cut.
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More saw dust, legs and the beginnings of the bench work.
First photo.
Second photo shows the completed staging yard, first test drives where also done successfully. :thumb:
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Bench work continued around the front to complete the loop.
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Graham surveying our work.
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Building the station, marking the center lines of the track.
Laying down the road bed.
Laying the track and testing off course.
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First building mounted on the layout.
Built by Graham some time ago.
Complete with lights.
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Some more progress.
Working out the lines at the front of the layout going up to the upper level.
As well as two separate outer lines, one will be analog AC, running from a traditional Märklin transformer.
The other one will be analog DC.
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Station taking shape.
Trying out lighting effects in the building.
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Working outside again.
Laying out the upper level, working out how it fits best.
Considering the bridge as well.
Then more saw dust will be made.
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Saw dust was made, the next few pieces of plywood have been carried upstairs and fitted
to the layout.
All fitting together very nicely. :thumb:
Station also showing good signs of progress.
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Station with lights.
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Clearly visible the ramp in the right of the photo, this is for the two analog AC and DC lines.
Upper level track being laid out.
Engine shed complete with roof now.
Last photo, first test drive on the upper level. :thumb:
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In the meantime Graham had been building the goods shed.
When placed on the layout he had the idea that he wanted another two sidings.
After looking at it and thinking a bit, I removed some track to be able to fit another point
into the station track and from there another point to give us two short, but use full sidings. :thumb:
The two outer lines have also been laid. if you look closely you'll see that one track doesn't have the
center studs.
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Awesome work Jörg.
Enjoyed reading through the steps and watching the progress.....
Very, Very nice :thumb:
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Thanks Evert, more updates to follow.
Stay tuned.
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Hi all,
spent some time trying to work out the best way/route to get to the upper level.
Unfortunately space is a bit limited so the gradients are a bit steep. :(
I cut a few road bed pieces to clamp into position to see how it comes together.
Trying out various ideas.
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We eventually decided on this route.
Proposed bridge also in position.
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In between Graham has been building kits and I've been fitting lights to them.
The Faller coal mine really needs some more outside lights. The kit comes with
dummy plastic imitation lights, but those that know me will realize that I convert these with
very small Led's.
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Two more.
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This is where the mine will be situated later, it will have its own siding as well.
Castle as well.
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Nice....... Looks GREAT. LOL :biggrin: Yes, we do like the lights and to change them to actual working ones is always better. Way easier to do with HO than with N or even Z, I really find it extremely difficult to do them and the buy is so super expensive.
Awesome job guys. Love it. :thumb:
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Thanks Evert, in N or Z scales you could always use optic fiber for the lights.
Or you get 0402 Led's, those could also work in some N scale applications.
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Hi all,
what's next, we rolled up our sleeves and got our hands dirty.
Crete stone, yes we started with some scenery.
Graham is fortunate to have quite a few molds from Table Mountain rocks.
There is quite a story to these. ;D >:D
But they are awesome and produce beautiful results.
Bit by bit I glued them in, see where and how they fit best and then after the glue
had set closed up all the caps with more crete stone.
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In the meantime we also fitted a first back drop.
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More crete stone work, with some color already.
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Two small buildings with an outdoor light retrofitted.
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More scenery work.
Different colors to bring out the rock formations.
Base color, then a black wash making sure to get it into all the crevasses.
Once this is properly dry, dry brushing white over the edges of the rocks.
Note the beginnings of a town scene, placing a few buildings and discussing
possibilities.
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Another photo.
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Some more.
Grass is also starting to grow now.
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Last two for today.
Stay tuned.
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Hi all,
the corner at the back also got some attention. A little hill,
molded a foot path into the Crete stone.
This I then covered with a sand/fine stone mixture before applying the static grass.
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Then I started to ballast the track.
First section. Long way to go.
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Very happy how this little section turned out.
:thumb:
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One more.
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Good Morning Jörg,
Wow, your scenery work is looking great and I have to say, the colour of the rocks looks great. I tend to stay with grey, but this is looking awesome. Very well done. :thumb:
Cheers, Evert :biggrin:
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Thanks Evert,
yes I guess most layouts have more grey rocks,mountains.
But red is also a color.
Just drive into the Karoo right on our door step, Go over Swartberg pass. I can show you photos.
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Hi all,
ballasting and planting grass, I mean glueing down static grass. ;)
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After Graham built the signal box, I fitted some lights to it.
One outside under the roof and an extra outside light by the door.
Basically a small surface mount Led soldered directly to a 0.5 mm brass rod
bend over and a small styrene washer glued over the Led.
A small blob of Prately clear epoxy over the Led to make it look like a
lamp shade.
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Some more photo's of the station area, ballasting done and grass work as well.
I tried to vary the grass colors.
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One more.
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Next Graham built the beer brewery,
this has to have lights of course.