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my Märklin railway layout

photo of the
layout, 73kB

The idea

In summer 1999 I decided to build a new model railway layout. However, since I am living in a rather small flat I had to choose something quite small in size, but it should still be great in fun. Because I am a Märklinist since the age of six, I was sure it had to be a märklin H0 again. And since I am living in the metric Germany, I chose a layout size of 1.50 m × 1.00 m. I'd say a layout can hardly be smaller to offer more than a boring circle. And if area is scarce the 3rd dimension has to be explored.

The principal rail layout is as follows: the bottom circle is a single-line circle with three rails in the station area to the left front. From hidden in the rear there is a branch siding to an automatic coal / gravel loading facility. From the bottom station there is also a branch line that climbs up the hill in 1 1/2 windings to reach a station at the right side with two through rails and a goods rail. From there continues the track to another station in the left rear with one rail to a 3rd station's platform and a second rail with coal / gravel unloading facility.

Now, do you get the point? There is plenty of traffic going on: gravel cars are pushed up the hill to be unloaded. Then the empty hoppers can collect new load at the bottom from the loading yard. Other goods can be transported from the bottom station to the upper right station. And there is passenger traffic between all the three stations.

Track plan

Here is my track plan - for better understanding separated into three layers: bottom, top, and the linking helix.

bogobit layout plan, 18kB

Click on the plan to download it as a PDF-document.

Construction

The layout is made of a 10 mm beech plywood surrounding frame with reinforcing wooden bars from rear to front. The track base is 8 mm poplar plywood. On that is layer of 4mm cork to shape a prototypical trackbed. On that I layed my märklin K-track.

The track is ballasted with Woodland Scenics ballast poured in and at the K-track, misted with ethanol alcohol (to break surface tension), and then poured with a water-diluted white wood glue. This produces very realistic results. In case the ballast has to be removed it simply has to be watered and after some minutes of soaking it can be removed easily. Unfortunately, this solution has one great disadvantage: trains running on this track produce a lot of noise, because the rigid construction transfers the locos' and cars' sound and vibrations to the whole layout which acts like a large loudspeaker.

Scenery is shaped using the classic wire mesh and plaster technique, i. e. wire mesh is fixed to the wooden base and then covered with one or more layers of plaster. Finally it is colored and landscaped with gras fibers, or (foam rubber) turf, or sand, or whatever looks appropriate.

Photo Gallery

At the top of this page is a view of the left part. Here you see the the remaining right part:

photo of the
layout, 77kB

For more photos please go to the photo album.