Rebuilding a Layout from A to Z (Model Railroader's How-To Guide)

If you only buy one Model Railroading book this year... this has to be it. The photographs on page 14 through to 18 are some of the best I have seen in any model railroad publication, in fact all photos of this layout are worth the price of admission alone...Pelle Soeborg explains his reasoning and desire to recreate his Daneville layout in this second incarnation, and he does so very well. He starts with the usual location selection (desert California) and then goes about that including benchwork and track laying, to wiring, roads, telephone poles, bridges, scenery and structures to layout completion in a chronological order. If you follow his advise on the discipline of construction and his techniques, you could save yourself a lot of time and frustration building your own layout. His use of foam as a scenery construction methodology is second to none.His chapter on photo backdrops is the best of any current publication. Whilst some of the advanced techniques are not covered as thoroughly as most modellers would like (which would make this a rather large volume indeed), you could always get his book  Essential Model Railroad Scenery (Model Railroader's How-to Guide)  to fill in the details.Even if you do not model desert scenery, you will gain a leviathan level of insight in the reasoning as to what you should do and what to avoid, as Mr Soeborg quiet candidly highlights the road crossing on the old layout was troublesome (listen up... Pelle Soeborg has made the mistake so you do not have too!)Something not obvious though is that his track plan is simple, and that is the very key fact why his layout works and looks as good as it does... it is not a spaghetti bowl of track and allows for railfanning whilst operational potential is not compromised.This is so complete in regards to the construction process and the modern techniques used (photo backdrops and sound deadening especially), any modeller, new or old hands, would benefit from reading it. I certainly did, thoroughly enjoyable, I still flick through sections, after having read it numerous times.I can not wait for the Duolith extension to be completed... (hint ... hint...)

Good how to for building a layout or rebuilding.

I have been amazed by Pelle Søeborg's amazing layouts since the first article in Model Railroader. It never ceases to amaze me how well he duplicates the Mojave desert scenery. It is more incredible when you realize how small and simple his layout is. He is a genius at duplicating vast desert spaces in such a small space.Pelle's latest book details how he tore down and rebuilt his layout to make it even more amazing. It seems impossible that he could improve the scenery but he manages it. He also provides in depth information on each step of the rebuild, from the bench work to buildings.

There is a lot of really great information in this book! Even if you model an entirely different landscape, this book is very valuable in teaching how to maximize your space, and how to build around your layout to maximize the quality of the viewing experience.

Awesome detailing! Søeborg's attention to detail is amazing. VERY useful.

A long awaited book! Just as good if not better than the first build! A must have for any modelers library!

Great author and I learned a lot of his style.

great book, could be a little cheaper

Great book. Very informative in the 'easy to read and understand' format, common with other books by the author. A recomended book.

A bible for American modellers

Wieder mal muss man sagen ein klasse Buch über Scenery und Modellbahnbau von Pelle Soerborg. Allerdings verwundert der Titel etwas, da es sich ja hier um das Überarbeiten einer Anlage handeln soll. Hierzu hatte der Autor auch schon Artikel im Model Railroader publiziert, wie man beispielsweise Gebäude und Material rettet wenn man es von der Anlage nimmt. Davon ist hier nichts zu finden, es geht um den NEUBAU seiner Daneville Sektion. Daraus ergibt sich auch schon, dass das Buch eher für Modellbahner interessant ist, die sich mit Wüstenmotiven befassen.Davon abgesehen bekommt man hier für wenig Geld einen konpletten "How To Guide", angefangen vom Unterbau, bis zum Gleisverlegen und weiter über Landschaftsgestaltung und Gebäudeprojekte, sogar Bahnübergänge und Telegrafenleitungen. Wie immer ist alles strukturiert, sehr gut erklärt und mit tollen Fotos garniert, die alleine schon die Anschaffung des Buches rechtfertigen.Ich würde mir das Buch sofort wieder kaufen - alleine schon wegen der Anlagenfotos bei denen man sich manchmal fragt ob das wirklich Modellbahn oder echt ist (es ist Modellbahn), wer jedoch noch keines der Bücher von ihm hat und nicht unbedingt Wüstenszenerie macht kann sich auch das Buch Scenery Techniques von ihm holen.

Comprei para tentar reproduzir, mesmo que em menor escala, o cenário e me surpreendi com a riqueza de detalhes e explicações para isso. O autor foi muito feliz nas fotos e nas explicações. Recomendo!

Lots of good info and helpful tips