Видео

The issue I believe is that you are using steam engines on the upper loop. The front wheels don't have enough weight to throw the switch. I've had this issue too. It's derailing probably and shorting out. Do yourself a favor and get a second 4 amp inline thermal fuse because the MTH Z1000 built in thermal fuse is too slow to react. And just use a heavy diesel on the top

Perfect! 👍👍👍

Do you like the 765 or the 1225 better though? 😂🤠

The Atlantic is so cool! 😀

Nice progress think about double stack con trainers are 8" tall another road block just saying happy railroading look forward to your next video thanks for sharing

It’s easy to get discouraged sometimes. I would be bummed out by frying two engines as well. I would recommend you keep the track plan but fix the switches and invest in a better circuit breaker. Your layout looks great!

Get rid of the fast-track switches. I would purchase Ross switches. Another option is to go to Atlas track, their switches are very reliable.

I like the idea of the dogbone upper loop. Would be great for passenger operation. I toy with the idea of using switches in the same scenario but for the price just buy more track. Great layout in general and my only critique would be that your switching operations and spurs are toward the center/back of the layout. Hard to reach especially if you are running a couple trains on the outer loops. Otherwise love the layout and my thought is more trains running = more to enjoy. Move forward, carry on!

Do a Dogbone and keep the upper level. I DO NOT like Lionel FastTrack. Not a Fan.

Keep the upper loop. My whole layout is a reversing dog-bone pretty much, and I wouldn’t be able to get away from that design because I really like it. I am not familiar with any fast track switch, but I had realtrack switches and those things would hold up almost anything that went through it except my diesels. It never caused damage though. My mth z4000 doesn’t trip immediately. I think it’s time to decide if you want to keep trusting those switches or not. There are other companies out there to consider. Also, I have 2 of those mth engines that I can pop the shell off and get you a ps2 part number if you need it. Just let me know.

Take your switches out and make it a loop. Like a double main line on the bridge. Save the headaches

I would highly recommend a dog bone! No switches highly dependable, and you can run really long trains. Don’t get discouraged keep moving forward!

Looks like you have the same manual switches on the lower level. Did those trains run ok on the lower level?

My first question would what transformer are you using. The breaker should throw before damage.

How are your engines being fried? Does your power supply not have circuit protection?

FT electric switches should help. They are made with this kinda configuration in mind.

I like what you did with trackwork on the upper level. I honestly do not know what is going on with the switches. I know how it feels to have issues like this arise and then your motivation is adversely affected. This too shall pass and you will go into "train season" just fine. I will be at York as well.

You did not say what kind of transformer you were using and where you have it connected to the track. I have a reversing loop using (3) wall warts, (1) in the middle with (2) blocks right before the switches and (1) wall wart right after the block before the switches on each side. You cannot run conventional on it .but it does work well with no power drops .It's also inexpensive if you have any wall warts left over from starter sets.

Lose the fast track go with Atlas or gargraves

My layout is three dogbones, great for long trains.

I volunteer for a seasonal train set-up. One solution might be using a non-manual switch, getting the wires from it, and have sensors on the track that would switch the switches before it goes over it. It can definitely take time and you need to do a lot of coding, but it does pay off.

Your transformer may not have a quick enough circuit breaker to protect your engines. You may be able to add one or a fuse to the output of your transformer.

Get another bridge and double up the back . Keep the upper level for sure.

I wouldn’t ditch the upper level.

Double track the back and run a 3-stop streetcar, station in the middle and one on each side loop. Center station can have stairs or escalator like Wrigley Field

Hey tripple r glad to see you back i think you shoupd do one loop with on one end a countey scene wirh a siding to a co-op or country freight house, that would be cool!

Ask yourself, do I like watching more trains run, or setting building and doing scenery? Taking the loop out will give you more room for buildings and scenery. But your so close on the upper loop, take the 2 switches out and add the double track. Less problems, and I know you can make it look great!

I like the upper loop. I'd keep the switches. The train will still return the same way and save you space on the second tangent track. Why do you say you'd never use it? Why did it have to be conventional only?

I mean the best option I would have for you is probably just make it a regular loop instead of having it a one track loop. You can probably have a small trestle on the other side or you can make a huge overpass bridge to make a full loop am I make less space for scenery but no short I am sure of it

Great to see the progress. Odd problem with the FT switches. I agree with others, go for the dogbone with double bridge. You could run two trains on the upper loop with a control block.

It’s really odd that your locomotives have been damaged by the switches. I’ve never heard of something like that happening, since usually FT switches are automatic. I’d say your best option would be to try to fit in a dogbone arrangement like you described in the second option.

Are the switches on the upper level manual?

whatever you do moving forward i'm still hyped to see it!

I would keep the upper level. A dog bone would be the best. I’m not familiar with FasTrack, but those switches may be defective. I can’t see an engine frying their board just because they may hang-up on a switch. I plan on putting a small, upper level at each end of my layout, about 3x4 or so. They will be diner and airport scenes, respectively. Either way, try to keep the upper level. It adds a nice dimension to the layout.

If you want the upper level, go for a dogbone, or two circles and run trolleys. Most likely one or both of the switches are defective.

I would do a dog bone with a double bridge. Sorry to hear about frying your locos.

looking good

Looking good! Great job on your ballast, grass etc, really looks nice. Take your time and enjoy the process and be sure to run trains a lot along the way, Blessings.

I rode this train over 15 years ago. Such a cool route on the mountainside. I think about going back often.

Nice vid ive aways wanted to ride the Durango and Silverstone so far from were i live

Fantastic. I always wanted to do something like this.

Ate you going to do anymore layout updates?

Very nice

Looks great man!

Love those acceleration and braking sounds.

Nice

Didn’t know Thomas worked for Norfolk Southern

Awesome Switcher.. MTH is my go to!!!