When I was a brakeman I didn't like working nights, no one really did of course. I can tell you though running long trains in the dark, watching signals change ahead was incredible. From a mile out to see the crossing gates drop as you're coming towards them and just the perception from darkness makes everything different. Depending on the head unit the lights projected from your lead end made you a powerhouse. Between Oakland and Sacramento was all double track for the SP. You going one way at 70 mph and watching an oncoming doing the same thing from the opposite direction was always an awesome sight that I never got tired of. Darkness really does give a whole different perception. I like the idea that you have for night sessions. I've never really heard anybody say that on model railroading.
If I was younger and could build another big layout it would be like this. Very nice layout, I like the concepts, direction for future planned expansion. Really enjoyed seeing the Iowa controllers as I like running with momentum with my NCE controller and planning stops like a real engineer whether long haul or local switching. Keep up the good work.😊
I used to work on the fuel dump, fueling at the Katy / Bellmead yard in the late 70s, very nice to see the yard, hope to see yard office and other blds. soon
Your work has a nice immersion with the backdrops. I worked in Waco for a few years and recognized many areas. I'm building the MKT in a garage, finishing the benchwork, track, and wiring. You have made very efficient use of your space. I did not plan very well. I started building a test track, then a super test track, and I might as well have a space for some diorams in storage, and I could put a staging yard under all that. Few more days anyway and I will have things running. Please make some more. I would like to see your process of making backdrops and like some details on the heights of benchwork. What space did you use for the helix and what is the radius? All that. Anyway. Very Nice Job. Make more videos.
Nicely done. I'm building my first sizable layout but have a long way to go for some of your professional elements. Looks like late caboose era (late 70's through mid 80's) which is my favorite period. Thankfully we have basements in Virginia, but I'm from out west originally so chose D&RGW. Love the details and scenery. Yes, 24" helix is tight. I'm planning a 34" R helix to bring trains up from a staging yard 10 inches below the main yard.
Beautiful layout…enjoyed the tour…sounds like you’re in Waco…would’ve love to have visited when I’d visit my son (1st Cav @Hood) in Temple over the past couple years…he’s moving on so no more Temple visits…I know videos are hard but would like to see the progress on the lower level
You really have done a lot in the last 2 years and 3 months and I’m glad you are still enjoying the layout. Everything looks wonderful. It has a nice ratio of track to scenery not jammed or overcrowded. You are very talented and a lot of us would like to learn how to do some of the things that you have done so please don’t leave us hanging for another 2 years. A lot of people asked about your backdrops. Can you tell us how you made them or where you got them?
Beautiful layout.. love it, great work... Qq: where did you get that dark blue mack dump 3/4 in video... I need macks and cannot find any..., thanks , joe
thats an awesome way to design a layout, just by adding prototypically designed sections to continue on the line for more complex operation. The color sheme with the scenery is nice too!
I wish I had the space for Trains. The last time I tried, I learned it's really hard to make a 6x3 layout, and my Kato dash9 didn't like the tight curves very much. Anyway, you earned a sub 🙂
This layout inspires me a ton to work on my own! Almost exactly what I want for mine. Amazing job on everything - your layout is beautiful! Also, where do you get all those classic cars based from the 60’s-80’s? I can’t ever find any
Oh Nice! I liked it before and just keeps getting better. Questions... What does "JMRI took all the cars off" mean? And what is the grade on the helix? Thank you.
If you dont mind questions? How long, or how many cars, do you run on your trains whats average? I am building what I call a medium layout and doing that without a plan. Love this layout, very nice!
Awesome layout. I was wondering by chance if you had a diagram of your track plan? I just got the bench work done for mine and we are modeling the same time frame. Plus you focus a lot on switching which is something I'd like as well. Thanks in advance
I live in north DFW area, would really like to see the layout first hand... I have a one car garage double deck layout as well! Ask Ron for Kurt's number so we can connect.
What is your radius curve on your Peninsula and my size building is 11 half feet wide and 19 half feet long ,using Anyrail design my track plan 28 inch radius curve for the peninsula i designing
I've noticed that you are wearing a long sleeve shirt in this video. When I was young getting into the hobby my tutor suggested to me not to wear long sleeve shirts because of chances of snagging it somewhere along the layout and might cause possible damage to the layout or the equiipment. So have you had any bad experiences with long sleeves?
Please, where did you find the boxes that are under your dwarf signals??? If I ever put sound in any of my engines I will have the max sound very low. I have been to places where you can not talk over the train sounds. i really don't like that.
When I was a brakeman I didn't like working nights, no one really did of course. I can tell you though running long trains in the dark, watching signals change ahead was incredible. From a mile out to see the crossing gates drop as you're coming towards them and just the perception from darkness makes everything different. Depending on the head unit the lights projected from your lead end made you a powerhouse. Between Oakland and Sacramento was all double track for the SP. You going one way at 70 mph and watching an oncoming doing the same thing from the opposite direction was always an awesome sight that I never got tired of. Darkness really does give a whole different perception. I like the idea that you have for night sessions. I've never really heard anybody say that on model railroading.
Just came across the channel and thought it was great content
Beautiful Layout. I think I will drop by more often.
That layout looks great
Looks amazing bud cant wait for the rest!
Thanks hope to see more
I hope you start making more videos. This is an enjoyable layout and your commentary and video work is excellent.
If I was younger and could build another big layout it would be like this. Very nice layout, I like the concepts, direction for future planned expansion. Really enjoyed seeing the Iowa controllers as I like running with momentum with my NCE controller and planning stops like a real engineer whether long haul or local switching. Keep up the good work.😊
nice layout, and I love the background as well. very nice.
Love this! As a Wacoan, this is fantastic!
I used to work on the fuel dump, fueling at the Katy / Bellmead yard in the late 70s, very nice to see the yard, hope to see yard office and other blds. soon
What a great layout. Well done update with lots of tips also. Thank you for this.
What looks really nice!! Love how everything flows!
Layout is looking great!
Beautiful layout man. Thanks for the update post.
Your work has a nice immersion with the backdrops. I worked in Waco for a few years and recognized many areas. I'm building the MKT in a garage, finishing the benchwork, track, and wiring. You have made very efficient use of your space. I did not plan very well. I started building a test track, then a super test track, and I might as well have a space for some diorams in storage, and I could put a staging yard under all that. Few more days anyway and I will have things running. Please make some more. I would like to see your process of making backdrops and like some details on the heights of benchwork. What space did you use for the helix and what is the radius? All that. Anyway. Very Nice Job. Make more videos.
Nicely done. I'm building my first sizable layout but have a long way to go for some of your professional elements. Looks like late caboose era (late 70's through mid 80's) which is my favorite period. Thankfully we have basements in Virginia, but I'm from out west originally so chose D&RGW. Love the details and scenery. Yes, 24" helix is tight. I'm planning a 34" R helix to bring trains up from a staging yard 10 inches below the main yard.
The clouds backdrop is incredible. Have you done a "how-to" on how you did them?
the backdrops were done by a firm in Tennessee and we photoshopped some of the buildings and key sights into the backdrops
Very nice mate, i hope to run the proto throttle myself, but its alot of saving to be done, keep up the good work
Great update, the Railroad is looking good. Bob
I would like to see this with trains running. Its smaller then I thought but looks pretty sweet.
Great layout update! Nice job of blending the scenery.
I love this layout and I am glad to see the progress! Thanks for posting.
Very nice 👍🙂
Thank you 👍
Beautiful layout…enjoyed the tour…sounds like you’re in Waco…would’ve love to have visited when I’d visit my son (1st Cav @Hood) in Temple over the past couple years…he’s moving on so no more Temple visits…I know videos are hard but would like to see the progress on the lower level
You really have done a lot in the last 2 years and 3 months and I’m glad you are still enjoying the layout. Everything looks wonderful. It has a nice ratio of track to scenery not jammed or overcrowded. You are very talented and a lot of us would like to learn how to do some of the things that you have done so please don’t leave us hanging for another 2 years. A lot of people asked about your backdrops. Can you tell us how you made them or where you got them?
Thank you so much!
Enjoyed checking this out back in January!
I’m glad to see the update! Excellent work and a great representation of the Katy in Texas!
Please continue to create good stuff. Can’t wait to see lower level…
Sincerely
CN.Trainbuff
Beautiful layout.. love it, great work... Qq: where did you get that dark blue mack dump 3/4 in video... I need macks and cannot find any..., thanks , joe
We Honest does make some nice signals at good prices. Also, nice to see it’s OK to use Caboose Industries ground throws.
Fantastic update, sir! I really enjoyed seeing your progress. It all looks awesome. I will look forward to seeing more! -Mike
thats an awesome way to design a layout, just by adding prototypically designed sections to continue on the line for more complex operation. The color sheme with the scenery is nice too!
Glad you like it!
What a wonderful layout!
I would like to come visit one day🤭
Maybe one day!
Awesome update! Loving the emphasis on night operations and all the new stuff you've added since the last video.
Thanks!
I wish I had the space for Trains. The last time I tried, I learned it's really hard to make a 6x3 layout, and my Kato dash9 didn't like the tight curves very much. Anyway, you earned a sub 🙂
If you don't have much space, it's better to make an end-to-end switching layout than trying to get a loop in.
This layout inspires me a ton to work on my own! Almost exactly what I want for mine. Amazing job on everything - your layout is beautiful!
Also, where do you get all those classic cars based from the 60’s-80’s? I can’t ever find any
Oh Nice! I liked it before and just keeps getting better. Questions... What does "JMRI took all the cars off" mean? And what is the grade on the helix? Thank you.
Nice clouds. Just haven't gotten a handle on painting clouds. Happy wives are important.
If you dont mind questions? How long, or how many cars, do you run on your trains whats average? I am building what I call a medium layout and doing that without a plan. Love this layout, very nice!
most trains average between 5 and 15 cars. longer than that and it has issues in the small radius helix.
Awesome layout. I was wondering by chance if you had a diagram of your track plan? I just got the bench work done for mine and we are modeling the same time frame. Plus you focus a lot on switching which is something I'd like as well. Thanks in advance
Thought you should do more videos
I live in north DFW area, would really like to see the layout first hand... I have a one car garage double deck layout as well! Ask Ron for Kurt's number so we can connect.
two other questions where did you get your tractors from? And second how did you do your fencing for your farm area that's very impressive?
Where did you find your backdrops? Are your buildings purchased, or 3D printed?
backdrops were mostly purchased. most of my buildings are just kits that were painted and assembled by me.
Finally!!!!!!! Thank you!!!😂
What type of wires did you use for the track?
What is your radius curve on your Peninsula and my size building is 11 half feet wide and 19 half feet long ,using Anyrail design my track plan 28 inch radius curve for the peninsula i designing
I've noticed that you are wearing a long sleeve shirt in this video. When I was young getting into the hobby my tutor suggested to me not to wear long sleeve shirts because of chances of snagging it somewhere along the layout and might cause possible damage to the layout or the equiipment. So have you had any bad experiences with long sleeves?
Are you in Texas? I was born in Mercedes Texas and live in edcouch.
High Five
Please, where did you find the boxes that are under your dwarf signals??? If I ever put sound in any of my engines I will have the max sound very low. I have been to places where you can not talk over the train sounds. i really don't like that.
Please post or link to a track plan. TY
Very nice! Wish I could be there to help with operations - there is no way I could do the scenery part.
What size is the layout and how long are trains usually?
He mentioned in trply to another comment that his trains are typically 5-15 cars.
Hi there
what is the dimensions of your layout?
👍🙂🚞🚞👍
Nice layout, but to much John Deer green. You need more red.
I always thought the MKT had a cool looking paint scheme. Mergers SUCK.