I’ve been on what is now a bike trail (ITRR tracks) and I can say that Lockmann Road and the PRR tracks are pretty accurate to what it looks like today!
Illinois Terminal was a famous interurban electric railroad until around 1955 when passenger service was abandoned and freight was converted to diesel power. Sadly this model is dated in the diesel era and I didn't see ANY TRACE of the previous all-electric era!
I grew up in this area. The tracks and buildings have changed, but Steve captured the scenery perfectly. I also like that it is mostly scenery with only a one big industry. It makes you feel like you are transporting freight somewhere instead of straight to staging.
I agree. Some layouts I visit feel like Spaghetti bowls of track. That's perfectly fine if that was the layout owner's intention. I personally like a better balance of main line out in the country all on its own, with the occasional industry to switch.
I love it! I was born & raised in nearby Belleville, Illinois. I do know the Illinois Terminal. I graduated from Belleville West High School in 1973. Outstanding video! MoPac Jack 🚂
I joined Illinois Central Gulf in March of 1974 with the Police and Special Services in E. St. Louis. Lived on Arlington Drive in Belleville. Didn't last more that 18 months. It was worse than Viet Nam and less civilized in the rail yards!
This layout looks GREAT! It looks real - with weeds, briars, brambles and unkept grasses - not like some city park as so many layouts do............... Love the vines going up the power poles and the soybean rows in the foreground. Your gravel roads are incredible. But........... there should be a couple of painted turtles on those logs at 1:40. Overall, what a great look. Thank you for sharing this with those of us out here in "Never do anything land". This is really some fine art.
As incredible as the entire layout is, my personal favorite minor detail is the rusted/corroded corrugated sheathing on the small barn/shop/shed with the rusty edges. Fantastic!
I'm so glad I took the opportunity to see this layout after the Gateway NMRA meet. The scenery is fantastic! Thanks for filming it and sharing it with everyone. =)
This one of the finest layouts I have seen. Superb detail and it has some of the most realistic scenes I have seen. Thank you for sharing and keep up the great videos.
It ran really well. While we were there I remember 1 turnout giving him a little trouble. Anyone who has a layout of their own, turnouts always seem to be a common failure point. So for Steve to only have 1 not working quite right is a testament to good track work!
Thanks for the feed back. I wanted to show the whole layout in its logical order before highlighting any of the trains running so viewers could have a firm understanding of the mainline's flow. And with this being a point to point layout, only 1 train was running. I was worried it would become too monotonous trying to tour the whole layout with the same train in every scene.
It helps that Steve is now retired and has more time to commit to his layout. The other thing that I have learned over the years is "less is more" when it comes to the size of a layout. The bigger it is the harder it is to keep up on maintenance and adding scenery or details.
Good layout video nice work. On your train at 12:32 might want to change up operations with Hazmat Placarded tank cars mtys must have minimum one buffer next to the engine or caboose and loaded tank cars minimum of 5 buffer between engine or caboose or all available buffers. I know our train length on our layouts cant match the 1 to 1 scale rules but does add a twist to operations by your operating crew. Look forward to see more video's on your layout.
This is a valid comment. I too am guilty of running hazmat in the wrong position on my layout. However, Steve is modeling 1961. I have to wonder when train placement rules came into effect?
@@signalupproductions Yeah, not sure when those rules came into effect. Having said that, you probably wouldn't want flammable materials right behind a steam locomotive that's potentially spitting out hot cinders, so the rules could be pretty old.
Have u ever seen Union Pacific ZG4MQ at 70 mph? If u haven’t, u should go to fults il and see it bc I went to fults 4 times and every single time but one time it went 71-70
That's an oddly specific question. But strangely enough, yes, I have lol. ruclips.net/video/xHfyyA8uBM4/видео.htmlsi=c0reQKPeExrgS8JN Check out my video from last year. While not Fults, Modoc is near by.
I take responsibility for the choice of background sounds. It was an open house the day of my visit. There were lots of people talking, and I couldn't have that in the video. No crows next time!
(This is Tom, not Sandra.) I love that this is a 1961 scenario instead of an up-to-date layout scheme. I do have a weird question though......on these newer layout schemes, has any train layout toy company ever made a "BIGFOOT" figurine to be placed in a train layout scene up in the wooded areas? Just curious. If they haven't as of yet, that would be a neat layout accessory to add to any layout....having a "BIGFOOT" standing on the edge of a forest layout scene as the train rolls by. That would be neat, l bet!!!! Thanks. (Tom)
Actually there is a company called MiniPrints that make some really amazing scale figures, which include a Bigfoot. I did not see one on Steve's layout, but Bigfoot is the world champion at hide & seek.
Signalupproductions, thank you for your quick reply!!!! I just finished watching this video. The 1960's was my favorite decade for everything . (I was born in 1958.) I guess you've never had that question before, huh? (About a BIGFOOT figurine on a train layout, that is.) I told you it was a weird question. Thank you so much, again, for replying to my insane question. Continued good luck in your model train layouts and videos, sir. Take care. (Tom)
No. Today most of the old Right of Way that Steve is modeling on his layout is a hiking trail. I believe what was left of the IT was merged with Norfolk Southern in the late 1980's. The Mine the branch served closed in 1960. So sometime between 1960-1980 the line was abandoned and tracks removed.
12x21. I scanned the track plan and posted it to my Facebook page. If you go to my page and find the post about Steve's layout, the track plan is in the comments! facebook.com/SignalUpProductions
Great layout! We, here at Tomar, are impressed with the details. The sound effects are amazing.--Tomar Industries
I’ve been on what is now a bike trail (ITRR tracks) and I can say that Lockmann Road and the PRR tracks are pretty accurate to what it looks like today!
Wow…what a beautiful scenic layout
Very cohesive layout with good scenery and videography.
Now THIS is modelling! 🌟⭐⭐🤩🤩🤩🤩
So realistic looking I can see the humidity above the corn fields. Spectacular detail.
Illinois Terminal was a famous interurban electric railroad until around 1955 when passenger service was abandoned and freight was converted to diesel power. Sadly this model is dated in the diesel era and I didn't see ANY TRACE of the previous all-electric era!
Steve modeled this line from photos dating to the era he's modeling. Nearly every detail that should be there is!
I grew up in this area. The tracks and buildings have changed, but Steve captured the scenery perfectly. I also like that it is mostly scenery with only a one big industry. It makes you feel like you are transporting freight somewhere instead of straight to staging.
I agree. Some layouts I visit feel like Spaghetti bowls of track. That's perfectly fine if that was the layout owner's intention. I personally like a better balance of main line out in the country all on its own, with the occasional industry to switch.
Indeed. Nice scenery, especially the backdrop blending. And certainly the track wiring is perfect!
I love it! I was born & raised in nearby Belleville, Illinois. I do know the Illinois Terminal. I graduated from Belleville West High School in 1973. Outstanding video! MoPac Jack 🚂
I joined Illinois Central Gulf in March of 1974 with the Police and Special Services in E. St. Louis. Lived on Arlington Drive in Belleville. Didn't last more that 18 months. It was worse than Viet Nam and less civilized in the rail yards!
This layout looks GREAT! It looks real - with weeds, briars, brambles and unkept grasses - not like some city park as so many layouts do............... Love the vines going up the power poles and the soybean rows in the foreground. Your gravel roads are incredible. But........... there should be a couple of painted turtles on those logs at 1:40. Overall, what a great look. Thank you for sharing this with those of us out here in "Never do anything land". This is really some fine art.
Turtles! Great idea, I may have to do that on my layout if I ever get one!
As incredible as the entire layout is, my personal favorite minor detail is the rusted/corroded corrugated sheathing on the small barn/shop/shed with the rusty edges. Fantastic!
The layout looks awesome. I also like point-to-point. Thanks for sharing it. Cheers ~ Boomer.😁👍
Your railroad is awesome too!
Great concept ! Fine scenery and lots of operating possibilities ! Everything within arm length and a long mainline run. What more can you want ?
That's a great layout of an area I'm only roughly familiar. I did model Edwardsville at one time.
This is a fantastic layout. Very inspiring.
Great layout! Have been pondering the same thing with a layout. The double ended idea.
Lovely layout and very realistic.
I'm so glad I took the opportunity to see this layout after the Gateway NMRA meet. The scenery is fantastic! Thanks for filming it and sharing it with everyone. =)
The landscaping on this layout is superb
I love the sounds and the cornfield scenes. Turned out so good! Underneath the bridges is awesome too.
Great layout,l am 2nd generation r.r.er
This still gives me great insperation,thank
You for the video.
Excellent layout tour which I enjoyed watching.👍😃😃😃🇬🇧🚂
Phenomenally beautiful layout, in every way possible, and probably one of the most captivating - large layouts - that I've ever seen on RUclips.
I was just over at Steve's house tonight, and the layout is still pleasing crowds!
Thanks for the comment.
This is probably my favorite layout tour you’ve done. What a gorgeous layout!
Best “working” backdrop I have seen yet. Beautiful job. Thank you for sharing.
Very beautiful layout, especially the greenery is outstanding!
Great backdrops!
Excellent share Steve really like the layout scenery well done thanks for the excellent video enjoyed 😎🚂🫵 TSM
I had seen several photos of Steve's layout leading up to the tour, and they just don't do it justice; the layout is mind-blowing in person!
Very Beautiful layout. Well Done. Thanks for sharing it with us.
So viele schöne kleine Details tolles Layout. Alles wirkt sehr natürlich wunderschön wie die Eisenbahn zur Landschaft passt. Top 🤩
4-dimensions layout!!!
This one of the finest layouts I have seen. Superb detail and it has some of the most realistic scenes I have seen. Thank you for sharing and keep up the great videos.
Beautiful layout, just hit the 1K likes👍
Not surprised
Steve does good work!
Really good looking layout. Scenery is well done! Track work is top-notch.
It ran really well. While we were there I remember 1 turnout giving him a little trouble. Anyone who has a layout of their own, turnouts always seem to be a common failure point. So for Steve to only have 1 not working quite right is a testament to good track work!
Your running dialog explaining this layout in its detail just earned you a subscriber. Mahalo from Maui
Thank you for the encouragement!
Hawaii looks beautiful. I hope to visit someday.
Excellent work, thanks for sharing..😊
It took a long time before we saw some action, but the layout tour showed a sober but gorgeous, realistic trackplan and scenery. My respect !
Thanks for the feed back. I wanted to show the whole layout in its logical order before highlighting any of the trains running so viewers could have a firm understanding of the mainline's flow.
And with this being a point to point layout, only 1 train was running. I was worried it would become too monotonous trying to tour the whole layout with the same train in every scene.
I just drove through O’Fallon yesterday & was looking for where the ITC crossed the B&O.
After I visited Steve's layout I came home and spent a little time looking over the old RoW on Google maps!
Looks incredible! How do are you able to do all that detail? I am speechless
It helps that Steve is now retired and has more time to commit to his layout. The other thing that I have learned over the years is "less is more" when it comes to the size of a layout. The bigger it is the harder it is to keep up on maintenance and adding scenery or details.
👍👍👍❤❤❤🚂🚂🚂
Very nice 🤠
That is a marvelous layout. Wow
Phenomenal layout! That was a very nice video tour, Steven!
Many thanks! I hope you can make it up to his layout in person sometime!
Good layout video nice work. On your train at 12:32 might want to change up operations with Hazmat Placarded tank cars mtys must have minimum one buffer next to the engine or caboose and loaded tank cars minimum of 5 buffer between engine or caboose or all available buffers. I know our train length on our layouts cant match the 1 to 1 scale rules but does add a twist to operations by your operating crew. Look forward to see more video's on your layout.
This is a valid comment. I too am guilty of running hazmat in the wrong position on my layout.
However, Steve is modeling 1961. I have to wonder when train placement rules came into effect?
@@signalupproductions Yeah, not sure when those rules came into effect. Having said that, you probably wouldn't want flammable materials right behind a steam locomotive that's potentially spitting out hot cinders, so the rules could be pretty old.
An exceptional model railroad and a fantastic job of videography!
Many thanks!
Wow.😊
Great video! Wonderful layout!
This is a beautiful layout, the kind I would build myself if I had the room. I'm pleased to see the use of hand throw turnout levers too.
Amazing colors!
Have u ever seen Union Pacific ZG4MQ at 70 mph? If u haven’t, u should go to fults il and see it bc I went to fults 4 times and every single time but one time it went 71-70
That's an oddly specific question. But strangely enough, yes, I have lol.
ruclips.net/video/xHfyyA8uBM4/видео.htmlsi=c0reQKPeExrgS8JN
Check out my video from last year. While not Fults, Modoc is near by.
Excellent modelling and video taping !
Glad you liked it!
Great tour video! I love his layout! Gave you a subscribe!
Thanks for the sub!
Nice layout Steve.
This is a really nice layout
Only thing that got annoying was the constant rooster crow. Other wise it was cool.
I take responsibility for the choice of background sounds. It was an open house the day of my visit. There were lots of people talking, and I couldn't have that in the video.
No crows next time!
Beautiful work!
Right about there.
Just an exceptional layout. Wow!
Very nice work !
Nice layout. Were you at the train show in Mass this year?
Yes, check out my most recent videos. I made a vlog about the trip, and got some interviews with manufacturers!
Very impressive!
Truly exceptional backscenes & use of perspective.
I love how most of the layout is only 12-18" deep! Yet feels so much bigger
Thank you for showing this! Beautiful layout! The colors blend and pop!
Steve's wife did a superb job matching the colors of the backdrop photos and the sky. I couldn't tell where the top edge of the photo was.
Beautiful work, a very fine model ! the sound adds a wonderful dimension!
Truly an amazing labor of love.
(This is Tom, not Sandra.)
I love that this is a 1961 scenario instead of an up-to-date layout scheme. I do have a weird question though......on these newer layout schemes, has any train layout toy company ever made a "BIGFOOT" figurine to be placed in a train layout scene up in the wooded areas? Just curious. If they haven't as of yet, that would be a neat layout accessory to add to any layout....having a "BIGFOOT" standing on the edge of a forest layout scene as the train rolls by. That would be neat, l bet!!!! Thanks.
(Tom)
Actually there is a company called MiniPrints that make some really amazing scale figures, which include a Bigfoot. I did not see one on Steve's layout, but Bigfoot is the world champion at hide & seek.
Signalupproductions, thank you for your quick reply!!!! I just finished watching this video. The 1960's was my favorite decade for everything . (I was born in 1958.) I guess you've never had that question before, huh? (About a BIGFOOT figurine on a train layout, that is.) I told you it was a weird question. Thank you so much, again, for replying to my insane question. Continued good luck in your model train layouts and videos, sir. Take care. (Tom)
Is the prototype still in use
No. Today most of the old Right of Way that Steve is modeling on his layout is a hiking trail. I believe what was left of the IT was merged with Norfolk Southern in the late 1980's. The Mine the branch served closed in 1960. So sometime between 1960-1980 the line was abandoned and tracks removed.
The scenery is awesome!!! Well done!!!!
Incrediable scenery blending
Beautifully done!
Layout dimensions?
12x21.
I scanned the track plan and posted it to my Facebook page. If you go to my page and find the post about Steve's layout, the track plan is in the comments!
facebook.com/SignalUpProductions