November 2023 Model Railway HO Build Update - Is this hobby worth it?
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- Опубликовано: 10 ноя 2023
- New content continues - this video covers the question of, is this hobby worth it?
This is a November 2023 progress update and how I have dealt with certain issues that has caused so much frustration building my layout!
For behind the scenes content and updates, the link to my Escarpment Facebook Group is:
/ theescarpment
All the build and track planning has been undertaken in Anyrail 6, for the Escarpment construction. This is an HO Australian model train layout build loosely based on the Illawarra South Coast line.
November 2023 Model Railway HO Build Update - Is this hobby worth it?
End of Video music by Graham Greene:
www.grahamgreene.com.au 
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Important information about the beta testing exercise is contained in the video, watch to the end for further details..cheers
There Is So Many things You can Do When Model Railroading it’s Never Boring.
So true, best hobby that uses so many skills
That power cabinet is a work of art. I have never seen anything like it. Your quality of work is incredible. I have been watching your progress for a while now and it’s really impressive. Keep up the fantastic work. ( can’t imagine the amount of money you have invested in this project )😂
Thanks for the feedback. That was my first project when I just started the level 1 framework. It still puts a smile on my face..cheers
Thanks for the feedback! That was my first project when I had just started putting up level 1 framework..cheers
Jason, great video explaining the hiccups and such. Yes the hobby is worth it. I learn a lot from your videos and always look forward to the next one. Congrats on fixing all the hiccups. everything is looking great. Thanks for sharing and stay safe. Ken
Hi Ken. Totally agree, except during those moments lol. Thanks for watching and the feedback..cheers
Your layout is the most beautiful iff seen online!
Really like the the way tot total looks.
Thanks for the kind words Yuri..regards
I love that epic soundtrack - all it needs is a voiceover: "Wood. Jason Wood. Secret double agent, along the Australian Escarpment."🤨🙄🤔
Yadda Yadda Yadda - compared to the world's most professional HO build, famous for its 200A 600V power supply! Astounding work😲 and technical troubleshooting Jason.
Just gotta love it!💙Thank you for sharing what goes on behind the escarpment. 🚂Lawrence
Lol Lawrence..stop putting ideas in my head! But seriously, thanks for the feedback and comments that made me laugh.
Cheers
From one Jason to another, just wanted to offer a huge THANK YOU for not shying away from expressing the occasional frustrations you have with your build. As non-professional layout builders, I think those moments of massive frustration are much more common than most RUclips build videos would suggest. So when a builder such as yourself, with a super clean and tidy, professional-level build, expresses having blue-streak moments that would make a sailor blush, it immediately resonates with me and my much less tidy and neat layout. It seems that for every perfect success straight from written plan to the layout, I seem to have three small nightmares that just don't go smoothly at all, and my wife and family knows to just keep away and ignore the occasional wrench or piece of lumber that might go flying across the back yard.
Unfortunately, such moments of high-stress usually aren't talked about when builders present their build videos. Which of course I get; who wants to discuss or show the moments where they almost loose their sh*t and start questioning why they even bother trying? Which is a shame, as for most of us there absolutely WILL be plenty of such moments during our layout builds, and learning how to handle that stress and overcome the challenges can be a big part of the pride we can take in our creations.
Anyhow, thanks for not being afraid to admit that sometimes the going gets tough. Love your build and its super clean, professional look, and your videos documenting the journey.
-Jason
Thanks Jason, much appreciate that feedback. I must admit I used to shy away from expressing those moments, but they are part of the progress. There will always be those moments no matter how well you plan, but in saying that, there are fewer of those moments when you do plan. Some have said I take the hobby too seriously, but I would say I have a passion and a vision in what I am building. I always expect challenges with this build and expect no less..but this one had failure after failure, where I thought it was not able to be corrected. Regards
@@JasonWood_Escarpment I'm a big proponent of a good plan. My craziest, most difficult layouts were those where I got away from whatever my initial plan might have been and started winging it. Completely rebuilding not one but two layouts I think finally broke me of that habit, lol.
I disagree with those saying you're too serious. Your vision just has different priorities than other people, and that's 100% fine. That's the beautiful thing about this hobby, there are more than enough different tasks that someone could become a perfectionist in one or more aspects, or none, and down-play other aspects, and still find success however they define that for themselves. As you noted, it all comes down to the vision and passion you're willing to put into the hobby, or phase of the hobby even, and everyone's priorities will be a little different. Some have immaculate benchwork, some are rivet counters, some are both and some are neither... and it's still all good!
Keep doing you, man! Loving the build and look forward to the future updates!
-Jason
Thanks Jason, much appreciated!
Been there mate, so many times over the years, my layout is smaller but no less problems. I just tested, tested and tested. it will be amazing when you are finished and able to run trains :-)
Cheers, the good news is I can run trains, just not the problematic ones 😁
as long as it keeps going forward Jason alls good, we all know about 1 step forward then 2 steps back, great update.
Thanks for the feedback and comments..cheers
Great Video. Getting trackwork and wiring issues sorted is time-consuming and often frustrating but, as you have done, best sorted before undertaking scenic development. The long-term benefits massively exceed the short-term grief.
Thanks, and well said! Regards
Because your layout is not just model railroading, its beautiful artwork and extraordinary engineering that little trains run around!
Lol..thanks Scott!
Jason, I cant wait to see how it all runs... well done for sticking it out and the hard work shows.
Thanks Tim..I'm looking forward to seeing what other issues are found in the beta testing sessions..regards
Hi 👋🏻 Jason. Love the back drop of the viaduct in this video 😊 I can remember you making it lol 😆 Great update as always 👍🏻🏴
Hi, thanks for watching and your comments. Yes, the backdrop could of been over a couple of videos in the past. But off the top of my head, cant remember which one lol..cheers
Hi Jason great job a lot of work done mate keep up the good work mate
Thanks Clive, appreciate the feedback
Lifestyle. If it was easy, we wouldn't do it.
Smashing.
Bob
PS Too far from Durham (UK) for testing support.
Thanks Robert! Just a short swim lol..regards
Amazing stuff Jason, the key thing is that you have solved the issues and it's now working to the standard you want. My bus wire is like multi strand speaker wire quite thick which DCC concepts recommended when they were based in Perth, but obviously n gauge. Great video Jason.
Thanks Chris. Yes, if only I initially followed what I did with the track bus and installed the largest wire that I could. Anyway, live and learn lol..regards
It is always surprising how often RTR coaches and locos have slight imperfections in key components that cause bad running. In N scale it's often the back to back measurement of wheels, which at the smaller scale doesn't need to be very much to cause problems. Really interesting to see how you are systematically identifying problems and solving them. Yours is a big project and it would be astonishing if everything went entirely as planned. A former colleague of mine was always fond of saying that no plan survives first contact with the enemy. Look forward to seeing the start of the scenic work especially the viaduct. Stephen
Thanks Stephen, so true!
Problems with rolling stock is nearly impossible in N scale sometimes. I have a Reefer wagon which I had to put a locomotive weight in to keep if trom rocking so bad it derailed all the time. It still wobbles even with the weight. :-(
@raymondleggs5508 yeah, sorry to hear that 😔
Dear Jason, definitely a pain in the back-end that all these problems occurred. Curved points can indeed cause issues, nevertheless it makes me wonder how these turnouts came to be off gauge. Kinda odd that you found anomalies in the guard rails spacing and the frog location.
On the wires, I would also expect a 2mm square would be sufficient. Most definitely will put your choice for the 4mm square on the hard drive. As you’ve chosen to feed the entire system from your central power unit, I can only think that may have led to some serious length of feeder cables. Which in turn will lead to a higher resistance. Glad to hear this issue is solved with the larger cables. By the way, such a central power feed is also my preferred solution, if only for the entire setup to look the part.
Plus, problem solving is also much easier, especially when I look the way you’ve tagged and installed the cables in conjunction with the different voltage feeds, functions and so forth.
Absolutely get the level of frustration these issues cause. Nevertheless, I humbly think the way you’re building your layout is an excellent example of how to (indeed) be patient and follow the path and steps you’ve set out. Where it would definitely aggregate a higher level of frustration, when these issues would occur whilst you’re already deep into the scenic work for the layout.
Looking forward to your next episodes. Cheerio
Hi Vincent. I think it was a combination of having two curved points back to back plus issues with the rolling stock. As for the wiring, I thought the 2mm wire was enough.
But I got there in the end, well still one more control panel to go. Hopefully, this weekend will see the completion of that..cheers
There is something to be said for an extremely neat and clean work space. I can't wait to see landscaping
Hoping for clean space, clear mind lol. Thanks for watching..regards
Felices pascuas, y gracias por sus aportaciones a todas las escalas, pues una buena idea carece de tamaño, es simplemente BUENA, a pasarlo bien en las fiestas
Thank you for the feedback and watching the video!
Of course it’s worth you’ve just got to have fun , way too serious sir 👌😎☕️
Lol Fred! I can get too serious for my own good. But the video was meant to be more of a tongue in cheek moment..cheers
Another banger vid Jason your wiring and how tidy it looks is amazing no spagetti..i think if you were to build your own rolling stock you wouldnt need to worry about RTR shit again as it would be exceptional workmanship going into the actual models
Thanks for the kind words and feedback. Well, I have done my own coal loader and I do have a coal car design for a future project..who knows(?) Thanks again..cheers
Great update! You are a master, and your control wiring is an absolute work of art. I really like seeing your work, as it inspires and motivates me. I also appreciate hearing about your challenges. All too often RUclips videos present a beautiful, completed layout, but don't share the builder's frustrations and how he overcame them. Thank you!
Thanks Kevin, absolutely agree. Maybe I'll set a trend here on RUclips lol. Thankyou for the kind words..regards
Hi Jason, I also had problems with large rads Peco Streamline Points. Also, check the pins on your rolling stock. Sound like you have had a great month. Love the KISS t-shirt. regards Mike HO in Bairnsdale.
Hey Mike, thanks for the comments and feedback. Would love to say it was my finest month...but........🤮
Hi ya Jason. Although most of the time while watching, I’m as lost as if someone was explaining the workings of NASA’s Houston Space Center, you are still my favorite dude. Always happy to see a new episode. If I didn’t live thousands and thousands of miles away I would definitely be interested in the beta testing. But alas, I will have to enjoy from afar. In case you don’t have a December episode. Happy Holidays to you and yours. Take care. See ya in the next one.
Hey Norman, basically it was "Houston, we had some problems" 😉. But thankyou for those kind words. I should get another video or two..well at least one. But all the best..regards
I feel your pain. Almost every other Loco I open out of the box I have to "fix". LOL. This is N scale but I know HO can be the same way. Keep up the swearing! Cool video. cheers!
Thanks for the feedback. It seems to be a widespread issue, which is a shame..cheers
We do have moments when we could burn the layout to the ground! Equally, I agree with rolling stock. Rarely is it to NMRA spec, wheels back to backs wrong, couplers wrong height, bogie binding and more,often these are the source of derailments. Stick with it!
Hey Dallas, seems to be common right across the board..just another project 🤣
Great update Jason and wow you must have been pulling your hair out LOL. Sorry unable to come and join your crew as distance and cost is an issue. But all the best and take care - Kevin
Hi Kevin, thanks for the comments. Yes distance is always an issue. Who knows, may do a video on the beta session..cheers
Hi Jason, strangely enough I’ve had the same thoughts the past week or so, is it worth it!
I bought a new steam engine for my layout, one that I’d been after for a while. It needed running in as per the manufacturers instructions. I done this and the engine performed well. A day later I went back out to run it again and after a minute or two it stopped running and went up in smoke! It just annoyed me so much that I walked out of the cabin thinking the same, is it f***ing worth it! Anyway I got over my hissy fit, had a week off from it all and have now started working on the layout again. The engine has gone off to a friend who offered to replace the motor for me.
Still at least you’ve moved on Jason which I’m pleased about as I do really enjoy watching how you go about things.
I’d love to be involved with the testing and the barbecue just as much actually, lol! I could do with some of that warm Australian sunshine, oh and a few beers to!
Cheers for now mate, John
Hi John, sorry to hear about the engine. I must admit I have a couple that have just stopped out of the blue. Reminds me I still need to find out why. I would of thought you could have returned it to be fixed/replaced by the manufacturer(?). At one point, I also had to walk away before I damaged something around me that wasn't bolted down, lol. But yes, in the end the light did shine through. It is starting to heat up over here..cheers
Hi Jason, yes, it could've been returned but the motor would've been replaced for another one of the same type which, apparently are very unreliable. I couldn't get a new one as they are out of production, I was very lucky (sort of 🙄) to find a new engine from a reputable retailer who told me all this.
So I decided to get it fitted with an excellent Transfabriek motor which have I'm told, excellent reliability and very quiet running.
Talk about complicated 😄
Well, hopefully, it will now be a model that gives you lots of good running years to come 👌
shame you had to change all the bus wire. that would be a task. Myself I am kind of in the same boat, but for me I want to add power districts now. so I have to find a way to GAP the tracks and the bus lines.
Hi Sparky, luckily, it was only the control panel bus wire and not the track bus system lol. Yeah, that was something I planned right up front. Can you lift up the sections of track where you want to start/finish a district? Can't remember how you layed your track..cheers
Your layout is so well organized and clean looking. I am wondering what you do, or did, for a living?
I am just a dumb ICT manager. Although I have some electrical engineering a long time ago and just love working with wood. Plus, I'm a perfectionist and that can be either a good thing or a bad thing at times.. Cheers
Yeah - buying expensive locos and rollingstock and then having to fix up wheels or bogie swing or couplers or detail parts falling off - it's a real pain after spending so much money. It seems to be "accepted" that some tweaking is necessary but really, should it be?
Hi Brad, I totally agree. While I accept small parts coming off to a degree, I dont accept at times, the lack of attention given to the core running specs that really matter..cheers
Hi Jason , Australian coaches , KUHFHGHJGJGKHG AAaaargggg. Only way I can put it.
1- weight 1oz + an ounce per 1" or over weight them , 2 - Bogies brake shoes dragging on wheels, corners of bogies catching on body of car, not enough rock forward and back hence inside axle will climb out , need a bit side to side but the forward and back for elevation changes no where near enough , i also found just taking the very tip of the axle poind off they spun better also using the truck tuner, Wasn't real impressed $100 dollar a car and just ran crap. Old Lima coaches ran better just outta the box. Well and truely understand your frustrations but it's all a learning curve.
The large radius streamline points I found the gap between the check rail and rail line was to big. I tried gluing a shim in to start but over time didn't stay there so I then put a twenty thou shim in the gap and using a pair of pliers gently and slowly working along bent the check rail over. then removed the shim . This stops wheels from picking the frog. Les
I'm hearing you, but in this day and age, especially technology, we shouldn't be having these issues
Amazing layout, love the viaduct, would be interested to hear of your experience with 3d printers on the layout. Do you have one power supply for everything?
Hi Roy, I appreciate the feedback. I have used 3D resin printing on a number of projects on the layout. I love the possibilities, my latest coal loader project can be found here:
ruclips.net/video/RzGev6uy5Vw/видео.htmlsi=UnHb6lErxU22_OYz
Mainly one, except the LED lighting has its own powersupply as well as the turntable
Theraputic.
👌
Hi Jason, Why are you using Buck Converters between the power supply and the bus wire/track? You didn't mention anything about the droppers you have throughout the layout, especially in the area you say there is a noticeable drop in power...
Hi MaboPete. The power supply puts out 15v DC and other parts of my layout require less, so I use the buck converters to drop the voltage. For example, the control panels only require 9v DC.
The voltage drop was only in reference to the control panel bus run. There is no issue with my track droppers as they are fed with even a larger bus wire..regards
Thanks Jason, I was looking from the 'filling in the blanks' perspective. Do you need to supply 15v through from the start especially for the track as it just seems a lot of work involved to then have to suppress it. For the other elements of the layout, would 'normal' regulated 12v (plug-in) transformers with splitter cables be easier to feed into voltage regulators, and then onto the various areas of the layout that require different voltages to operate. I employ such a system for lighting of various voltage requirements. @@JasonWood_Escarpment
Really depends on your application and how you go about delivering power requirements. I dont think one solution fits all. I have centralised most of my needs into a power cabinet with one power supply. I chose 15v as that was good for my MRC command station and 3 x 8amp boosters setup. I have 3 power accessories lines. 9v for the point motors, 5v for block detection (future) and a 3.3v for model lighting requirements. Again this was my approach, as I didnt want different power supplies spread across the layout
It's a very well-planned layout, and as you said in the video you didn't want to embark on it relying on 'evolution' and get to a stage where you found yourself having to rip it up! There are some excellent tips and advisories too for those thinking about getting away from the table-style layouts too, so thank you for sharing :) @@JasonWood_Escarpment
Thank you for your input..cheers
I Would Rather Be Model Railroading instead it’s Treaputic.
Thanks for the feedback, and I agree. Although there those times that test you lol
Too many points are too many.Get the point.Seriously though,most people put too many points on their layouts.Even Club layouts.They make it more complex than needed.They are the main source of poor running,because of dirt and corrosion and not throwing properly,not to mention the cost.Anyone starting out,should use the bare minimum,in my opinion.Looking forward to coal trains running up the helix.
Hi Dennis..point taken! If you are wanting a coal run, I do have this video:
ruclips.net/video/-7eXukoWx14/видео.htmlsi=36xTmTxq6LFcii5c