Layout Update and New Project Announcement! December 2024
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- Опубликовано: 5 фев 2025
- #trains #modeltrains #modelrailroad
⭐️In this video, Mike brings you up to speed on his layout construction, new model, and upcoming train book projects.
A quick programming note: Please forgive the echo in some of the video. It’s a slight bug I’ve been trying to work out in the new studio area. It’s always a work in progress 😂
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Question of the day: What train projects are you working on during this holiday season?
Track weathering and ballast. Tedious and time-consuming to be sure, but it makes track actually look like the prototype instead of a scale model placed on a flat surface. I'd be very interested in your book featuring Kansas as I model some former MKT trackage in Wichita.
Working on a new industry scene. Loading/unloading area for a steel fabrication company.
Had to put a new front truck on an older Athearn rtr SD40T-2. Unfortunately I'm on the road, so I can't test the unit to see if it's totally fixed or not.
I'm friends With Joey and Amy. Neat to see y'all running trains together!
Hello! They're really good folks and I had a lot of fun hanging out with them!
Thanks for the update Mike. Big fan of TOFC railroading. Layout is looking good!
Thanks, Joseph! It has been a fun little side adventure researching the trailers and flatcars. I always kind of ignored them and thought they were “too modern.” But, getting older eventually provides a new perspective! There’s always something new to learn with our hobby.
Great to hear about the news of books two and three coming out in the future. Really enjoyed book one and am looking forward to the additional volumes.
Don’t apologize about the unfinished sections. Construction techniques have changed dramatically over the last 20 years and it’s always interesting to see a new perspective, as newer layouts are going to a linear construction, making for more realistic operations and scenery.
Hello! Thank you! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed Show-Me Katy. I'm having fun with the book projects and am looking forward to releasing them. And- thank you for the encouragement to not "beat myself up" regarding the progress! Haha. It's easy to get excited during construction and feel antsy about seeing the final product. I always have to remind myself it's not a race! I'm enjoying this linear format. I think it's easy to get away with when you're modeling prairies and such- as I'm doing. I've also seen some great layouts with impressive mountain scenery packed into narrower benchwork. It's certainly a great way to maximize your space.
I'm glad you made this video it reminds me of my transformation from a nobody to good home, $34k monthly and a good daughter full of love
$75k biweekly changed my mindset and behavior, my goals, my family and I've to say this video has inspired me a lot!!!!
wow this awesome I'm 41 and have been looking for ways to be successful, please how??
No one likes market risk, but without longer retirement, taking on risk is often a necessary evil to compensate for inflation
My wife is willing to work for another 5 years if needed. Are we in good shape? Will we be okay if I begin withdrawing from Social Security when I'm 41 and my wife is 40? Should we hire a financial planner to help us navigate this?
These are crucial questions for a financial planner. I met mine at a NYSE summit, and with her help, my wife and I reallocated our $1.7M portfolio between a traditional IRA and a brokerage account. She's been making investments with our approval and has helped us recover twice our losses. We're holding steady and carefully navigating more markets
Merry Christmas!!! Looking great and can’t wait to see what 2025 brings.
Thanks for the update, Mike. Layout is looking great. Those beacons with the clear covers for your ex- conrail units are very hard to find. You can still find the bases but the clear covers for them are hard to get. If you can't find any,let me know. I have some extras l will keep for you. Just let me know. Also,showcase miniatures has some new kits out for those crossing signals that are exact to scale & are just beautiful. I would be happy to build some for you. Just let me know. Thanks
Hi, Johnny! Yes, those beacons are a rarity. Thankfully- when Athearn had some in about three years ago- I was able to stock up with some extras. I figured some day I would need them...I just hope I can find them now. Haha. I have been eyeing some of those Showcase Miniatures signals you're talking about. The do look great and are very detailed. I think wiring them might be a pill- especially with drilling the holes for the LEDs. My eyes and hands aren't getting any better with this age thing. Haha. I appreciate your offer to help and will definitely reach out if I get stumped!
Hi Mike & it's is Randy and i like yours video is Cool & Thanks Mike & Friends Randy & Hello Mike & Merry Christmas & Happy New Year's
Hi, Randy! Thank you, friend. I hope you have a great Christmas and New Year. We appreciate you!
Nice update, Mike! I'm curious if you're going to pickup any of Rapido's C30-7s in the future since you mentioned having BN runthrough power! Happy new year!
Hi, Randall! Thank you, sir...always appreciate you tuning in! About those C30-7s-- I am still on the fence! Those are some really sharp looking units. They showed up constantly on Katy's coal trains from KC to Texas. But, MKT tended to only use four-axle power on the St. Louis line (with the occasional SD40-2 making appearances here and there). UP changed that after the merger and started running six-axle power- like these C30-7s- on the La Due coal trains. I recall seeing BN and UP lashups of these...and sometimes a mix of both! I'm really tempted to bend history a little and snag some. With all these great new engines, Rapido is going to break my bank before it's all said and done. Haha!
Hi Mike, Thanks for the update. Where did you find that auger at the grain elevator? Thanks, keep the videos coming
Hi, Robert! Thanks for tuning in! The auger is made by Yelton Models. They’ve got some great ag-related details. I plan to buy some more of their accessories for the layout.
I love it!, That bridge will be impeccable! It's great to start over with new knowledge from the past. What height do have this at and will it stay that level. At our club CTC had just been completed and functioning! I've been instrumental in repairing poor / old benchwork and bringing a better base for them to run on, so seeing you at framing and benchwork is exciting to see. I have access to 3/4" pine plywood so all new bench tops are made with that and the club just loves it. You got a new sub from me Mike! It will be fun to watch your progress!
Cheers 🍻
Earl 🦖
P.S. Merry Christmas!!!
Hi, Earl. Yes, it has been a lot of fun starting over and building bigger and better! It was a little painful tearing down the old layout about a year ago, but I was excited to tackle a few things that needed to be redone. I have the benchwork about 55 inches up. Thats on the high side…but it’ll also allow room for some staging below in the future. The prototype bridge is usually about 40 feet up- between the water surface and railhead. The lake level fluctuates quite a bit depending on the season and amount of rainfall, so whether I go with 30, 40, or 50- it’s all within the realm of accuracy. It’s a lot of geeky technical info, but that’s what makes our hobby so great! Haha. Hope you had a great Christmas! -Mike
Hi Mike how are you are you printing your own book and are you getting a copy the pages and the pictures on your first one book or you are going to print it and make a new book
Hi there! Yes, I have been staying busy getting the book ready for the reprint. This one will mostly be the same as the original, but I've added a handful of additional pages and several new photos that didn't make it into the first version. I will also be doing books covering Kansas/Oklahoma, and Texas. Those two will be brand new books. I will be sure to keep everyone updated! -Mike
I was looking for some MKT N Scale Locomotives for use as
run through power on my mid
80s N Scale Conrail layout, a set come through Anderson
Indiana back in the day behind
2 Conrail SD40-2S, they were
GP38-2S, nice paint scheme!!
Hello! That would be great to see. Yes, I always loved the Conrail scheme. Funny thing is, I never saw an actual Conrail train on Conrail trackage until I was 14 years old. But, the railroad seemed so familiar to me thanks to all of the former CR units I saw on Katy trains! I'm tempted to get a couple of them and keep them in full CR markings- without the MKT patch outs- just to have them as occasional run through units.
Hey Mike, just started to watch but I had to put this out there. it is an acoustic echo that could be dampened by , non other than acoustic sound dampening tiles. They look like spikey tipped foam tiles you put on the wall, preferably the largest unobstructed wall. Just a suggestion, you see it in some other YTers.
Cheers🍻
Earl 🦖
Hi, Earl! Thank you for watching. Yes, I was having some audio issues in the new area. I've been looking at some fixes- such as the one you recommend with the tiles. I think part of the problem is that I'm now closer to two walls, whereas before I was in the open- in the middle of the room- and didn't have the sound bouncing off as much. Trial and error. I plan on tackling that and finding a solution this coming weekend. Wish me luck! Ha.
@@MainTrack Plus if it is an empty room, you get that echo. maybe just a few books shelves, a chair and a couple pictures to catch the sound!!
Earl 🦖
Hi merry christmas 😂
Thank you, Daren! I hope you have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Wow, nice grade crossing and where did you get the rock island piggyback trailer..?
Hello! I appreciate that! The Rock trailer is from Athearn. I have always like the "The Rock" scheme and figured it would make a cool addition. I've generally been using Athearn trailers for my trains. They have a variety of 40' and 45' versions that match the era I model. Walthers has some good ones with great road names, but the details are a little bulky compared to Athearn's. Also, Rapdio has some fantastic trailers- but most of them are from the years before my modeling timeline.
You and my friend Ricky would get along like two peas in a pod. He's a BIG time O scale KATY, SP and Mopac modeler.
Hello! Very cool. I also like SP and MP. When I was a kid, all three railroads operated through my town of Sedalia, MO. It's all UP now, obviously. But, it was a great while it lasted. It's fun to relive it in HO now!
what brand are those flat cars with the trailers?
Hello! The flat cars are Athearn Genesis and the trailers are from Athearn’s regular brand. They make pretty good looking models!
Nice update and progress on the layout. You definitely are a busy man. Congratulations on the book and Happy Holidays.
Thank you...I sure appreciate that! I do have a lot to keep my busy...maybe too much. Haha. I hope your holiday season is going great! -Mike
I need to get a copy to see the Katy run back in the day! I routinely bike on the removed "rails to trails" portion headed to St. Charles, MO. It always has me curious what the railroad looked like through the scenery before the tracks were taken out.
Hello! Yes...the Katy Trail is excellent. From a railfan's perspective- seeing trains still running would be ideal...but a nice state park and path is second best! Ha. I've been surprised by a lot of the "before and after" scenes along the trail. Some spots look very similar to how they did 35 years ago- minus the tracks. Other locations are unrecognizable. It's interesting how some things just don't change much. I will keep everyone posted on the book projects!
Great video again , Mike! I always look forward to seeing updates on your layout progress is inspiring.
I sure appreciate that, Rick! I'm looking forward to staying inside and making some headway in the coming weeks. That's one thing these cold winter days are good for! Ha.
Great video Mike. And thank you for covering our layouts here in Parsons. We really enjoyed the time with you and our other guests operating our layouts. Have yourself a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Are you the James Peters who's dad was a plumber and had the great brass train collection? Class of 77?
No sire I am not. I am from Parsons, Kansas home to the Katy. My dad spent 35 years working for the Katy until his retirement. Sorry.
@@jamespeters1688 Did you go to Parsons High? In any case, I'm from Parsons and I don't get back there much, if I do I would like to contact you and maybe see your RR. My brother Mark still lives there.
I sure appreciate that! I'm hoping to make some headway with the scenery in the coming weeks. I had an awesome time visiting with you guys and running trains! I hope your Christmas was great- and you have a Happy New Year as well!
Liked the update Mike, like the layout.
Thank you, Ronald! I always appreciate you tuning in!
The layout is looking good Mike. I'm happy to hear you're reprinting Show Me Katy. I don't have a copy of the original, so I'll have to add the new version to my bookshelf once it's available.
Hi, Ethan! I sure appreciate that. Lord knows I already had enough to keep me busy...but at least these two big train-related projects go hand in hand! Haha.
Hey Mike, Have you given any thought on acquiring a Katy Business car for the occasional track inspection. Brian DeSpain
Hi, Brian! That would be a great idea. It would give me a reason to run something a little different and fun. Interestingly, I’ve seen some neat shots of green Katy units leading yellow UP business cars during the initial phases of the merger talks. It actually looked pretty sharp. But- I think I’d be accused by fellow Katy modelers of being sacrilegious if I had that on my layout 😂
Were you able to get some layout tour video - would you share them??
Hello! I did get a few shots. This time I was focused on running trains. It's always a challenge juggling that with getting a lot of video. I will see what I have and possibly use that sometime coming up! -Mike
Happy Holidays to you Mike glad to see some more progress on the layout looking good, bit the bullet and model an mkt u23b just got mine up and running they look out of place with my mkt gp's but there unique and cool
Thank you, Andrew! I hope your holidays are going great. I had a couple of those Katy U23Bs a few years back. When I narrowed my focus to the 1987 timeframe, I decided to part with them since they were gone by the early 80s. I suppose I could have used my modeler's license and kept them in service, of course. But- having some of these GE run-through units gives me a good excuse to run something a little different!
Like to know when book is available.
Sounds great, Ronald! I’ll be sure to keep everyone updated in the coming weeks. I appreciate it! -Mike
Please let me know when there available
Hi, Stephen! I will be sure to post updates and keep everyone updated here- and well as on our Facebook and Instagram pages. I appreciate your interest. I have a lot of fun with the book projects and am looking forward to rolling them out! -Mike
Marry Christmas Mike I got re take my driver's test I also I been working my trains I haven't used My camera as much this year lnexf year I will next year I also looking looking into my degree in coaching and teaching my school year done next month next year also I am going to Texas see other grandma
Hi, Taylor! You are staying busy this season! That's good you're able to find some train time in there. It can be hard sometimes. I hope you had a great Christmas as well. It was a great one here...although it's hard to believe it has already come and gone. Time always flies! Haha.
Thanks Mike I do want someday get the book of mkt I heard a lot of my grandpa they were one when they live in Texas I heard how bad track was 1988 when the union pacific grab them
Looks great, Mike. Appreciate the update. May just be my ears, but it seems you're getting a lot of echo in your studio. Merry Christmas to you!
Thank you, Dan! No shortage of things to keep me busy. Yep…you are correct about that echo. And- for someone who spends half of his life in a TV studio- it pains me greatly! Haha. Sadly, our sound engineers aren’t on my personal payroll, so it’s up to me to keep tweaking that to get it right! 😂. Hope you and Jen have an awesome Christmas!
Happy Holidays
Thank you! I hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year as well!
I am really enjoying Main Track Trains, Michael. Thank you for producing it.
Hi, Mike! Thanks so much for tuning in and joining us! I'm glad to hear you're enjoying the channel. We hope to see you here again soon!
Looking forward to the progress. Nice work so far!!
Hi, Lon! I appreciate you watching! Thank you for the kind words.
Awesome video as always Mike 😊 looking forward to seeing more and always welcome back to Parsons anytime
I sure appreciate that! I had a lot of fun hanging out with you guys and running trains! I’m sure I’ll see you all again sometime soon. Hope you had a great Christmas! -Mike
Great Channel, Merry Christmas
Hello, Mark! I appreciate that. Thanks for stopping by to watch. I hope you have a fantastic Christmas as well!
Big microphone and it still sounds roomy. No need for all the high end, buy trains!
Haha…yes, that has been a work in progress. Since this video, I’ve been able to make some improvements and reduce the echoing in the big room. But, I agree…you can never spend too much on trains! There has been no reduction in budget there. Ha.