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Thank you! This is very flattering. I wasn't expecting this kind of video to generate any feedback, so very pleasantly surprised. This is the aspect of the hobby I enjoy the most, especially just watching a session unfold and taking in the sounds from the decoders.

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it and I appreciate the feedback.

As always, great to receive feedback from one of the champions of model railroading. Still have your steel wire, let me know which Monday you'd like me over.

Please don't get discouraged! The fastest way to get to what you want is to learn from the experience of being dissatisfied, even if starting all over again isn't great--I know, this is my second layout after I scrapped the mess that was my first. The aspect of modelling I love the most is the realistic slow speeds, slow starts, and slow stops of consisted models, so the "heft" you see is all programmed in. You can make these models jack rabbit down the tracks as well. Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback. I didn't expect this video to generate any comments because it is strictly switching at a calm and relaxing pace and the kind of thing I really enjoy watching, but for sure I thought I was alone on this. Appreciate your feedback!

@@SouthDown Thanks for the pep-talk. I've started another small layout, but I'm bored with it. Or even modelling altogether.

@@pwblackmore I totally understand that. I used to run a not-for-profit magazine for years because that's what interested me. At some point it stopped being fun. So I stopped doing it. Did it feel sad and somewhat bitter-sweet? You bet; however, I focused on the positives that came out of it and the growth/skills I gained. I've since discovered other interests, among which running, model trains, and cycling. Put the trains aside and see where inspiration takes you! Thank you for sharing with me!

Thank you for your gracious comment. I've been in the hobby a little over three years now. What you saw here was the layout in its state back in December. It's seen grown two more structures, a road, and the beginning of some scenery! Appreciate your time.

The best way to be is to always keep it simple. Appreciate the feedback!

Glad you liked and thanks for the inspiration and feedback!

It’s pretty crazy when you think about it: vintage models that, with a little TLC, can have a decoder and speaker installed. Currently working on a couple of first gen P2K that are so old they aren’t DCC ready yet have detail that rivals today’s offerings. Thanks for the feedback!

Thanks for the kind comments! I had a veteran modeller show me how to do it. A lot to cram in not a lot of space especially when you try to put as big a speaker as you can.

Thanks! The recycled Rio Grande orange and the light grey combined with cranky engine sound really give this little runner a fun look. Combined with the slug, it certainly is an eye catcher.

Thanks for the feedback! Just needs to be more constructive as you clearly seem to know a thing or two about video editing but are only providing the criticism part of it. Perhaps the video coming out July 1st may be more to your liking: it’s a single cut from a single angle with 18 minutes of slow shunting with nothing more than engine sounds.

@@SouthDown The constructive part is the tempo of the cuts matching the tempo of the subject. Here, things are moving slowly and nothing much is happening, so you don't need a lot of cuts. Just cut when there's something new to show. For example, once the train's passed one point, you might cut to it viewed from another point. Or when it starts going off in a different direction.

@beeble2003 I appreciate the feedback! As a one-man show with no experience in video making or editing, I’m trying to keep things always interesting by constantly cutting. With my computer down and being rebuilt/reinstalled as we speak, I’ll be curious to hear of your thoughts on the July 1st’s video.

Haha! Seriously! Considering for how long those bottles served their purpose, sometimes I think that as long as your track is well laid and your trains run without any hiccups, scenery is all in the mind. Thanks for your feedback!

Imagine building that to scale!

They were bent out of shape out of the box, which is ridiculous for a $300 model. Ended up replacing those. And the motor. And the decoder. And the chassis. And pretty much everything else except for the shell. By far the most expensive model I own. Thanks for the feedback!

My next video won’t be that impressive. My laptop died and I lost all my work. I will post a simple switching video while I get myself sorted. Thank you for your support!

@@SouthDown OUCH 🤕

I appreciate the kind words of approval! I hope you’ll share your efforts and creativity with us!

Your feedback means the world to me!

No, no. Shunting works. I’m heavily inspired by UK modellers. And I love the correlation with that great book. Thanks for the feedback!

@@SouthDown There is also the book Zen in the art of archery which is a different way to look at archery, but the book Zen in art of motorcycle decoration was beyond me.

Maybe it’s time I pursue further down the path of zen and trains, keeping it simple and accessible.

@@SouthDown Agreed

You flatter me with your kindness but please remember that when I started I was in your shoes! And I didn’t even have 40 subscribers. Keep up your great work and your resilience will be rewarded.

@@SouthDown Thank You Very Much!!!!

I’m glad to hear I’m not alone with this “issue”! Thanks for taking the time to provide me with your thoughts, they’re greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your support and encouragement. It’s no lie that your masterpiece of a layout with its beautiful scenery is my inspiration. Looking forward to finishing my scenery to be more fully immersed in the experience.

Thanks for the great feedback! Having a small fleet has its advantages and your coupler idea is great. I demand peak performance from them and some will absolutely need to be replaced. Thanks again!

Thank you! I greatly appreciate your feedback and that you took the time to provide it.

Thank YOU for the inspiration and for giving me so much insight on things to come. Your layout is truly professional grade. Appreciate the feedback!

You’re absolutely right! Even with the biggest speakers that would fit into those models, you’ll never get true-to-life sounds, so at some point you accept it versus no sound at all. Having said that, I’d like to try connecting a decoder directly to an amplifier with a subwoofer and see how that goes :)

@@SouthDown Careful; the building might fall down from vibration!

Thank you for your thoughts! Since getting into the hobby I wanted something achievable and enjoyable. While small, I made the space work for me and it is proving to be exactly what I needed to scratch the itch. Thanks again!

Thank you for your kind feedback! I’m happy my work is inspiring you and I look forward to seeing your progress!

It becomes another place that’s conveniently located in my house as a way to take a miniature vacation, while caressing the ego. Thanks for your feedback!

It means a lot to get your vote of approval! Thank you for supporting me!

@@SouthDown you got it!

Thank you! Those are some huge accolades coming from someone as accomplished as yourself!

Thank you! As always, I appreciate your support, feedback, and encouragement!

@@SouthDown I appreciate yours as well .... I'm starting to lay track this weekend!!!

That’s exciting! Take your time, do it right, admire your work, and enjoy running your first train!

That is absolutely incredible! Something to be said about models of yesteryear. With some loving, they can still provide hours of entertainment. Thank you for your support!

Thank you for your support and for taking the time to respond!

Thank you for your feedback! It’s definitely the sign of a satisfying experience!

Thank you for your support and for taking the time to provide it!

I’m sorry to hear about your issues! There’s nothing more frustrating than an engine that performs poorly when all you want to do is just run some trains. Unfortunately this seems to be the norm with modern day offerings. Thank you for your feedback!

The plan you see at the 36 second mark is my original track plan, which would probably fall under a “Switchman’s Nightmare” category more than a “Timesaver.” If you follow any of the links found in the description, you’ll see other people’s take on Allen’s original plan, albeit a Google search for “john Allen timesaver track plan” might yield better results.

I first applied an India ink wash diluted in rubbing alcohol to seep into the crevices (I later found out that Tamiya’s panel paint works better). Then a coat of matte and a layer of pan pastel. Used platinum first, then matte, then brown, then matte, and finally dark gray, and a final layer of matte to seal it all in.

Thank YOU for taking the time to provide such kind feedback! Love where your layout is going!

@@SouthDown.... I just recieved more track today, I'm hoping to start laying track tomorrow!!! 😁👍

It’s 245 cm long and 35 cm wide or about 8 feet long and 14 inches wide. The locomotive is a very old Athearn Blue Box. You can usually find them very cheap at train shows. You don’t want them too too old as those older motors are going to blow your decoder with its 2 amp limit.

Your feedback and support is always appreciated. Thank you.

I would absolutely love to see some of your engines! Tell me more about your club! Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you! As someone wiser than me once said, the best way to win is to lose. Looking back at those photos and videos, it's amazing how amateurish it all looked.

The best way to do better is to learn from our mistakes. And yes, that is an old Life Like Proto 2000 picked up on eBay that now has a sound decoder. The weathering removed the plastic toy feel and gave it a well-kept but hard-working look and feel. Aside from bringing back pleasant childhood memories from an old Athearn Blue Box model, I absolutely love the BN livery. Always flattering to get your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. I appreciate the fact that you noticed that kind of detail in my "performance" and that the way I operate was enjoyed. I obsess a little with locomotive performance and while one of those models has since been decommissioned, its replacement has been tweaked to run just as slowly. To more switching ops!