I'm Building a New HO Train Layout - Model Railroading
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 พ.ย. 2024
- A while back I was asked to build a model train layout for someone so I got to work figuring out a plan for it. There were several designs however I eventually found one I was quite fond of.
The layout features two mainline tracks, one which over laps it's self for an interesting effect. Although this layout is far from done it is a good start and I can't wait to start adding some scenery.
Am I ever glad that I found your channel on TH-cam! I am amazed at what you've built on an 8x4 sheet of plywood! Thank you for this educational video! You're amazing!
Thanks. I plan to do another where I build a layout on a 3x5 which would really push the limits for space.
@@SMTMainline My pleasure! I can't wait to get started on my own. I found a perfect spot in my living room in my apt. to put a 8x4' piece of plywood. I would like to make a layoyt of Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas, the site where President Kennedy was asssassinated, for my own research purposes. I 'd like to make it to scale, but have NO IDEA how to do that, so am not sure. I'd have to use styrene sheets to make the bldg's and decorative concrete structures, i.e. pergolas, refelcting pools, peristyles, triple underpass (railroad overpass). I bought two packages of Walthers flexible street pavement. That's pretty amazing stuff. Your amazing work really insppired me to take this on. Thanks again-so much!!!
“Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.” Great choice!
I kept thinking that sounded like an old church hymn!
The young person who receives this layout is a lucky person. Thanks
Sir, your energy and enthusiasm translates immensely through your presentation. I want to thank you for keeping me motivated to get my layout out of the computer and into reality. Cheers. Lance 🇦🇺
Thanks, it's nice to hear that :)
Hi I am 66 just retired after 42 years of being an electrical contractor. I am going nuts. Yes I am a pain in the A*** my wife said and she told me to start any hobby. Well I have always loved trains I had a old friend that past years ago that had a set up in his basement it was like 4 4x8 sheets of plywood that he made a entire town /christmas theme it was amazing also I remember years ago I went to Chicago and in one of the museums there was a trai display that I will never forget thus that will now be my hobby. So I did buy a small HO starter set. A Walthers power-loc track kit and some extra cars you know they just look so cool. Anyway is the Walthers power-loc track good track a good start to invest into because I was told when you start with one track your kind of stuck after that and vested is that true. Then the DCC / DC side what would be the best avenue before I really start putting in $$$ thank you for any advice.
Union Pacific Big Boy reminded me of something from my childhood. I saw and heard the Southern Pacific 4294 in a train station right before it was taken out of service in the early 1950’s. Yes I am old, I must have been 5 or 6 at the time. The noise and steam and the monumental size of the engine is something I’ve never forgotten. My uncle worked for Southern Pacific that’s why I got to be up close to the beast. The hiss and rumbling of those HUGE steam engines was unbelievable.
That must have been quite the locomotive to see in person, I can only imagine.
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My firs adventure with steam was on Reading's Iron Horse Rambles in the early 60's. Big T-1 ,4-8-4's which had been stored serviceable and commuter coaches that were not needed for weekends. It was fabulous.
@@wilde1909 got pulled by one big boy when I worked at Ringling brothers. 93 - 2008 years . Awesome to see huge machines of that size.
Hi, I would remove that hump on the side of the bridge track you repaired. cut the risers back to where it is level straight across the bridge. Then shave the cut-out section of risers level and then replace. This would be the time to do it and save a lot of unwanted uncoupling issues in the future. Great job I'm a big fan of your videos.
WOW! I’m speechless! This is truly an amazing project. I was stunned how it spread over multiple rooms. What a formidable experience conceived in the mind of Klaus and so expertly laid-out. The film and footage are very well produced giving the viewer the actual feeling of riding these trains though this magical scenery. Well done Cam.
I see you like corned beef
Best.
Food.
Ever.
Thanks, Harrison. Since my move from Florida to Ohio to be closer to family because of my medical issues, the Chippewa Northern has to be rebuilt, starting with a 4 x 8 table given to me. Been looking at layout designs, and I really like this one. It has also given me some other possible add-ons, an L shape at one end for a large city since I have at least 50 city buildings from the old layout. Like a lot of cities the trackage will be on the outskirts. I have never used the cans as weights but I will now.
This makes me appreciate the real-life topography issues of building and working the Railroad lines. Excellent skill work.
Well done! Great learning opportunity. Thx.
Awesome! That's impressive that the bigboy navigates 18" radius! Nice track work harrison!
I expected it to be fine, since it’s articulated. If you put a 2-10-4 “Texas” on there it would potentially have a harder time than any locomotive.
Rivarossi intended them to but it's still a lot for a locomotive like that.
@@SMTMainline that is neat to know, kato is doing something similar with their N-scale Bigboy, its supposed to be able to navigate 9 3/4" radius. Which is about the equivilent to a 18" radius in H.O. Impressive job by rivorossi on the design of that engine then!
Even the Trix bug boy can do 18 radius
First time I've seen road bed added AFTER the track 😮 looks like an easier and faster method. Nicely done 😊
Thanks, I think it helps with lining it up, properly centred.
That putting the pins in so you can put the roadbed under is actually a great idea! I may do that to get my centerlines on the roadbed right, but then lay flex track on top.
I used to have an HO layout in my basement when I was a kid. Very cool video. Makes me miss playing with mine. And I swear that I had the same gray trestle bridge and the mechanical road crossing that you have sitting on the table at the end of the video. The train drives over it and a plastic pad on the track gets pushed down and moves the gates down to block the road.
Besides repairing Engines Building layouts My Advise Keep going in Either way you want to go . Don’t quit by any means Please! You are very good In What you are Doin Keep your Edge Harrison.🤘🤘🤘🤘👍
Never stop the action!
That song you were using was leaning on the everlasting arms
Ah, but it appears you've forgotten something crucial about the Big Boy, SMT! It's elementary, my dear Harrison. This HO scale Big Boy, much like the prototype, was _designed_ with sharp curves in mind, hence why they are "articulated". Anyhow, great job on the layout! I'm sure that friend's son with love it.
Mr. Rossi took the average layout into account when designing his models which I respect. Having said that, 18R is still a tall order for a locomotive of this size.
@@SMTMainline True, but since it's articulated, it's like two locomotives with 8 wheel bases, and although the four-wheel trucks/bogies do add more resistance, i've seen plenty of 2-8-0s rated for 18 radius curves(granted like you said, the Big Boy is a big locomotive, and only the front section really applies with my argument)
Good video for the newbies. Interesting way of fixing the roadbed in place. I think you have become the rockstar model railroader to your younger fans. Well done
Thanks 👍
Excellent job! Many modellers have struggled with the engineering challenges of curving inclines which you have managed amazingly well. I was very pleasantly surprised, as were you, that the big boy ran flawlessly. Keep up the amazing work.
You, sir are magic with these model trains. Im a truck driver so i dont think i have the time to have another layout like i did when i was younger, but if i ever do get the time to enjoy one, im most definitely going to ask your advice beforehand! Great job!
Thank you very much!
What a great layout, Harrison. I can hardly wait for your future videos on this layout. It was a lot of work but in the long run it all paid off. Thanks for sharing this wonderful video.
Good work! Those old Rivarossi articulateds were designed to work on 18” radius curves. My layout in the 60s had an inner and outer loop like yours & my 2-8-8-2 had few issues. Thanks for showing us how it’s done.
This is a great starter video to showcase how to make a model railroad
I find it more simple and not as boring as other channels
For an old guy getting back into the hobby. Young sir you make it easy great videos.
Glad to hear it, welcome back to the hobby
Wow, Harrison. Great job showing how you built that layout. Very inspiring. I have had no room for a sheet of plywood in apartments I have lived in. When I lived at our old family home, I had space to build several model railway layouts, & I did. When I was about your age, 40+ years back I finished a great layout in room off Dad's car port. Had to dismantle layout when my Dad sold the house in fall of 1982. However, I still have a lot of my old locomotives & rolling stock from the 1970's & early 1980's, seeing what you do makes me think that I should try for a shelf layout in my cramped flat. If I can't get my old Athearn, Life-Like, Model Power & AHM locos to run, I will look to your past videos for advice on getting them to come to life. BTW, great hint with the artist's pins to centre the cork roadbed & track. So cool to see that AHM /Rivarossi U.P. 'Big Boy' steam locomotive charge around your layout. I almost bought one of those when I was in Seattle in 1979, but I didn't have enough U.S. cash left in my wallet. No debit machines or ATM's 44 years back. I had a C.I.B.C. 'Chargex' card then , but store in Seattle wouldn't except it. 'Chargex' card later became 'Visa'. Arrghh, I really wanted that 'Big Boy".
Anyway, sorry to bore you with my old stories. Keep up the good work on your channel. Great stuff. Always cool content you post.
Great to show all these new ideas put to work in a layout construction. Don't forget to test the track under the bridge with a couple of your longest wagons hooked together before you start to add the scenery. It is indeed a good start but to facilitate expansion, incorporate a point/switch on the outer mainline leading to a siding which the new owner could easily convert to an extension when ready.
I love this channel it got me back in the hobby
Heck yeah!
Very nice, well edited video! Watching your videos or working on my own layout is always time well spent!
Thanks a bunch!
The wide boi can make it through the tiny gap…. Poggers
When the cat started lurking around, i thought for sure he was gonna be up on the table trying to help you!!
That was really an enjoyable video Harrison. Thanks for posting it.
You should see if it's possible to add a second crossover so trains can return from the inner loop to the outer loop without reversing
Yes, I said the same thing. A crossover would be perfect just past the diamond crossing.
Funny: Thinking the same thing.
I like how you use the sauce cans.
That's a good idea but it would be tricky to fit.
@@SMTMainline only one way to find out lol. Nice work by the way, looks awesome.
Awesomeness Harrison. What a nice gesture. Thanks for sharing.
It is a nice basic starter layout. The hobby lives on!
This is precisely what I needed as I get my projects under way. As I've stated before, my goal is to have multiple layouts representing different themes, but with one underframe. Should I move to a bigger place, I could then spread out and have multiple themed layouts that I could connect together for "run-throughs". Thanks for the tips and inspo, Harrison.
Great job Harrison, nice trouble shooting. Great information included by you explaining why and how you did what all you did. Self explanatory. For the beginners and old railroaders alike. Now the fun part begins. Doing the scenery and buildings , roads and making the layout come alive, to make it's own little world. You have made it have so much possibilities to explore. I give you 4 star's out of 5. I would of given you 5 star's, but I didn't want to give you the Bug Head, hahaha 😂😆🤪. But you did deserve the 5 star's anyway. Great Presentation my friend. Keep up the good work you always do in all your videos. Even when you have a snafoos, you take the time showing how to correct each one. In order to make things work. 👋👍👍👍🚂
Great Vid. A quality 1/2 hour presentation and tutorial. Fully on spot, the narration and photography were clear, and the canned music ties it all together. One note, nickel silver track has no silver. It is a nickel, copper, and zinc alloy.
THREE THUMBS UP!
Wow. Pretty impressive to just throw that together and even the big boy handled it.
Its good to see those big boys making a comeback, including real one being brought back into commission recently.
It blows me away that the real big boy is equivalent to 3 modern diesels in capability. Kind of makes me chuckel too how that older machine still out performs the modern stuff. Truely an engineering marvel ahead of its time. Old school is still often better than current school.
Nice setup by the way. Kind of similar to one I've recently started to work on in N scale. Mine will be running on a 2' x 8.5' space. Had to go N scale because nothing HO scale could really handle the 2' wide space.
Steam engines have a serious torque advantage. How efficiently or reliably it does so is another story but they're still marvels of engineering.
When laying track, I tend to use a sharpie or other kind of felt marker to mark where the track goes. It saves making such a big mess with the glue.
Nice video and shows how easy it is to have an entertaining layout in a small space.
Another Great piece of work Smt Mainline
I love that song, "What A fellowship, what a joy divine."
Awesome layout. Thank you for showing us. I will use this video as my future layout blueprint. 👍👍👍
There’s just no getting around it…building a railroad is a messy business!😂😂😂 Great video, thanks for sharing.
Seriously, it takes about as much cleaning as effort into building.
OMG my dream its come true, a new layout series i hope
This video comes at a good time for me because Im going to help a friend build an N scale layout and I haven't built any layouts other than O gauge 3 rail in over 30 years. Materials and techniques have changed in that time and I love that straight pin trick. NICE.
Thanks a bunch!
Great job I just purchased a big boy union pacific and have not built my layout yet thanks to you I know it will run on my 4×8 table with no problems 😊
We loved watching this & great music. Looking forward to seeing more.
Who ever you made this for will love it .
Big boy + this type of cool layout it'll be a dream come true !!
Way to go, Harrison. The Big Boy looks right at home on that layout. It was a great choice to test out the track -- just don't try running the Centennial. Are you planning on putting plexiglass along the edge?
I'm sure the youngster you're creating this layout for will enjoy it. Hopefully he watches your videos, but doesn't figure out it's for him.
Thanks for sharing. 👍🐾👍
There will definitely some kind of guard rail system, don't want any trains on the ground haha.
@@SMTMainline Acela flying high 😂 "Oh Fudge" -- only I didn't say Fudge.
I'd say that it definitely took guts...or something...to get those locos going that fast, that close to the edge without a guard. I'd be on edge, figuratively.
Very clever layout. I agree with the comment of adding a duel cross over and two controls so the out side loop could keep running while you can do some yard switching or pick up passengers at the town
I've been a model railroader for sixty five of my seventy four years and I watch and enjoy your channel. It's interesting and you have some things to teach this old dog. If I may, an observation on this track plan. A train moving clockwise on the outer loop can move through the cross over to the inner loop but cannot return to the outer loop. Similarly, a train moving counter clockwise on the inner loop can move to the outer, but can't return. Another set of switches and an opposing cross over on the ground level side of your layout would make this plan more flexible. Great layout, great series. I'm enjoying watching your build.
Hey. You are spot on with the track issue, luckily it was corrected in the second video.
What a great video! Excellent overview of the track planning and building phase. The shot at 8:30 demonstrates why I discourage running longer rolling stock on curves below 24" radius: yes, it works, but boy, does it look silly. Sticking with 40' long rolling stock will make this layout look larger.
Nice work. If I had the money and space for a layout, I would do a similar one like your's. Only it would be for traction equipment. I have plenty of steam locos, I love steam. But traction is more my cup of tea. I enjoyed watching you build your layout! 👍
SMT I am so excited to see a layout building series because I could learn so much more about layout building but I find most tutorials aren't really that good, but you do great restoration vids and I learn so much through them. Keep em coming!
Thanks, I want there to be enough info but not so much it confuses people.
@@SMTMainline You have the perfect balance so far!
Excellent Harrison. Must be something in the air. I started my shelf layout tonight. SMT manual chapter layout construction🚂🇨🇦🙋
It will be exciting to see the new layout when it's fully done!
Very nice Layout build nice job SMT
Thank you very much!
This has inspired me to dig out my goodies from 10 years ago and actually start setting a layout up. I have an old lima Loco with some rolling stock, Absolutely love your videos and easy style of setting up.
the way I build a layout is to build the main area of track and work around it so you have proper messurements
An inspiration to us all, now I know I can use my Big boy model, Tony from Ireland
You're going to make some young man very happy! 👍👍
I think I would have been happy with this layout as a kid.
Aww man. This made my day, I've been waiting for more layout building videos for a while. Thanks Harrison!!!
Very good video on basic model railroad layout design and construction. I especially liked how you use side-by-side roadbed under the tracks.
Amazing work as always Harrison! I agree with some other comments that a return switch over to the 22" radii section would be a bonus.
Yes wonderful tutorial. Layout plans that are on a grid like Atlas track plans really help maintain your centerline and allow you to put your cork down first. Flex track three foot sections are Quicker to lay once cork is down.. Bridges on curves and clearance for. Doublestacks has to be considered. I also found 4by8 layouts a little too small for 4 percent grades.
Very nice SMT you did a great job on the design of layout and overall very good. I'm currently in the process of getting my layout back together since I last had it together was about 2016 so yeah. I'm also making plans for getting a layout together for a model railroad club also.
That's awesome, welcome back!
Building HO scale train layout.
Atlas code 100 tracks.
Good job my friend.
EXCELLENT. ❤. Such a big help for me as a new by at 75. 👍👏
I wish I'd had all of the resources and knowledge when I started my layout about a year ago. I'm currently building a ski mountain for my 2nd table.
The only way to learn is to try building one.
How awesome is that Union Pacific model. Very nice setup. One day, when I have the time and the space, I would love build something similar ❤.
That would be cool!
I had a foam base and ripped it all out and replaced it with Homesote (highly compressed recycled newspaper). I found that the foam actually amplified the engine noise, making it louder. Homesote does an excellent job of deadening noise and is super easy to push in track pins.
I have used homesote on other layouts, excellent stuff but not so good for making valleys and so on.
Nice it's looking good already
My favorite kind of videos! Can't wait to see it!
Hope you enjoyed it!
Well done. Big Boy on an 18". Amazing.
I'm happy to discover your channel, as I plan my first HO Scale layout build. I'm creating a simple layout on an 18 foot by 5 foot base. It will represent an area along Route 66 in Oklahoma that has no mountains. I want to celebrate both the small town America sense of community and the larger idea of a united America that was the subject of the American Freedom Train that traveled all over America in 1976. I have the Lionel HO Scale American Freedom Train that was sold in 1976 and the Bachmann America Freedom Train steam locomotive made more recently. I really appreciate seeing how this layout came together!
Excellent really well planned
I like how you snuck in the background music. Recognized the song almost immediately.
Very nice and instructive video. I often wondered just how to make inclines. I didn’t know about the commercially available foam inclines.
Wanted to get someone into railroading then that person should have been there with you from the start. Helped build the layout.
Nice video mate. I'm quite interested to see how this layout progresses. I have to say it looks very professional.
Fully recommend those woodland scenics incline sets. Using them extensively on my new n scale layout.! Glad to see you use them as well!
This is well done. I enjoy clear and concise building without a lot of idle chatter!
Thanks, I try to only share as much information as is necessary.
I never clicked so fast. Then I realized it was for someone else and I came back later. :) Great job, they’ll love it.
Haha, "first"
Man I really want a model railroad.
Stm main line when I build my layout, it's going have trolley, 8 track yard and 5 industry, finally a mountain that is good Idea for next layout. Could be a good layout like you other ones.
And good job
Very nice!
Reminds me of my first layout that my old man built most of. We built an L shaped setup in a corner with a hill along the wall for a tunnel exiting out on either side to cross a trestle bridge to go over the river. One side of the L was a country field and a few houses, the other side was a large train yard and roundhouse for all the train cars and stuff we planned to get. Alas I grew up a bit over time before we could do that and moved on to war gaming
NGL: Not only is that a good layout plan but also a cool idea for a nascar track
I like the track with the road bed attached. Nice layout sir
Very nice lay-out and very good video presentation. Well done.
Thank you very much!
Love your more interesting videos the restoration’s are always great but videos like these is y I’m subscribed
Thanks a bunch!
Man I wish I had this ho scale trains and tracks they are awesome
The layout looks excellent with the setup. I'm surprised that big boy didn't derail somewhere.
I think I’m gonna try to re-create this layout for my first table layout. Wish me luck everyone lol.
Me too
@@REALFeltysCoinsAndTrains nice i wish you luck
@@bdvids7930 Thanks
@@REALFeltysCoinsAndTrains np I hope you have a wonderful day
@BDvid’s thanks currently pretty sick
This is a wonderful video. I’ll definitely place it in my favorite list. Wow.
Great job but I'ld give you a 7 out of 10 points. The order of construction is OK but, add 2 more steps. With the track on 'the board', use a sharpie, or other marker, to locate the center of the track. Take the track off, 'connect the dots', line up the roadbed to 'the dots', then put the track back down. Yes, it is more 'steps' but way much less mess to deal with. I would've added 2 left-hand turnouts so the train could go back to the main line, without backing into the main line. FYI - I'm 72 and started out with an A.C.Gilbert American Flyer train that I received on my 6th birthday, in 1957 🙂 (The train still runs today.)
I’m going to try this for my first layout. I have/had a 4’x8’ table for many years just never had a place to set it up. The track that was on it was old and beat up so I’m starting fresh
HARRISON ! EWE DA MAN ! NOW RUN A DD40AX OR A DD35 A ! YOUR TRACK WORK IS SIMPLE BUT IT WORKS SO WELL ! CANADIEN AYE ! 😎