I have watched every episode at least twice. I look forward to viewing each new episode... sometimes waiting is hard to handle. It is now times of isolation in the year 2020 and i hope you progress alot thru these times. I came back to watch these as a reminder of how far you have come. Exceptional build from then to now. Thank you for sharing this entire journey. We are all captivated. And surely impressed with the attention to detail.
Wow Rob. The alogr'thm threw this up. Man you've come along way since then. I miss your build videos. Could you move and start a new layout please? Well perhaps not. Keep well mate. Great fun to revisit. I forgot about the trampoline, great to see it again, haha.
Your complete rebuild of your layout is quite involved. Thank you for the Situations I will have to be aware of with mine. Still haven't gotten a place for my layout yet, still getting ideas for my planning. Thank you for your time and explainations, learning with every video I watch. Thank you for your service to us all.
Thank you for your military service!! Much appreciated! I built all my turnouts using a paper template from Fast Tracks but I did purchase their Stock Rail and Frog filling gigs. A must have if you're building your own.
Stephen, I've watched all of your video updates from 1 to 16, and I find myself hoping there will be more to come. I really enjoyed the videos and really appreciate your thorough explanation of the steps you have taken, or are taking, to build a beautiful model railroad. Although I model in N-scale, your work is a real inspiration for me. ...Roy Smith
Amazing layout! Love all the neatness and quality of work you put into it, it shows. You have a very keen eye for detail. Keep up the awesome job and looking forward to your next video!
Everything looks great, keep up the great work. Love the channel. As for an industry for the spot in the intermodal yard, how 'bout a truck to rail transfer area (bulk plastic or liquid asphalt). You could transfer plastic from hopper car to bulk hopper semi-trucks or liquid asphalt from tank cars to tanker semi-trucks. And it can be attached to the intermodal yard.
Nice setup. On the program track, to get more room can you take a strip of cork roadbed and break it in half to give an extra strip on the side of the yard pad? This way you should get the clearance your looking for and make your spur longer.An idea for the end of intermodal yard track, what about a car servicing facility of just use it to store empty well cars?
As an idea for the extra track in the intermodal yard. Train to Truck container unloading via Forklift truck instead the large overhead cranes. Kibri i think makes the large container forklifts. Cheers from germany.
Great update. Your layout is coming along really nicely. I love that German Talent set; I was considering getting one myself as I had also been on one in Germany. There is even a North American prototype for those as Ottawa's transit system uses one. I'd like to get an undecorated one (not sure if they even do that) & custom paint it.
On the extra switch, you have, and were asking about suggestions. That would make a nice RIP Track. Set up s I'm me TTX vehicles, maybe a small 4 post shed a little work area. Just a Thought. Very nice layout!
Hey Stephen, I think that it would be cool if you added a single track engine shed for a switching locomotive on that that siding you aren't sure what you are gonna put and would switch the intermodal yard.
Stephen, I am a first time viewer of your layout and I must say what I see is very impressive so far. I am not sure what year this video was made (#16 update) but in it you mentioned adding an unplanned switch on the intermodal facility tracks and that you weren't sure what you would do with that spur. I am not an expert in the field of intermodal BUT, I did think of two options you might consider for that spur. 1 Is a spur for a set of engines (GP's or SD's 38's, 40's, 40-2's, etc) that would be used to shuttle the intermodal cars around the yard before, during and after loading. Option #2 would be a RIP track for intermodal cars. I am sure that those cars also suffer some sort of maintenance problems and this spur could be used for that purpose. Hope this helps in your decision making, IF it hasn't already been decided. Good to contact another Air Guard member (I am retired ID ANG-36years!). Keep the updates coming as they are very interesting. Dale
Hi! Just found your channel and subscribed. I'm an NS Locomotive Engineer and Railroad Modeler. Regarding your spur off your Intermodal Ramp track. Personally I'd leave it out because it is not prototypical. One of my pet peeves when looking at layouts is most like you said, most folks try to cram a track on every piece of vacant real estate they have. And leave out options for nice scenery elements to make the layout more interesting and plausible. With that being said, if you are intent on keeping it then my suggestion would be to use it for an Automotive vehicle unloading ramp. You have a nice set up. Love the Fast Track turnouts! Thanks for sharing! Tim
Thanks Tim, and appreciate the thoughts. I am still mulling it over...but as I think the more I am leaning towards leaving it out, as I agree it just wouldn't fit neatly. The temptation to add track is like a siren song- but...must....not...give in! Thanks for watching and be safe out on the real RR.
Hey Stephen happy new years. The layout looks great. I would love to see an Ethanol plant. You dont see them too often and they are one of my fav's. Once I move and Im able to expand then I hope to but mine to use.. Walthers has an Ethanol line. Great kits.
I don't know if you will get this idea, but I am watching all you videos from the start. I don't know if you have any in the State in your area but in the UK on my line in the TMD there is a wash station. You may be able to work this into your layout. This is the track that is to the left hand side of you main controller.
Try to pick an industry to model from around your area and any rails also. I would use a faller car system also for the area due to all the space you have.
Hello Mr Bennett 1. your videos are pretty cool! 2. i work for the Swiss federal railways, i noticed you bought an Re6/6 in green in one of your videos. The funny thing is i totaallyyy love US-railroads and you seem to be collect and like european stuff as well. if you ever have any question please write me and ask me! i would like to help you with european specially swiss railway stuff :)
I'm starting a new layout 8x4 just a starter ive never seen anyone put power to it so I'm asking how do you connect power to the line from one side to the outher side without stopping halve way greg
srry i forgot to ask this on my last comment The track in your yard and intermodal yard is it code 100 if so have you thought for the intermodal yard use Shinohara Double-Guard Rail 39-3/8" 1m Long since you said you are paving over the track in the intermodal yard i don't know how you are doing it if you are using plaster then the Double-Guard Rail 39-3/8" 1m Long is perfect you just put a string between the rail and guard after your done plastering the road over the track just pull the string out and now you have clearance for your flanges on your cars and locomotive
The track is code 83, as is the entire layout actually. We will be "paving" over the track, not sure yet if we will go concrete or asphalt. Thank you for the comment- it is a good idea!
How would you wire your signal bridge? I am planning on getting one for my HO layout. Would you wire it to the main bus? I run on digitrax DCC. Thanks. Great layout by the way!
It will be connected to the SMINI output- each signal head color (red/yellow/green) will be run back to the SMINI. The program will then "control" the signal by grounding (thus lighting) the appropriate LED for the indication called for, based on dispatcher settings, block occupancy, etc. The way we are doing it the signal system is totally separate from the DCC system. The signals are just individual LEDs, so there are many ways to control them.
wow very nice so far whats your easy dcc system amps ....and are the turnouts number 8 and how long does it take to make one ...is it worth building them or buying them and can I buy the jigs in code 100 ?? I will be following your progress I live in greenbay wis Home of the foot ball team that lost the playoff game in 5 min LOLOL
Lets see...we have three boosters (three power districts) and each is rated up to 7 amps. Turnouts are #8, except for the programming track spur, the shelf in the workshop and those that will eventually be in the transformer factory. Buy vs. build is a personal choice- there is a substantial upfront investment in jigs and tooling, then all the time it takes to build. But you have more control over the final product. Buying certainly will get your track work done faster. Cost is likely higher for the build route, depending on how many jigs/tooling you buy. But, the more you build the cost per turnout decreases. I haven't calculated a "break-even" point, when the cost per turnout is the same for build vs. buy. And finally, you can get the jigs and tooling for Code 100. Too bad about the Packers- I was routing for them. To me Seattle didn't win that game, the Packers lost it.
Nice work. Question: How are you doing your signaling with EasyDCC? My understanding was that this couldn't be done. Or is it just that you can't use EasyDCC with a computer?
The signals will be independent of the EasyDCC system. They will be powered off the 5 volt bus, and the individual lines will go to the outputs of the SMINI. They will be controlled by the software. The EasyDCC can certainly be connected to a computer, and I am looking into this and the use of the JMRI Decoder Pro for setting CV's.
Rob Bennett That's great Rob, and thanks for your reply. My DCC system preference is EasyDCC, but from reading the chat lines and such I got the impression that it wasn't suitable for signaling or hooking up to a computer. But now I see that is not true. Thanks again and keep up your good work. The layout is looking really good. I am doing an N-scale switching layout based on the CNJ in Newark, NJ.
![SAFEPLANET - ดาวเคราะห์ [ THE PLANET ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4X1XL3I_k3c/mqdefault.jpg)
I have watched every episode at least twice. I look forward to viewing each new episode... sometimes waiting is hard to handle. It is now times of isolation in the year 2020 and i hope you progress alot thru these times. I came back to watch these as a reminder of how far you have come. Exceptional build from then to now. Thank you for sharing this entire journey. We are all captivated. And surely impressed with the attention to detail.
Wow Rob. The alogr'thm threw this up. Man you've come along way since then. I miss your build videos. Could you move and start a new layout please? Well perhaps not.
Keep well mate. Great fun to revisit.
I forgot about the trampoline, great to see it again, haha.
Your complete rebuild of your layout is quite involved. Thank you for the Situations I will have to be aware of with mine. Still haven't gotten a place for my layout yet, still getting ideas for my planning. Thank you for your time and explainations, learning with every video I watch. Thank you for your service to us all.
Spectacular!!!!! The structure (mountains) is fantastic!!!
Thank you for your military service!! Much appreciated! I built all my turnouts using a paper template from Fast Tracks but I did purchase their Stock Rail and Frog filling gigs. A must have if you're building your own.
Stephen, I've watched all of your video updates from 1 to 16, and I find myself hoping there will be more to come. I really enjoyed the videos and really appreciate your thorough explanation of the steps you have taken, or are taking, to build a beautiful model railroad. Although I model in N-scale, your work is a real inspiration for me. ...Roy Smith
Wow.. Great update ! Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work... Lance 🚂
Amazing layout! Love all the neatness and quality of work you put into it, it shows. You have a very keen eye for detail. Keep up the awesome job and looking forward to your next video!
Thank You!
Everything looks great, keep up the great work. Love the channel. As for an industry for the spot in the intermodal yard, how 'bout a truck to rail transfer area (bulk plastic or liquid asphalt). You could transfer plastic from hopper car to bulk hopper semi-trucks or liquid asphalt from tank cars to tanker semi-trucks. And it can be attached to the intermodal yard.
Really like what your doing with your layout, look forward to seeing more updates as you progress.
great layout you are doing a great job on it. Cant wait to see the long trains running on it
Thanks
Nice setup. On the program track, to get more room can you take a strip of cork roadbed and break it in half to give an extra strip on the side of the yard pad? This way you should get the clearance your looking for and make your spur longer.An idea for the end of intermodal yard track, what about a car servicing facility of just use it to store empty well cars?
Thanks for all the info and lay out ideals. That's going to same me a lot of time. Also it looks really great...
Nice work Stephen! Lots of work there and well built. Will check out your channel.
Cheers Gregg
Absolutely fantastic!
Glad you like the layout so far, thanks!
As an idea for the extra track in the intermodal yard. Train to Truck container unloading via Forklift truck instead the large overhead cranes. Kibri i think makes the large container forklifts. Cheers from germany.
Great update. Your layout is coming along really nicely. I love that German Talent set; I was considering getting one myself as I had also been on one in Germany. There is even a North American prototype for those as Ottawa's transit system uses one. I'd like to get an undecorated one (not sure if they even do that) & custom paint it.
On the extra switch, you have, and were asking about suggestions. That would make a nice RIP Track. Set up s I'm me TTX vehicles, maybe a small 4 post shed a little work area. Just a Thought. Very nice layout!
Great layout! Going to have some awesome operating sessions there i can tell already!
Yea I think so too! Thanks for the comment!
I see you have one of those O Trains, commuter trains from Ottawa. They are very nice commuter trains.
Hey Stephen,
I think that it would be cool if you added a single track engine shed for a switching locomotive on that that siding you aren't sure what you are gonna put and would switch the intermodal yard.
Stephen,
I am a first time viewer of your layout and I must say what I see is very impressive so far. I am not sure what year this video was made (#16 update) but in it you mentioned adding an unplanned switch on the intermodal facility tracks and that you weren't sure what you would do with that spur. I am not an expert in the field of intermodal BUT, I did think of two options you might consider for that spur. 1 Is a spur for a set of engines (GP's or SD's 38's, 40's, 40-2's, etc) that would be used to shuttle the intermodal cars around the yard before, during and after loading. Option #2 would be a RIP track for intermodal cars. I am sure that those cars also suffer some sort of maintenance problems and this spur could be used for that purpose. Hope this helps in your decision making, IF it hasn't already been decided. Good to contact another Air Guard member (I am retired ID ANG-36years!). Keep the updates coming as they are very interesting. Dale
Hi! Just found your channel and subscribed. I'm an NS Locomotive Engineer and Railroad Modeler. Regarding your spur off your Intermodal Ramp track. Personally I'd leave it out because it is not prototypical. One of my pet peeves when looking at layouts is most like you said, most folks try to cram a track on every piece of vacant real estate they have. And leave out options for nice scenery elements to make the layout more interesting and plausible. With that being said, if you are intent on keeping it then my suggestion would be to use it for an Automotive vehicle unloading ramp. You have a nice set up. Love the Fast Track turnouts! Thanks for sharing!
Tim
Thanks Tim, and appreciate the thoughts. I am still mulling it over...but as I think the more I am leaning towards leaving it out, as I agree it just wouldn't fit neatly. The temptation to add track is like a siren song- but...must....not...give in! Thanks for watching and be safe out on the real RR.
Hey Stephen happy new years. The layout looks great. I would love to see an Ethanol plant. You dont see them too often and they are one of my fav's. Once I move and Im able to expand then I hope to but mine to use.. Walthers has an Ethanol line. Great kits.
How about a concrete powder plant? Short cars and a couple sidings.
Some dedication here. Nice work.
Thank You!
On the track you are asking for suggestions for you could do a transloading facility or a spot for bad orders to be fixed
I don't know if you will get this idea, but I am watching all you videos from the start.
I don't know if you have any in the State in your area but in the UK on my line in the TMD there is a wash station. You may be able to work this into your layout. This is the track that is to the left hand side of you main controller.
Great video, I look forward to future updates. Your switches look beautiful!
Thank You!
That extra track in the intermodal yard could be used for coil cars.
Try to pick an industry to model from around your area and any rails also. I would use a faller car system also for the area due to all the space you have.
Great layout, and great excuse for chicken wings :-) Laurie
Great update! Love your work…
Thank You
I think that you are doing a great job--track work neat!
Electronics- I lose it-but enjoy you explaining it.
Following. Awesome stuff. Robert
Thanks!
Excellent craftsmanship. One thing; your backdrop looks like it may be out of scale.
Nice layout and a great explanation of what you are doing.
Thank You
Awesome layout, keep up the good work my friend.
Thanks, will do!
Hello Mr Bennett
1. your videos are pretty cool!
2. i work for the Swiss federal railways, i noticed you bought an Re6/6 in green in one of your videos.
The funny thing is i totaallyyy love US-railroads and you seem to be collect and like european stuff as well. if you ever have any question please write me and ask me! i would like to help you with european specially swiss railway stuff :)
Just a note, at 14 minutes, that's not a Swedish freight train, it's a Swiss freight train.
Hudiksvall från luften Oh my- you are correct and I apologize for my mistake. No disrespect intended for any of our Swiss or Swedish viewers!
absolutely fascinating.
How about a engine service facility for that extra space you have
great job with this vid, cant wait to see more,,,,,i did sub you everything looks good
What thickness cork did you use and where did you get it? Did you buy it in rolls? Thanks
Nice track work, sorry to see the not easy DCC.
I love your backgrounds where did you get them from?
I'm starting a new layout 8x4 just a starter ive never seen anyone put power to it so I'm asking how do you connect power to the line from one side to the outher side without stopping halve way greg
srry i forgot to ask this on my last comment The track in your yard and intermodal yard is it code 100 if so have you thought for the intermodal yard use Shinohara Double-Guard Rail 39-3/8" 1m Long since you said you are paving over the track in the intermodal yard i don't know how you are doing it if you are using plaster then the Double-Guard Rail 39-3/8" 1m Long is perfect you just put a string between the rail and guard after your done plastering the road over the track just pull the string out and now you have clearance for your flanges on your cars and locomotive
The track is code 83, as is the entire layout actually. We will be "paving" over the track, not sure yet if we will go concrete or asphalt. Thank you for the comment- it is a good idea!
How would you wire your signal bridge? I am planning on getting one for my HO layout. Would you wire it to the main bus? I run on digitrax DCC. Thanks. Great layout by the way!
It will be connected to the SMINI output- each signal head color (red/yellow/green) will be run back to the SMINI. The program will then "control" the signal by grounding (thus lighting) the appropriate LED for the indication called for, based on dispatcher settings, block occupancy, etc. The way we are doing it the signal system is totally separate from the DCC system. The signals are just individual LEDs, so there are many ways to control them.
wow very nice so far whats your easy dcc system amps ....and are the turnouts number 8 and how long does it take to make one ...is it worth building them or buying them and can I buy the jigs in code 100 ?? I will be following your progress I live in greenbay wis Home of the foot ball team that lost the playoff game in 5 min LOLOL
Lets see...we have three boosters (three power districts) and each is rated up to 7 amps. Turnouts are #8, except for the programming track spur, the shelf in the workshop and those that will eventually be in the transformer factory. Buy vs. build is a personal choice- there is a substantial upfront investment in jigs and tooling, then all the time it takes to build. But you have more control over the final product. Buying certainly will get your track work done faster. Cost is likely higher for the build route, depending on how many jigs/tooling you buy. But, the more you build the cost per turnout decreases. I haven't calculated a "break-even" point, when the cost per turnout is the same for build vs. buy. And finally, you can get the jigs and tooling for Code 100.
Too bad about the Packers- I was routing for them. To me Seattle didn't win that game, the Packers lost it.
really great job
Thanks
Need edge barrier to save a train from falling on the floor rather have an accident or derail and keep it all on the layout.
Nice work. Question: How are you doing your signaling with EasyDCC? My understanding was that this couldn't be done. Or is it just that you can't use EasyDCC with a computer?
The signals will be independent of the EasyDCC system. They will be powered off the 5 volt bus, and the individual lines will go to the outputs of the SMINI. They will be controlled by the software. The EasyDCC can certainly be connected to a computer, and I am looking into this and the use of the JMRI Decoder Pro for setting CV's.
Rob Bennett That's great Rob, and thanks for your reply. My DCC system preference is EasyDCC, but from reading the chat lines and such I got the impression that it wasn't suitable for signaling or hooking up to a computer. But now I see that is not true. Thanks again and keep up your good work. The layout is looking really good. I am doing an N-scale switching layout based on the CNJ in Newark, NJ.
just found your channel nice layout thinking about your problem i would leave it too
You should consider using Triple Crown!
Roadrailers...I didn't even think of that. Very interesting. Let me mull that over- and thanks for the idea!
Do a lumber yard there
can you help me out... at 1400 on this video you have some patterens of switches... where can i get a set of these.. who makes them?? thanks
chrsmcwtrs oh and where do you get your scratch build train material and who makes that product
thank you very helpful, Hooah
High speed rail................>>>>>
im gonna try a banked rail maybe 5 degrees if I can a dedicated hi speed rail.
I dont understand what you're saying