You have given the most accurate answer to my question yet on youtube. You don't try to be a showman, you just answer the question to the best of you're ability, which is pretty dang good. Thanks for being you and keep on training the new train guys like me.
Eric, I am so happy that I found this video.. it answered a bunch of questions I had for you knowing you had a multi deck layout and I had planned on asking you some questions about it. You answered my concerns in this video. I have been considering a multi in the future and have been paying attention to vids with multi decks seeing how guys have done them and what seems to work and what doesn't. As always.. thanks for the time you've taken to share what you've done and are doing. Tom
Thank you for the video. Extremely informative and helpful. I've been into model railroading for the past 20 years, but I'm only just now starting to build one of my own. I plan on having Three levels as well.
Eric , even tho I had to go outdoors , two levels , helix and long runs with long trains are a must , and with two levels it tends to space out major switching points for several coal mines and coal fired electric plants . Vinny has a good well rounded number of different businesses to give real meaning and purpose to his layout operation . Great video and I liked the ops portion LOL .
Great video and it answers a few questions that I had regarding the height for each deck of the layout. I'm planning a triple deck layout and was unsure on what the right height would be for each deck. I'm not sure if I have the luxury of fitting a helix for passage from one deck to another. I'd have to use a runup incline (perhaps a 3% grade) to achieve that. Thank you.
Thanks. I am building a 2-3 decker also. In ho I think the depth sometimes needs to up to 3 ft, to get any parallel tracks in. Nice tip on armpits, wrists and knees!
Thanks Eric, I've been working on a layout with 2 levels & was wondering about how much seraperation I needed, your videos help, looking forward to seeing more! thanks again, JACK
The very bottom is a staging level. Yes I'm happy with the way it is. I can sit on my butt and restage when people are gone. but it is not a switching area, just a place to store trains the arrive or leave the layout.
@@IMRROcom I used your video this one to build my heights on mine. When I’m alone or with my kids cause they are small it works I’m 5’11. But the 2 n scale train guys in my city group are giants and even on the lowest stool they can’t see the bottom. I also built my shelves full like you did as opposed to the top level being half as deep. Again I have no issue with it. But with nmra coming up, my guess is 3 operators max inside the room plus one outside the room in my rumpus room for staging. (I have video showing new expansion) When I am not feeling high energy I find the bottom level and sitting on a stool I quite enjoy. It’s my first double deck after building 11 other n scale layouts at single level. Last week I was at a hon3 layout tour and he has a 36” deep or so bottom level and less than 12” top level. I did wider isles than ever but he doesn’t have a pennisula. So about same size 20x15 but about 8 people fit in the room. I am 22” deep can reach to the back no problem. The other guy can’t without getting on a stool. And trust me hon3 details a lot. Just funny to rewatch this video years later and see what I’ve done and how it performs
its an interesting layout, but I do have one question. In school I was taught that 12-inches equals a foot. so how can you be 5 feet 13-inches? lol. you must be from Paris or something. love the track design. I think you should have done 1x4 on the lower, 1x3 on the mid sections, and 1 x2 on the top to help with clearance and especially weight.
Eric .. great job on the layout and thank you for this information. I was wondering if could explain how you get from your staging area all the way up to the top? I have looked at most of your videos and pictures and for the life of me just don't see it.
Great video Eric, we all wish we had more room...but it is what it is. I say, it's your layout, build it the way that it works for you. Minds in a room I build in the garage, so I know about the floor. Bob ;{)
I'd say you've done it right. Everyone's layout is highly personal...it's your baby, you know? Your design, your labor, your fun so if youre happy with it, that's all that matters. I'm tall, so I know I'd probably be hitting my head on that upper deck all the time.
Good video as always, but here comes the questions of questions sense you do operations. Body mounted, or Truck couplers?????? give us some insight if you will.
What is the dementions of your helix, diameter, radius etc. Did you build it from scratch or was it prefab? I am in the process in building a multi deck N scale layout in a 12x24 building.
i am going start model rail road and i don't have lot space so i am going with bench layout like i see in your video. i think going ho train scale many track can i fix and which track is going. what difference price between ho and n scale can you let me know. great video
Thanks Eric. Lot of good tips here, thanks. I was wondering if you have had any issues with your isle widths when you have had more than one operating? How wide are your isles? My n scale layout will be very similar to your design. To get what I want, My isle widths will range from 32-36 inches wide. What do you think? I am modeling n scale in a 12X24 room. Thank you, Johnny
Johnny B the tighter spot will only fit one person but that is the only person who will be in that spot. The wider spot are 36" to 40" or more and will it 2 people. Operating spots are staggered so you should not have 2 people in the same spot.
Just admit it Eric: If you had 400m^2 to use for a layout and the Money to do it you would still have more than one deck to maxemize the total lenght of tracks, ha ha. (I know I would). Grat layout, and I`ll enjoy to watch more of Your vids. Thanks for shearing! Cheers JC
You have given the most accurate answer to my question yet on youtube. You don't try to be a showman, you just answer the question to the best of you're ability, which is pretty dang good. Thanks for being you and keep on training the new train guys like me.
Thanks, I used to be a trainer in both the military and at intel...I think my videos seem to be rather dry with little personality :)
Eric, I am so happy that I found this video.. it answered a bunch of questions I had for you knowing you had a multi deck layout and I had planned on asking you some questions about it. You answered my concerns in this video. I have been considering a multi in the future and have been paying attention to vids with multi decks seeing how guys have done them and what seems to work and what doesn't. As always.. thanks for the time you've taken to share what you've done and are doing. Tom
Glad it helped. Thanks
Thank you for the video. Extremely informative and helpful. I've been into model railroading for the past 20 years, but I'm only just now starting to build one of my own. I plan on having Three levels as well.
Thanks
Eric , even tho I had to go outdoors , two levels , helix and long runs with long trains are a must , and with two levels it tends to space out major switching points for several coal mines and coal fired electric plants . Vinny has a good well rounded number of different businesses to give real meaning and purpose to his layout operation . Great video and I liked the ops portion LOL .
Thanks
Great video, just what I was after. I have subscribed to your channel as a result.
Thanks! I hope it helps. Most major operating is on top, minor operations is on the bottom and you can sit and operate at a few locations.
Great video and it answers a few questions that I had regarding the height for each deck of the layout. I'm planning a triple deck layout and was unsure on what the right height would be for each deck. I'm not sure if I have the luxury of fitting a helix for passage from one deck to another. I'd have to use a runup incline (perhaps a 3% grade) to achieve that. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks. I am building a 2-3 decker also. In ho I think the depth sometimes needs to up to 3 ft, to get any parallel tracks in. Nice tip on armpits, wrists and knees!
Thanks
Thanks Eric, I've been working on a layout with 2 levels & was wondering about how much seraperation I needed, your videos help, looking forward to seeing more! thanks again, JACK
Thanks
Good video, helped me clarify where my levels should go based on the relationship to my height & reach. Thanks!
Thanks
Thanks for doing this video, helped me a lot for the height issue. I really appreciate the arm pit method. Again thank you
Do you still think a 3 deck was the way to go? I have 2 decks and I sometimes wonder
The very bottom is a staging level. Yes I'm happy with the way it is. I can sit on my butt and restage when people are gone. but it is not a switching area, just a place to store trains the arrive or leave the layout.
@@IMRROcom I used your video this one to build my heights on mine. When I’m alone or with my kids cause they are small it works I’m 5’11. But the 2 n scale train guys in my city group are giants and even on the lowest stool they can’t see the bottom. I also built my shelves full like you did as opposed to the top level being half as deep. Again I have no issue with it. But with nmra coming up, my guess is 3 operators max inside the room plus one outside the room in my rumpus room for staging. (I have video showing new expansion)
When I am not feeling high energy I find the bottom level and sitting on a stool I quite enjoy. It’s my first double deck after building 11 other n scale layouts at single level.
Last week I was at a hon3 layout tour and he has a 36” deep or so bottom level and less than 12” top level. I did wider isles than ever but he doesn’t have a pennisula. So about same size 20x15 but about 8 people fit in the room. I am 22” deep can reach to the back no problem. The other guy can’t without getting on a stool. And trust me hon3 details a lot.
Just funny to rewatch this video years later and see what I’ve done and how it performs
Why 6 inch facia? 3 or 4 inches would suffice. What scale? N?
Tortoise switch machines and lights behind it. Car card boxes and track diagrams on the front. You can not do that on 3 or 4 in fascia
@IMRROcom Model Railroad when you put those....then you make that part "wider".
its an interesting layout, but I do have one question. In school I was taught that 12-inches equals a foot. so how can you be 5 feet 13-inches? lol. you must be from Paris or something. love the track design. I think you should have done 1x4 on the lower, 1x3 on the mid sections, and 1 x2 on the top to help with clearance and especially weight.
Do you mean 5' 2" or 4' 14 ins? Sorry I couldn't resist! Thanks for posting the video. Very informative.
good question. let me think on that.
Eric .. great job on the layout and thank you for this information. I was wondering if could explain how you get from your staging area all the way up to the top? I have looked at most of your videos and pictures and for the life of me just don't see it.
I have new video on the stage yard.
great job friend
Had to replay! I thought I heard 5ft 13inches too! Great layout by the way!
Yes, Yes you did.
Great video Eric, we all wish we had more room...but it is what it is. I say, it's your layout, build it the way that it works for you. Minds in a room I build in the garage, so I know about the floor. Bob ;{)
Thanks
I'd say you've done it right. Everyone's layout is highly personal...it's your baby, you know? Your design, your labor, your fun so if youre happy with it, that's all that matters. I'm tall, so I know I'd probably be hitting my head on that upper deck all the time.
It could happen
Good video as always, but here comes the questions of questions sense you do operations. Body mounted, or Truck couplers?????? give us some insight if you will.
Body, but it is "N" scale so truck is doable. Just do not do high speed pushing.
What is the dementions of your helix, diameter, radius etc. Did you build it from scratch or was it prefab? I am in the process in building a multi deck N scale layout in a 12x24 building.
Any updates on your layout?
i am going start model rail road and i don't have lot space so i am going with bench layout like i see in your video. i think going ho train scale many track can i fix and which track is going. what difference price between ho and n scale can you let me know. great video
Did you ever start?
Thanks Eric. Lot of good tips here, thanks. I was wondering if you have had any issues with your isle widths when you have had more than one operating? How wide are your isles? My n scale layout will be very similar to your design. To get what I want, My isle widths will range from 32-36 inches wide. What do you think? I am modeling n scale in a 12X24 room. Thank you, Johnny
Johnny B the tighter spot will only fit one person but that is the only person who will be in that spot. The wider spot are 36" to 40" or more and will it 2 people. Operating spots are staggered so you should not have 2 people in the same spot.
Nice tips, what brand of track did you use?
Thanks
Looks like you have a lot of operating potential in a very small space. How many operators do you plan on having at one time?
5 and up to 8 mostly around 6
Very Nice Eric, Good advice. Thanks for sharing. Steve
Thanks
great info Eric... thanks for sharing
vinny
Thanks
Just admit it Eric: If you had 400m^2 to use for a layout and the Money to do it you would still have more than one deck to maxemize the total lenght of tracks, ha ha. (I know I would). Grat layout, and I`ll enjoy to watch more of Your vids.
Thanks for shearing! Cheers JC
Thanks
Great video, thanks for the tips...
Thanks
I'm trying to sign up for premium membership for the sale of $3 a yr and it isn't working, pls advise
George Patterson what are you talking about?
how long have you been building this layout?
About the time I started to post videos.
Thanks,great stuff.
Thanks
3:05 5ft 13 inches tall, lol.
it is true too.
I think you meant 6ft 1in. 13 inches is 1ft 1in
I like that your 5'13" tall
Me too.
5’ 13” tall? You mean 6’ 1”……
5’ 13” tall with my sneakers on.
5ft-13in... I had to laugh at that one.
:)
5 ft 13 inches ? so 6 ft 1 haha
Yep
Love the comment 5 feet 13 inches. Must be hot in Phoenix. LOL
You have been watching me for way too long. Maybe over 5 years 13 months or so?
After hearing 5 feet 13 inches I found it hard to listen to any more of this or take this video seriously.
I think that exact same thing about you .
@@IMRROcom Well said, Eric!