My Big Model Railway Build - #17. Help!! Next steps for the layout
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ส.ค. 2023
- #hornbyrailways , #modelrailways , #bachmann , #modeltrains
A very different (and probably a one off!) video this time. I’m taking stock and decide if next steps for the layout. I go away in just over a week for a fortnight so thought I would use that time to decide what is next!
This video shows progress to date and some of my thoughts around what to do next - and this is where I would really value your feedback. Sometimes you got lost within modelling and things become cloudy. Hopefully you can bring me some clarity…
The main areas I am thinking around are:
* The loco yard and the type of infrastructure needed
* A small TMD versus a branch line station
* Where to place a fiddle yard - under the layout or over the stairwell.
….and a few other bits as shown in the video.
Please let me have your thoughts and ideas, it’s really appreciated.
/ @grandadstrainroom-pn3tt
I would die for that room ,you’re one lucky guy
Thanks. I know, it took a lot of persuasion to let me have that room. The wife had other ideas!! 👍
As someone who worked in the broadcast industry I can tell you that you have a very nice voice as you have Tone & Texture and it’s nice to be able to watch & listen without being distracted by having to read print “Well Done” on a Great Video
Wow, thank you!
Couldn't agree more. It's a massive improvement being chatted though the video. To be encouraged.
@@kellypaws thank you
@@kellypawstotally agree I just wish more builders would narrate their work so much easier to focus on
Quality layout mate ....some lovely loco's and some great modelling skills
Cheers. Not sure I’d call it skill! 👍
Thanks for the tour. Really enjoyed it.
Thank you 😊
Great video, lovely layout and room.. Nice one.
Many thanks!
Brilliant video, cracking layout, looking forward to seeing it progress.
Many thanks!
Hi wow your layout is cool, it doesn't matter what you like running or doing with your layout, its yours its brilliant Neil
Many thanks 👍
what a space! though I'm allergic to tail chasing loops.. Id be running a multi level layout around the outer walls with a helix tucked away above the stair well, leading down to storage, and stacked up many loops to an eye level 12 inch wide top-shelf country branch line around two or three walls to a country terminus.. I'd loose the duck under as there is planty of space for a return loop at the other end (where the coach sidings are) maybe you'd add a terminus above the loop, for extra functionality? from the terminus or loop you'd run back along the main through the branch junction then either up the branch helix or down the main line helix through the lower level storage yard to give a really long main loop. Once you get above two trains running at a time on the main you'll want to invite extra drivers over, or add a bit of automation for safety! Automatic brake control at red signals, automated signalling based on detection. maybe you'll want a computer to run different through trains out in sequence from the yard on to the main while you run out to the branch line or change the lcoc's around at the terminus..
Hi. Thanks for some great feedback and ideas. Lots for me to think about 👍
What a fantastic train room you have, great to see the layout in full, you could have a canal, lake or some other form of water feature, or a castle on a hill somewhere.
Great ideas. Thank you 👍
@@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt A pond would be good for the corner near the telly, with some people fishing in it
@@jpgale good idea 👍
There are lots of options, I do like the idea of a small station for the DMU to visit, could be near the A4's or it could be at the current coach storage. I like the idea of running a line down to the helix to a lower level yard for storage, I would however make 2 yards down there so there is no need to turn all the yard tracks. I think going over the stairs would be something you regret as to access some of it you will need a ladder which could get dicey. I would do the stud wall and move the telly. Looking forward to seeing what else you do. I also really like your scenery work, it looks great and inspires me for when I need to do my own (doubt it would be as good though). As for your voice it sounds good I can hear your accent but it is very clear and easy to understand, and although I understand hating to hear your own voice (I have the same issue) I don't think you have any worries.
Thank you for your feedback. I think you’re right about the space above the stairwell - not really practical. I’m leaning towards a stud wall for the telly and shelving. As for the rest, I have a lot to ponder over. 👍
Regards, Andy
Some people think that railway modelling is nothing more than an overgrown boy's activity. WRONG. Did you know that the Bronte sisters at Howorth, sat in their lounge/diner and created a virtual society in their own minds. What resulted? Great books like "Jane Eyre" and "Wuthering Heights"! This imaginative bloke (just like a writer), is creating a scenario of his own, in train and scenery models. He is communicating his vision of life to us in the form of his railway layout - just like the Brontes did!
Thank you so much 😊
As an informed literary scholar I prefer the female writings of the well known Evelyn Waugh to the Brontë sisters. To provide a balanced perspective George Elliot was an equally gifted male writer.
Absolute NONSENSE!@@markbeaumont1122
Hi there, firstly wow! Great layout, plenty to keep you busy! Secondly, you shouldn't have worried about speaking live on your channel - you are eloquent and sound really natural, well done! I'm just starting out on my model railway journey/TH-cam journey and finding both equally challenging, videos like yours are inspiring and informative, so please keep them coming.
Chris
Very kind words, thank you. Good luck with your layout build 👍
Voice is entirely presentable. Thank you.
Thank you too!
In your shoes, I'd personally make the "TMD/Branch" area a goods yard, and turn your coach sidings into a terminus. That would give you a nice sized (Maybe Minories style?) terminus to have trains running between your two stations and the goods yard would give you the hands on shunting play area. I like the idea of the decline to fiddleyard via helix. But obviously rule 1 applies, the only person that needs to be happy with your layout is You! :)
Thank you. That’s given me food for thought! 👍
Keep carriage storage where it is... just do basic scenery and leave it.
If you are going stretch your layout use the space above the stairs for a goods siding.
Its good to see a modeller who has gone big..... nothing wrong with a large field.
You have space to do an embankment... to many British modellers go for brick sided cuttings.... The branch line can be worked into a hill side with the mainlines above.
Adding dead end storage under the layout is not the best plan. Having an unseen storage area that loops back onto the mainlines would double your movement time and storage. Drop should be more than 6" to let you get your hand in to sort trains.
Diesels don't need the turntable so turn the shed around and run just one track into the turntable for steam engines to cut through the TMD.
No to the Branch line station or TMD. Not sure what to suggest.
Run the branch line into a tunnel stop the train and return.
Its a fine model railway that is developing well.
Wow! Some great ideas and feedback. Thank you very much. Plenty for me to consider 👍
I thought your back scenes blended into your set really well, especially behind the terraced houses, really good job, can’t wait to see how you complete the layout.
Thank you very much 👍
Hi Grandad, you’ve got a lot of ideas going on for one video they all sound good but what do you want that’s the question personally I like storage lines don’t like putting locos and rolling stock in drawers or boxes because you forget about them, I think you’ve got a brilliant space for your layout and thank you for the tour round you must be very proud of what you’ve achieved cheers Al
Thank you Al. I also prefer to keep all my stock visible 👍
Looks great, good details so far. Landscape the layout along with some further building. Mike HO from Australia.
Thank you Mike 👍
You've got a wonderful space there, and a fantastic layout! As to what to do next, my inclination would be to develop the scenic aspect... your scenery so far looks great... create more of it! It makes a really good setting for the railway to fit into, I think. Would love to see some trains running. Perhaps you've made running videos already... All best.
Thanks very much. I do need to get some more scenics done. As for running trains… I sometimes get that engrossed in building, I forget the enjoyment of actually having trains running! 👍
What a wonderful space you have. I enjoyed your tour of your excellent model railway.
I think over the stairs storage of empty boxes or little used items. My loft is full of 64 litre Really Useful Boxes which are an ideal size to store Bachmann and Hornby loco. Coach and Wagon boxes.
Thank you very much! I’ve got lots to consider!
Great video and well presented. Layout looks great. 5 running lines gives you a lot of fun with running sessions. With my Layout I put some shunting sidings in, but never do any shunting, just used for storage. I also have a station similar to yours, but have taken away some off the overall roof in order to see more. Thank you for sharing your work.
Thank you very much!
Hi,
Seen this over the ages….now subscribed at last.😜
Personally I’d go with the incline to the lower fiddle yard. Keeps your layout to the same footprint👍
Thank you. Yes, I’m leaning towards a lower fiddle yard 👍
Fantastic space for not just a layout but workspace as well. Lots of options and ideas. I wonder if you could use the big space behind the coaling lift as a separate Diesel Depot and give more space for steam? I would also have the small branch station rather than another loco depot as you much of that already and would add a lot of extra operating options, especially if the branch has to use the “up and down” main lines to get back to the main station? Possibly turn the sidings into a terminus and move the sidings to alongside the main layout beside where the line descends from upper to lower level. Can see a lot of reasons to keep rakes of trains together, on track and not have to handle them. The only downside of the terminus idea is you will have to find a way of reversing loco hauled trains (e.g run-around at through station) but that is even more operating fun!
Thank you. Some fab ideas I hadn’t even considered. I’ve got a fortnights holiday coming up so plenty of time to mull things over! 👍
Great layout,and you have plenty of room to. I’m building my layout in my garage which is in are garden.
Thank you. Good luck with your layout build 👍
You could print some interiors for the row houses, and curtains on the inside as well to obscure the interior views a little. That would cause a little more variance of the light spill out from the windows.
Yes, that’s a really good point. Thank you 👍
Wow what a great space you have and a great layout. What about a scrap line, or a disused line?? Like the branch line idea think that would look good with a bay platform.
I’m like you hate the sound of my own voice on video, but something I need to do I think! Great video enjoyed the tour 👍
Thanks very much. Some great ideas to think about 👍. Go for it!
Something that might help you with decisions on the layout would be "When is the layout?" what is the time period your wanting? That answer will help when shopping for other addition to the layout.
Thanks. Really good point. I need to focus down and do a bit of research 👍
The studwall addition and the over staircase storage sound promising. Some of your extra rolling stock could be set up on a display shelf to free up some operational space.
Thanks very much for the feedback 👍
@@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt im fairly new to your channel but does you paint booth have any venting? If it dont a box fan with a furnace filter on the back works well for pulling the fumes and over spray away from the thing you're painting and the rest of the room. And the moving are will help dry.
@@CharlesPruden that’s a good point. I’ve been relying on having the window open when spraying which isn’t ideal!
Very impressive layout, just liked and subbed, I'm actually looking around for ideas for my next layout after a rather traumatic house move, I'm looking forward to seeing how things progress, thanks for sharing, take care, all the best from Scotland, Stephen.
Thanks Stephen. Good luck with your next layout. Take care 👍
Well, there's certainly a lot to ponder! Much depends on what your aspirations are in terms of layout operation. Rather than weigh in on all the issues that you've raised, I'll concentrate on fiddle yards.
While there is plenty of space, I would not contemplate a helix and fiddle yard storage under the layout. Ready access may well become an issue in the longer term as you get older, less supple and, dare I say, perhaps more rotund. Maybe the area in front of the layout where you proposed the incline down to a helix could be developed as a modest branch and terminus station.
I would favour some drive in/drive out balloon storage yards over the stairwell with a dog-bone return. As you suggested, an option to feed into the yards would be to continue the single track coming out of the tunnel mouth at 5min 50sec parallel to the back scene and fan into the yards, which could have a 90 degree right hand curve to continue them over the stairwell. Looking at 8min 50sec, with a 9ft length and up to 5ft width available above the stairs/workbenches there would be plenty of space for a dog bone return. With 572mm radius curves you should only need about 4ft width.
The return could rejoin the layout on the existing curve about 90 degrees from the tunnel mouth. Though I'm not sure of the configuration of tracks on the lower level under the tunnel mouth, there may be scope to feed and return from here as an alternative.
As you noted, access to yards over the stairwell would not be easy. This should not be necessary if the track is well laid, the yards are used only for the storage of complete trains with loco and train movement is always forwards.
It would be wise to build the base boards and lay, wire and test all the track before mounting them above the stairwell. For the inner radius track and the dog-bone return I'd be inclined to use set track curves. I'm not sure if you have a ruling minimum radius but I wouldn't go any tighter than 4th radius (572mm). The larger radius yard curves could be flexi-track gauged off the inner curve.
Building the yards should be fairly straight forward. The most challenging aspect would be the actual installation of the baseboards. My inclination would be to have a timber plate mounted along the double height wall of the stairwell level with the half wall that your work benches abut and support the baseboards between these.
Thank you so much for taking the time to watch the video and share your thoughts and ideas. It’s really appreciated. You’ve given me a lot to consider 👍
Lovely train room, loads of useable space. You say your not a particularly tidy person, but you haven't seen the bomb site that is my shed. I do try to tidy now and again, but the mess just keeps re-asserting itself.
This is only a suggestion, but what about turning the carriage storage area into a second station, perhaps built in a different style? That way you'd have somewhere for passenger trains to travel to and from.
I wouldn't fret about the backscene. It's fine. Anyone visiting/viewing should be watching the trains anyway after the initial look around.
It looks like you have enough space to relocate your carriage storage, along the front edge? Or with length of layout you have you might be able to take a line down under the board without using a full helix? It's difficult for us viewers to gauge the space accurately.
The corner near the TV could perhaps be a small forested hill side area, and the space where you have the brick engine sheds could be turned into a small industrial district with shunting opportunities. The track curves could be tighter there. Shunters and wagons should negotiate them without difficulty.
If I were you I'd check out photographs and old videos of real TMDs and visit some heritage railways to see what they have in their yards.
I'm sure you get it sorted, but just take your time and enjoy...
Some really useful advice and thoughts there. Thank you so much. The idea of a terminus station is very interesting 👍
Don't think you need any advice,you look to be doing fine as you are but remember a layout is never finished 👍😉🤣 only but of advice I could give is don't over do things,if there's space you don't necessarily have to fill it,some layouts are spoiled by modellers "cramming" to much into a spare space ie to many vehicles on a road or overbridge
Thank you. Great advice 👍
Wow what a room very lucky guy love the tour
The layout looks beautiful very well set out
My opinion is to have a country station but that’s my opinion choice is yours and go with what fees right
As for the corner don’t cut it down somethink will come to you tha will look right there
ATB
Sion
Thank you Sion for your feedback. Enjoy your modelling! 👍
How about installing a cricket pitch in the corner?
Interesting idea! 👍
The track which runs underneath the layout and which is visable, how about having a underground theme? Design an underground station where you could run the EFE underground stock, as well as the forthcoming Metropolitan steam engine by Rapido.
That’s a different idea. Thank you very much 👍
defo use the space about the staircase the tv is not important. maximise the surface space
Cheers. I never really have the tv on!!!
Hi, been following you for a while and have really enjoyed what you’re doing.
As for advice in terms of what you might like to do I always find it difficult with other people’s layouts and just watching on TH-cam as you don’t really get a feel for the space. I always sit down with a cuppa get some trains running (when i could!) and ponder things because at the end of the day it’s your layout and it’s what’s going to make you happy is what counts.
Storage is important, I have a similar area where you have your rakes of carriages stored. I’m actually making a terminus station, but to be honest, it is really just a glorified storage area. I’m trying to plan storage areas around the layout but as time goes on and my collection of loco’s grows I won’t be able to keep everything on the layout. I have tried a helix but there just isn’t quite enough space for me to get down to a lower area but if you think it can work for you have a go.
It’s good hearing your voice and thoughts and look forward to whatever you do next, cheers for now, John
Thanks for your kind words and thoughts John. Really useful. I’d not thought about a terminus station…. 👍
Wot, no sound!?
😁
@@Grandadstrainroom-pn3tt Might you invest in a radio mic? They're not too expensive.
@@PaulSmith-pl7fo Ahh, I didn’t realise there was an issue with sound. No one else has mentioned it 👍
I notice you pan the camera gently, without causing nausea or offence. How I wish other channels could learn from you there.
Thank you very much 🙂