RMweb Premium z4driver Posted February 16, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 16, 2021 Hi all, I've lurking on the forums for a while and thought I'd start my own thread about my shortly upcoming layout. A bit of background first, I live in the UK and have always done some form of modelling including model railways, HO SNCF, N German & 009. However, picking up a copy of Model Railroader from Smiths in 1996 (the September issue with David Barrow’s South Plains District layout) sold me on US railroading. I sold my N German stuff and bought some N US and started on a layout. Finding a copy of Bruce Chubb’s “How to Operate Your Model Railroad” in my local library completely changed the way I looked a model railroading. However, circumstances meant that in 2003 I had to sell of all model railroad stuff and that was the end of that. Time passed and circumstances meant that in 2019 interest was rekindled, especially as final house move, and retirement loomed. I decide that the passing of years meant HO was more feasible eyesight wise and modern era was looked good. Lots of looking at YouTube (& buying stock) and reading books (& buying stock) followed. Currently I’m between houses, awaiting completing on our new house and am due to retire at the end of March. The Layout The space available is approximately 20’-22’ x 11’-12’. Can’t confirm the measurements until we move in. Aiming at CSX switching layout (Lance Mindheim style) around the walls with maybe a peninsular. I’m thinking of utilising ‘surround staging’ where the staging tracks are behind a low view block so allowing the visual part of the layout to be all the way around. I liked to incorporate through running which would allow me to run trains which wouldn’t necessarily have anywhere to stop on the layout: intermodal, commuter etc. I have an idea of having a local which would have to shove down through a street running section into an industrial area. This means I could use my Tangent Models ex-B&O CSX patched shoving platform A typical operation session could be a transfer run from a nearby major yard (staging) to a small yard, block a couple of locals, locals deliver and pick from various industries and a transfer back to staging. Practicality wise, thinking of using all Peco track, Code 100 staging, Code 83 in the visible section (although hoping that Code 70 switches will be out soon and maybe use that). #6 minimum switches and 24” min radius. DCC sound for control (MERG system and Soundtraxx decoders), hand thrown switches using underboard spoke method with frog juicers and hand uncoupling. I hope to keep you posted as I progress. Any comments or advice would be more than welcome!! Cheers Lee PS a ‘Thumbs Up’ for who gets the name origin first (no googling!) 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium z4driver Posted October 23, 2023 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 23, 2023 Well after a very long hiatus, I finally have something to report. Here's a link to my first video: 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stivesnick Posted October 23, 2023 Share Posted October 23, 2023 Lee Great little video that explains what you afre trying to achieve. Look forward to seeing more updates. Regards Nick 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium z4driver Posted October 24, 2023 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 24, 2023 11 hours ago, stivesnick said: Lee Great little video that explains what you afre trying to achieve. Look forward to seeing more updates. Regards Nick Thanks Nick, hopefully some incentive now to get on and do it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium z4driver Posted November 13, 2023 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted November 13, 2023 My 2nd video: 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium z4driver Posted January 1 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted January 1 (edited) Hi all, I’ve just put a video up on my YouTube channel about building the Scalescenes free Low Relief Warehouse in HO. It’s aimed at beginners to the card modelling world. https://youtu.be/ujxEEBv9MZM Edited January 1 by z4driver Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium z4driver Posted January 11 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted January 11 (edited) The second part of my Scalescenes Low Relief Warehouse build is now up: Edited January 11 by z4driver 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold D9020 Nimbus Posted January 12 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 12 As for the layout name, I believe you must be a reader of Ed McBain's 87th Precinct stories? ISTR the imaginary city in them — though clearly based on New York — is called Isola. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium z4driver Posted January 12 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted January 12 @D9020 Nimbus Yep, you guessed right. The food processors is called 'McBain Foods' 😁 Lee Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff_W Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 It looks like you have an excellent looking layout going. Reminds me of the numerous CSX locals and yard jobs I have photographed over the years. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium z4driver Posted January 12 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted January 12 @Jeff_W Thanks very much for that. It can be hard modelling a railroad from a country that you've never been to, so it's nice to know that I'm somewhere in the ball park. Lee 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff_W Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 I'll share a few photos I've taken of locals and yard jobs. They're almost interchangeable. A "local" will travel further than a yard job, often to another city or yard 50-100 miles out. Yard jobs will stay close to a yard, switching nearby industries. CSX changed the symbols for the locals about two years ago, Louisville Division (my local area) went from using a J prefix (J765, J768,etc.) to L for "local", which makes sense. Yard jobs have always had a Y prefix, but the first digit indicates which shift (first, second,third), Y128 would be a first shift job. They always have a date behind the symbol which indicates the day of origin, if you feel up to adding train symbols to your operations. CSX Y125, Louisville,KY 9/26/2019 by Jeff Wagoner, on Flickr CSX J755-20, Doe Run, Brandenburg,KY 10/22/2019 by Jeff Wagoner, on Flickr Looking forward to seeing your progress! 2 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium z4driver Posted January 13 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted January 13 (edited) @Jeff_W Thanks for those, Jeff. They certainly put paid to the idea that all US trains are DP and 100+ cars! The information about symbols and the way things work is great. I've just followed you on Flickr so I'll be looking through your photos. Lee Edited January 13 by z4driver 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium z4driver Posted February 2 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted February 2 Another update of my layout: 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium z4driver Posted February 6 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted February 6 I've just put up a video in responce to the question why I'm a Brit modelling the US. 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Keith Addenbrooke Posted February 6 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 6 Enjoyed the video - Bruce Chubb’s Sunset Valley RR (the original one as in his book) is easily one of my favourite all time layouts. I like the way you explain for any US viewers how layout space works out in the UK. Good stuff, Keith. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium z4driver Posted February 7 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted February 7 (edited) 14 hours ago, Keith Addenbrooke said: Enjoyed the video - Bruce Chubb’s Sunset Valley RR (the original one as in his book) is easily one of my favourite all time layouts. I like the way you explain for any US viewers how layout space works out in the UK. Good stuff, Keith. Thanks, Keith. That layout is definitely one of my favourites Lee Edited February 7 by z4driver 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium z4driver Posted March 2 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted March 2 Latest look at my layout: 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium z4driver Posted March 15 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted March 15 Hi all, I've just uploaded the first video in a series documenting my very first ops session on my layout. As this is the first time I've done any operating on any layout, I'd be grateful if you have the time if you could watch and comment. Thanks Lee 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium z4driver Posted March 21 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted March 21 This is the second part in my series of operations videos: 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium z4driver Posted March 26 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted March 26 The 3rd part in the series: 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium z4driver Posted March 27 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted March 27 The 4th part of my ops series: 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
long island jack Posted March 27 Share Posted March 27 what video editor do you use, looking for a newer version than i have Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium z4driver Posted March 28 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted March 28 16 hours ago, long island jack said: what video editor do you use, looking for a newer version than i have Hi mate, I use a free one called Shotcut https://tinyurl.com/fkwtrkte Cheers Lee 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium z4driver Posted March 29 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted March 29 The 5th and final part of my series of videos showing the very first opererating session on my layout. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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