Open Street Map is even better than Google Maps since it has a "Transport Map" layer that gives really good railroad details and keeps the focus on the main transport routes.

Like a sentence without a period. Miss seeing train cabooses. Progress? I guess

home layou

Do I run the dehumidifier in the winter with furnace on?

What brand and code of flextrack is this ?

I'm someone who went opposite way by starting with a small permanent area which morphed into Free-mo as I learned more about it. I built several modules that went to shows and then planned for how I could expand them. The modules make up two branch lines which are connected to a yard and the outside world. You raised some good points about a permanent layout vs. other construction techniques. I especially agree that a shadow box effect is nice to have, and actually that is something I started this fall with a section of modules along one wall. Adding a valence was not an easy task with modules and required a major structural adjustment to the background wall. The primary reason I have a sectional layout is for future moves. I wanted something that I could take to a new location if I have to downsize. As someone in their 60's, I probably don't have time to build another permanent layout and who knows how long I may be able to keep it as is. So a modular layout with placing an emphasis on operations and detailed scenery was my solution. Not for everyone but I don't feel like the time spent building modules has gone to waste.

The best and most succinct video I have seen on laying flex track quick to the point and well explained. I took screen shots along the way and am putting together a pdf so when I lay my first four track layout in a week I do not forget anything. I picked up many pointers after watching several other youtube videos on the subject. Sanding the cork, track gauges, soldering the drops under the rails, putting the entire curve together before installing wonderful video.

hey my friend i have been checking out your page an looking at all the nice things you have been working on am mostly scratch building i have been checking out all your styrene things you built an the way tou have made all that great stuff i an into rc crawlers well about its all i can do now i got hurt about 5 years ago i was doing storm clean up work in florida an i am in wheelchair now i am 52 an i am in this nurseing home an i have really gotten into scale accessories i i have really been looking thu alot of different sites an well i enjoy you work you have put into all your setups so thank you for all the sharing

I'm really glad I found your channel, I was watching another channel that I now see is a butcher shop. I'm a First time builder with plenty of time to make it correct.

Regarding cutting and filing rails, why wouldn’t it be better to use a modeling saw designed to cut them? It’s been 45 years and I’m getting back into the hobby - if I can afford it now - lol. I still have that saw and have used it over the years for a variety of small jobs.

This video by far is the most enjoyable yet informative video that I have seen on the topic of weathering the track!

Nice! Pick your couplers. Pick yer teeth...

Great work 👍🏻

I want to say? HO modeler here. Looking at N-Scale, just curious. I have started, but because of moves, torn down model railroads. One thing i will NEVER do again? Travk nails. I did this on my latest layout. Waste of time . Use latex caulk. Much easier Suoer elevation? Its uo to you

Hi. I only now came across your channel. Really inspiring layout, especially your scenery work is truely beautiful! I will definetely follow along and hit that subscribe button. Brgds from a tiny N scale switching layout 👋

Love your vids mate. As someone who is getting back into model railroading after a long break, your videos are a great help. Cheers from a UP modeler down in Aus

Fantastic info and thanks for sharing . . . Brian

[ thank, you for youre great helpful video]

You want realistic track, paint each tie a different shade of brown to grey. I plan to paint my track before it gets laid on the layout. So far I've got 75 feet of Micro Engineering nickle silver flex track and cork roadbed to paint. I'll use my go to rust color (Coffee & Cream) and my airbrush to paint the acrylic paint. Then for the cork roadbed I plan on using a pint can of primer grey I have on hand and shoot it through my other airbrush. Painting the cork roadbed grey will help when the track finally gets ballasting with grey ballast which is what the Central of Georgia uses. Cheers from eastern TN

great tips Andy

Can the track be taken up and glue removed if needed?

Oh BTW... how about adding some diesel sand spots here and there near those oil spills?

Growing some wild crazy weed there Andy!!!!

First An apology. I got so engrossed in your video I forgot to hit like and subscribe. Yes really, no bs. What you're building is almost spot on to what it is that I want to build, But I still had some " Head scratchers" But during your video I had a few "AH HA!" Moments so i'm glad I stumbled across your video. I wasn't even looking for train videos at the time, but the Train gods must have pointed me in your direction. Can't wait to see the rest of your videos! Liked and subscribed and bell rung, LOL

I find that going through to highlight ties (both darker and lighter) before ballasting is much easier. A brush and thin wash (over a base of camouflage brown) works well. To avoid patterns, I print out a list of prime numbers and use them to skip randomly. Love your channel - thanks for the tips.

Those are some real nice looking boxcars!! Great video!! Thanks, Andy!!🍻

How thick is the foam? What is it called? Where do you get it?

Dear Andy, excellent vid that you’ve put together on ballasting around the throw bar of a turnout. Love the way you already mix up the different colors and still take the airbrush out to even further put your own signature on the scene. Yes indeed, ballasting is meditative, and therefore why is there the urge to rush it? Guess that’s why a lot of modelers have a kind of threshold towards ballasting. Maybe for not wanting to ffff up their immaculate tracks, or simply because it’s not their thing. Nevertheless, making it a meditative experience helps to overcome that threshold. And as I, my humble self, watch your vid, that’s the main message I take away from your content. By the way, through James from Bexhill West I purchased his ballast vacuum system. Works a breeze for those sections that need a quicker hand. Looking forward to seeing your next videos. Cheerio

Looks great Andy, thanks for the detailed tutorial. Will be playing around with this to enhance track in N.

This looks fantastic! I just hand built my first turnout and a little track, haven’t gotten to this step any advice with wood ties or ??? Am I behind but what happened to the Marshfield with the awesome crappy track, or am I thinking of someone else?

Andy great video, almost Boomer level 😂. Some great tips and products I can’t wait to try out on my track. Like the sidebars that give specific details on how you’re doing it (ie: 25-35 psi). Good work

Great video full of useful tips for the model maker, regardless of their chosen sector. Many thanks for doing this :)

If you'd like to see my video on how I laid the ballast in the turnouts while still having them operate well follow the link here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6KvhpiofMt6Z7c

Great tips and it looks wonderful but not sure if I could invest 20+ minutes per foot of track on my layout though!

Nice detail.

Excellent work Andy! Are you thinning the Tamiya paint when shooting it through the airbrush? If so, their thinner or something else?

Nice work, Andy, will have to try this on my layout.

Excellent video!

hey Andy, nice video, good to see how you weather your track and ballast. Thanks, Terry

Really beautifully done, and the end result is super-nicely balanced. The little stick-on shrubs make for great highlights amongst the toned down ballast. Poor ALCOs getting a bum wrap again - still going to love my little RS27s 🙂

Nice job. I may have missed it but what size needle are you using in your airbrush? I model n scale and I can’t get to the level of detail you did here but certainly can use many of the techniques

Great video Andy!

That looks BRILLIANT!!!! 😳

XF-52. My favourite colour 😇

Great video Andy! Definitely going to try some of these techniques.

Andy freaking awesome

Looks awesome Andy. Glad to see you still model in the summer. 😉

Andy, you have upped your video instructional technique. Identifing the matarials is especially helpful. Great job!

Saved to my "how-to" playlist...thanks for sharing!

Great job Andy! It is a great way to tone stuff down and make it look more natural. Glad you showed how ties age. They are definitely not all the same.