These are high accolades from an experienced and talented modeller such as yourself, thank you! Five minutes every night might not be much by themselves but certainly add up at the end.

I know, right? Something about that scheme has always fascinated me. Thanks for the feedback!

Thank you so much for such a detailed and thoughtful comment! You’ve noticed so many of the details I love about my layout. Those ideas for lighting and smoke are really interesting-something to think about for the future, perhaps! As for the caboose story, that could definitely add some character to the scene. 😊 Thanks again for sharing your enthusiasm!

@@SouthDown Welcome. U got the idea. Make the stationary objects (nut just the moving train) come "alive" as so 2 spk.

Great advice, thank you! I consider some of the things you mention as work to be done once major completion is achieved. At this time, the next goals are finishing the ground cover, finishing the ballast, then adding static grass. After that, there is one more building I want to add, followed by -- still being debated -- two flat buildings. There is even talk about a bridge, but I haven't made it that far. Once I do, though, looking into the finer details will be on the table.

Thanks so much, James! I’m glad you enjoyed the operations! 😄 Wishing you a great year ahead!

Thank you, Tom! I really appreciate your kind words. I’m glad this video could kick off 2025 on a good note for you. Wishing you all the best as well!

Thank you so much! 😍 Wishing you a happy new year as well, with plenty of trains ahead! 🚂🎉

Thank you, Gregg, it’s always such a pleasure to hear from you! Wishing you a fantastic new year and lots of exciting railroading adventures in 2025. 🙂

It's actually amazing how much more fun it is to switch a small switching layout versus just watching trains run around in a circle. Thank you for your support!

The industrial yard is often quiet... until it is not. And at that point, there is lots of noise and activity! Thanks for your feedback.

Hi Tom! Thanks for your comment and for sharing your plans-turning a flooded basement situation into a creative new project is truly inspiring. My layout is about 8 feet by 13 inches (roughly 244 cm by 33 cm). It’s a manageable project for the time I can dedicate to the hobby right now. I focus on one thing at a time, whether it’s a brush stroke or running a train, and while progress can take a while, I try to give it at least five minutes a day. It’s important to keep the fire stoked (pun intended)! A 10x2 switching layout sounds like a brilliant idea, and I think it’s really smart to model a completely different area. Long Island is stunning, but since you see it every day, exploring the ACL in Florida can feel like a mini getaway. Plus, the research itself can be incredibly rewarding. On days when you’re not actively working on the layout, diving into books, photos, or even Google Maps to capture the vibe of Florida railroading is a fun way to keep engaged with the hobby. I made this whimsical video giving my layout a tour with its size and dimensions-you might enjoy it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/raqldHenbMZga68 Wishing you all the best on your new adventure-can’t wait to hear how it turns out!

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that. I try to run the layout with a bit of a nod to prototype operations-it adds an extra layer of challenge and fun to the process. It’s great to hear that others enjoy it too! Shunting layouts are such a rewarding way to recreate the feel of real-world railroading in miniature. Thanks again for the kind words!

Thank you so much for your kind words! It means a lot to hear that this is the kind of layout you’d like to have-it’s been a really enjoyable project for me. If you’re curious about the dimensions and setup, I made this whimsical video giving a tour of the layout: kzbin.info/www/bejne/raqldHenbMZga68 Wishing you all the best with your layout dreams-keep at it, and have fun!

Yeah honestly I wanted to do something different then my usual European scene. Having said that, in my heart still lingers a very small switching layout with a small German steamer. Every country has its appeal!

Just having some fun playing! Merry Christmas brother!

Thank you, sometimes I just want a plain and simple switching session with no hassles! Happy holidays, James!

Thank you for the kind and supportive feedback! A simple switching session to enjoy the layout and take all the sounds in. Looking at my grandfather’s three-rail Lionel trains, while those were impressive for their time, it’s hard to believe what model trains look like now. Thanks for your support! Merry Christmas, Mike!

Thank you for the kind feedback! Looping this on the big screen while Christmas carols are playing as the kids explore their new toys. Merry Christmas, Tom!

Thanks, you too! Hope you get to run some trains this holiday season!

I appreciate your… appreciation!

That's why Christmas starts November 1st in this house: the excuse of running trains on the ground! Merry Christmas, James!

It’s a shame they don’t make them like they used to! Maybe you’ll get a chance to fire it up this holiday season. Merry Christmas, John!

@@SouthDown Maybe! Also, John’s not my real name. I just chose this name because of cranberries. Thanks for the heart and keep up the good work!

You got it! I'm always happy to share my perspective on the world, even if it's through the lens of model railroading. I think that through a mutual shared interest we could all work together to make ourselves better and be better for our fellow man. Boxcars are pretty neat!

Welcome aboard!

Will probably need to put something together but it’s pretty straightforward following some other KZbin videos I’ve watched. In this case these are white stencil characters from Microscale decals (I believe), individually cut, soaked, and applied in the usual way with water and cue tips to smooth them out and soak up excess water. The Solvaset, used to soften the decals and have them adhere better was too strong for the paint-that’s how I figured isopropyl alcohol would be enough to melt the lettering. As I run this channel on borrowed time, I’ll add “how to decal” on my list. I do have an idea that’s formulating in my head. Thanks for the feedback!

Thank you for the kind words! Something special about trains under the tree.

You and @sophiamhartsfielf are on the same page!

As a Euro escapee I thought I'd know this engine, but aside from streetcars from Amsterdam, I am surprised my online searching is yielding no results. Either way, a fascinating noveau art deco look I absolutely love. Looking forward to pairing this with another GP9, a pair up I've seen in many vintage photos. Thanks for the feedback!

Possible, we only speak of them as ‘bolneuzen’ not an official term. We have the passenger dmu’s with the ‘bolneus’ (MAT 54, hondekop, MAT 27) and in the south of our small country and around the border with Belgium we als have the Mohabs just like the scandinavians. I believe the Mohab is US made for european market. Sort of small F-unit with two cabs. And recently we got some retroish modern equipmemt with a ballnosr but they donMt look anything like it 😬 And true, the old streetcar was officially called ‘bolneus’ but train enthousiast don’t use that name for those 🤔😊

You just confirmed what I though you were talking about. Very familiar with the Scandinavian version but didn’t know a Benelux member had them as well! Wishing you pleasant holidays!

Very good advice! I appreciate you taking the time to provide your feedback!

Your praise is the best reward!

Thanks! Appreciate your input and I hope this helps with your project. I just subbed!

Yea i seen that. I appreciate it. Hope im entertaining. @SouthDown

You’re building a switching layout. I’m already entertained!

Hahaha!!! Awesome! @SouthDown

Thank you! Your approval means a lot!

Thanks for the kind words! I get asked that a lot so I made this video to break it all down: kzbin.info/www/bejne/raqldHenbMZga68 As you’ll see, it’s not very big. Hope this helps!

Thanks I'll check it out!! @SouthDown

That's such a great story! I’ve always found it fascinating how weathering can transform a model from looking like a cheap plastic toy to something that truly captures the essence of age and realism. Which is kind of ironic, when you think about it: I try to keep my car clean of any patina, and yet here I am turning my trains into filthy dirty little monsters. The use of chalks or weathering powders can add so much character to a layout. In Lance Mindheim’s Model Railroading as Art, he talks about applying traditional art techniques to model railroading, using color theory and weathering to evoke a sense of history and realism. The idea is to treat the model like a piece of art, paying attention to the small details that contribute to a more authentic look, and selecting more appropriate colours--nothing is truly just black and white, literally. Weathering can turn a simple model into a visual masterpiece, as your friend’s wife clearly demonstrated with that corrugated iron building. It’s all about capturing that unique perspective and telling a story through your models. Thanks for your feedback!

I heard recently the difference between something being 'costly' and something being 'expensive'. An expensive product is something that costs a lot of money but does not deliver on the expected quality that such a price demands. A costly item is a product that costs a lot of money but the costs are clearly visible in the product's quality. Most items available on the market these days are simply expensive. Sure, the detail is nice, but my experience so far is that the quality behind them is nowhere to be found. More often than not these models will operate for a short period of time before they start experiencing all kinds of electrical problems. It got to a point where different models from the same manufacturer all started experiencing the same electrical issues like clock-work. I have since returned everything back. I'm new to this hobby but I have to admit I am a bit bewildered by some of its members: when you lament the fact that most of these products don't seem to work for more than five minutes, they all seem to be more than happy to fix them themselves--which is great if you know how to, but I think the “fix it yourself” mentality creates a dangerous precedent. If we continually accept poor out-of-the-box performance and solve the issues ourselves, manufacturers might feel less pressure to improve. Instead, we should push for better quality control and communicate directly with manufacturers when models fall short. I now vote with my wallet---this might be the only kind of consumer feedback that can drive change. For my part, I’ve taken a different approach: stepping away from modern releases (voting with my wallet) and focusing on older, proven models. As noted in my video, these might lack the fine detailing of current offerings, but their reliability and ease of maintenance mean I spend more time enjoying the hobby and less time troubleshooting. For me, that’s a worthwhile trade-off. A $300 model that can't handle a frog is so frustrating to operate no matter how many details it has--and that ends up living the rest of its days as a Shelf Queen. Meanwhile, this Life Like Proto 1000 F3 while very basic looking, cost me $30, and outperforms a brand new Athearn Genesis or Rapido Trains on electrical reliability alone. When I'm looking for hours of satisfying model train ops, I am going to use the model that doesn't stop over a frog or constantly stutters on the track. I currently have another project on my workbench--it started purely by chance and mostly because I had most of the parts at hand--and while these two models are not as detailed as modern day offerings, both of them together, with Digitrax decoders (my next decoder to venture in!) cost me less together than a single brand-new offering from a manufacturer with a history of electrical problems. With some decals, weathering, and literally a few details, these models will be (to me) more beautiful than an expensive but unusuable brand new product. Please excuse my long winded rant!

Thank you! I agree, less is definitely more when it comes to weathering! I won't lie though, I did go heavy on this engine compared to my other ones, inspired by the Boston and Maine engines I referenced in the video. The toy-like shine has completely evaporated and combined with a quality decoder with the fantastic motor of a Proto 1000, this model is such a blast to play with. I appreciate your feedback!

Wow, that's fantastic. It's amazing to hear that you spent time aboard it. One of the perks of running a "rail operator" in a prototypical fashion, is that much like the real deal I purchase second hand units at bargain prices and put them to work. Gives me an excuse to own and run first generation diesels from a variety of schemes I like, justified with a patch that reflects their new ownership. While the real F3 9000 is probably in a museum, mine lives in an alternate reality of this prototypical model railroading multiverse where it continues to earn revenue. While I've seen some fellow model railroaders clutch their chest and turn blue when they see what I run on my tracks, this is the kind of realism I enjoy. Thanks for your feedback and sharing your connection with this engine!

Your wish might just come true once this former 2-8-0 converted to a 0-8-0 is ready to roll down the tracks!

Thanks for the pro-tip. I have a couple of models in my tiny fleet that I'm still reluctant to touch, but I will definitely try your suggestion. Appreciate your taking the time to provide feedback.

Getting your high praise means the world to me. I think of you when compiling my video essays. I totally understand being nervous about it!

Thank you! As a newbie in the hobby. it's nice to have your approval!

@ I’m probably more a newbie than you…my first layout and still learning…especially how you just weathered that diesel…saved your method and will be trying in the near future…

I am no better than you and making mistakes is the best way to win! Here, if you want to dive down the rabbit hole further: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmrQemeAabCekLs Good luck! 😉

@ 😂😂

Always fun to see a project come together! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

Thank you, I appreciate that! I'm sure your F7 will turn out great! If not, I’m here to help!

Glad it helped! It was fun to put together!

Thank you, I had a lot of fun making this. 🙂 Getting feedback from one of the people I look up to is quite the treat!

Thank you for the kind words! I agree, it does take a lot of practice but fortunately I have both yourself and James to show me the way! Thanks for your support!

Chalk weathering can work well. PanPastels are a little trickier to control, but when used right, much like coloured chalks, they're the perfect medium for weathering! Appreciate you taking the time to provide some lovely feedback!

You'll have a blast with weathering! Thanks for the kind words, it means a lot!