2’x4’ N Scale Layout Progress Update

An overview of the latest progress on the 2’x4’ N scale layout.
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TRAIN SETS:
T Gauge Sets: www.vcshobbies...
Z Scale Sets: ztrackcenter.c...
N Scale Kato Amtrack Set: amzn.to/3iyCbBt
N Scale Kato Super Chief Set: amzn.to/3B4ISS7
Kato N Scale Track and Controller Set 1: amzn.to/3B61UHF
Kato N Scale Track and Controller Set 2: amzn.to/3Y5hflZ
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O Scale Lionel Polar Express Train Set: amzn.to/3EQLcNu
O Scale Lionel Hogwarts Express Train Set: amzn.to/3Y5hM7t
KATO TRACK:
Kato Unitrack (N Scale): amzn.to/3kl9msS
Kato Unitrack (HO Scale): amzn.to/3kl9msS
CONTROLLERS:
Battery Powered Controllers that work great for N scale too: amzn.to/3umqFfa
Awesome DCC Starter System: amzn.to/3gZVbbp
LAYOUT KIT:
HO Scale Grand Valley Kit: amzn.to/3uiPvN1 (my first adult railroad project)
Track set for Grand Valley Kit: amzn.to/3VPyzsS
Building set for Grand Valley Kit: amzn.to/3F1b8WQ
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Music: Epidemic Sound

[@michaelschneider6106]

I keep thinking I need more space. You keep proving me wrong!

[@bdlii]

You’re so smart and talented. Thanks for sharing.

[@chiparooo]

Looks great! So much action in a small layout. I really like the work you did on the industrial rooftops. Thanks for sharing!

[@loispadgett6306]

Thanks for the update so many great ideas you inspirer me. GOD BLESS. 🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

Looking good!

[@StevesTrains]

Getting there!

[@georgiasunbelt]

That’s a neat little layout 👍🏽

[@Trains-With-Shane]

The 2x4 is coming along nicely! I'm going to have to look into some of that gator board. I was thinking about using coroplast as a base for a very small portable layout but gator board looks like it may be a little more rigid.

[@brodrick3164]

Looking very good.

[@ChannelWright]

Beautiful work!

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Enjoyed your video and liked thanks for sharing.

[@kentbarnes1955]

Thanks for a great video. I needed this inspiration to get me back to working on my "small" N-scale layout

[@dandula3378]

Thanks Steve. Your videos have provided valuable knowledge and inspiration to me as I plan my first layout.

[@charlesmcclure5994]

It looks like it's coming along quite nicely Steve 👍👍

[@fishbarbeque8540]

Can't wait to see this done!!!

[@treehugger1640]

I've always used 4 axel locos and older freight cars on my small n scale layout. It looks more at home and you get to multi consist and run longer trains. Still though, it's a very nice design and a lot for a small layout. Thanks for sharing

[@StevesTrains]

I just happen to have all the UP heritage SD70ACes, so they get run a lot regardless of if they look good. Lol

[@Toasted3]

You should make a station at the bottom and have a cool custom footbridge up to the top

[@glendenig9962]

I love it! Great use of a small space!

[@Thespiritofcoloradorr]

Very nice Steve simply Amazing!! I love it!!

[@josephlevy3959]

Have you thought of using a photo for the back walls? Lots of interesting perspectives, easily installed.

[@StevesTrains]

I will probably do a combination of things for the back walls. Photo backdrops in places will probably work very well.

[@sergioarroyoguerrero5434]

2×4 N scale layout. 3 levels. Kato tracks. DC and DCC.

[@ajknaup3530]

I wonder why so many coats of joint compound on the road? Great video, thanks for uploading.

[@StevesTrains]

Just like doing drywall, put a coat on, sand, then another, etc. the last few were very thin and just to fill in all the little divots and low spots. I kept repeating the process until it was smooth enough for N scale so a photo of a car on it wouldn’t make it appear that it was going over a crazy rough surface.

[@ajknaup3530]

So you are doing the extra coats to make the surface smoother? thanks@@StevesTrains

[@StevesTrains]

@@ajknaup3530 yep. I theory if you put on a thick coat you could sand it enough t to get it smooth, but that is actually a lot harder to do than you might think. Plus sanding isn’t a lot of fun. It is easier to just keep putting on thin coats where you are filling in the low areas and scraping off the high areas until things are smooth and even. Still have to sand in between coats to get rid of all the random ridges, lines, bumps, etc. but not as much.

[@mgar2112]

Hi Steve, the progress is amazing. Keep up the great work! I look forward to every update. I'm curious, are you going to stick with the caster legs? Any concerns about lack of cross bracing? My layout is definitely going to need removable legs so I'm looking at different ideas.

[@StevesTrains]

No, those legs are temporary. I haven’t decided on what legs to use but may do ones similar to what I used on my 3x5 layout, which were chunky black powder coated (or maybe they were anodized, I forget) metal ones.

[@kerry_glock]

NEVER MIND THE FOLLOWING, I GOT MY ANSWERS PRETTY MUCH IN 4 Trains running at one time Video. THANKS Am I correct that you have the capability of running 4 or 5 trains in this small space? There are 2 perimeter loops on the bottom level. A 3rd loop around and through the structures on the second level, with some switching. The third uppermost level having a loop. And, perhaps some movement by a switcher? Is this done with flex track or can the KATO Unitrack be used. Talk about a lot of action in a small area. Even options for changing out landforms and structures. Great Job! How many turnouts did you use? Are any of the loops connected to each other? Or, are the loops designed for continuous running? Are you using DCC? Or, all trains running at the same speed? Is there hidden staging lol? Ok, Staging is on a shelf, right?😊 Hidden in another room with a yard of at least 20 tracks!!! I Love It! Sir, I hope to accomplish something similar since I have limited space.

[@YourMom777-x3x]

Wow! All those walls in that town and I don’t see a single tag or any graffiti. Those citizens must follow the rules?

[@StevesTrains]

For now…

[@IliyasHakim]

Hey Steve. Just wondering about Kato Unitrack N Gauge, does the track have to be closed loop for it to be operational or can it function with two end separate end point. Thanks in advance.

[@StevesTrains]

Works great with open ends. I’ve built several switching layouts with Kato track on a 4-5’ long board 6-12” wide with great success. Only thing is that the #6 turnouts are power routing which can be helpful or not depending on what you want to do. But, usually I like to make sure all track is powered all the time (especially for DCC) so I have a power lead connected to the stub end of every track in a layout like that as well as extra points in between (for extra reliability). Otherwise you might not have power reach a certain track unless you have turnouts thrown a certain orientation. That can be helpful in DC operations with multiple locomotives i suppose though.

[@IliyasHakim]

@@StevesTrains Thanks for the information Steve. As always, wonderful info from your videos. Cheers.

[@tonykane8866]

Dude why u make building structures look so easy. Lol , looking good 👍

[@ordiekelleher2641]

Looking great!