A Tour of My O Gauge Train Layout

[@deweyhall712]

Nice collection of BIG STEAM on the wall.

[@erictrainman]

Love big steam!

[@josephfriday2661]

This is a great layout especially in its use of space. Most of us have to be realistic in what we can and cannot do. This, for me, is an inspiration Al layout.

[@fulviosantangeletta5838]

It's a beautiful looking layout and very nice looking scenery a lot of great views of the trains from a lot of different angles which is I think the best thing to do with model train layouts

[@erictrainman]

Thanks! Some things I’d do differently next time but tried to great some nice view points with the scenery

[@dathanpoole871]

So I've been following you on Instagram for a while now and on KZbin and I don't think I've ever grasped your entire layout. I just want to say awesome job, I love it. What an inspiration for those of us who are running O scale with limited space. You've done a great job putting a lot into your layout without it looking cramped. I'm currently building a 10x7 with an elevated level. And yours is an inspiration. Thank you for sharing. I'll be paying more attention to you here and in IG. Thank you again.

[@erictrainman]

Thank you! I’m glad you found it inspirational! In O scale we all want giant layouts but when that’s not possible we’ve gotta work with what we got. A little flexibility and creativity goes a long way

[@dathanpoole871]

@@erictrainman And you have shown what flexibility and creativity can do. Thank you again.

[@CWFTrains]

That’s one hell of a collection and layout! Really great use of space. ❤

[@ethanarmitage5611]

😁

[@ethanarmitage5611]

🚈

[@ethanarmitage5611]

🚂

[@erictrainman]

Thank you! Tried to get the most out of the little space I had

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Love the layout so much!

[@erictrainman]

Thank you very much!

[@lancestrains]

Wow awesome! Nice looking layout!

[@erictrainman]

Glad you like it!

[@mad_trains12]

Great layout and collection!

[@erictrainman]

Thanks for watching!

[@ZainesElectricTrainz]

Eric you did a fine job building this layout. I'm in the process of building an 8×15 layout and am taking pointers from this, well done!

[@erictrainman]

Great to hear! If you ever have any questions feel free to reach out!

[@RichardHume-l4r]

Wow,am very impressed by your experience with your layout.

[@erictrainman]

Thank you very much!

[@stevenbullock9276]

Really great looking layout. Thanks for sharing. That's a lot of steam engines! 🤩

[@erictrainman]

Thank you! Steam is my favorite

[@TheTrainboard]

Eric, real well done video. I have that same atlas o turntable with 11 parking tracks. When I apply power, the turntable goes to the first track and stops. Apply power, it goes to the 2 track. Apply power, goes to 3rd track, and so forth. Always stops in same spots, always aligned perfectly. It takes about 2 mintes to go from track one to track 11. It stops at each track, cant go from track 1 to track 8 directly. It stops at each track each time. And its limited by its 20 inch diameter so we store diesels and medium size steam engines. We luv it. Great job, both in your design and your camera work. You inspire us. Gary

[@erictrainman]

Thanks Gary! Appreciate your kind words. Glad you enjoyed! Shoot me an email if you have any questions

[@daviddahms1696]

Eric: Love your calm demeanor as you describe your layout. I have a small space like yours. This has given me some vision for ways to make it more interesting. I run a modification of Ken Hoganson's Triple R Railroad from his book, "21 Great Track Plans for Compact Layouts" published by O Gauge Railroading Magazine. I also have a 72 inch outer loop so I can run my Big Boy 4014, but the inner 2 loops are 60" Lionel Fastrack. I also added a Lionel Fastrack John Allen Time Saver Switch Yard which I found from a plan also from Ken H published in O Gauge Model Railroader (Run 305) April/May 2019 pg 45-46. Your layout has made me consider adding levels. Thanks, Alaska David

[@erictrainman]

Thanks David! Adding levels comes with pros and cons but if you’re looking to change it up, it’s great

[@JohnWickard-wc9tv]

Your scenery is beautiful, very realistic

[@erictrainman]

Thank you very much!

[@michaelsarnowski775]

Beautiful layout. Just getting into more realistic scenery myself... can suggest a black wash on your rock faces (mix acrylic paint, water, rubbing alcohol).

[@raysrails2164]

Layout looks great , you have some great trains . Very nice .

[@erictrainman]

Thank you very much!

[@realtoytrains]

Always wondered about your track plan!! Thanks for this cool video bud! -RTT

[@erictrainman]

Thanks man!

[@mikesamericanflyertrains]

Awesome layout and fantastic collection. I really enjoyed the layout tour and how it has evolved. Keep up the great work!

[@MattyCtrains]

Nice overview Eric! You display your collection and layout very well with that space!

[@erictrainman]

Thanks!

[@ericwilliams2619]

Extraordinary layout Eric I would like to see you make a video of your collection Extraordinary collection ✨️

[@erictrainman]

Thank you! Hope to make that video soon

[@FJF119]

Excellent presentation !

[@erictrainman]

Glad you liked it!

[@johntoner6149]

Well done

[@ChrisBookeBass]

I love your layout! Thank you for sharing. What was the product that you used for the vertical rock walls?

[@erictrainman]

Thank you. The vertical rock walls are Hieke foil rock which is a molded plastic rock with a finish. It’s very thin and playable

[@fulviosantangeletta5838]

Super video Eric really enjoyed it and I think it would be very cool to do an engine count for a video

[@erictrainman]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it

[@DavidSmith-rc7hs]

Fine job....

[@henryszubielski8601]

Looks great Eric! Thanks for going over everything for us. Is that a 3rd Rail Delaware and Hudson Challenger I see on your expansion?

[@erictrainman]

Thank you Henry! Yes it is! One of my favorites. Will do a video on it soon

[@WorldWideRailroad]

You build all the shelving underneath the layout?

[@erictrainman]

Yup!

[@obvious2886]

What sort of control scheme is on the layout? Is it all Lionel legacy or do you have an mth system hooked up as well?

[@TheTrainboard]

Eric, how many inches did you allow between the 2 loops where you have the stone ckiff faces? If I use plaster cloth it will probably take fewer inches, but I suspect my 3 inches out between the tracks may not be enough. In retrospect, maybe I should have separated the loops 8 inches. I wanted to try sculpted insulation foam rock faces, but have maybe 3 inches. I regret having too much track in my space and less for landscaping. My board is 18 by 24 ft atlas o but the 2 loops are on the outside perimeter 24 inches, 2 large ovals, 2 inches from the edge. Regret now the ovals should have been 10 inches from the edge. Its hard getting away from the feeling of everthing flat. Did you use hodge podge for those cliff faces? Gary

[@TheTrainboard]

So you said Heike paper rock. Gary

[@erictrainman]

Yes I used Hieke rock paper. But I think you’ll need much more than 3 inches if you want to have any kind of scenery between. Assuming you have 072 curves with big steam, you’ll want at least 3.5” from the center rail to the nearest object. If you’re not running big steam you’ll have more wiggle room.

[@brandonfuzi3436]

How do you reach trains on shelf behind layout

[@erictrainman]

Thanks for the question. Addressed this in the video.

[@WillsLioneltrains]

How do you get the trains off the shelves

[@erictrainman]

With a stepstool and the pop out I can reach everything

[@brandonfuzi3436]

Sorry I watched video. You explained how you get to shelves. Lol

[@erictrainman]

No worries!

[@railsaroundsouthjersey]

3rail are TOYs 2 rail are models.

[@erictrainman]

Are some 3 rail trains toys? Definitely. Is a Vision line engine or 3rd rail brass challenger a model? Absolutely

[@railsaroundsouthjersey]

@@erictrainman Real and model trains DONT USE 3 RAILS!!

[@erictrainman]

@@railsaroundsouthjersey 😂😂 well my models do

[@ZainesElectricTrainz]

Mike A...you had to be that guy didn't you

[@railsaroundsouthjersey]

@@ZainesElectricTrainz Yep. Im a HO guy.