Action Packed N Scale Layout in 2x4 Feet - The Layout is Done!

[@mikediehl1468]

Building a smaller layout like you did can easily give you a quicker sense of accomplishment instead of waiting for years to finish an entire room filled with n scale trains. A small space packed with a lot of details! Excellent work sir! 😀

[@gmaneis]

Your layouts started out being excellent here on KZbin, and they keep getting better. Everything is so beautifully done, especially the electronics. Thank you for sharing your super talent.

[@StevesTrains]

Thank you!

[@Trains-With-Shane]

Nice work! The tiny details like the dumpsters and junk piles really bring life to the scene.

[@StevesTrains]

Thanks!

[@sevind7]

thanks for posting these Steve. My grandfather passed away over two decades ago and he had an entire room dedicated to a model railway. These videos take me back to fond memories. Thank you.

[@suchomimus9921]

Hi Steve. Great design. I am using this as the basis for my first model (modified a bit--I am adding a little station at the front on the lower level, and not including the third layer). But I hope it will look decent when it is done.

[@historybuff7491]

Nicely done. It show that a lot can go in a small space.

[@chriswilson9230]

I just noticed “The Katy” locomotive. That is awesome. I grew up along the MKT railroad, in the town of Katy.

[@StevesTrains]

I live about two miles from one of the old Katy tracks.

[@stom5292]

Outstanding The small details like the patch work on the roads and random junk in the corner make this look very realistic

[@juniorflores687]

Great layout! Amazing detail work.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Bravo Steve - this is probably one of the most efficiently designed layouts I've seen, you've done a beautiful job. It's really impressive seeing four industries plus an interchange spur in such a small space without crowding. Lovely how you've hidden all the spurs in or between buildings.

[@JohnNack]

Looks really awesome! I might add a couple more figures to make some of the areas feel a bit more ‘lived in’

[@StevesTrains]

Yes, I plan to add more.

[@alzeNL]

Very nice indeed ! I'm going to be getting back into N and Z gauge and going to focus on a small size layout. I really like your layout, its looks beautiful and plenty to keep attention/interest in operation.

[@milepost33]

Wow! What an awesome setup!

[@StevesTrains]

Thank you!

[@biotrekker]

The level of detail is awesome.

[@ronbaker8383]

The beauty of n gage you don't need lots of space

[@StevesTrains]

Exactly!

[@tonyantonuccio4748]

Steve, you have been an inspiration for me getting back into the hobby. I followed many methods from your 3.5 x 5.5. Now I'm doing a layout on a 30 x 80 door and am still learning from the details you present on this one. Your skills in construction are matched by your presentation. Kudos to you and the other excellent presenters on yt.

[@StevesTrains]

Thanks, good luck on your project!

[@NorthernBandit1]

Steve...how incredible! I've watched your previous vids and I am impressed with you finish, fabulous. Looks real and even with your modisty...dude you knocked this out of the park. I am building my N-Scale layout now...at a point of beginning to carve up some foam and make some scenery. Your layout is inspirational! Thank you!

[@StevesTrains]

Thanks!

[@joeystrains.9316]

Impressive layout, this is the future of the hobby, a small footprint in in your home and lots of action.

[@StevesTrains]

Thanks!

[@myduino]

Very nicely done!

[@ashleyglennon734]

Nice work! This is a great layout design as you get mainline, switching and commuter rail all-in-one. And I love the genius storage system. Love your detailing and the fact that you could have multiple operators all having fun at once. All of this functionality packed into a small footprint is amazing. Keep the videos and innovations coming!

[@bentstrider]

Never really abandoned this hobby. It's more like I get on it for several months at a time and then I hit a wall. After seeing this setup, I do think this is the standard to try and follow. Got a 2'x3' I started back in 2018. But it's been lying dormant in the mini storage. Perhaps it's time to implement some of these design features and also implement one of those abandoned projects I see floating around on ebay from time to time.

[@NachosElectric]

"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!"

[@garfieldirwin]

Very impressive Steve -- professionally done in all respects! Cheers!

[@StevesTrains]

Many thanks!

[@angeloavanti2538]

Very nice layout. Perfect size for any space. Have fun!

[@bulletsponge1656]

Gotta love those ebay street lights i bought 30 of them they are nice and cheap 2!

[@eugenepiurkowski5439]

Thank you for sharing your work. Marvelous job. Everything is perfect :)

[@Myrulv]

very nice, and inspiring!

[@dbarr15]

WOW you have outdid yourself. This turned out beautiful. Thanks for bring us along for the ride.

[@andrewjones6693]

Nice! Love the silver Burlington passenger liner!

[@jerrysmith1929]

Another impressive build and a lot of action packed into a small space. Nicely done!

[@toomanyhobbies400]

Awesome job! Love the warm look of the light brown ballast on the upper level track. It brightens up the look of the grayish roads and buildings on that level. Looking back to the Colorado Loop with all it's brown rocks and scenery, the gray ballast was a good contrasting look there.

[@ChannelWright]

Very nice! Love those magnetic shields too!

[@W_Grizzified]

I see a magnetic backdrop in my future! Excellent idea 😊

[@davidallen6333]

this layout is awesome great job ! Shows you don't have to go big to have a great layout !

[@markmonroe7330]

Excellent presentation. Thank you. Really love this.

[@charleswalsh9895]

Lots and lots of ideas, Great. Thanks

[@rosemaryr.long-morgan9704]

Wow, great work. Layout looks very nice & You've packed quite a bit of concrete vs foliage without detracting from the trains/tracks especially in a 2 x 4 ft size diorama-it doesnt't even look crowded. I like the extra protection idea of the acrylic sheets with magnets & that You have incorporated a hinged compartment with knobs for easier access to panel plus storage, again great work! /Rosemary

[@StevesTrains]

Thank you very much!

[@TheyCallHimDietSeth]

That's a beautiful layout! I love how much you fit into such a small space!

[@lexluthermiester]

@StevesTrains Very nicely done!! My favorite Nscale layout size is a standard 48"x96" plywood sheet cut down to 42" or 44" wide with an optional 48"x48"(again cut down to 42" or 44" wide)sheet added on for an L shape to fit in a corner. This always gives plenty of room for big curves for passenger trains, which are my favorite type of train. BTW, Nice Burlington Silver Streak Zephyr set!

[@HARDL3FT]

I wasn’t much of an N Scale fan before watching but the fun size miniature layout you created makes me want to make one myself! Good job!

[@TheyMakeItLikeThat]

Looks great! It's amazing what you can cram into a small space if you try

[@StevesTrains]

Thanks!

[@nfapiper1]

I've been pondering a design for a simple HO layout, and this design might just be what I'm looking for. Great work!

[@barondesena]

Wow lovely work you put a lot of action into a tiny space!

[@WesternMichiganRailway]

Another great layout! Loved watching this one get built. Cant wait to see your next project!

[@StevesTrains]

Thanks so much!

[@Miertreg1]

Super schön 👍👍👍. Viele Grüße Gert

[@thomasetesta5641]

Awesome layout Steve with tons of detail; I’m amazed 😊

[@iotaprime2892]

Outstanding! Inspirational.

[@HadwayLayout]

That is a very cool layout. I hear people say all the time. I don’t have room for a layout. Only 2’X4’ is a very small footprint in a room. I will be sharing your video every time someone says that to me. Thanks for the video.

[@StevesTrains]

Yep, layouts this size can fit in most homes.

[@sittinglynx3738]

Steve it really does look amazing. This build has inspired me to do a small layout. I hope to start this spring :)

[@paulj.waldron1976]

Very well designed and engineering. Personally, I'm a O scale person, but that N scale looks marvelous. 👍

[@StevesTrains]

I’ll have an o scale video this next Tuesday!

[@andrewlaverghetta715]

I don't think I already commented on this, but I watched it the other day and it's awesome! I have a 2.5x4' layout and I enjoy it, but this has a lot going on and a lot to look at. I hope you get to show it off somewhere in person too!

[@DavidJeggo]

Very nice, thanks for posting…

[@robertlowery5586]

Beautiful layout! Only thing I would add is a little tiny hobo camp in one of the wooded corners. The 'boes could be cooking some stew or beans.

[@BriansModelTrains]

Amazing work!. Congratulations.

[@StevesTrains]

Thanks!

[@davegoodridge8352]

That's a great job!!

[@f364marte]

Absolutely amazing!

[@rhendricksonn]

Great job Steve

[@StevesTrains]

Thanks!

[@OldcampRanch]

Very cool, thanks for sharing 👍🏻

[@JezMan67]

Hi . Superb n so detailed. Awesome job . Do u do Christmas village setup this size with the trains going around. Interested to chat more n discuss. Thanks n Cheers 🎉

[@StevesTrains]

I did an o gauge Christmas layout this past year and have done a couple small n scale ones in the past. If you were wanting me to build one for you, I don’t have any availability at this time.

[@JakeSweeper]

Very nice. But as a suggestion for the two dock facilities in the center, only put straight trucks or pup (28') trailers in them as the 53' semi-trailers in common use today would not be able to get in and out of there w/o backing down the hill and regularly bumping into things. Heck, the old 40' trailers would be a little hard pressed to get in and out.

[@StevesTrains]

Yes, I was looking at that and it would look really bad with the longer trailers. Things are compressed a ton as they are and the long trailers would really ruin any remaining illusion.

[@jeffreyconnors8782]

This layout looks awesome ! I’m also into N-scale and use Kato track. However, I’ve never been able to find kato unitrack in and radius smaller than 45deg. Where did you get yours, or is it not Kato ?

[@StevesTrains]

It is all Kato. He bought from various online retailers. Fifer hobby, model train stuff (gone for now, but coming back), Midwestmodelrr.com, etc

[@reiheractual]

thinking about doing something similar to this a Florida East Coast Ry. theme

[@DeadlySpoon12]

Fantastic work! definitely using this as inspiration for my 2x4 project. Where do you source your track from?

[@StevesTrains]

Various online retailers. Wherever I can find a piece I need.

[@1870movie]

Very nice. Could you share an approximate cost of this project?

[@StevesTrains]

I didn’t keep track, but probably $2,500-$3,000 or so. Maybe less, but there is a lot of track and structures and the combined DCC and DC systems add cost. It always adds up more than you think. Especially adding details like vehicles which can cost $10-20 each and all the other random items. The actual used materials cost is less, as there is a lot of scenery items that I bought but used only a small amount. Similar with paint and stain and all of that.

[@Conn653]

Will the trolly operate with the pantographs in the upright position or will they hit the tunnel?

[@StevesTrains]

They can be partly up, not fully extended. But I just leave them down so I don’t have to worry about it.

[@mapit07]

Awesome job. Question My Kato layout is DC how can I add DCC? Your thoughts?

[@StevesTrains]

Usually pretty straightforward. You just need to supply the DCC signal to the whole layout at one time, so if you have multiple blocks or things like that where power is controlled by toggle switches or that kind of thing you just have to do things where power is supplied by DCC. So maybe if the toggle switches are all thrown one direction than the DCC signal goes to the track. If all you have are DC throttles connected directly to the track then all you do is replace a DC throttle with a DCC one, and just make sure all the feeder wires go to the DCC system. Kato track works fine with DCC. The only issue is that the power routing turnouts #6 and some others, will cause a short and shut down the DCC system if a train enters the turnouts from the frog side and the turnout isn’t thrown the correct way as the frog will be powered with the wrong polarity. In general, this isn’t really much of an issue and so I don’t normally worry about it.

[@mapit07]

Thanks Steve!

[@NHseacoast]

Great layout Steve! Where did you buy the industrial buildings? Do you have a link ! Thanks! George subscribed

[@StevesTrains]

I got them from several online retailers. I got some from model train stuff, which shut down but is coming back eventually, Amazon, and others.

[@NHseacoast]

@@StevesTrains what. Brand are the industrial. Buildings?

[@StevesTrains]

@@NHseacoasti think all are Walthers kits. They have a bunch of warehouse type kits sold as a bunch of different structures that look similar.

[@trainliker100]

The recessed legs are nice. The common "four legs in the four corners" method just snags people's feet. Another solution is to make a pedestal base. Basically, a box, that has a somewhat smaller footprint than the layout top. It also provides storage (if you make a means for access) and prevents the underside of the layout from being a catch all for visible clutter. It can be plain, or fancy with perhaps routed rounded edges or quarter round moldind used to soften the edges or even curved plywood for very rounded edges. At 6:15 in this KZbin of the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum you can see a 4x8 Lionel layout with a pedestal base and rounded edges. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZStnXl6rLF7pMU

[@sunhawk1104]

Is a layout ever really "complete"?

[@StevesTrains]

That is why I have the asterisk after Done on the thumbnail. Lol

[@StevesTrains]

Yes, one is never fully done

[@robertsimpkins6571]

I wanna build a 3x8bubbie it fit for us all a theme set❤🩵✨✨💥🧬🩵🐝🐝✨✨❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥💙💍♾️

[@stejer211]

A project with fantastic attention to detail, and then those ugly plastic-looking vehicles... why not make them more realistic?