Avoid a common mistake I made when building a model railroad

[@LordPhobos6502]

Backing up your point at 5:30: LET GLUE DRY. A maker channel I watch, Laura Kampf, has a metal sign in her shop: "LET GLUE DRY". I've adopted this to also mean LET PAINT DRY. I'm building a custom loco on a big scale. Lots of gluing, and lots of painting await me. EVERY TIME I glue a section, I have to put my tools away so I don't do 'just one more bit', because every time I have, I inevitably mess something up. So everytime I do a bit, I say it out loud. LET GLUE DRY. You'll thank yourself for adopting this mantra. ...It's 11pm here, so no coffee. Enjoying a nice cup of Yorkshire tea, which will be followed by a ginger & apple tea.

[@garygemmell3488]

You are absolutely correct about the wiring. About 30 years ago I inadvertently left out the main positive wire that fed power to an entire city block. Every building was lighted. I had to tear up the city block to feed the wire thru and branch it off to every building. Also, track laying and wiring go hand in hand. I developed a habit in the early days where once I got a major section of track completed, I would connect some power and make sure every inch of track had power. Once I knew a section was fully powered I was confident the next section would receive power and I would put that section to the test once it was complete. Once my track was completed I would put a stress test on it and run every conceivable piece of locomotive power and rolling stock meant to be run on the layout to make sure there were no kinks, dead spots, or stock that could not negotiate a curve or turnout.

[@edwardaudet8367]

Where were you 25 years ago, I could have used all those tips and ideas. Great video. And always sound advise. Thankd Jimmy your the best

[@fermitupoupon1754]

Step 3.5 once you've done the preliminary laying of track, connect it to a power source and have your tallest, longest, widest, lightest, heaviest, and whatever-est stock take a good few tours of every bit of track to make sure clearances are in order. I built my layout with the idea that it'd be primarily used with my Marklin Alpha train. This is an exceptionally tall set, as in the spoilers on the wagons are taller than the pantographs for most other models. So where Marklin specifies 74.5mm clearance, I needed 86mm, which was a good thing to find out before I glued everything down and fixed the helix between levels in place.

[@robertbhatia2005]

Excellent video! One thing I learned from Everard Junction, a great UK modeller, is to build your baseboard with slots in the back for your backscene. It is then very secure but easily removable.

[@kylethomas7609]

Thanks!

[@asaprocky8195]

Folgers Classic Instant ... Bwaaahhh... that aside, great prep video. You teach very well. The episode lengths are perfect, and not overwhelming. Mixing coding with building and running footage is superb. It's easier to learn when one can see the APPLICATION of the instruction, then able to follow through with DOING the lesson. That locks it in. Thanks... and Happy Tracks to all. :-)

[@patrickmurphy6775]

My layout is comprised of 4 interconnecting modules. I found that by focusing on one module at a time everything went so much FASTER. I learned that stay focused on each area until it is complete or near complete. Good video.

[@adriengadson3544]

Another precaution is to run a set of extra wires when you run the wires. This way if one wire gets damage or you add in the future they are already there. Also lighted parts can have a distribution block placed to run street lights , building lights , and etc to make easy multiple connections.

[@MRR_Shadowolf]

Great video Jimmy! Thanks for sharing your tips/techniques!

[@jasonworden8209]

I was lucky enough to find a to spec built set of 4x8 tables to start my setup. Going to pick them up this weekend. I'm STOKED

[@wabisabi6875]

Another point to add: IF you are going to install a backdrop for sky and/or distant mountains, do this BEFORE you attach the layout surface to the wall.

[@ricksavaiano5640]

Excellent video! So true what you've stated. I made every mistake in the book because of my eagerness to do the landscaping which by the way turned out fantastic! That is do to you and all the model railroaders out there who posted videos.

[@ianmclaughlin8987]

Thanks for the good advice, I enjoyed watching your video.

[@HHExpress]

Hello Jimmy, Good Video on the Steps. I started my railroad almost 3 years ago and still working on it only finished 30% of the Scenery. so still a lot of things to do. But there are always coming things in between.

[@chadportenga7858]

Just found your channel today (this video was the second one I watched... The first was "Model Railroad Layout Design for Beginners"). Excellent info and easy to understand. I'll be checking out more of your videos in the near future! Thanks!!!

[@chadportenga7858]

Oh, and I like the verses at the bottom of the info link!

[@SleeTheSloth]

Great video! I have one thought or two I'd like to leave you with. I paint my base color on the table top or foam, as soon as the bench work is done. Then paint the base color of your backdrop as well. May layout is multi level. The first level is the standard table top bench work type. So I paint the table top and visible leading edges dirt brown. My upper levels are of a shelf design. For my upper levels I paint the top and visible leading edges dirt brown and the under side sky blue. It is my experience that these things are best done before anything else.

[@alanschultz3858]

well done great tips I am building a blended railway in ho scale using kato uni track and marlin track want to do a wall layout with a lift out bridge at the door also a helix going up to a shelf run sounds good in my head lol anyway catch ya next one cheers Alan

[@drew3906]

Instant black coffee with warm water from the tap! Now that's class!

[@phantomanddelusionalrailway]

Hi Jimmy, coming to you from a different account today. Having built about half of my n gauge layout I have only now decided to put in street lights. I can therefore confirm that planning in fine detail is absolutely vital. Try getting a drill between all your buildings to drill the holes for the wiring! Another really great video Jimmy. Thanks so much. Mel in Portugal.

[@abbofun9022]

Don’t forget the most important part: Be Patient and Don’t Rush

[@ryans413]

And have fun. I know a few people that are burnt out trying too do too much. Just have fun with hobby no rush

[@abbofun9022]

@@ryans413 getting a burnout over your rr hobby, oh boy, that’s bad indeed. However, you are absolutely right, a hobby must be fun indeed.

[@TomVable]

The hobby’s actually teaching me to be more patient - with ups and downs😊

[@trainguy55-f6q]

I would add doing backgrounds after the base but before tracklaying. IMHO one needs to do a lot of leaning and squirming on the base to apply, roll and line up backgrounds. Keep up the good work!

[@JamesTu]

Yet another great video Jimmy, thank you. I struggled for years with flexi track, without much success, then I discovered Kato Unitrack at a local shop and have never looked back, though I did struggle fix it down when using foam as part of the baseboard, so thanks for suggesting latex adhesive.

[@stuartwinstanley21]

Another very practical set of guidelines Jimmy. Thanks heaps

[@MrRusty-fm4gb]

I collect Ho scale and make an occasional diorama or 2 here and there. Since I live i 2 bedroom apartment by myself I’ve been really contemplating on making a suspended 2” wide wall/shelf layout with a few trams and overhead wires that runs in a loop in the living room, to the kitchen, and a little yard over the entryway to my apartment. I’ve been looking for large sheets for cheap or free so I can see through the bottom of the layout it when I look up. I really only plan on spending money on the train itself, and hardware if I can’t find or salvage it. I’ve got a few ideas but can’t seem to get anything concrete and even start. Since it’s an apartment I have to be mindful of not damaging the walls so I’m thinking of using multiple tacks as anchors to hold up one support, and have supports every 18” or so with the clear plexiglass track base running along the tops. I’d like to run a Siemens style tram so I know that wouldn’t weigh that much vs having the weight of a locomotive and multiple rail cars. Maybe I should start with building and experimenting with the supports to see what I can make and get away with while using minimal material? Then buy a kato tram w/ a bunch of flex track and go from there. I won’t be having and buildings. Only an occasions bridge that I will construct from styrene and LEDs. I’d like to pull of overhead wires as well. 🤔

[@johnfloyd838]

I have a track planning guide for my layout and I have laid my track out but I have to get the cork done and I broke my right hip and I can't work on my layout until my leg strength gets stronger and it's very frustrating because I have been going to therapy for a while now and it's very slow process and it drives me insane 😡😡, but eventually I will be able to get there 😎👍

[@davidking3918]

Hello Jimmy,I have to say for me,is to build on foam so I can move the layout if I have to my scare is having to move to another house.and lots of tacky glue.from walmart.i use this glue for pretty much everything on layout because it's also flexible,I do love coffee,I enjoyed your video.thanks

[@simonetaormina7080]

Predrill holes for wires in your bench work , stack all your cross sections and a nice press drill before putting your frame together.

[@oldgrumpyhunter]

Another well-done video Jimmy.

[@toddrush6296]

You must try Highlander Grog. My favorite when mixed with espresso.

[@charlesmcclure5994]

Morning Jimmy those are some great tips for everybody to remember thanks for sharing and this morning I'm drinking Don Francisco's Kona blend with two splendas and sugar-free sweet Italian creamer 👍👍

[@robjames6959]

Good morning Jimmy, great advice! I'm drinking Nescafé Black intense roast this morning!

[@franzbrunner499]

hello Jimmy -your motto seems to be "less is more" -amazing the amount of info you pack in 6:30 minutes! -that's the main reason I like your channel -one thing I'm curious about: any video about laying track so far was with cork -is there really no alternative? or does cork has simply no (or least) disadvantages? thanks, good on you

[@kenshores9900]

Great video Jimmy!!

[@glenshielrailway5696]

My layout has been in the planning phase for five years now while I save up to redecorate the room it'll be in. That's a long time! But let me tell you, every six months or so I open up that plan and find something I don't like, or notice that I can make something better, or just say what the hell was I thinking putting that turnout there?! It's surprising how many times I've said "It's perfect" only to change things for the better a few weeks later. I'm just glad I've got all that done in the planning phase and not after I've laid track and ballasted and having to tear it up and redo it. Definitely take your time when planning! Invest in proper tools for the job! My first layout was a complete disaster just because I was trying to get by with tools that I already had that just weren't right for the job. Realize that if you're spending thousands of dollars on model trains then it's definitely worth spending a few hundred on good quality tools that will help the trains run perfectly. Besides, those same tools will most definitely come in handy later on if you decide to make display / storage shelves. Mike.

[@michaelpfister1283]

I am in the same boat! I've been planning for 2 1/2 years now, and the plan has evolved quite a bit in that time, with a lot of refinements. An early one was realizing that I had the tracks in my yard WAY to close together! Another was making sure my sidings were long enough to accommode the cars I needed to be held there for the operations planned. Currently I have been selecting model kits for the buildings and making sure I have enough room for what I want to sit there. At each step I find that the devil is in fact in the details and I suspect I've already saved myself a ton of headaches. That being said, I am close to having enough $$$ saved up to buy all of the equipment and tools and supplies to finally build the bench, prep it, and get the track laid and wired. I am very much looking forward to the day (soon!) when I can finally run some trains!

[@denisebasile3813]

I love your videos it helps a lot thank you

[@jhoodfysh]

Nailed it! This is an excellent series Jimmy, it really deserves more views. Thanks for supporting the hobby and the people starting out.

[@genej43]

FANTASTIC advice. Thanks

[@andrewlaverghetta715]

I'm drinking Dunkin' Coldbrew from the home packs I got from the grocery store. Also, I'm almost done laying track. I had to do 1 bit of scenery before I finished the track though, because it's a section where the road goes under the track, while the track remains level. I ended up using SmoothIt for the road, painting it, and adding some rock formations and painting them. I just placed the bridge, leveled it out, and added the roadbed last night. This weekend I'll start on the last bit of track and make sure that I can complete the circuit. I've been testing the track as I got, as a DC layout. I'm going to have a couple different sections of track, and sidings that I can turn on and off for where I park some other locomotives. It's been fun thinking about the order that I have to do things in. It's a kind of nerdy fun.

[@FNBSRailway]

Mc Cafe' Premium Roast! I'm loving it ( from the grocery store)

[@Kiddenreal]

do you have any videos of how to use turn outs and how to buld a simple double oval, i feel super dumb trying to plan it out and I just cant seem to figure out how to use the turnouts to get from one oval to the other.

[@YourLocalRailfan]

I’ve gone through 8 layouts in 5 months

[@mikeseba7817]

Very useful! 👍👍👍

[@DiggerEvans]

Splendid advice

[@Anon_Omis]

If you're going to be laying track on cork road bed, I'd recommend painting your base color first. The reason for this is that it can be easier to draw your track plan in pencil, especially if your base is foam.

[@markschoenberger8485]

Excellent thoughts to remember. There is a time for everything. I am drinking, Desert Sun Coffee Roasters General Palmer Blend from Durango Colorado. USA.

[@danbytp]

Philipine coffee.Can find it online and at your neatest Philipine grocery store.Also,make a list of the order of how you put it together. I've done it as I follow "the plan".So when I goof I can go back and see where it went wrong.

[@johnramirez5996]

Was thinking of running wire using telephone and power poles and doing small substations to form power grids. ?

[@gravesclay]

enameled magnet wire can be painted with acrylic paint. Just beware all the real caveats apply, voltage drop, overloading, heating etc...

[@johnramirez5996]

@@gravesclay yeah I get that. Been involved with cars and custom electric work. Stereo systems and more. Including ATV accessories and orv. When doing substations thinking about capacitors to maintain and increase the power output. What you think?

[@SkipRoGlo]

Can I link many lightening power boards together so I have one ditch to turn on all lights for a track 3 - 4x8 ?

[@frankedgar6694]

I’m learning ahead of building. Everyone seems to run wore under the board. What would be the problem with having the wire on the surface with the track, etc. It could be covered with landscaping. Is that possible or what am I missing? Complete novice here.

[@ajkleipass]

Build proof of concept models. Whether it's a scale model of the layout, a full scale test of the benchwork height (especially if it's a multi-deck layout), or a diorama size test of scenery material, the time spent testing your concept is money saved on avoiding otherwise unforeseen issues.

[@denisebasile3813]

Is hand painting 🖌️🎨 ok with roads

[@jordangordon2350]

I'm new to all this, interested not making my layout so permanant. Is there a way to have a layout that is reconfigurable at any time while still retaining stability?

[@cascadesouthernmodeltrains7547]

Today is Alpine Spiced Cider for me!

[@timothyrose4052]

Good reminders all....even for someone who might already know or think they know. Keep caffeinated. :)

[@thoughtengine]

Maybe you should plan so your wiring can look like something, like points rodding or sensor cables? Dialogue Coffee flat white on skim, don't know what brand they use.

[@Edward92546]

I'm new to the hobby. This is my first layout. I happened upon your site by chance and am glad I did. Your insights and tutorials are interesting, relevant, and presented clearly. Thanks for talking the time to make these videos. 🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃

[@effenbeezeetravel4474]

Nice fast paced video , tired of videos that clunk along , my problem is structures ; I can not visualize how to start a train layout with out creating all the buildings first at all so it is a major challenge for me because it slows things down so much more than other people .

[@MoandPapaw-qe1ts]

how wide do you make your n scale roads?

[@frankbullitt4556]

Well said.

[@tczephyr3665]

I’m not much of a wiring guy. After building my layout (600sq ft) I decided I wanted lights. Yeah, it would have been a lot easier if I had planned ahead. However, during my period of procrastination, fiber optic lighting was invented. I would highly recommend Dwarvin fiber optic lighting. As they call it “lighting without wiring”

[@coolruehle]

You still have to run the fiber?

[@tczephyr3665]

@@coolruehle Yes, you run a fiber optic “cable” from the building to the light source and the light goes on. Very simple. Dwarvin has a number of videos on KZbin, check out their channel.

[@NYandAtlantic]

I’m only DC now will convert to dcc once I get some money together

[@nedmerrill5705]

What's worse? A bad plan, or no plan at all?

[@EvrDark]

I am 60. Just got bit by the bug. But I am not up to date on the style trains. Like what engine goes with what cars? And I am on a really tight, like choke hold tight. So not sure where to go from here.

[@andrewlaverghetta715]

I'm on a small budget myself, able to buy some things as I've gone, plus people have given me gift cards for my birthday that was a couple months ago. I'm not really too bugged about what kinds of cars I run though. I have some locomotives that run well, and I have some cars, and once I get the whole thing running, I'll probably pick about the best 8-10 cars and keep them close. I luckily was able to purchase an old set from a friend for the freight. I picked up some DC locos for less than $50 that are decent. I was able to fix one and rehab another. I picked up a Santa Fe that I've started painting to look like Penn Central. I did end up buying one 1 switcher loco brand new with the intent to paint it. It runs so differently than my others, it's crazy. I'd say don't worry about matching engines with cars really. If you just want to learn about it, check out railfan videos for whatever you like. Since I'm interested in Penn Central, there are a number of interesting videos people have made that I can find online.

[@PetesPrettyGoodTrains]

Step 1.5 - make sure your space / layout room is prepared! Or at least plan the layout so it can move out of the way when doing room work.

[@joekulish4841]

I need to know if you could print me about 5 mobile homes different ones

[@RTM-fan]

I can recommend Anyrail, one fee, thought it was €45 and keep getting updates free, used Anyrail for my railroad ITS GREAT, get your copy. No I do not get money for saying this, it's just superb.

[@andrewlaverghetta715]

I really want to buy the full version just to mess around with. My railroad isn't big enough to require paying right now, so I haven't had a solid reason to purchase. Soon though, hopefully.

[@NYandAtlantic]

I found 1 board that was a bit warped but it’s hidden

[@steffenrosmus9177]

Also important: buy quality engines with excellent performance and not masses of engines.

[@daviskring2763]

Southern pecan coffee 😂

[@danbytp]

Sounds like you're talking from experience.The aforementioned mistakes, been there,done that.

[@bertjesklotepino]

As for the wiring for scenery, i had this idea. What if i was to cover the wood with a layer of aluminum foil (or perhaps copper foil), then a sheet of insulating material, and another sheet of copper (aluminum, aluminium) foil? Then i only have to cut out a small part to connect 1 wire, and i can connect the other to the other sheet on top. And have the entire table carry the juice. Would that be an idea?

[@davidcurtis5398]

Nice video - great ideas - still; don't care about your coffee...

[@dennisgibble7166]

Folgers ! 😂

[@Ultramesh]

I thought you were going to mention the clouds.

[@SoaringRedEagle]

Folgers coffee ☕ 😋

[@jeffkersbergen9894]

Black coffee with bourbon…bourbon with black coffee…bourbon…I’m drinking bourbon.

[@thomaslarsen5057]

Im drinking Lavazza Iterra Blend :-)

[@hanssmidt12]

Hello

[@MoandPapaw-qe1ts]

Don Fransisco's kona from Amazon

[@vuurvrproductions4656]

Hopefully you show me in a video, Im not drinking coffee

[@randysrockandrollrailroad8207]

😊

[@brettany_renee_blatchley]

😌💜😌💜😌💜😌

[@rhikdavis]

Letting the wife see the receipts?

[@flybobbie1449]

You need to do a bit and walk away, because you will keep changing your mind on the layout. Once you start positioning track, you realise it's too tight or looks boring.

[@flybobbie1449]

Laying track, i use double sided foam tape, used for poster boards. If you change the layout track just's lifts off. When satisfied can then ballast the track.

[@allanmartinez1190]

Hello Sir, I enjoy watching your videos I just don't understand anything about them at all. It's not your videos I don't understand it's me I know absolutely nothing at all about how to build a layout. My number one problem in model railroading is the biggest problem of them all. I Don't Own A Computer, all I have is a cell phone and a tablet. The last time I checked it is a requirement if you want to design a layout it has to be done by a computer. Software companies refuse to design a software so it can be used on a android tablet. This is the 21st Century and you can't use a cellphone or a android tablet to design anything because software companies only want you to spend at least $10K for a half ass computer that will only work for about 6 months if you're lucky. I can't draw because of my Parkinsons

[@garygemmell3488]

Who are you buying your computers from? $10K for a computer? Are all the wires made with gold? My laptop has a top flight CPU, 16 GB of RAM, two hard drives (one of which is a solid state HD), and a top end gaming graphics card with 4 GB of it's own memory. It cost me $782, including taxes, and there is nothing it can't do, so far.

[@johnnyhelgarts6352]

hi, well becuse you cant get the roads to work i spartel is that, you dont have the control of it. try see how this chap do it, in around 30 min in the video kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYG3oqmLrbCpmM0 he got control of the spartel. and then get som nice roads.

[@marioxerxescastelancastro8019]

This advice will make you bored and jaded of railway modelling. Why waste time on breathing wood spinters, when you can just use plastic tables?

[@thoughtengine]

Never seen a terribly square plastic table. And plastic tables are non-renewable. And NO-ONE I'VE EVER HEARD OF HAS EVER USED PLASTIC TABLES FOR RAILWAY BENCHWORK.

[@miniadventureswithmark3309]

Hi everyone, I don’t drink coffee and usually I’d have a nice brew of Yorkshire tea ☕️ 🫖 on the go. Bit to late for that right now so enjoying a nice glass off Kronenbourg 🍺. I’m getting the feeling Tea drinkers aren’t welcome to this channel so unfortunately I’ve unsubscribed.