The Comprehensive Track Plan Update - Visualizing The Scene | River Road Vlog #10

[@tedkowalik2934]

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together! Your thought process is fantastic, a tweak here and there. Any newcomer to the hobby will shave years off the learning process by watching your videos. Well done! I'll be watching every step of this build and learning tons, even with my 50 years plus in the hobby. Thanks for sharing.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you Ted. I really appreciate your input and experience here. It's invaluable. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@paulhayton3423]

Love the way this is going, vignettes at every turn.

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes sir! "Vignettes" at every turn. This is why I love the Model Railroad Shelf Layout Style Diorama. The Diorama is a series of vignettes that write the miniature story.

[@samh3029]

Really like the idea of hand-laid Code 55 rail - great layouts start with great track. Your excitement and passion is evident.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank You. There are certainly lots of advantages to hand-laid track. Especially in the ballasting. Cheers ~ Boomer

[@harperlarry49]

I love it. I really like the way you are showing us the prototype and how you will condense it to make it fit the allotted space. Really great work and information. Cheers - Larry.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you very much!

[@rafaelvoncina6036]

Just as I was getting quite worried you might have fire to fight, your video shows up. Glad you are well. And the track flow is gorgeous.

[@boomerdiorama]

The heat has abated here to toleration. Cheers.

[@theangelsmodellingandrailways]

Really enjoying the progress updates on this build. Insightful as usual Boomer, all the best n take care. Brian

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank You! Cheers.

[@idahobuckaroo8348]

Really appreciate your track plan and focus on realism and simplicity. Anxious to see more…

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank You. Glad to hear you are inspired. Cheers.

[@davestrains6816]

Way behind on this series of videos. Looking forward to watching this build. Thanks for sharing. Dave

[@boomerdiorama]

Hope you enjoy it Dave! Nice to hear from you. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@PaulyD0859]

Ohhhhh, I'm getting excited!

[@boomerdiorama]

Me too. Cheers.

[@jeffwhite3679]

I am really enjoying this series. You've given me a lot of things to think about as I expand my layout.

[@boomerdiorama]

Sounds great! Glad to read you are inspired. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@Panzermeister36]

Well if this takes you years I will be following for years :) I always enjoy your content. It is relaxing and educational.

[@boomerdiorama]

Wow, thank you! Imagine what you can do yourself coming from the hobby you excel at! Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@205004gs]

Nice update on the progress and its really taking shape. The broad sweeping curves are gonna be great👍

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank You. Broad Sweeping curves make for trouble free ops and a prototypical look and feel. Cheers.

[@154Colin]

This is a foal growing into a thoroughbred race horse. 👍

[@boomerdiorama]

Interesting illustration. The race horse scares me though. Cheers.

[@cbrailroader642]

Looking good Boomer! Really looking forward to the new build. This is moving weekend for us so in about a month or so I can start my new build!

[@boomerdiorama]

That sounds exciting. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@matthewjones1119]

I can’t wait to see how this turns out!!

[@boomerdiorama]

I'm well into the Barge build now. New content coming. One more introductory Vlog tomorrow. Cheers.

[@bnrailfannz8262]

You terrible, terrible man! :-D I was happy with my wee Empire(bedroom Railroad, around the walls, 10' x 10', no wider than 18 inches) until I spotted your KZbin series. Id love to dismantle and start again ,following along in your footsteps. But alas, I cant. I've always drawn a scale track plan before any track laying began. Back to your Vlog. Another great look at the Birth of a New Railroad. Cheers, and Thankyou

[@boomerdiorama]

Sorry to hear that . . . lol. I had to give up my much coveted 'Glover Road.' I know how you feel. Famous last words; "It's the final railroad honey . . . I promise, just two more feet is all I need" . . . lol. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@bnrailfannz8262]

@@boomerdiorama :-D

[@cpcnmodelrailroadingrailfa9339]

i really enjoy your videos and layout i can't wait for your next video

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you very much! The next Vlog #11 is this Friday! Hang tough my friend! Cheers ~ Boomer

[@tas7997]

Love those SD units! My fav. 👍☕🍻 Happy railroading 4th of July! 🇺🇸

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank You. Love the older SD units as well. Cheers~ ~ Boomer.

[@tas7997]

I'm in the building phase also. I'm building part of the Port of LA where the Kline docks are. Had to add on to the 4x8 modular to add scenery to make it more interesting an not so flat an boring. All pavement. 😅 ☕🍻 cheers!

[@boomerdiorama]

@@tas7997 Space is a luxury for sure. Never enough it seems. But then that is why I love the challenge. Cheers.

[@tas7997]

Yes, I agree! It is a challenge! Never enough space! I enjoy your modeling! Thanks! ☕🍻👍

[@TouchoftheBrushModelWeathering]

Always have a plan and let the plan blossom. Recently I've been just going with it and see where the pieces fall but certain things you need to have a plan in order to get what you want for operations and scenery.

[@boomerdiorama]

You can never go wrong with planning. We all impulse on things but personally I don't allow impulse to be the rule. But I do like to let things blossom as you say. Cheers.

[@derekalexander4030]

Have you considered building a separate diorama of the barge on a mobile section that would match up to the end of the tracks and could be rolled in or out to simulate its arrival and departure? It could be like a floating staging yard, bringing new cars onto the layout and then leaving with cars to be refilled or emptied.

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes . . . Thank You. I have thought of this plausible option. It also helps that the Barge Ramp is closer to the edge of the layout in order for this option to work. Just the thought, as you suggest, makes me more thrilled that I chose to model this prototypical subject as well. Furthermore, the barge model would not have to be too large either. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@modelrailroadadventureswit6347]

Really looking good 👍🏼. Looking forward to your continued progress

[@modelrailroadadventureswit6347]

Oh one other thing. Looks like the link for Fast Tracks in your comments area is the same link used for Google Earth 😄

[@boomerdiorama]

@@modelrailroadadventureswit6347 O.K. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@Christiane069]

I like this layout, simple but efficient.

[@boomerdiorama]

I'm feeling pretty good about it. Probably needs a few tweaks and I'm not settled yet on module "C" yet but it will come. The trick (I think) is to sleep on things some. Think about it, read about it, research a little more about it type thing. Cheers.

[@Christiane069]

@@boomerdiorama Thank you for this interesting reply. By the way, you are one of the few that respond individually to comments. Thanks a lot for that.

[@boomerdiorama]

@@Christiane069 You are welcome. I try to keep the conversation going for the benefit of the community. I learn quite a bit about my subscribers, and myself, when they comment, etc. Cheers.

[@needs2quit1atgmail87]

Oooo this is a good one!!!

[@boomerdiorama]

The Barge slip build should be cool. It's a fantastic subject to model in various ways as well with wood and plastic. Cheers.

[@needs2quit1atgmail87]

@@boomerdiorama just the waterfront scene is going to be wickedly interesting and clever with the rocks and slip and island meeting all in one place.

[@boomerdiorama]

@@needs2quit1atgmail87 Oh yah! . . . plus the river, sandy shore, pilings with birds etc . . . lol. I'm really chompin-at-the-bit for it. Cheers.

[@needs2quit1atgmail87]

@@boomerdiorama and im ready to watch!!!

[@karlhutchings4175]

My apologies if you've mentioned these things in previous videos, but I'm wondering two things; 1) where do the prototype barges go to pick up and drop off, and b) are you considering modeling a (small) barge as a "carrier" to move cars from the barge slip to staging at the other end of the layout? I know there's no practical room for an actual barge on the layout's footprint, but perhaps some form of slide-out shelf or collapsible supports could accommodate plugging a shortened version of a barge/carrier that would carry, say, three car lengths, and with multiple barge tracks that's likely all you'd need for this size layout.

[@boomerdiorama]

Good question! 1): The barge service runs across Howe Sound to Vancouver Island to link up with the Island branch. See this link to the prototype: www.sryraillink.com/about-us/history/ In answer to question b): Yes. All the options you mention, including the "custom" barge are doable and plausible as well. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@LeeK-31]

Yeah, despite the best of efforts to scale them, the plans never seems to be a match when building! I decided this holiday weekend in the states to just move forward after a 6 month pause. Taking that next step from the previous layout, here are the 4 items I had to do differently from the last layout: 1. Blending ballast instead of a solid color (using AZ Rock and Minerals to mix 1:1 CNW Mauve and Yard Mix) to match a midwestern branch line mix. 2. Cut off the junk ties on the ends of the Atlas Customline Code 83’s I salvaged. 3. No ground throws on the layout. 4. No mainline sized cork roadbed. Went with N scale for the main and a thin cabinet liner cork thickness for the yard.

[@boomerdiorama]

Sounds like you have been there before. I am no fan of the those cumbersome ground throws as well. I like to stray from industry standards as well to enhance a lore realistic look. Cheers.

[@derekalexander4030]

I wish they would make the throw of an HO scale ground throw in N scale size.

[@boomerdiorama]

@@derekalexander4030 I agree! That would be nice. Why they have not is beyond me.

[@PeterCPRail8748]

Are you planningon modeling the suspension bridge in any from along module b background. As for planning it is definitely key!

[@boomerdiorama]

It certainly lends itself to a plausible option. The challenge would be having it look appropriate from all angles and perspectives when operating. It would certainly look good when viewed from the head of the barge slip for sure. Cheers ~ Boomer

[@frankhellman6879]

It's moving into the central theme well. There's a nice cable stay bridge there. Too much to model, but will it make it onto the backdrop?

[@boomerdiorama]

It certainly lends itself to a plausible option. The challenge would be having it look appropriate from all angles and perspectives when operating. It would certainly look good when viewed from the head of the barge slip for sure.

[@frankhellman6879]

@@boomerdiorama 3D holographic projection. Looks good from every angle. 😄

[@boomerdiorama]

@@frankhellman6879 I'm open. It's the 21st century . . . lol . . .

[@rayoneill5485]

I always find, no matter how well the planning goes, i always end up tweaking the final track arrangement, do you you not paint the back of your valance white, to help reflect the light?

[@boomerdiorama]

Track plans never go as planned for sure. I thought of painting the rear of the valance. Could do at some point I suppose. Cheers.

[@dancarson1479]

Going to put the Axel Fraser bridge in? Just about to start benchwork, so this series is timely to say the least

[@boomerdiorama]

I was thinking about that very thing. Funny you mention it. It's an idea after looking at the composition of the layout. It certainly lends itself to a plausible option. The challenge would be having it look appropriate from all angles and perspectives when operating. It would certainly look good when viewed from the head of the barge slip for sure. ~ Boomer.

[@ainsleyperry5192]

Boomer, Do the trains arrive and depart all day. Or do they work more to the barges timetable? Some places with barges have a lot of siding's to hold cars for off or onto the barge. A place like this might only release cars from the barge.Then they are moved away down the line first. Now new cars arrive and are set out onto the slipway, before being pushed onto the barge. What would be great would be a tea trolley ( on wheels) and like a large turntable you turn the whole barge 180* degrees. Now you've got a whole different combination of cars to sort. There's a lot of things you could do here. I suspect you might have just scratched the surface. Cheer's Chris Perry.

[@boomerdiorama]

Lot's of options for sure. I believe this barge works on the demand of the Vancouver Island branch. The corporate owner (Washington Corp) who owns the railroad SRY, also owns the Barge facility, Sea-Span, etc., including the Island Branch as well. The commodity demand probably determines the Barge service timetable. Cheers.

[@PeterTillman3]

Looks awesome Boomer

[@boomerdiorama]

I feel good about things so far . . . lol. Cheers.

[@1Nanerz]

I find 99% of track planners don’t leave enough room for turnouts and associated clearance points. You find out real quick when you start building

[@boomerdiorama]

Lol . . . boy do you ever! It doesn't matter how many layouts we build, we always short change ourselves on the fantasy idea, which almost never fits. Without selective compression the whole idea is fail. ~ Boomer.

[@iangerahty3422]

Thinking about the aesthetics and practical engineering of the track crossing the module/section boundaries I thought you might like to look into the ModelTech ProTrack rail aligner www.modeltech.uk/ It was featured on the DCC Guy Larry Puckett’s episode 156 kzbin.info/www/bejne/kH3cYqmujquJd9k Don’t know if there’s a North American distributor but there are several suppliers in UK.

[@boomerdiorama]

Looks like a good system for sure.

[@iangerahty3422]

@@boomerdiorama not sure how well it would handle curved track but there may be work arounds. Didn’t someone say “modelling is about solving problems”❓😃

[@boomerdiorama]

@@iangerahty3422 I solved the issue years ago with copper PC board plate epoxied and screwed in place. You just tack solder the meeting rail on the plates. Cheers.

[@clive594]

Got me thinking masked man ?

[@boomerdiorama]

That is good! Cheers.

[@nicolasfuchs6795]

what scale is

[@boomerdiorama]

This is HO Scale. Cheers.