Will My Dream Railroad Fit The Space? | River Road Vlog # 12

[@poowang3838]

Awesome video. Thank you for taking the time. I feel like you really illuminated the compression concept. I have heard the term used many times over the years, but couldn’t really put it all together as a strategy/view. I feel like I can take this and apply it to my new L shape layout (12x9). Essentially a depot, substation, and an apple warehouse.

[@boomerdiorama]

If you only knew how thankful I am to hear that. Thanks for sharing it. The whole purpose of this particular episode was to de-mystify the term and show that anyone can grasp it and apply it if they really want to. It's a myth to assume composition and ratio is some "black art" reserved for elitist's, or the so-called "gifted." Other wise, why teach it? If you have desire and the will, you can achieve anything you want. I only want others to benefit from what I have been taught by those who came before me. I want to pay it forward so others can share in the same creative process they taught me, which by the way, is so easily ignored or neglected. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@tomoconnell4235]

This is definitely a home run hit video. Your explanation and pictures show what and how compression works. So much easier with your examples then it was to read in the Model magazines over the past years. I really appreciate the efforts you put into this video

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you Tom. I am happy to hear you benefitted from it. That was the intention. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@MotownModels]

Warren, I don't watch your channel for a month or two, then I come back to a whole new railroad under construction. Really amazing stuff. Love to see how quickly and methodically you work. Thanks for making these videos!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank You Tom. I hope all is well with you and family. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@ianisaacs2340]

Wow I was impressed with Glover Road... RIVER ROAD IS ON A WHOLE NEW LEVEL!!! I can’t believe all that goes into creating a masterpiece like this, this is why you are the master! 🙏

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank You! It's sure is fun! Planning is cool as well. Cheers.

[@generalsb6332]

Ok 2 things.... first, I really enjoy what you’re doing. I’m not aware of any other modeler that takes you through the whole design process. The whole thought process, thinking through the logistics of available space and what makes sense and what fits and the visual effect of the components. You really explained it well and gave others a really good lesson that is relevant to anybody building a layout. Let’s face it... our visualization of space for modeling often is like eating a good meal. Our eyes are bigger than our stomach. Same applies to constructing or designing our layouts.. Second... your video clip of the 3 unit lash up pulling a single boxcar reminded me of the last days of the Milwaukee Road when years of deferred maintenance resulted in putting massive amounts of head end power on a train with the hopes that if several of the units failed on the road, they still had enough horsepower to get to the destination. Thanks again for the lesson.

[@boomerdiorama]

Wow! O.K. I appreciate your thoughtful treatise there. I think your analysis of the short line with extra units makes sense. Especially when short lines focus on service and reliability. SRY has a very interesting history. They are a very classy railroad as well: www.sryraillink.com/about-us/history/ Cheers.

[@bnrailfannz8262]

Hello Boomer.... I'm back :-) wild horses couldn't drag me away.. So each new vlog is watched in the lounge( here) on a big screen TV. I sit back in the sofa ,get comfy,relax & watch. With sheer delight. And a smile. And think WoW! Every vlog...WoW! That's it. Tell next time. And thankyou.

[@boomerdiorama]

Wow! . . . I never thought I would make the big screen. It feels like those horses trampled me down the last few weeks during the heat wave . . . lol. Anyway . . . I'm getting my momentum back now and things are looking good and going well. Cheers

[@tedkowalik2934]

Again, another well thought out video. You verbalize your thoughts extremely well. I watch, listen and realize that I too have applied your technics when designing and building various projects. LOL Go figure. Thanks again for sharing and inspiring us all.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank You Ted. I think through practice we end up doing what I describe without even realizing it. Trying to describe the creative phenomena is difficult at best. Cheers.

[@hoseman8001]

It is so interesting.... keep up the work. I really enjoy this series of vids. It has inspired me to break out my trains stuff that I have pack away since 1993 when I moved to Pennsylvania from New York. I still work in NY as a tradesman. Putting in so many hours so I will be retiring next year in the fall so I'm planning now for a layout to do in a modules. I do n scale but I think I have 2 switchers in ho scale. Maybe I will bulid a self ho switching layout. Thanks for putting your inspiration on KZbin, like I said before I really enjoy the simplicity and you put a fire back in me with this hobby which I thought I lost. Thx Jose

[@boomerdiorama]

That's good to hear and thank you for the encouraging words as well. I think HO is the perfect scale for this type of switching layout. Having said that, N scale has it's advantages as well. Cheers.

[@harperlarry49]

I love the new locomotive. Painting and detailing this loco will be an interesting video. I really like your planning methods. This is something I wish I had the patience for. Well done. Cheers - Larry.

[@boomerdiorama]

Those Proto 2000 locos are nice when you find them. Cheers.

[@billkrueger7549]

Thanks for reminding me of the things I do and don't think about, but better the things I haven't done and can add to my skill set .. thanks.

[@boomerdiorama]

Glad to hear it has you thinking about it Bill. Cheers.

[@billkrueger7549]

@@boomerdiorama Older (60)construction Forman, once told me if you have a day when you don't learn something new; you need to brush the roots out of your eyes. Amen, have fun and stay cool.

[@huliediggs20]

Obi Wan!!! Continue to inspire and teach us!

[@boomerdiorama]

Lol . . . how are Hulie? . . . I presume all is well. Cheers.

[@huliediggs20]

@@boomerdiorama Boomer, how is everything North of the Border?

[@boomerdiorama]

@@huliediggs20 Good, if you mean the weather . . . lol.

[@Vman7757]

Thanks for sharing. Ratio Factor when I balance the compressed scene. It that what I've been do all those years for others. Thank you for sharing. I learned something.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thanks for sharing Vincent. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@thomplacier677]

Thought provoking as usual. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on everything that needs to be considered. Stay safe!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank You Thom. I mean one doesn't have to go through this exercise but I do. It 's the way I approach things. I don't like to waste opportunities, so I try to exploit them as much as I can with a proven process. Cheers.

[@mimodelrailroading]

This is fantastic, thank you for explaining this. Between your bench work videos on River Road and now this on composition, I almost want to start over everything I have already done. :) As far as the Proto 2000s, I run them pretty much exclusively now. Absolutely wonderful locomotives.

[@boomerdiorama]

Awesome, thank you! Yes, they are. I was going to wait for a Rapido copy but this Proto came along and I couldn't resist. I picked it up at an "Estate" sale on the "Otter Valley Railroad" site under their "Estate Sale" section here: www.ovrtrains.com/Estate/

[@Crookedriverandeasternrr]

Wow so much I never thought about. This will be fun to watch.

[@boomerdiorama]

It is also fun to do it this way. The anticipation of actual operations, etc. is the additional reward. Planning a model railroad is just as important as the prototype. Cheers.

[@Justfor1day]

Great lesson on ratio and composition...the SRY is a cool railroad and i am convinced you will have a show piece when done...

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank You Michael, I appreciate that. I'm quite passionate about the railroad because when it was BC Hydro Rail I played around the yard/shops @ (Kitsilano) as a kid. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Nice update today

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank You! Cheers.

[@Mercatoyd]

This is going to be really awesome. Looking back on how I planned my shelf layout I did not consider these factors as much as I should have. My initial step was how far can I comfortable reach at the height I chose to be at. Then the commodities I wanted. Then the placement of those industries and avoiding a spaghetti bowl of track to get to them. It's all free lance as the motive power is not my favorite prototype. At the end of the day I settled for just being able to run trains.. We shall see if I end up with long term satisfaction. Great video once again. Keep it coming. You share a wealth of knowledge. Thank you. Tom

[@boomerdiorama]

You point out an important consumerist philosophy pertaining to model railroading, in how we often go about things the wrong way and then subsequently lose interest as fast as we started. This happens all the time with most people. There is no history or plan to substantiate the railroad we attempt to build. After we shunt a few of our favorite cars around we often subsequently loose interest. Then we tear it down and repeat the same redundant exercise all over again in another scale, etc, hoping things will change but they don't. There is a method to the whole exercise for good reason in order to maintain long term interest. Cheers.

[@tugger8242]

I feel you on this.

[@boomerdiorama]

@@tugger8242 That's cool because I am happy to share it. Thank You ~ Boomer.

[@blocksmithforge7841]

Those Proto2000 engines are outstanding and the price is crazy good for what you get. If you look hard enough you can find them in some really cool livery that you can't really find anymore too. I just got a Proto2000 SD9 in (DM&IR) Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range colors which is this gorgeous burgundy with a light yellow stripe.

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes! . . . they certainly are! Most of the younger generation are indioctrinated by Athearn Genesis . . . which is a good, thing I suppose, for those of us who know a good thing when we see one. Cheers.

[@dryheat6907]

Thank you for the great videos--they are both instructive and inspiring at the same time. I "found" your channel late in the Glover Road series, started subscribing immediately, and worked my way backward to catch up, unfortunately just in time to see Glover Road come apart. But I'm really learning from each of these River Road videos and look forward to each. After retirement, and decades of "armchair" railroading, I'm finally starting on my own layout, but definitely using the "crawl, walk, run" approach. I'm crawling now, practicing weathering and scenery techniques and I hope to transition to a yard-type format shelf switching layout soon, perhaps a 3' x 8' module. Glover Road set the benchmark for me (details, details, details) and I expect River Road will do the same. Someday, when the space is finally available, my hope is to make that shelf "yard" the centerpiece of a larger layout where trains actually get to go somewhere! So everything you do is a huge help and gives me a great deal to think about--and in time practice. One request if possible: it may not fit your plan for the River Road series of videos, but I for one would really like you to include more tutorials as you go, particularly as you lay your track and turnouts, and do trackside scenery and details around them. I think that one curved siding you mention close to the edge of Module B, you termed it possibly "raunchy" and grown in, maybe with code 50 rail, could be an outstanding subject for a series, much like your blackberry bush tutorials but in more chapters. Also, your painting and configuring that new undecorated SW9/1200 loco, even adding in and setting up the ESU Loksound decoder, could be another great tutorial series. I know how-to videos, where you really demonstrate techniques, are a bit more difficult to put together, but your skills are an inspiration for so many of us, so please consider doing so. No matter what, thank you again for your efforts in putting these videos out!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you for all your thoughtful comments and heart felt appreciations. I do plan to cover things as comprehensively as I can on this project like the subjects you mention. Therefore, thank you for bringing them up. I will do the best I can in the content style I tend to lean into. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@ianisaacs2340]

I love the SW9!!! I’ve been hoping you would build one.

[@boomerdiorama]

I always had one on the back of my mind to flesh out the SRY roster. I just had to be patient and wait for the opportunity, and it happened which always feels good when it does. Cheers.

[@ianisaacs2340]

@@boomerdiorama how many locomotives to intend on modeling if I may?

[@boomerdiorama]

@@ianisaacs2340 I'm not sure really . . . lol. You know how it is right? Cheers.

[@ianisaacs2340]

@@boomerdiorama I have to remind myself that I need build my railroad before building the roster... I have 2 custom SD9’s ordered, 1 NW2 ordered, and 2 SD7 shells...

[@mikeburton8687]

This was an awesome video never thought of "ratio" when building a layout but this has given me food for thought in planning my layout. It'll be in a 10x11 bedroom in HO and I'm looking at bench width and aisle width. I have a couple of plans drawn out but will be looking at them through the view of "ratio" now. Thanks!!

[@boomerdiorama]

Glad it was helpful! It's always a good thing to plan, sleep on it, and plan again. Be willing to revise things before you lay track, etc. Save the details for last. Research more and immerse yourself into a prototype railroad and build a model railroad around the idea. You will appreciate it more this way and actually enjoy the operations, etc. Cheers.

[@PostmoderneModelWorks]

I used almost the exact same words on building interest by moving the eye around the scene when I’d teach composition

[@boomerdiorama]

Composition is a key component in model railroad design or any diorama as well. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@frankhellman6879]

If model railroaders could afford the space of their dreams, there would be a lot more airport hanger / warehouse buildings around.

[@boomerdiorama]

I wouldn't want to be the track cleaner though. I know people with big layouts and they always say, "come over some other time, I need to clean the track," . . . lol.

[@joelvale3887]

It is your layout you can do what ever you like, that's my opinion.

[@boomerdiorama]

Ultimately, yes it is. Cheers.

[@danielfantino1714]

At walking distance is an interesting industrial diamond with building following track curvature. If you go on 464 Fraser a well manicured grass with trees and bushes follow track betwen buildings. Quite different from udual trash zone. 464 have interesting roof repairs done while old sections are disappearing under moss. So much to see in a little space. Shelf is a good way to avoid space loss in the room, but make it harder with perpendicular tracks. We can fake them with false hidden, but mostly we end up parallel to wall. The smaller the scale the most options there is. Cherrs.

[@boomerdiorama]

O.K . . . Cheers.

[@worldhistoryminiatureshous9757]

Interesting video . Like it

[@boomerdiorama]

Glad you liked it! Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@theangelsmodellingandrailways]

Nice looking loco addition to River Road, will you do a 'how to?' with any of the work you do to it?. Ratios and compression, you make some really interesting points Boomer, I do enjoy the nuts and bolts of it all. Take care and all the best. Brian @ The Angels

[@boomerdiorama]

The SW9 is a nice little addition. It's also an integral locomotive as well since they have half a dozen of them on the roster. Yes, I will do a "kit-bash" tutorial on the conversion as well down the road for sure. Cheers.

[@MRR_Shadowolf]

Outstanding video, thank you for sharing you knowledge! Off the wall question from a prior video, what length braided hose do you use? I never heard your compressor in prior videos. I'm getting the silent one from Makito.

[@boomerdiorama]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidbarrett8451]

A tug boat would create some awesome visual interest, and added dimension as well… you have an example just past 15min in your vlog. Also, based on the trucks used, what is the max rated speed of the SW900?

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes. A tug boat would be awesome and I am considering (a scratch-build) of one as well. I have some generous experience building ships and boats as well. As to the "Dofasco" GM-style trucks I have a set which fits this model. I am not sure of the max rated speed of the SW900RS to be honest, but I do know they use them as "road" switchers. Cheers ~ Boomer

[@forbeshutton5487]

A diorama is 3 dimensional, add the motion of the train and your into a 4th, sound is a 5th dimension.

[@boomerdiorama]

The genre is very unique indeed. Cheers.

[@iangerahty3422]

Add smells for a sixth dimension. The smell of the river, diesel fumes, cut grass, pine trees, smoke etc. Remember when smell-o-vision was going to be the next big thing in movies? It got some traction in Japan if memory serves.

[@boomerdiorama]

@@iangerahty3422 Lol . . . right now this room smells like fresh cut lumber. I kind of like it. However, I can't wait until it smells like paint. Cheers.

[@brian5606]

They always say, sleep on it, it'll eventually roll though your head on how this small space problem should unfold. Go down to the hobby shop or go to some forms and talk about your new SW900 in a since clear your head of this thing that's got you tied up. In a few days things will start to visualize. My blast furnace with its buddy the blower house with huge amounts of electric cables and huge I mean larger than life air pipes, hot & cold some with flammable gases are all above the rails tucked up against the blast furnaces and down the way of the layout going to other buildings to supply air gas ect;. I've moved in my head just where the best placing of blower house, electric power generator and blast furnace should go all because I'm building it as a shadow box layout using selective compression as you've accomplished with your Glover Road diorama. My problem exists because the blast furnace needs visited on both sides and turning it 90° just won't work. It's taken a few weeks but I finally figured it out when I seen a certain photo that bought it all together. Your fine, just let it ride and things will come to you, after all, you always can change it down the road, which I'm aware that's what your trying to avoid. Is it still 120° up there, the weather is finally starting to act like it's supposed to here . . . Brian

[@boomerdiorama]

For sure. Sleeping on it helps. The heat is finally abating here as well. It really killed my momentum for a couple of weeks but I am coming back into form now. Cheers.

[@randysrockandrollrailroad8207]

😊

[@boomerdiorama]

Cheers to you Randy! ~ Boomer.

[@nicokremers7150]

Is the code 70 prototypical? (On my very small Dutch layout I have used PECO code 60 on PCB sleepers)

[@boomerdiorama]

Code 70 is closer to the prototype (in this case) than Code 83. It always looks better with a lower profile in my experience. At the end of the day, track is a model as well. Cheers.

[@nicokremers7150]

@@boomerdiorama Hello Boomer. Yes I agree. For me, track is the most important component of the railway model.

[@thomasboese3793]

Look at it this way, code 70 rail is .070" tall. In HO scale .07" is 6.096". Code 83 would be 7.228" and code 100 would be 8.709". Depending on what part of the railroad/kind of railroad you are modeling all are prototypical. For a bonus, code 55 at 4.789" would be a light rail and could be used in old spurs and yards.

[@boomerdiorama]

@@thomasboese3793 Sounds good! Thank you for sharing those specs. I find Code 70 just looks better for short lines. Cheers!

[@Christiane069]

Ratios are important, so is the Golden ratio, which of course can't really be applied in model railroad. Lets not forget about the KISS principle either.

[@boomerdiorama]

Sorry friend, I have to respectfully disagree with you on that one. Yes, the Golden ratio can be applied in model railroading if composition is the fundamental rule. The "Golden Rule" at the end of the day is just a modern pedantic (mathematical) description of applied composition in the practical, to any art object whether it is dynamic or static. A good example would be to rotate a classical sculpture on a "Lazy-Susan." - it won't loose it's composure regardless of what angle you view it from. This is what I am describing. In fact, most classical artists never could articulate the "Golden Rule" but they instinctively applied it anyway. Many called this the "gift'." Most artist's don't care about the mathematical ratio when they learn to apply the composition rule naturally. This is proven by all the masters from the classical era through overwhelming peer reviews. Cheers.~ Boomer.

[@Christiane069]

I entirely undestand and agree with you. My point is more for most people who do not have any knowledge of art. Witch is why I like your processes. I was lucky that my father was an artist (Painter, mostly), and grew up in Paris from the mid 50s to the mid 70s until a came to California. "ya, I am not 20 anymore." I went to ALL museums and most private galleries with him or by myself. Anyway, good to have this discussion with you, hopefully some people can pick-up something for themself.@@boomerdiorama

[@boomerdiorama]

@@Christiane069 That's cool. Growing up in Paris . . . jeesh . . . very nice. Composition is taken for granted for those who understand it and have the gift to apply it in almost everything they do. After years and years of practice it becomes second nature for some. Some call it a gift but I think it is something that can be taught. On the other hand, it is very difficult to grasp if one does not understand some of the theory behind the practical application. Model railroads are no different to me than a 2D or 3D sculpture. I see it in the same way. Regrettably, I have sold every piece I ever painted and or built, so there must have been a reason for it, other than just color application. All I am trying to do is share my experience so others can benefit from it. I don't see anyone else teaching this. Do you? . . . Just curious. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@Christiane069]

As far as I know you may be the only one in that respect. However, there are many model railroaders that have beautiful set-ups from witch to learn. I also like BC Rail as a Canadian railroad.

[@boomerdiorama]

@@Christiane069 BC Rail has a spot in my life and model railroad interest as well. I grew up working, fishing and camping along the BCR Squamish sub most of my life. It was a great railroad now owned by CN. My last trip on it was in an RDC with my wife. Before that, every summer we used ride the Royal Hudson from North Van to Squamish. Great memories with that railroad for sure. Cheers.

[@tas7997]

With my Port of LA modulars I really have to compress! No way can I fit the whole Port. Only modeling a very small part of it.

[@boomerdiorama]

It's always a bit of a "wake-up" call when we imagineer our railroads, in the theater of our minds, and then quickly realize it does not fit the way we envisioned it. Cheers.

[@tas7997]

Yes big time! ☕🍻👍

[@troyb1733]

Boomer where do you buy your toys from? Especially that SW9/1200??cheers

[@boomerdiorama]

I buy most of my "goodies" from here: Very competitive pricing, and shipping second to none: www.ovrtrains.com/home.php

[@thecnwmondovilinepaulscota7304]

I have a few boxes of Proto 2000 / Atlas Classic / and Bachmann Spectrum locomotives from about 25 years ago. C&NW, M&StL, and SOO Line. I also have 2 dozen brass steam locos. The trick is going to be deciding which locos work best on my shelf layout. I'm partial to ALCO RS1s and maybe a few SW9s or other small switchers. I'll need to join a club to run the big locos... Thanks again for another great video!

[@boomerdiorama]

It sounds like you have a fun problem there. I think we all end up with more locos than we need at some point. Part of the fun is collecting them as well and then building a railroad around them. Cheers.

[@davidbarrett8451]

@@boomerdiorama in my case, FINDING appropriate locomotives is the challenge! I’m modeling a very unique N scale concept that involves 1st gen SP diesel locomotives. So, finding Alco and early EMD engines is tough. The kids grab F7s, don’t understand the difference to an F3, etc. I’d love to find a SP 415 as one example. Maybe 3D machining? Keep up the wonderful storytelling!

[@boomerdiorama]

@@davidbarrett8451 Well you could 3D print one if you desire one as well.

[@lepetitnabot]

ME Code 70 -- accept no substitutes.

[@boomerdiorama]

I like Code 50 as well with wooden ties in some cases . . . lol. Cheers.

[@DENVERRIOGRANDEMAN21]

I rather do micro layout

[@boomerdiorama]

Micro layouts are very cool indeed! But then the imagination expands exponentially (beyond the micro) as well, and we can still run out of space. This is the conundrum we all face. Cheers.