Clear Lake Timber Company Model Railroad Tour Rev 1

[@EricAlainDufresne]

Great layout. Thank you for posting it!

[@ollelindskog4531]

The Bluepoint switch control is the best I've seen. Never a malfunction and very distinct. I love them. You have a very nice layout.

[@Specter1065]

Absolutely wonderful layout!

[@CarlBrainerd]

Thanks so much for the kind words! I'm so glad it came out halfway decent.

[@marshabradcoe417]

I have never seen a video done in such a concise manner. A crisp explanation of the operation and then a great show of the operation without talking or other interuption. Thankyou...well done.

[@CarlBrainerd]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@davidcaro8217]

Amazing layout! Imagine if Bob Ross had painted your wall scenery...talk about happy trees lol 😏

[@tomz9241]

Thanks for showing us a day in the life of the Clear Lake Timber Co. Amazing layout, scenery and locomotives with log cars.

[@jonnybeck6723]

Just wonderful... and thanx for the close-ups toward the end... cheers

[@philipwoodland9867]

I believe this layout represents model railroading at its finest; It accomplishes what many warehouse-filling layout don't in that it provides in immersive experience. I paused the video at one point and when I came back, it took me a moment to remember that I wasn't looking at a photograph of a woodland railroad. Very well conceived and executed. You created a functional railroad in a small space that is a work of art, and doesn't feel small at all!

[@CarlBrainerd]

Thanks so much for the kind words. I think "functional" is the key. The railroad has an obvious purpose and is able to operate in a realistic way, i.e. to "function". No going in circles around a spaghetti bowl...... I still find it interesting that although the railroad is actually small by any normal measure, the cab ride doesn't seem so small (of course slow speeds help with that). Anyway, I am pleased with the outcome.

[@DubloAirfix]

Wonderful layout. An elegant use of space that conveys expansiveness and a story of the daily work of a timber railway. I have subscribed and I'm looking forward to watching your other videos. Kind regards from Guy (in France)

[@kenmunozatmmrrailroad6853]

What an amazing layout sir! Though I’m an O-gauger that’s gone “whole house” what you’ve done here shows us all what can be accomplished with limited space but unlimited creativity. I tip my hat sir; consider me a subscriber!

[@CarlBrainerd]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@TheSupradude26]

Back in the 80's when I was starting in elementary school my dad built my brother and I a 4 x 8 HO layout that the 3 of us worked on together for several years, and during that time he had a subscription to Model Railroader magazine which is what really got me interested in the hobby. I quickly realized that my two favorite types of layouts were older logging styles with forrests of giant trees that the trains snaked through, big hills they had to tackle and all the associated industry that goes along with the logging railroads. My other favorite was about as opposite as one could get, which was big time mainline layouts. Really long unit trains, 6 modern diesels up front, big yards that can hold 100's of cars with engine facilities that were equally as big. Once old enough I ended up switching to N-scale as I was able to build a layout that allowed me to run the 50 to 60 car trains, and I had a good sized section dedicated to modeling a mountain pass, through the forrests, across tall and long bridges, lots of elevation change etc. I still hope to one day have the space needed to build my final and long awaited version in HO scale, but if limited on space I would still love to model a logging line suck as this amazing layout. If I even had half the skills needed to build something like this I would consider myself lucky. Very well done sir, you are truly a great crafstman!

[@CarlBrainerd]

Thanks so much for the kind words. I, too, decided that tall trees, sharp curves, and steep grades was the look I wanted for my layout, which luckily also was a match for the small space I had available. I tried to do everything the "right" way and not cut too many corners. The small size helped make that possible. May you also achieve your goal/dream some day, whether HO mainline or logging!

[@marcuslee1779]

Terrific logging railroad, Carl! Loved the power, the landscape details, the weathering, the structures, and the op session!

[@sounddio1598]

Awesome model for a tight space.

[@mikeporter2317]

Hi Carl, My wife and I enjoyed your layout tour. The scenic is very detailed. Your layout is proof that I don't have to build a layout the size of the house for it to be practical and realistic. Thanks for sharing.

[@CarlBrainerd]

Hi, Mike. Thanks for your kind words. Of course, the other benefits of a small layout are that you can give good attention to every square inch, and that you can "finish" it in your lifetime!

[@frankkie3849]

Very nice detailed layout, thanks for showing us.

[@stephen5548]

I’m no master modeller but I know superb modelling when I see it. Thanks for sharing.

[@ProfessorTrain743]

What a great layout! Thank you for sharing your miniature world art and modeling with us.

[@paultrains3336]

VERY REALISTIC.... GREAT JOB...👍👍👍

[@garryseidel813]

great steamtrains sets

[@samaipata4756]

Carl, you are a Michael Angelo of model railroader! Thank you for sharing this piece of art with us all!👍🙏🙏🙏🙏🇨🇦

[@MO-ke5yf]

Carl, you gave me nice minutes on a grandiose model train. Your layout belongs in the hall of fame. Greetings from Germany.

[@CarlBrainerd]

Thank you for the kind words. Nice to hear from Germany. I have been there on vacations a number of times- Munich, Heidelberg, Stuttgart area (Geislingen). Also visited Dresden once. Greetings from the USA.....

[@thmasschutrop2197]

you have all done yourself that is an excellent layout

[@randolphgarner8191]

excellent layout and presentation

[@KeanesCove]

Wow that landscape is amazing . Beautiful workmanship

[@paulbottrill8391]

What a fantastic model railroad. The attention to detail, the model buildings and the story of why they are there. Plenty of operational potential. Thank you for sharing such a fine model.

[@keithstewart625]

Great layout Carl! I can see and appreciate the work and skill represented here. Enjoyed the video greatly...thanks..

[@kenjackson8159]

It’s freaking amazing, just wish you made it loop.

[@Fred-yx7fv]

Wow this looks amazing. Very well done. Really love those trees as well

[@CarlBrainerd]

Thanks, Fred. The trees were made from material kits from Coastman's (www.coastmans.com). I think their trees are at the sweet spot on the scale of difficulty versus looks. I'm pleased with the way they turned out.

[@michaelsmodelrailroading7665]

What a superb layout -- wonderfully scenicked, exquisite detail, really nice trackwork. And your motive power is tops, especially the super-smooth low speed operation. Thanks for producing and sharing this great video. It was a real pleasure to watch.

[@tomschmidt3165]

Terrific scenery, craftsmanship and detail. Thanks for posting Carl.

[@tomz9241]

Totally awesome layout.

[@peterrugendyke3004]

Well done and a pleasure to drop by and enjoy the run down the hill - nicely paced and shot video - thank you for sharing.

[@jeffmorris6381]

Beautiful layout Carl. You have done a great job weathering equipment and buildings. I like the simplicity of your layout. I have been considering a similar layout representative of the Maine logging industry. Thank you.

[@leafchewer]

Very nice, I really enjoy the detail. Living in the PNW the amount of branches, ground foam captures the feel of the area. Your track work is very smooth while the engine and cars are moving.

[@stevenlitkey9354]

Beautiful little layout !!! Great job sir 👍👍

[@williamdickman7917]

Love the scenery and all the details....so refreshing to see nice conifers instead of the ubiquitous bottle brush conifers. Your trees look pretty convincing for firs.

[@CarlBrainerd]

Thanks! Those trees were made from a material system (trunks and green stuff) sold by Coastmans.com.

[@johnpandolfino8663]

Simply stunning.......must be very rewarding for you to create something so beautiful ☺️

[@CarlBrainerd]

Thanks for the kind words. Yes, it is rewarding, with a good feeling about how it came out. Not afraid to show it to people! Some of my neighbors have never seen a real model railroad beyond Christmas toys, etc., so they are typically amazed. Carl

[@adirondackcomposer]

wonderfully realistic. :)

[@SleeTheSloth]

Wow! What a wonderful model railroad you have there! Top notch all the way!

[@tk00903]

Well done!!!

[@marka87]

Love this Layout - packed some great detail into the space

[@Luka_rizk]

Wow just wow this is incredible, just learnt about Carl and what he does and it’s mind blowing! Hope you keep the videos coming! Hellos From Canada

[@josephsichting8162]

Thanks for the video and your fine work. Very soothing and inspirational at the same time. I am getting ready to do an N scale logging camp. You may have unknowingly informed me on several points. Manual switching will keep operators involved in the process, simplicity of design will allow money and time placed in most useful areas( engine detail and landscape detail). One of the most realistic layouts I have seen. Thanks again!

[@CarlBrainerd]

Joseph, Thanks! You probably already know this, but I found that two important factors for track planning in the log camp were (1) whether a runaround track was needed (it was for me), and (2) to make sure the loads and empties have a way to be handled so they don't interfere with each other. I put an extra spur in my log camp to make sure I had two tracks to handle loads and empties. Just need to think through the moves that will be needed day to day......

[@TRAVELSOUTHAFRICA777]

Outstanding.

[@SWITCHMASHER]

Beautiful layout, detail is fantastic. Thank you.

[@seanpacificrailroad3700]

Beautiful layout it’s just amazing thank you for sharing 😀

[@CarlBrainerd]

Thanks for the kind words. It's a life-long goal finally realized.

[@rodromano3128]

Carl, beautiful layout - who can resist geared power in the woods! I'd love to hear more about your construction/scenery methods. Thanks for sharing.

[@CarlBrainerd]

Rod, thanks. Did you notice the layout construction slideshow/video on the channel. It might be what you're looking for. The benchwork is a modified L-Girder design. All landforms are stacked and carved extruded styrofoam (this is seen in the slideshow). Scenery is very standard Woodland Scenics ground foam in various colors and textures, with the top layer in the woods using Flock & Turf Scenic Texture from Scenic Express (Green Adirondack Blend, Dark Adirondack Blend, and Dead Fall Forest Debris), all held in place with diluted matte medium in the standard way. The coniferous trees are all made from material sold by Coastmans.

[@rodromano3128]

@@CarlBrainerd Of course, I noticed that afterward, but thanks for the additional info - I just removed a small pike from my spare room and have started an L shaped free standing shelf layout myself - as much as I wanted to do something like what you did I settled for point to point industrial, however, I built the sub structure from extruded foam so I can actually lift it out of the frame allowing me to build different modules - but don't tell my wife! I use CVP as well but have yet to upgrade to wireless, I'm still using the original Booster 3 but have a couple of booster 5's I purchased used from the Greeley Club in Colorado. Anyway, TMI, thanks again.

[@davestrains6816]

This is such amazing layout, really museum quality. Thanks for sharing. Dave

[@leisureshoot]

gorgeous layout! thanks for sharing!

[@jimstrainsandstuff9539]

Very nice layout, the scenery, detail and setting is excellent. Glad to have found your channel. Just love the buildings. Just subbed. cheers from Australia

[@philstrainlayout]

Your layout looks amazing. Great planning and detail.

[@sierravalleyandharborjunction]

vivid colors! nice railroad!!

[@EndlessFilmLimited]

This is quickly becoming on of my favorite layouts on youtube.

[@mattsynth]

Very nice layout, Carl. Great work.

[@Griphook3D]

Absolutely beautiful! Love the trains!

[@aengus1948]

Wow what beautiful craftsmanship !! and great video as well.

[@CarlBrainerd]

Thank you so much for the kind words. Carl

[@154Colin]

Very well done! I like the part of the video which you capture the log train descending to switchback #2 through the trees, gives it a good depth of view.

[@Hvn1957]

Wonderful layout. I have hopes for something similar, set in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. With dairy added of course, because Vermont. I love your structures. I think you’ve hit a perfect balance between weathering and condition. I see too much really good work that loses something by being just too battered. A community that is normally prosperous would not be filled with dilapidated buildings. Yours look weathered and used, but well kept. Very nice.

[@tommcinerney5250]

Hi Carl are those Bachman shays and climaxes if so did you work on the pickups to make them r in be there . Tom. [e-mail]

[@leisureshoot]

Your layout is gorgeous. so much detail and activity in a moderately small space. it seems much, much larger. One thing I think you should consider is phot backdrops for your layout. While your painted backdrops are better than anything I could ever do, technology has caught up with trains, and photo backdrops make layouts looks so much more realistic, now.

[@CarlBrainerd]

Hi, Mike. Thanks for the kind words and comments. I didn't have any experience painting backdrops before this. But after reading a number of magazine articles on the subject (they all said it was easy!), I gave it a try. Since my backdrop is just distant tree lines on ridges and hills, it's relatively simple and it did turn out to be easy. After roughing in the contours of distant hills, it was just flicking the flat paintbrush upwards "on edge" to make each tree so they sorta tapered to a point on top. I used smaller brushes the farther away they were, and larger brushes for closer tree lines. If you had a similar background concept, I'll bet you could do it, too. The hard part was selecting the colors to use on the various distances. That took a little experimentation. I'm satisfied with the way it turned out for a first effort. The way my layout is constructed, it would be very difficult to change the backdrop now. I'd basically need to take the whole thing apart, reversing the way it was built (backdrop first). So, at least for now, I'm OK living with what I've got and busy with other projects.

[@williamshepard1916]

@@CarlBrainerd Painted my trees basically the exact same way. I do oil paintings so only natural to paint my backdrop with oil paint. I have about 30 feet of trees and mountains painted entirely on the walls. Put in curved corners added to the concept of distance. Your layout shows me a lot of things I need to add to mine. Great job!

[@dgar1969]

Loved the switchbacks!

[@yonbear1]

Absolutely fantastic. Well done, and what a layout. I am in the early planning stages of doing an island layout on the same theme in N Scale. I'll be starting construction after I have made room in our garage by downsizing to one car in a few months time.

[@CarlBrainerd]

Andy, thanks for the kind words. A small layout can actually be finished within a lifetime! Best wishes on your construction.

[@uptownphotography]

Very nice video and excellent details on your layout. I enjoyed it a lot. Very nice modeling. I am building a mountain standard gauge RR with many scratch built bridges. I was (and still am) a very big John Allen fan) which kind of set the stage for building a mountain road w/steep grades since I was a young kid seeing his layout in MR and RMC. I am currently trying to find a way to mass produce Evergreen trees in the least amount of time. (I need roughly 500-600 of them I would say. I have made the twisted wire type tress, which look excellent but they take a while. I probably will stick with that method, but always looking for new ideas. Your trees look excellent. I will take a guess and ask if you made them with the furnace filter method. They look really good no matter what method you used! I just wanted to say hi and complement you on a job very well done. You did an excellent job. All the best from the Jersey Shore. Phil

[@CarlBrainerd]

Hi, Phil, and thanks for the kind words. Yeah, who isn't a John Allen fan? With respect to trees, I tried the caspia fern branches glued into a balsa wood trunk on a previous layout. While they looked nice, they took a lot of time. The evergreen trees you see on my layout today were made from a material kit from Coastman Scenic Products. Their stuff is, I think, similar in concept to the furnace filter technique (though I haven't tried it), only using their unique product that is presumably better than furnace filter material. They go together faster than the caspia fern method, but still take a little time. They provide pre-made tapered real cedar trunks plus sheets of the green stuff. You tear the green stuff into the size and shape you need and slip them down on the trunk from the pointy end, then follow up with green foam flocking secured with hair spray. I think the result is good for the amount of effort involved. Naturally, there is some expense involved. I have about 200 trees on my layout, but have forgotten how much they cost. You might check out their website at www.coastmans.com. Regards. Carl

[@uptownphotography]

@@CarlBrainerd Thanks Carl for your reply. I will definitely check your link out as well. I haven't started making my Colorado type evergreen trees yet other than about 10 that I may about 5 years ago as a test. I see some videos where people mass produce the twisted wire type and I guess with some kind of jig (to twist the wire easily as I've seen some people use) it might be doable on a large scale. Your trees look very good so I am interested in checking your link as well. I really like your buildings and how you fit them into the various scenes. I have made many scratch built bridges to scale, (I made about 25 of them...John Allen inspired), but have done very little to making buildings. (Other then some RTV molds I made of old Magnuson kits and cast my own wall sections in resin.) I want to make more wooden type buildings as to me they have a lot more personality. If only there were more hours in the day. It seems there is never enough time to do all the projects one wants to build!. Thanks for your input. I appreciated your response. Phil

[@327365hp]

That was fun! Thanks for sharing your awesome layout Carl!

[@oregonwprrmodeler]

Great scenery and love watching those logging engines. I appreciate how prototypically you run those engines. Nice and slow. Makes your “small” railroad seem much larger. Good job and great video.

[@allenbarnes7202]

Awesome layout

[@jeffmoss5822]

Wonderfull !!! Museum quality modelling at its best.Congratulations.

[@RichardBurrows-u8z]

Again, absolutely a beautiful layout! Im also building a point to point logging layout (also ho scale) named “ Black River Logging” I have scratch built my saw mill and want to scratch build a 2 stall engine house like the one on your layout as my locomotives are a 3 truck Shay and a 2 truck Heisler. I was wondering i f could bother you for at least the dimensions of how far between the tracks center to center and the height of the door. This would give me an idea on how big to build the shed Thank you in advance! If this not possible please disregard my request. Watching your Clear Lake Timber videos has been a huge inspiration for me! Thanks again Dick

[@CarlBrainerd]

Dick, glad to help. My engine house (the main engine house near the sawmill) was a kit from Micro-Scale, so the dimensions were fixed. The track centers are 2" apart, laid to fit the kit dimensions. This worked out fine, but there was little room between the tracks inside the engine house for adding detail. just a narrow strip of detailing stuff. The height of the doors is 2 3/8" above the railhead. One thing to pay attention to is the door width. Mine are 1 3/4" wide (the opening). I found out that the cylinders on my Heisler (Rivarossi) stick out the side so as to make it my widest locomotive. It just barely fits through the doors, so the placement of the engine house had to be very precisely centered on the tracks to avoid contact with those protruding cylinder heads. Since you're scratch building, you have the luxury of adjusting this stuff. You might benefit from an extra quarter inch or so on the door widths. My other engine house, the smaller one in the log camp, was a Master Creations kit. It also was built around 2" track centers. The comments above about door width apply here, too. This particular kit, being smaller, turned out to be not quite long enough for either a 3-truck Shay or a 3-truck Heisler to fit into completely, so they hang out the door. Good idea to double-check the length since you're running a 3-truck Shay. By the way, my Shays are the Bachmann models. They all have suffered driveline gear failures. Right now I am struggling with trying to install a NWSL re-gear kit into one of them as a pathfinder for my other two. It's not an easy swap. Wish me luck!

[@RichardBurrows-u8z]

Carl, Thank you so much for the information it will be extremely helpful. Yes after watching the video at the end when that Heisler pulled into the stall i was saying to myself wow thats close!! I will certainly give the doors a 1/4” extra on the cylinder side. My Shay is a Bachmann Spectrum and the Heisler is a Rivarossi also.i haven’t had any gear issues yet but after seeing your work and detail on the Clear Lake Timber layout I’m sure you’ll have no problem with the gear kit!! Good luck and thank you again!

[@robertsykes3242]

Perfect ! Great job. I am trying to do the same concept in On30. Thank you.

[@LynnVogt-q8p]

Hello Carl, thank you for responding to my earlier question regarding the models on your layout. What kits are the two engine houses on your layout. Thank you Lynn

[@CarlBrainerd]

Lynn, the engine house near the sawmill is from Micro-Scale Models, and the one in the logging camp is from Master Creations. I thought both were pretty neat and just right for the railroad.

[@crcc5282]

Excellent job !

[@crcc5282]

Great realistic detail, I really enjoyed your layout

[@modelrailroadadventureswit6347]

Carl your layout looks great 👍🏼

[@Rbs35405]

Awesome 😊

[@oggarage9388]

Bravo! 👊🤩🤙

[@TinkeringGeek]

Absolutely beautiful, very well done.

[@carstenmoller2248]

When will the emties be put into the loading track? Very nice scenery.

[@CarlBrainerd]

When the train with empties arrives at the log camp, they are dropped off on the runaround track. Then one of two things can happen. One, the road loco runs around the empties, ties onto the loads, pulls them out, and then uses them as a "handle" to grab the empties and then move them over to the loading track, OR, two, the road loco runs around the empties, ties onto the loads, and heads out with them back to the sawmill. Then one of the switchers based at the log camp runs around the empties and pulls them out of the runaround and moves them over to the loading track.

[@JoseAntonio-xc3ju]

Parabéns lindo layout. ..Abraços José Brasil. ....Feliz 2021.

[@LynnVogt-q8p]

Hello Carl, very nice layout, well done. What kit are you using for the sawmill’s office/storage facility at the beginning of the west end? Lynn

[@CarlBrainerd]

That’s Scott Wire & Cable from Precision Lasercraft (hope I got that name right as the box is long gone)

[@n.unclebach9064]

Fantastic work!

[@howardcraig8073]

Amazing! Your layout proves that a small layout can be majestic! Can you share your layout plan?

[@CarlBrainerd]

Howard, there are links to the track plan drawings at the bottom of the video description above. Click on "Show More" and scroll down.

[@milkbones8617]

Hey Carl, I’m a new modeler and was wondering where you got some of your wood “laser cut “ building kits. They are beautiful and I can’t find anything close , thanks!

[@CarlBrainerd]

The manufacturer of the structure kits I used were as follows- Barnhart Loader- Keystone Brewery- Micro-Scale Models Bunkhouses- Master Creations Coaling Tower- JV Models Cushing & Bliss machine shop- Micro-Scale Models Main Engine House- Micro-Scale Models Log Camp Engine House- Master Creations Engine Service (in log camp)- Master Creations Water Stop & Boxcar-Based Shed- Fine Scale Miniatures Log Camp kitchen and loading crane- Suncoast Models Yard Office- Micro-Scale Models Mine- Model Foundry/Builders in Scale Sanding Facility- Model Tech Studios Sawmill- Master Creations Company HQ- Precision Lasercraft Scott Wire & Cable Water Tank- Evergreen Hill Some of these may be out of production. I bought them all years ago. But an internet search or an eBay search might turn up a few of them. Regards, Carl

[@milkbones8617]

@@CarlBrainerd thanks! Just the list I was looking for, your layout is beautiful!

[@michaelallen3424]

Wow! Easily one of the best model railroad videos I've seen. Such beautiful work and methodical from beginning to end, like I try to be but diversions suck me in. Are the buildings kits or all scratch built? I'd like to get some of these if they're kits, perhaps especially the lumber mill and the ending house for starters.

[@CarlBrainerd]

Hi, Michael. Thanks for the kind words. All the structures on the layout are kits. Here's a rundown on most of them- Sawmill- Master Creations. I think it is out of production but probably available on eBay. Company HQ (adjacent to sawmill)- Precision Lasercraft (they called it Scott Wire & Cable) Main Enginehouse- Micro-Scale Models Brewery- Micro-Scale Models Cushing & Bliss- Micro-Scale Models Log Camp Enginehouse- Master Creations Log Camp Water Stop- Fine Scale Miniatures (probably out of production, but try eBay as usual) Coaling Tower- JV Models Mine- Builders in Scale Water Tank- Evergreen Hill

[@simonalexandercritchley439]

Great small layout ,Carl. I like how you run slow and easy.Lots of nice details and scenery. Tell me how you load and unload the logs realistically ? Do you have the cut lumber go out on another track ? Kia ora and greetings from New Zealand.

[@CarlBrainerd]

Simon, greetings to all Kiwis. Of course the actual loading and unloading of logs is done by hand between ops sessions, i.e. "behind the scenes". The logs are glued together in loads of three logs each for easy handling. The modeled operation has a Hyster Log Cruiser dragging the logs down to the loading area in the logging camp where a stationary crane can lift them onto the log cars. At the sawmill, a Barnhart Loader is positioned so it can pull/roll the logs off the side of the cars and down the inclined log dump into the log pond. Cut lumber is loaded into boxcars in the loading shed at the sawmill, and then the loaded cars are routed off the layout via the interchange track. So the sawmill has two tracks serving it- the log dump track and the loading shed track.

[@simonalexandercritchley439]

@@CarlBrainerd Thanks, Carl. Trying to get ideas.One of them is to use a passing track inside the mill,disappears into tunnel comes out at camp,returns around and back into mill (use 2 same locs and cars and rotate) full in, empty reverse out) I am modeling Bavaria so no log pond.Steam for short runs and around mills,articulated electric locs for the steep grades(5-7.5%)may have a section of rack.

[@CarlBrainerd]

@@simonalexandercritchley439 Sounds like the classic "loads-in/empties-out" scheme. I would think that could work out fine. Love Bavaria. Beautiful. Been to Munich, King Ludwig's castles, Garmisch, Chiemsee, etc.

[@simonalexandercritchley439]

@@CarlBrainerd Have alook at "logging along the mountainside"1936

[@CarlBrainerd]

@@simonalexandercritchley439 That's interesting, and looks very dangerous. I especially liked the guy sliding down that toboggan run with 1000 lb of logs right behind him while calmly smoking his pipe. Had not seen that technique before.

[@allipson5841]

You mentioned the brand of the building kits you used, but I didn't catch it. Sounded like "MicroSkillKits"...is that correct ? Can't seem to find it. Thanks.

[@CarlBrainerd]

The structures are all kit-built. They came from various manufacturers. The primary ones were Micro-Scale Models and Master Creations for all the "large" buildings, i.e. the sawmill, engine houses, and industries.. Others were JV Models, Precision Lasercraft, Evergreen Hill, plus one from Fine Scale Miniatures.

[@phantomj7921]

Amazing! How do you like those Bachmann Shays?

[@CarlBrainerd]

They look great. I have three of them. Every one of them has problems with the gears. I haven't looked closely at all of them, but I believe a couple have issues with the drive gears slipping on the shafts. This results in only a couple of axles actually being powered. As a result they won't even pull themselves up a grade, let alone a string of cars. Due to that they are relegated to switcher duty. I have one of the NWSL regear sets but have not yet installed it. That's on my list of things to do some day. I also run a couple of Bachmann 2-truck Climaxes, and they run fine. Their only problem is that the very short drive shaft to the front truck limits the amount the truck can swivel on curves. I have one spot where the track curvature must be a little tight, and they sometimes derail there. Going slow usually avoids the derailment.

[@MarkInLA]

Point to point MRRing is the only way to go !! Keeps you on your toe !!

[@steveangelini5297]

Hello Carl, I, too, have limited space for a layout and was thinking of a shelf "scene" but your L shape might just work. Could you post a track plan please? Thanks.

[@CarlBrainerd]

Hi, Steve. Sure. Here are links to the track plan. The first one is the original pencil concept sketch, and the second one is the last scale drawing I had before starting construction. The curves are a little hard to see (done in pencil), but the sketch shows where they are if you can't make them out. Turnouts are #6 because I like the look of them better than #4. Of course, #4 could be used, which would probably result in the runaround tracks and maybe the switchback tail track being a little longer. Curve radius is 18" in all cases. Some of the building placements got changed during construction but the the track design is pretty much as shown. Good luck with your planning! 1drv.ms/b/s!Amh3E1S2P_vCgapGLfzt55n15uf65w?e=h5SrfZ 1drv.ms/u/s!Amh3E1S2P_vCgao_5vEfXw1ltDUNdg?e=a7DEqT The "L" shape worked well for me in my spare bedroom. It left the wall where the closet and entry door are located untouched, and left one other wall open for my workbench and some storage. Hopefully the "L" shape could be moved in the future and work in almost any other small room should the need arise (I hope!). The 9' length left a little open space at the ends of the layout for contingencies.

[@steveangelini5297]

@@CarlBrainerd Thank you, Carl, for your thoughtful reply. I especially appreciated seeing your original track plan pencil sketch. Now I see the sickle shaped nature of your switchbacks. Three in all? Very clever. I just came upon your "Construction" video. I will be referring to your methods frequently. I have so many questions but one especially. You have employed a turnout switch that is controlled by a knob which led me to think the actuation was mechanical but then in "Construction" I think you show electric motors that operate the switches. I like the mechanical method that would avoid all the wiring and wouldn't be a handful on a small layout. I'm not an electrician. It wouldn't bother me if my railroad could not be run as long as I had quality "scenes". I love the logging, early nineteen hundreds, theme. Did you consider HOn3 narrow gauge? I am fortunate to have lived as a boy when steam was alive.

[@CarlBrainerd]

@@steveangelini5297 Steve, the turnout controllers on this layout were Bluepoint mechanisms from the start. I have a separate short video about them on the channel. So, yes they are mechanical and there's no electrical power involved. There's still a little bit of wiring, though, so the turnout frogs can be powered via the built-in switch the Bluepoint mechanisms have. The Bluepoint controllers are designed to work with actuation via push-pull tubes connected to knobs on the fascia. I initially installed them that way but later switched to more direct actuation using dowel rods, which I think worked out better, especially where the turnout is very close to the fascia and knob location. I knew that a railroad like this probably should be narrow gauge, but I choose to go with standard gauge so I could re-use some existing rolling stock that I already had, including locomotives. I also have a Northwest Short Line standard-gauge 2-6-6-2T brass locomotive I hope to put into service one of these days (big investment!). It is waiting for me to get enough nerve to open it up and install a DCC sound decoder. Future project.....

[@steveangelini5297]

Well, I looked up the Blue Point switches and they are indeed mechanical or manual but they do have a wire connection to a DPDT switch for delivering power to the switch rails. There's so much to learn.

[@theangelsmodellingandrailways]

Carl, I'm catching up on your content, I do love this track plan and double switchback set-up, very interesting. Was wondering how you work your points/switches? I see you work with rod and dowel, I assume, but how does it work at the angle? Always thought these were done on a flat plane. Great content, you deserve far more subscribers for sure. Brian @ The Angels

[@CarlBrainerd]

Brian, the turnouts all have Blue Point manual controllers. They seem to be a well-designed product, originally intended to be actuated using a flexible tube and push-pull rod going through it. Due to space constraints I found some of the push-pull tubes had to be bent around in a semi-circle, which causes some friction. Then it occurred to me that a better way would be to simply connect a dowel rod with a knob on the end directly to the Blue Point throw rod and do away with the push-pull tubing. This has worked out well. It gives a nice direct zero-friction connection. A little bit of sideways angle does not seem to hinder the mechanism. Same for vertical angles (within reason). In my layout construction video/slideshow the turnout controllers can be seen at 14:36 and 16:40. I hope that answers your question. Carl

[@theangelsmodellingandrailways]

@@CarlBrainerd thank you kindly for your reply and explanation, will check out that upload, I'm very interested in this technique. All the best.

[@johnlichtenstein6158]

I love this! How steep are the grades?

[@CarlBrainerd]

I don't know exactly, but I think they max out in the 4-5% range. Steep enough that an 0-6-0 switcher without traction tires has a hard time pulling 3-4 all-metal Kadee log cars cars up the grade and also around an 18" radius curve at the same time (wheel slippage). No problem with the geared logging locos with 4 or 6 powered axles. But I never actually computed or measured the grades. I used the "that looks about right" technique..... Carl

[@bradandonian626]

What is the maximum grade your have instituted?

[@CarlBrainerd]

I haven't measured or computed precisely, but I think it about 5%. Seems appropriate for a logging line.

[@rocco7755]

Wow!!

[@billbeverly2864]

who makes those log cars?

[@CarlBrainerd]

Bill, the log cars are from Kadee. They make three kinds- skeleton, truss, and disconnected. They are all-metal kits that require a fair amount of assembly and some filing to make sure the wheels clear the frame on curves. But they make up into good-looking cars with full underbody detail. I see Kadee advertising them at around $40 for the truss car and around $33 for the skeleton car. Probably cheaper on eBay. Since everything is metal you have to be real careful with the wheels and trucks to avoid short circuits between cars if the wheels/trucks have electrical connectivity to the frame.

[@joesask857]

nice

[@TXbeats62]

Love this. Inspiring since I'm starting out. Where did you get those saw mill and hQ buildings?

[@CarlBrainerd]

The sawmill is from Master Creations. I think it may be out of production now, but sometimes shows up on eBay. The "HQ" building is from Precision Lasercraft. They called it Scott Wire & Cable.

[@TXbeats62]

@@CarlBrainerd thank you kindly good sir.

[@pacificnorthcentralmrr]

What’s your maximum grade on your layout? Looks beautiful!!

[@CarlBrainerd]

I didn't measure or compute it exactly, but I'm guessing it is around 5%. I have an 0-6-0 switcher without traction tires that will only pull one or two cars up the grade. The geared logging locomotives don't have any trouble with the grade since my trains are only 3-4 cars long, limited by the length of the switchback tail tracks and the runarounds.

[@pacificnorthcentralmrr]

Thank you Carl for taking the time to respond it’s greatly appreciated!! once again beautiful layout please keep the videos coming your layout is truly an inspiration!! I can’t wait to get mine going and start hand laying my track

[@cbrail3006]

Hi sorry I’m not on my main KZbin account but I was wondering would you mind if I made this Route in a game called Trainz railroad simulator 2019/TRS19 because I would love to honor your layout if so plz comment back and we can get in touch

[@randysrockandrollrailroad8207]

😎

[@DennisOates-m9d]

Can't see no Y to turn engines

[@CarlBrainerd]

You're right, there isn't one. With the space I was building in, there just wasn't room for either a wye or a turntable, either. It's a very linear railroad. Yep, the locomotives always face the same way, sometimes running in reverse. But with switchbacks, that would happen anyway, even if turning facilities were available. So I don't miss the turning capability.

[@larrybaughman618]

🤠👋🚂🗯

[@cmf1965]

S-U-P-E-R-B! :)