How I Operate Small Switching Layouts: Tulsa Spur Part 21

In this video, I show how I set up operations on my small switching layouts, including making car cards, building car-card racks, and running through a short operating session.
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[@TheGrover1968]

I discovered your channel while watching Roy Smith's Dispatch 39. I'm excited to finally find someone in North America that has built a small switching layout like I hope to.

[@sampleexamplemusic]

i'm receiving my first set of track in 15 years tomorrow for a basic loop, i'm definitely going to make myself a switching layout. this is a zen garden for fans of modern tech and engineering. :)

[@Shane-Singleton]

Getting back into the hobby, myself, For me it's been,,, (counts on fingers) Jeeze.... almost 30 years.. I did a little bit of collecting some bits and pieces about 3-4 years ago but never had a serious layout. Seeing what Steve has put together here has really inspired me to construct something similar as I have very limited space to work with. I May even go so far as to do it in N scale rather than HO for the space savings.

[@jasonminier6782]

Your hand writing should be a font.

[@weekendrailfan5843]

Hey Steve, I'm a big fan of the layout. I am wondering what the wiring for your layout looks like, do you have any videos up? Thanks in advance.

[@StevesTrains]

You can see how I wired things in this video: Tulsa Spur Part 5: Laying Track! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJqQhIt_mrqeitk

[@weekendrailfan5843]

@@StevesTrains Thanks!

[@recoveryelevator717]

This guy is the man!! Love it so much.

[@Mercatoyd]

Steve, I like how you sort of made a little switching puzzle without a lot of verbiage to follow to get it done. Nice simple idea. Thank you for sharing.

[@ronnewman8364]

Hi steve. I would like to ask you about working with N gauge and the Kato products. I never worked with any Kato products. Thanks for the videos.. I was into HO

[@StevesTrains]

More than half my videos are N scale with Kato unitrack. I love it for my small portable layouts because it could survive most nuclear warfare scenarios. It doesn’t look as realistic as doing regular flex track and such but it is super durable and easy to work with.

[@thetwogardens6048]

I am a subscriber to your channel and know nothing about whats going on here ? hahaha

[@MMRails]

Great idea. This may sound silly, but how did you take the photos of your stock? I get shadows. -Mark

[@StevesTrains]

Yeah that part is tricky. I had a light shining in from each side. Taking them in front of a window without direct sunlight can work too.

[@righteyeblink8996]

If you have time, would love an N scale Switching puzzle layout. Side by side for comparison. Same numbers of tracks, wagons and train (Just in N) 🚂🚂✔

[@StevesTrains]

I plan to do eventually build a switching layout in N scale as well, but probably not the exact same layout. Probably 15” by 48” or something like that.

[@righteyeblink8996]

@@StevesTrains Thank you 😀

[@stephenrichard5191]

On the GMTX switcher is a MP1500? If so what number? My reason for asking is the real GMTX mp1500 numbers 205 and 206 are both well known to myself as they were once KCNW #1 and #2 which was a short line mine railroad that closed in the early 90s. Both engines left for ARR 1553 1554 once sold by ARR they did a refit in Washington state to become GTMX 205 206 my father worked track and train car repair for the mine that KCNW 1 and 2 ran on. And I went with him once over Christmas shutdown break to do a start and warm up of them.

[@StevesTrains]

Mine is #83

[@Thomas1980]

very nice Video! I like it!

[@TheBossJohn]

I'm a new sub, and was sent over by Roy Smith. When I get time, I will start at the beginning and will look forward to watching all your videos. Regards, John

[@righteyeblink8996]

Really a good series this one. This DIY presentation/filming style, its like the The New Yankee Workshop w/Norm Abram ✔👍👍✨🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂

[@StevesTrains]

Man, I wish I had Norm’s tools and a workshop space like that.

[@saravalente9418]

BELLO

[@Jstroman221]

Such a great video of simple operations that I can perform on my small layout. I saw the first video were the cards were printed (great idea) but the individual bays and seeing it live made me realize how accessible it is. I've only found a handful of videos on KZbin on small operations but this series is the best imo. Thanks keep them coming!

[@StevesTrains]

Thanks!

[@P90F55]

You're switching better then the prototypes.

[@bryanwhat2268]

Cool

[@davestrains6816]

Nice operations video. Car cards look great. Thanks for sharing. Dave

[@andrewl9191]

What I'm looking for is something halfway between this car card system and the "full" car card system. I think part of it is because I have some different industries taking different cars on my small N scale loop layout with attached staging yard. I want to come up with some kind of a story about who is getting what and all of that. I guess I just need to get started first. I like the idea of making these cards at least, however simple.

[@moghobbystuff]

Nice. I'm guessing something like an 'inglenook' arrangement? I've built and run similar layouts and they are a great way to pass the time! :-)

[@StevesTrains]

Yep, but with one extra track on the last that can hold another 1-2 cars. I can either use that track or not depending on how I want to operate it. It is a 5-3-3 inglenook arrangement.

[@StevesTrains]

I've seen some of the videos on your layouts and have enjoyed them.

[@MartyLJ57]

I like the pictures of the cars in place of written cards. In place of a screwdriver to uncuple the cars a stought bamboo secure or chop stick may give better leverage.

[@StevesTrains]

Yeah, bamboo skews work well and I need to get some more of them.

[@tschagalaga]

Hi, i am busy to plan a smal layout with switching too. what i am wondering about is… there is only switching on the same location, is it not start to be boring after a while?

[@StevesTrains]

A inglenook design like this one offers thousands of combinations for switching the cars. So, sometimes it is more challenging and other times easier. This kind of layout probably isn’t ideal if you want to operate the layout for an hour every day as you will grow tired of it, but is nice for when you want a 15-30 minute operating session maybe a few times or less per week. Keep in mind that with small switching layouts you can build them quickly so if you grow tired of it you can always take off everything and start over with a different design and maybe change the layout up every couple years.

[@daleinarizona1561]

Steve, I am new to your channel so I am trying to review your past videos. I have to say, this is a great game!!!!!!love it.

[@deandanielson8074]

Hi Steve, I love your unique way of training building on your layout. Some very creative and fun methodologies. - Dean of Minnesota

[@joeystrains.9316]

Excellent. Subscribed.

[@truckerman8301]

Thanks for posting Steve! Always enjoy your videos of the layout.

[@dostwald]

Hi, nice video, thanks for sharing. I'd be more worried about damaging scenery throwing those switch mechanisms than I would be uncoupling cars! ;) Nice layout, looks fun to operate.:)

[@3riversrambler]

Another great video as always!

[@CalebsRailFilms]

Awesome work, Steve. Really enjoyed this introduction on how to operate a switching layout. I'm looking at doing cards for my British GWR layout. This has given me some ideas how to do my shunting activities. Excellent video by far. You have got yourself a new subscriber. Feel free to check out my channel at anytime. Happy New Year to you. Greetings from South Australia. Cheers Caleb

[@StevesTrains]

Just got around to checking out your channel and subscribing.

[@CalebsRailFilms]

Steves Trains sorry for the late reply, Steve! Thank you for subscribing to my channel. Been buried with work as of late but now have a bit more time on my hands for layout stuff now. Really need to get printing my cards for my shunt movements now. I think I maybe able to create some interesting movements with the rolling stock I have available for traffic too! Cheers Caleb

[@debbiemilka2251]

Steve I really, really like what you are doing. It adds a a stronger consist makeup understanding and being able to see in picture form what will soon be reality. Maybe even add loco cards. A great impetus to subscribing to your channel !

[@dcctrain]

Well done.

[@starguard4122]

Great Video.

[@Longshadowsmodeltrees]

Lot's of action on your small switching Layout. Bob

[@stevetee5076]

Excellent example of switching operations!

[@XBOXShawn12thman]

That was fun to watch!!! 👍

[@nedmerrill5705]

Looks like fun.

[@northwind9505]

This is well done! Small a but working yard. You have opened a door for me. But I would like to see some people on your layout.

[@StevesTrains]

Thanks! Yeah I still need to get some details added. I have some figures but need to buy some that would look right on this layout. Also will be adding some vehicles, a forklift, and other items yet.

[@scotabot7826]

Really Great little layout. Thanks for the video!!

[@jaketrainz1222]

Just some information I live in Tulsa and they usually switch out cars with 3 up gps

[@StevesTrains]

Yep I've seen that. I have a UP GP38-2 that I worked up several years ago and installed ditch lights and a sound decoder. I plan to use that on the layout as well when I have a DCC throttle hooked up.

[@bigbloke7691]

Hi, thanks for a great vid. I have similar interests and dabble in small layouts. It interests me to have a random method of generating switch lists. I use waybill cards and dice to determine how many "ins" and how many "outs". Sometimes this causes the layout to be crammed full or sometimes very light on. Sometimes I even have to skip the "ins" so I can clear the backlog of "outs". I prefer this to the set traffic routing cards that so many people get hung up on. Good to see someone else's method of playing trains. Cheers

[@anujchandkapoor]

So much fun would it be with Sound locos. Awesome thanks for sharing.

[@Madeforit]

Sorry i switched all the cars out twice while you where playing cards 😞my appologies

[@kevinbrady6075]

Nice!

[@patrickm.8425]

Awesome, I like it! You have great hand writing too!

[@HitTrainz]

Interesting idea. I could keep busy at it all day. Your new fan!

[@rudyvalle9022]

Thanks for sharing. This is what I needed to finish up my Inglenook layout.

[@dxr2002]

First switch move. Clear track KICK EM!

[@hankjagt8399]

I think you would real like the Kato sound box. It really adds a great dimension to the layout.

[@StevesTrains]

Yeah, I've thought about something like that for my n scale layouts. I do have an HO loco that I put a sound card, ditch lights, and speaker in that I could run on here as well.

[@samakin4896]

That was very clear and helpful. Thanks!

[@PM08203]

Excellent penmanship!

[@StevesTrains]

Yeah, not too bad. I was too lazy to make labels and figured I could still do that and cover up my writing if it looked bad.

[@ferdinandrodriguez5788]

Roy Smith sent me. Great video! Looking forward to seeing more.

[@Death_From_Below]

Great idea.

[@shawnpowell5876]

Great video and tutorial of how you do switching operations! That's a neat idea and definitely makes it interesting with a small layout! You're quite creative Steve and very talented when it comes to building these. Never thought I'd be interested w N scale but one day when I get brave enough I'm going to build a 2'x3' layout! Thanks for sharing your videos with us along with your time and effort! I'm viewing them from the state of DELAWARE.

[@StevesTrains]

Thanks!

[@bazarrebloggs7280]

Great switching layout - I really like the way you did the scenery. I reckon you could double your enjoyment with a sound decoder in your locos! Especially love the little GATX switcher.

[@StevesTrains]

I have a couple locomotives with sound now, both in HO and N scale. It does make it more fun.

[@prtdrums]

Great stuff!!

[@WhatAboutTheBee]

Roy Smith sent me over. Your presentation was very well done.

[@StevesTrains]

Thanks for coming over!

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Great shelf railway .Thumbs up to you .Hope you like mine diesel dave's

[@michaeldjoven80]

I like this, very neat and to the point! Thanks Mike.

[@GrotrianSeiler]

This system is very clever. Well done.

[@DK-nv9zu]

That is so cool! I like the technical aspect of it all.

[@edduke8527]

Good job, my friend!!!!!

[@rjl110919581]

thank you detail video

[@ICE6365]

Awesome video here! Thanks for sharing your strategies with us

[@MrLosttheplot]

great layout

[@anthonymcmillan5881]

Nice switching explainition. How do your yard switching

[@Trains-With-Shane]

So you found a way to turn a simple 3 track shelf switch operation into a game with random puzzles to solve. That's GENIUS!!!!!!

[@SuperBuildsInMC]

What kind of box cars are those? I'm looking into make my own switching layout for my space those look perfect! Thanks -Super

[@tomt9543]

Wondering the same thing!

[@nepete7]

Nicely done layout. I have a small Inglenook layout, and use cards. I add in a blank or empty spot card or for more variety in the final positions.

[@DinsdalePiranha67]

I built an N scale Inglenook as my reentry into the hobby. I played it pretty much by the book, but I did a random draw of cards for the finished train. The finished layout is probably one of the few that will fit into the trunk of a first-generation Miata. :)

[@ModelRailroading]

Thanks for sharing how you run your card system. I have never run one on my own layout. But would like to have the option some day.

[@milanjakub1890]

C

[@jackhromadka6842]

Nice use of the Kato Unitrack Power Pack

[@benjamindminor7552]

You take this way too serious just run the trains don’t turn it into a job.

[@StevesTrains]

I'll build some layouts to just run trains and others to do more serious switching. By making small layouts I can have both. I agree you dont want to turn your hobby into a job. So everyone needs to find their balance.

[@beeble2003]

Anyone can run their layout however they want. In this case, the layout is basically set up as a puzzle and the fun is to solve that puzzle. If that's not fun for you, you do something else and probably set up the layout a different way.

[@ilovenitnat]

I’m off to watch some paint dry.

[@robinmasters87]

Says the person with videos about meditation...

[@DinsdalePiranha67]

Bye Felicia.

[@crazyfvck]

Neat :)