Installing a Model Railroad Backdrop

[@cbirailroad]

Nice video Michael. I am doing something very similar today. My layout is n scale Kato 4x8 plus a 2x5 wing on one side. My layout is portable, on casters, and disassembles to some degree. So my panels, like yours, are removable. I really like the idea of using the DS tape instead of gluing to my hardboard panels, also 2' by 4' times 3. My background is from Larc Rail Products btw... Keep up the great modeling. Ron

[@thespokanerailfanner7916]

Looks great, reminds me of the Cascades in western Washington.

[@michaelramsey81]

Thank you! That's exactly the look I was going for!

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Enjoyed the video very much thanks DD.

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Thanks very much for replying to my comment. That's the great part about the hobby sharing ideas and learning new ideas from other people to improve our Channel's so l have like and subscribe to your channel too .Stay safe DD.

[@TheTransportationFanfromCA]

Hello mike Ramsey just wanted say that you are one of my favorite model railroader KZbinrs I hope you do well in the future

[@thomasmathis8694]

LOVE the backdrop. The layout looks so much more complete! I wanted to tell you how much your layout has given me ideas about my new one. Thanks!

[@thomasmathis8694]

I also noticed that you painted the Walthers 0-6-0.

[@michaelramsey81]

Thank you!

[@BMMEC6000]

Nice to see some more of the Protto 2000 0-6-0.

[@lidiaramirez2417]

Hey Mike I noticed that your athearn 2-8-0 looks similar to great western 75 in the 1978 movie, Breakheart Pass.

[@michaelramsey81]

I never noticed that before, but you're right, it does. I keep thinking about adding a diamond stack to it, which would make it even closer.

[@tico360]

The layout looks great with the backdrop, it really makes the layout look a lot more realistic. I've been thinking on making a backdrop for my layout, but mine is up against my bed and a door so I cant really do that at the moment.

[@michaelramsey81]

Thanks! Stuff like the bed and the door can be a pain to work around. The window was kind of like that for me, which is one reason I didn't add a backdrop until after I moved the layout. You might be able to do something with removable backdrop sections to allow access to what's behind them. Hope you can figure something out!

[@modelrailfan37]

Great video Michael! I know I’m nitpicking since my own layout is not finished, but have you considered adding figures? To me they really bring a layout to life!

[@michaelramsey81]

They're on the list to add eventually. Better looking vehicles are a priority first, but I'll get around to figures one of these days.

[@modelrailfan37]

@@michaelramsey81 Oh true, your vehicles don’t look bad though despite being slightly out of scale!

[@Ebeniste]

Thanks, Nice vidéo and good work

[@TheTransportationFanfromCA]

Congrat man What are you gonna do for a 1k special

[@michaelramsey81]

Thanks! I have no idea what I'm going to do for a special. I didn't think it would happen this fast, so I didn't really have anything planned yet.

[@TheTransportationFanfromCA]

Mabey the history of the channel for new comers

[@maddogmerv]

Great job Michael, I plan on giving you a shout out on my channel here in another week to see if we can get you over that thousand subscriber mark more quickly.

[@Danthehorse]

Ignore my question in another vid about your backdrop. Looks fab! Which model do you have running at the end please?

[@michaelramsey81]

Thanks! It's a Proto 2000 USRA 0-6-0 pulling Rivarossi coaches.

[@Danthehorse]

@@michaelramsey81 nice. I'm a newb. Just bought a Riverossi Heavy Pacific. I love your channel and layout. You are very engaging too. 🙏👍

[@Danthehorse]

Mike, how do i choose coaches for my heavy pacific? I wsnt to model circa 40s ideally . Its a santa fe , but could i use something more generic like Pullmans?

[@michaelramsey81]

Almost every major US railroad had Pullmans at one time or another, so I think they would be fine. Pay attention to how long the coaches are, as full-length heavyweights will not go around 18" radius curves. I chose these Rivarossi commuter cars because they loosely resemble heavyweight coaches but are shorter.

[@Danthehorse]

​​@@michaelramsey81thanks Michael! I want a similar layout to yours , double track. Not sure how to figure what kinds of track sections I need .

[@michaelramsey81]

@@Danthehorse I do plan on making a full tour video eventually. The best way to figure out exactly what you need is to draw up your design in a computer program. My favorite option is SCARM (Simple Computer Aided Railway Modeller). It's fairly easy to learn and the basic version is free. 3D Train Studio is another good one. You can try out as many track arrangements as you and and figure out what will fit and what won't, all without having to actually buy anything. Some programs also allow you at add scenery and run virtual trains. In my video about the end of my previous layout, the Red Oak Railway, I show my virtual model of the W&SC layout in 3D Train Studio, and run a virtual train on it. It was hugely helpful to be able to build the entire layout virtually and work out all the major design flaws before I ever spent a penny on track.

[@Danthehorse]

@@michaelramsey81 you're a great help too Michael, many thanks 🙏

[@TheTransportationFanfromCA]

Ps I have ideas to revive wp&sc 12

[@michaelramsey81]

I've had some thoughts on it as well. One idea I had was to buy a Spectrum low-boiler 4-6-0 and paint and letter it as a more detailed version of #12, maybe reusing some parts from the original (like the lined domes and whitewall wheels) and then scrapping the rest of the original. I'd basically be building a new model of the same fictional locomotive. Need to find a Spectrum one for a decent price first, though, which is getting trickier.

[@TheTransportationFanfromCA]

I had a similar idea bascilly kit bashing the low bioler spectrum 4-6-0

[@TheTransportationFanfromCA]

Or just remove that crappy motor with the spectrum one

[@TheTransportationFanfromCA]

There is a 4-6-0 for 195

[@michaelramsey81]

@@TheTransportationFanfromCA I was looking at that one yesterday. Unfortunately, the shipping to Canada is pretty steep. It does look like a nice one, though. I might have to spring for it. We'll see.

[@TheTransportationFanfromCA]

Hey mike where is your on30 trains did you sell them

[@michaelramsey81]

Nope, I've still got them. I want to build an On30 layout at some point, but right now the W&SC is taking up all the layout space I have.

[@TheTransportationFanfromCA]

@@michaelramsey81 how about the wall

[@TheTransportationFanfromCA]

What is your favorite steam locomotive, mines is Sierra railway 3

[@michaelramsey81]

Sierra 3 is a hard one to beat! It's hard to pick a favorite, but I've always had a soft spot for Nevada Northern #40.

[@TheTransportationFanfromCA]

Is it becouse your high boiler 4-6-0 is similar in design to it

[@michaelramsey81]

@@TheTransportationFanfromCA Yes, lol. I've always loved the look of the Spectrum high boiler 4-6-0, and #40 is the closest surviving prototype I've been able to find.

[@TheTransportationFanfromCA]

I mean there is also Union Pacific 1243 and 1242 and they also look similar

[@michaelramsey81]

@@TheTransportationFanfromCA True, but those haven't been operational in a long time.

[@TheTransportationFanfromCA]

Hey mike did you receive the 4-6-0

[@michaelramsey81]

I did, but it's having an issue. The motor was bad from the factory. I contacted the seller, and they're paying for a new motor from the Bachmann parts department, but it'll probably be a few weeks before it arrives. If you're on Facebook, you can join my W&SC group. I post much more frequent updates there than I do on the channel. facebook.com/groups/355415535828311

[@TheTransportationFanfromCA]

Oh darn

[@TheTransportationFanfromCA]

So is the motor itself a 3 pole

[@TheTransportationFanfromCA]

Also are still gonna do a video about even with the motor not working

[@michaelramsey81]

​@@TheTransportationFanfromCA ​ I believe the motor is a 5 pole, like my other Spectrum 4-6-0. The problem seems to be that one of the poles is burned out, so about one-fifth of the time, when it stops, it can't get itself started again. It also runs very unevenly at low speed. I'll probably take the opportunity to make a video about the actual process of taking it apart and replacing the motor. After that, I might do a more conventional review of it, or I might skip straight to the repainting project.

[@larrybailey426]

Q: you probably posted this but what are the dimensions of your layout? BTW it looks good!

[@michaelramsey81]

Thanks! The layout is 7 by 8 feet in total.

[@TheTransportationFanfromCA]

Have you also consider having a big steam engine, not forcing you just asking for the future. And I apolgoze if I comment a lot.

[@michaelramsey81]

No worries! I've thought about it, but I'm trying to stick to engines that will fit on my turntable. I might make an exception or two eventually, though.

[@PotentialAutist42069]

First! Love your videos!

[@dysto4409]

1👏Thousand👏Freaking👏Subs👏

[@michaelramsey81]

I just saw that today! Pretty incredible.