Quarantined At Home With A House Full Of Model Trains

During the global pandemic, people are looking for things to do at home. I make model train videos for KZbin... so at my house, it's fun to set up a train layout and play with model trains while spending time at home. It's like having my own railway at home!
What you see in this model train video are G scale model trains operating on a DCC control system that lets me independently control each locomotive from a tablet or a cell phone. It's an expensive hobby! The model train collection you see in this video cost somewhere around $15,000 USD.
When people see these model train videos, with the trains running all throughout the house, a common reaction is to assume that I must be single. No wife would let her husband take over the house with model trains like this, right? Wrong! My wife was actually the one that suggested I buy some model trains in the first place, and she was the one that thought of setting up a big train yard in our living room for this video. The trains were only set up like this for about three days while I made this video, and then they were all put away again and the house returned to normal.
A question that people often ask is where to buy model trains like this. I bought most of mine from www.Trainworld.com They have an excellent selection at competitive prices. For people outside the United States, they do offer international shipping, too.
Locomotives featured prominently in this video are:
Piko 38212 AT&SF steam train #707
MTH 70-2117-1 Santa Fe Diesel train #868
LGB 21576 Santa Fe Super Chief #202
Piko 38219 White Pass Railway steam train #52
A full inventory of all 25 locomotives in my model train collection can be found at www.jimzim.net/...
(Scroll down to the very bottom of the page)
For information about how to run DCC locomotives from a tablet or cell phone, watch this video: • MRC Prodigy WiFi - Con...
If you're interested in interacting with me on social media, join my Facebook group at / 831976203803181

[@sandimorris3782]

Oh my late husband would love these videos. Our dog used to lay in the center of his display and listen for hours. Happy memories. Thank you

[@matildadollygirl8428]

The reason why I love trains is just because I love them so much and they bring me memories of one time I was on a train with my brother and another time that has me so happy when I can see a train

[@atmakali9599]

You have so many interests and talents. You’re wife is such a lucky lady to have such an incredibly interesting husband. You can turn your hand to anything.

[@tracynation2820]

An excellent video. Hello from the Tracy Mountain Railway in Colorado. 💙 T.E.N.

[@antonbruce1241]

Wow...your wife is the best!!!!

[@ollieicecreamvansfanandbin3071]

Best Trains Collection Videos Ever !!!!??!????!!???

[@bobgoodwin2832]

Congratulations on your very well produced videos - both audio and video are top notch. Not a moment of dull or uninteresting action. It looks like we share interest in the same sort of trains/road names, etc. LGB is expensive, but ya' get what ya' pay for. Thanks for you efforts.

[@scifiwriter9541]

A very nice diversion from the problems of real life. Thanks to you and your wife for the great video !!

[@iCarl_ishere]

What a nice layout you have all of those trains are favorite

[@willamettevalleywesternrai9436]

I love your videos I love model trains you inspired me to start my own garden railroad 😀

[@joanbrigid6987]

So I hear my four-year-old son, while playing with his wooden train layout on our living room floor, using sentences that are more complex than sentences I would expect him to be using. And then I realize that he’s quoting you from one of the many videos of yours that he loves to watch! So I ask, “are you just like Jim Zim?” and he replies with a big enthusiastic “yup!” with a big grin on his face. 😁 Thank you for posting these videos, you’re making many train-crazy kids happy. 🚂 And please send my love to your incredibly good-natured wife, who has my utmost respect 😄

[@JimZim]

You're not the first to tell me that! In fact, I've even had people send me videos of their kid doing a full-on re-creation of one of my videos, with the script fully committed to memory!

[@PeppiKosikowski]

Hey there, Jim! I am a HUGE fan of model trains, as well as a HUGE fan of YOU! Jim, please do me a favor: PLEASE put out even MORE model train videos! Thank you SO much!

[@JimZim]

My expectation is that over the next year I won't be making a lot of new model train videos. I've already made over a hundred model train videos and those will, of course, remain on my channel and people are welcome to watch those anytime. But I probably won't be making a lot more. One new one every now and then... months apart... is probably what you can expect over the next year. The older I get, the more difficult it is for me to set up and take down the big layouts. It was worth the physical discomfort when KZbin was sending me thousands of dollars of advertising revenue for each new model train video I made... but that's not the case any longer. KZbin seems to be favoring other types of videos these days, since they are locked in such a huge battle with TikTok for young viewers. The last few new model train videos I've put out have been basically ignored by the KZbin algorithm. So, with essentially no advertising revenue coming my way from new videos these days, it simply is not worth the time, effort, and discomfort of setting up a huge layout for a new video. I'll still do it every now and then, but it won't be often. But do continue to enjoy the existing videos!

[@Max88-i8s]

@@JimZimme to

[@BOBXFILES2374a]

PS, that Tablet DCC thing is way cool!

[@jimkammerer5240]

I WISH I HAD THE ROOM FOR G SCALE. I APPRECIATE YOU AND IT THANK YOU AGAIN JIM ZIM

[@aussiejohn5835]

Thank you Jim for derailing my train of thought and allowing me to blow off a little steam. I asked in a previous video about a permanent layout in your new home. I now understand and appreciate the answer you gave. I hope your new home is on track and I look forward to seeing more of your train videos.

[@JimZim]

Don't want to toot my own horn here, but it looks like I have started a pandemic of puns that has reached full speed.

[@aussiejohn5835]

@@JimZim I am sorry if I have blown the whistle on you but I don't want you to have a one track mind. I am sure many just won't give a hoot. Remember Jim, they tell us that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and we can cruise along and just go with the flow. I think I am losing my mind LOL!!

[@iqbalheridiansyahiqbal187]

Banyak kali keretanya I love this is pretty cool Aku dari Indonesia

[@promethx2655]

Wholesome man made me happy :) God bless you and your lovely wife.

[@onlyhumanplus2504]

This guy is Amazing keep doing what your doing

[@lonnahenriquez6950]

W.O.W. I never would have thought of that.

[@matthewcochran4626]

I like the white pass steam train too but... the super chief is great but my favorite is the porter 040 steam train.

[@saharoooo]

That was the best intro ever 😂 you also have a beautiful narration voice!! Thanks for making these fun videos, my boys love them! ❤️🚂

[@622wesc]

You know Jim.... In the new house you can make a shelf close to the ceiling that goes all around the house.

[@JimZim]

For me, the fun is in building a new and different layout each time I get the trains out. So, any kind of permanent layout, including tracks mounted near the ceiling, would seem kind of boring to me. I like the process of doing something a little different with a layout each time.

[@karencriner5001]

I love your 19 G scale locomotives Jim Zim I’m never seen these before it’s so awesome can you believe it can you believe there’s 19 strains in your house like freight train steam engines Santa Fe, super chief Coca-Cola train, Thomas Percy, James, Emily, Toby, and more just so many of them

[@dianewinter6961]

I absolutely love your Super Chief passenger train! Being a train fan myself I've ridden on the Southwest Chief from Chicago to L.A. and now that I've got some layoff time myself I've been watching freight run just a bit north of where I live in Seattle. Today I saw the 'garbage train' LOL and two freights. This is BNSF track in Edmonds, WA. The White Pass steam train in Skagway. I've been on that one too and look forward to riding agin in July 2021.

[@JimZim]

I am really going to have to get a BNSF locomotive after my move to the Pacific Northwest... as a salute to my new home town.

[@timothykeinard8085]

LOOK GOOD

[@StaticShelby]

Hey Jim! I don’t know much about model trains, although I do think you have a fantastic collection! I discovered your videos because my 4 year old son loves trains and we watch a lot of videos about them. He really enjoys your channel, so thanks for sharing! :)

[@JimZim]

Nice to hear from you! Say hi to your son from Jim Zim.

[@austinmiller3497]

Awesome video that is a lot of trains that you got there I love trains and I love chasing trains

[@katrinajohnson9622]

I love this guy 😂

[@robinjohnson8688]

My son loves modol trains.

[@mermer3168]

Thank you so much for your videos! My child is obsessed with trains, and loves these videos!

[@JimZim]

You're welcome! Thanks for leaving a comment. Be sure to look around within my KZbin channel because there are quite a few model train videos that I've done over the last few years. You can keep your kid entertained for quite a while with all the model train videos I've made up to this point. And then, of course, there will be more to come!

[@thealexpshow782]

I just bought my 1st g gauge today. For 100$!!! It's electric rail powered. It has broken front wheel but it runs great regardless

[@richardnelson-ux1zz]

Pretty cool setup

[@imaplays760]

Good

[@elijahlee6644]

I love your videos, Thomas videos. They’re so fun I wish I had one of those.

[@amandeepkang5639]

and when its dark out side turn on big trains but it have light to see it every where😊😊😊😊🤗

[@spcraleigheas]

Me during Coronavirus: UGH SO BORED 😑 Jim: haves fun

[@russellstrainzone2384]

I’m lucky I have my train

[@kirstybikliqi2109]

You are really good at making track,s

[@Furiadashi0_0]

man I wish I had trains like that

[@Amtraklover10002]

Cool trains

[@JeffFrmJoisey]

I'm so jealous!!! 😀😀😎😎

[@JodiFCobb]

That was nice! I'll link in.

[@delinahheim3631]

Nothing is more fun than having trains in A pandemic

[@chuckmaddison2924]

Let's have another pandemic.

[@juliwooden5253]

I like your white pass steam train #52

[@ExtraSillylilguy]

You are lucky to have a wife that actually likes trains

[@JimZim]

Believe me, I know that!

[@FlorenciaPapaefthemiou]

I thought you were the one who likes trains

[@jenniehills293]

I like video because it is fun

[@Stanf954]

WP&Y is on my bucket list and bc our HAL Alaska cruise was cancelled in May it will have to wait a little bit more ☹️.Just have to run trains on vacation.

[@candiceschmidt5046]

I love the Thomas ones

[@anpanman555]

Its cool

[@MiddletownBranchProd.]

That’s luxury for me

[@asbmp]

I would of grab an taken some of those model trains only if it would be possible for me to break into the tv screen just to grab them. I remember breaking the tv screen with a hammer when i was 5 years old thinking that i was going to grab myself a nice train set from a tv commercial. Instead of getting what i wanted, it got a whole bunch of sparks and a huge but spanking for breaking into the tv screen. I could imagine how many people would be stealling model trains if it was really possible to steal by breaking into the tv screen

[@angelmoly3196]

Man l wish l had trains like that

[@MsEdenic]

Yep

[@PlowBenderStudios]

19 locomotives! That's impressive especially considering the size of the bigger units. I've got 16 pieces of motive power in my G scale collection, with the most recent only being added a couple days ago. I started collecting G scale about 10 years ago after getting my first train set and continued buying 1 or 2 locos each year depending how much money I had. I tend to shop around for bargains and have easily spent $400 on units that retail for around $1,700. Truth be told though, I'm starting to run out of room, so my days of collecting will soon come to an end.

[@c.bmalhotra1530]

Great hobby. Model trains. All along I have been into Marklin HO trains and now got hooked to G scale trains. I have with me lots of LGB tracks and 2 Piko locomotives. One steam and the other electric. I am from India and very difficult to get these down here. My present source of purchase is EBay.

[@JimZim]

Have you tried purchasing from www.trainworld.com ? They have a huge selection, excellent prices, and offer worldwide shipping.

[@RandyandJenHeatherly]

How cool on your layouts ♡ I had something like that when I was younger but now scents I don't have all of my older train sets and I'm trying to start over and collecting new ones. I'm hoping that one day I will have the layout that I really want to do.

[@joeluise]

Cool

[@pedrojuliancereceda8301]

Awesome! You are such an accomplished man! Have fun and most importantly, stay safe you all!!!

[@atxgurl00]

Growing up I used to be OBSESSED with your family’s cocker spaniel website- and always hoped to get one in the future. Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed reading about cockers on your site, and glad to see you’re doing well!

[@JimZim]

Thanks! Sadly, the Cocker breeding era is over for us. But... we might have one as a pet at some point after I retire from my real job and we move up to Washington state. It would probably all come down to whether we meet anyone up there who would be willing to have our dog spend time at their house anytime we decided to go on vacation.

[@chuckchristian2059]

Where does he get the money to buy all these trains and track

[@JimZim]

There's good money in monetized KZbin videos. This one video alone has made me about $1900 in ad revenue, and this isn't even one of my more popular videos. That's how the model trains were paid for.

[@annamalaipalaniappan5473]

yeah Mr.jim be safe out thereand I have a doubt opportunity only for those who runs and the second you can put the Santa Fe freight train hood side backwards or coupling videos please Mr Jim you'll do that then give me your suggestions😄

[@ambermolohon3986]

You should have someone make you a G-scale AVWR 777 and 767

[@kathymills1959]

Any chance you've visited Tweetsie Railroad a relatively small theme park in Boone/Blowing Rock, NC? They have 2 steam locomotives #12 & #190. Like your train in this video #190 came from Alaska's White Pass & Yukon railroad to them around 1960. #12 has been in the Tennessee/NC area going back to the early 1900's I think I read. It's a really nice little area in the Great Smokey Mountains off of the Blue Ridge Parkway - you should try to visit the area especially in the fall when the leaves are changing!!!

[@JimZim]

I haven't ever been to North Carolina. But with my retirement coming later this year, I have a feeling that I'll be able to explore a little more of the USA in the coming years.

[@thomascomeau9271]

I noticed that one of the horns on the Santa Fe Super Chief diesel locomotive had suffered some nasty damage from a train crash. Are you going to get another Santa Fe diesel locomotive from LGB that has two horns that will not suffer terrible, nasty damage to add to your collection of G scale model trains or not? Just let me know when you reply to me. As always, I am Thomas Comeau and I will see the replies from you, Jim Zim!

[@JimZim]

No, that's a super-expensive locomotive. It wouldn't make sense to spend that kind of money just because of one slightly damaged part like that.

[@thomascomeau9271]

@@JimZim I understand that you don't want another Santa Fe diesel locomotive by LGB because it is very super-expensive. You can keep the Santa Fe Super Chief diesel locomotive with the one damaged horn. Until then, I am Thomas Comeau and I will see the replies from you, Jim Zim.

[@DyliVgamer]

Maybe i would have one of those

[@ollieicecreamvansfanandbin3071]

How was the carmera attached to the models of trains 🚂🚇🚊🚉🚊🚅🚄🚝🚆🚇🚊🚅🚝🚄🚆🚇🚊🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚉

[@JimZim]

Take a look at this video and you can see how I do it... kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJa0fXmGjN6rqNU

[@elvisthebusfoamer8972]

I like ur vids

[@zacharylovestrains19]

I love Modal TRAINS G Scale O Gauge.

[@Puffingbillyfan001]

can you please do a video when your favorite train pulls all of the cariges

[@Puffingbillyfan001]

with a little help at the back

[@ChrisBFerguson]

I have yet to go on an Amtrak train as an adult. Only been on Sun Rail.

[@raivisgilson5844]

Jim : right after this. *plays ad*. Me : what the heck he know for me to get a ad popping up

[@unitedaphid]

true

[@unitedaphid]

thats one of my fav

[@arthursogaugelioneltrains5744]

The only difference between Men and boys are the price and the size of there toys.👍

[@andrisupriyanto1125]

This is my dream... Sayang di tidak di jual di indonesia... Bahkan kalaupun ada harganya sungguh mahal... Doa kan saya bisa memilikinya walaupun hanya 1 akan sangat bersukur...

[@gvet47]

I'm single so I would leave it setup year around, if I even had a nice group of G Scale trains like yours!💬

[@702ringo1]

Oh my gosh!!! What a brilliant way to spend quarantine, playing with your train sets! I love it! Great idea. Nice trains too. My problem, trying to decide on what size train set to get, what scale size & how much to buy. I’d really like to have it by Christmas. Wish me luck. Thinking about a Christmas set from the Bradford exchange. What do you think?

[@ecoalma1]

Felicitaciones🥳🤩. Espectacular, gracias por compartir. Saludos desde Marinilla-Colombia

[@AthbecuteDashes]

Yes im looking for that

[@coloredfeather]

I like trians to

[@thetrainloverdk]

Why not?

[@markfryer9880]

Living the high life again Jim.

[@paducahandlouisvillerailro3309]

Hey jim I have an echo toys lgb dsp&prr train set and its battery operated

[@arielfilmsinc1926]

Yes I got that many trains BUT the setting is the final scene ala Citizen Kane (Sled is in outdoor storage shed)

[@philliplagreco6453]

Hello Jim , watch your videos all the time, love the new home with that great layout in the backyard, I see you have several MTH engines and your usingDCC when your running those MTH engines , I use DCS. To run my MTH engines , I am setting up a place in my backyard and will be runners a 1:20.3 Bachman engine with a DCC card, can you please tell me what power supply “amps” you are using and who’s system are you running them with, love using the iPad with my dcs trains, please get back to me on what system you use so I can look into it.hope to hear back from .thanks Phil

[@JimZim]

I use a 10 amp power supply to run my DCC trains. I actually own two of them so that I can run two independent loops in a large layout. The one I use is the MRC Prodigy Pro Elite.

[@ruanguilhermeguilherme2347]

Suas miniaturas são muito boas

[@dreaminlayers]

So friggin cool! I love it! I wish we had the space and money to do something like this!

[@simpaldd852]

The million dollar question is FROM WHERE DID YOU GET THESE

[@JimZim]

www.trainworld.com

[@gabrielrivas5459]

Hi there my name is Gabrielle Rivas from Roslyn heights ny and I like your cool train sets in your house my friend and I wish I could have lots of toys train's from your cool home I wish I could be there playing with your trains sets with all of my toy cars and trucks from Gabrielle Rivas from Roslyn heights ny

[@scifiwriter9541]

Great video !!! I love the camera mounted on the trains. And your house is spotless. I wish my house was that clean.

[@sjnavaid]

I love the Santa Fe one!

[@TrajectoryT]

...you cant say the santa fe one when there are two Santa fe trans my dude.

[@christherailfan5851]

just a train actually there are three

[@ljmvids3158]

The Super Chief or the dash 8?

[@LuciCutie1727]

I wish I was your neighbor 😁

[@rottiuree]

Hi Jim,What is your favorite brand of G scale locomotives? Have you tried all the different manufacturers?

[@JimZim]

If someone was going to give me one as a gift, I'd take LGB... because those are the highest quality, but also the highest price. I think the best value, which is quality AND price in balance, is from MTH. I do also really appreciate the inexpensive nature of the Bachmann Thomas & Friends series... where you get a lot for a super low price, at least as compared to the prices of other G scale trains. And I like what Piko does, too... offering a decent product at a medium price. So, I appreciate all four manufacturers... but if price was no object, I would take LGB for the highest quality.

[@Brian_rock_railfan]

Awesome video liked 🚄🚂👍

[@lesliegronlund4831]

Do you have any advice for my 8 year old grandson. He admires your trains, asked me for $15,000--that's all he needs to start his electric model train collection. He could sure use a mentor like you Jim. We actually moved to buy a bigger home for his train hobby.

[@JimZim]

The best advice I can give is to go with a DCC control system from the start, and buy only locomotives that have DCC built in to them. Having everything DCC from the start will make thins a LOT easier as far as making sure that everything will work together and can be all controlled from one controller. I really like the MRC DCC control system that I use. It allows me to run my trains from a tablet or a phone, and that's especially convenient if the plan is for a large layout that will be in more than just one room of the house. If you get a 10 amp DCC power supply, you'll be able run about four G-scale locomotives at the same time. If the fantasy involves running more than four trains all at the same time, you'll want to get two 10 amp power supplies and design your layout so that it actually has two independent layouts within the overall layout.

[@lesliegronlund4831]

@@JimZim Wow! Lots of helpful information, Thank you. He is thrilled just reading a message from you! Hope you know what a great role model you are for these rail fans.

[@JimZim]

That's nice of you to say. Thank you!

[@JimZim]

When are you planning on buying this equipment? Where will you get it... a local train store, or a big online store like www.trainworld.com ? Who's going to be the one figuring out what all is needed... the grandson, or his parents, or you, or what? You can email me at [e-mail] if there are questions you'd like some help with.

[@lesliegronlund4831]

@@JimZim We have been looking at train world, and a friend who is a collector and docent at Disney/Griffith park train museums will help with the layouts. He has already given Joshua 4 older train sets to get experience. Before Covid, he would visit several train museums we have in San Diego county and he talks to the docents, asks lots of questions. His layouts he makes now are amazing sometimes. He has quite an "engineering mind." I/we appreciate you offering to help him out. I know it will be a challenging project this summer. Thank you.

[@thetexasrailfan]

Where do you get your trains? I've been looking for some electric G scale locomotives and haven't had much luck

[@JimZim]

My favorite source is www.trainworld.com

[@thetexasrailfan]

@@JimZim Thanks

[@unpaintedleadsyndrome]

Humbug, analogue is more sophisticated... It requires you plan ahead and set up your track accordingly.

[@ernestimken6969]

The Santa Fe passenger train is a model of the Chief, not the Super Chief. The Super Chief had double deck coaches. That design is used by Amtrak today.

[@JimZim]

The observation car that goes at the very back of this Santa Fe set actually has a sign that says Super Chief, not just Chief. I'd attach a photo, but KZbin comments don't allow photos. Maybe LGB did a bad job of making a realistic model of the Super Chief, but as far as I'm concerned my Santa Fe passenger train is a model of the Super Chief.

[@dutch_person6634]

u said ''thats comming up right after this'' and an add starts playing

[@thephoenicianartisan9895]

Great video Jim. I really enjoy your train collection. One question, what software do you use on the ipad to control the trains? thank you

[@JimZim]

I use "Engine Driver" because I have an Android tablet. For iPad people, the software is "WiThrottle". Of course, this only works if you have the right kind of DCC power supply for it to talk to.

[@thephoenicianartisan9895]

thank you i have central station 3, ill see if these work with it@@JimZim

[@BOBXFILES2374a]

You're giving me bad ideas....like putting 027 Lionel track down my hallway! Under my bed! Into the living room! Ha ha hahah hhhaa ha, the world is mine!

[@toratora9994]

you should get the g scale big boy 4017

[@JimZim]

I might at some point. I never did while we lived in our California house because the Big Boy can't run on R1 curves, and our house in California was small and I typically used some R1 curves in my layouts. We've since moved to a much larger house in Washington state and I probably won't have to use R1 curves here at all... so a Big Boy would be more practical here.

[@narendraparihar8603]

I am going to get a LGB santa fe super chief when I am 11 years old