LAYOUT DESIGN AND BUILDING A MODEL RAILROAD HO

This is explaination of many questions ask by someone who is building a new 12 x 16 Layout. Made it Public because it answers many questions everyone has.

[@MidtownSun]

5:12 right here where you mention the small 4” difference in height… man that makes all the difference. Just that little bit of elevation and the rock wall scenery you did makes this 100x better than if it were completely flat. Well done.

[@blainedunlap4242]

A Lot of Good consturction details here. Simple. He knows his business.

[@arthurhouston3]

Ty

[@FishplateFilms]

Great tips as usual Arthur! Layout is looking great, I like the rock wall at No Name!, looks like I have to go back and watch your Cal Coat and scenery videos again....along with all the JMRI videos! Thanks for posting. Cheers Gregg

[@Ronnymikkonen2686]

Thanks I really like your video. It was good because you moved the camera in good order. I'll enjoyed to see your fantastic railroad. It gave me ideas, it's for to say intelligent. Greetings from Sweden Regina.

[@angusdassler3052]

Very well made, learned a lot, and your my new favorite for calling UP the "Ugly Pacific".

[@efitter7]

I agree with both the previous comments Art, really great video. I hope to see more of these build videos to come. I always appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge. Have a good one! Ethan

[@TouchoftheBrushModelWeathering]

Fantastic video and tips bud! It shows the talent and patience on your beautiful layout!

[@jasonboche]

Excellent video! Love the layout!

[@MultiMusicianman]

Pretty wild, I like it, and the construction that you used to do this. Nice demonstration.

[@samdean5465]

You said it first and I agree, great logic. 18 and 30 = 48". that item alone will help me in setting up my different levels and their depths.Thank you. I'm taking notes on everything you say!

[@arthurhouston3]

Thanks, Ever in SE Louisiana plan on stopping. Follow on www.grandepacificrailroad.com

[@matthewlastrapes8104]

I like your layout design planing to do one Ho as well great tips

[@michaelaldred6529]

Very impressive layout and very good points made will take note on your ideas.

[@Jjonathanhart]

No doubt you're a genius compared to me when it comes to building layouts for model trains.

[@ModelerManMike]

Hey, I am going to have to agree with Manolo Csx ! Art, thanks for sharing! Now for a structure build video! Still waiting on that one! :)

[@waltworld]

Great ideas and discussion. Thanks for sharing.

[@Hockey47Mitsch]

Superb video Arthur! Great layout

[@dineentimothy]

Good looking layout you have there. Looks like you have a lot of track to work with.

[@arthurhouston3]

I am 100% retired, model trains is what I do. After honey do work and maintenance on my house and daughters house its trains.

[@gregbrassington9369]

Magnificent work , full credit to you . Very inspiring.

[@arthurhouston3]

Stay turned a new video on a big addition and I cover a ton of info on all aspects of building.

[@gunnyu.s.m.c8606]

learn so much from you every time, my compliments sir

[@manolo602]

Super interesting video. Like videos like this. Please make more videos about layout design and building a MR.

[@retrainrun]

Great video Art! I love your attitude, you sound good about what you have done and it makes for a very reliable source to keep as reference! You have very solid tips on all matters to do with the layout, which by the way looks awesome. Love the height separation, the painted backdrop looks very realistic. Thanks for taking the time and effort to share your knowledge with all of us.5***** :-) RT

[@stephenhartrick4486]

Absolutely amazing Arthur, Please show some trains running over your layout. It won't matter at all if it's not fully done or not.

[@arthurhouston3]

There many videos on You Tube channel were this video is of trains running and on FB Grande Pacific Railroad Page and group.

[@tracksidescenery]

Good stuff here!

[@thomaswheat3319]

excellent video. thanks for sharing.

[@petestrains1021]

Thank you for explaining more on your layout, It gave me a lot of ideas to use for building my 11x12 layout.

[@arthurhouston3]

Build around outside wall and put lift out in for door. Twice around with back elevated 4 " most of the way so you create different areas.

[@petestrains1021]

After watching your videos that's the plan,I would like to do a double decker layout. just don't have room for a big helix.

[@arthurhouston3]

+Peter Quier as do most that why when you said size I suggested twice around. You have have to have a section elevated 4" so you can go under the other track. And not have a at level crossing.

[@BigDieselMan100]

Thanks, Art could you possibly share your work schedule, in other words how do you segment your time from working on the PG and your vast amount of videos, I just wish I had discovered this before I built my layout, it would have saved a ton of head scratching. Thanks Dave T

[@yaakovukrainiannews]

Lovely. Hope a day can finish mine

[@arthurhouston3]

Video GP Buildings and Structures is being up loaded to you tube now. This one is just for you.

[@fruitgums]

Philips head screws are so DIY! Look for Posi 2 in future with self tapping and make short work of all that screwing through that tuff ply. I tend to lean toward OSB board as it is better for damper conditions, but I guess you do not have that issue, but here in Blighty we got rain 3 out of 7 days a week so it all adds to the moister in the air. I do so wish I had a room that size. Good luck to you Sir

[@arthurhouston3]

SE Louisiana 84 inches of rain a year humility is above 80 % more than 50% of the time. This building has AC but only run when someone inside.

[@arthurhouston3]

Asked about getting color on scenery. Answer is in this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGOumZqlhZqCm5I

[@arthurhouston3]

All paved area were done with cal coat 127. I show use and how two in several videos. And slide show on silverville.

[@arthurhouston3]

Uncoupling, good subject for a new video. I use all kadee 5 or 14 couples. I also install code 100 uncoupling magnets. I cut ties out and set it in between the code 83 track. Pick sticks, some use the magnet sticks.

[@arthurhouston3]

Cal coat 127 is industrial insulation product. Used to seal up styro foam. Take two to three day to dry completely, must cover with a latex paint. Come in 25 pd bags cost me under 15 us.

[@JohnoBloke82]

This place looks amazing, I would really like to know where this place is and what it's called, because I will personally come make a trip to the USA just to see this place. Amazing.....

[@arthurhouston3]

Things to thinks about when designing a model railroad.

[@axeman0073]

Nice job, love your videos, who makes the manual switch levers? I see them in a lot of vids.

[@arthurhouston3]

I would not use CFI or 110 fixtures for lighting next time. It would all be LED lighting like on the Mule Shoe and Western RR. Video on my channel.

[@arthurhouston3]

Tommy thanks for comment, but have three tripods. Setting up moving and making them work in framing shot is not in the cards..

[@Southern8099]

Sure would like to see some real good views of the Frost kit bash you did. Give me some ideas on mine an how to use it

[@arthurhouston3]

Caboose Hobbies makes the manual ground throws.

[@elsdp-4560]

nice layout

[@isaiahfurrow7414]

can you give some input regarding some of the best ways to handle uncoupling?

[@rjl110919581]

THANKS FOR VIDEO ON YR LAYOUT

[@resmith49]

Nice video. Nice layout. However, I don't think any railroad is "ugly" - and that includes Union Pacific.

[@PERFORTIS]

There are a few components to building a railroad layout. One plan I discovered which succeeds in merging these is the Jareks Hobby Club (check it out on google) it's the most helpful blueprint that I've heard of. Check out the super information .

[@arthurhouston3]

As you can see building construction is on the bottom the list. I have not forgotten.

[@Astrophysix1]

Nice.

[@Texaslobo]

The track nails You are using, what type are they (nails, spikes), and Who makes the ones You are using? Good job on the Video's, keep it up!

[@Tom.Gregory]

Thanks, I not only sand my cork, I painted all of it gray.. If I have gaps in the ballast it won't show

[@arthurhouston3]

GRANDE PACIFIC BUIDINGS AND STRUCTURES

[@GENOVANELI]

Art how did you make the asphalt looking area in between the tracks? Thanks Gene

[@jasonboche]

My local Home Depot won't rip sheets under 12" anymore. I have them rip 3 or 4 pieces and I'll rip down the rest at home under 12" as needed.

[@thecurtray]

stop being so hard on yourself.looks wonderful.if I had the space.one day maybe

[@arthurhouston3]

I use woodsecery fine cinders and iron ore fix 3 black to one red.

[@sarkardistributionbd]

arthurhouston3 I like your video and the ideas concerning oo model railway buildings Another resource I also found helpfull for oo gauge building kits is Elumpa Railroad Buildings Alchemist - if anyone wants to know more search on google

[@rayhanlewd]

This video is good. I like it and learn a lot of things. Something I also found useful for o scale building materials was Elumpa Railroad Buildings Alchemist. Search google if you want more information.

[@rakibhassan9444]

arthurhouston3 hi , very good video . but I found so many information about how to build a model railroad layout design. you can find those information from Megarno Railroad Membership Magician (search google )

[@arthurhouston3]

Rakib hassan This is layout 13 and probably my last Getting to the 70% complete mark and no big changes planned. You will go through several model RRs. before you settle on a concept that works for you . There is no one way to do this.

[@kkanchana1]

Hello.I think this video is very helpful.And I love your video, particularly your advice in the second half about model railroad layout designs. Something I also found useful for model railroader is Panlarko Amazing Railroad Planner - it should be on google search if you want

[@danielk6485]

Did you run into any quicksand while laying track to Rock Ridge!?! LOL

[@Jozieduke]

Hey there Art, great vid. You couldnt tell me what brand and size that cinder and lava rock ballast is could ya? Or do you mix it yourself? That is exactly what Im looking for. Thx

[@arthurhouston3]

Jozieduke I use woodland sciences ballast FINE. cinders and iron ore 3 to 1 mix. for the MAIN. Use other colors for branch line and yards sidings to create contrast.

[@arthurhouston3]

Jozieduke I have a video on Ballast in tip and tricks kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJ-2kIqpaLGLj6c

[@Jozieduke]

arthurhouston3 Thank you Art I really appreciate the info.

[@rpm750]

Lower Level distance off floor, not staging, No Name City Level. Distance between levels? Thanks Art!

[@user-sh9du2nv5y]

What city or town is this layout in?

[@CalvinWongHKG]

cool !! you should setup a show room which charge $ :)

[@arthurhouston3]

Calvin Wong Calvin if you are ever in the area of New Orleans, La USA the railroad is always open for visitors. I am home 90% of the time. Get in touch.

[@arthurhouston3]

Video up

[@MarkInLA]

You sound like Bill on "King of the Hill"..!

[@FixAllFixer62]

Dude shoot u got going on there

[@chrsmcwtrs]

arthur... if the top level is 60" off the floor... how high off the floor is the level below it and how high is the staging off the floor?

[@arthurhouston3]

chrsmcwtrs 28 40 and 60 would make top 56 if did it again.

[@chrsmcwtrs]

ok thank you

[@tonyromano6220]

Wow. Where is this?

[@arthurhouston3]

SE La. Meet on Fridays. Welcome to visit

[@nyg21bd]

I have logged on to your home page and I still can not find your layout plan. Can you tell me how I can look at our track plan? Working on my home layout and I would like to use some of your design. Thanks

[@arthurhouston3]

+Willie Beamon Do not have a track plan that can put in a picture to post. Only did main line and beach work all else was fit to the industries as we build up areas

[@jasonsung2711]

In a yard, for a switch job, what is average speed of locomotive?

[@arthurhouston3]

Very slow. Which most model operators do my do.

[@arthurhouston3]

Lots of apple pies from a little old lady.

[@sharifahmed8923]

arthurhouston3 Hello... as i was looking for videos to watch, i came across yours... i like how you are planning your layout ... but & please don't take this in the wrong way, even though you have a well planned layout on paper, you will be making some changes when construction starts.I found a helpfull trick for how model train layouts plans that is Megarno Railroad Membership Magician - search google if you want to know more about this topic.

[@FixAllFixer62]

are real track staight

[@SteelCowboy93]

What kinda of track are you using?

[@arthurhouston3]

I use 96% atlas code 83 track and switches 561 562 563 564. Micro Engineering bridge track and a couple of curved Walters turn outs. All track is soldered at rail joiners and use three foot sections. Cut gaps for blocks.

[@SteelCowboy93]

Thank you. I'm getting ideas together to start planning a layout.

[@rubber20021]

Nothing like real wood, screw the glue board crap!

[@danielakinoshita]

Just bought a gwr how do i change to the knuckle coupler

[@arthurhouston3]

GWR ?

[@danielakinoshita]

arthurhouston3 its a British train

[@pashupatinathbiswas381]

arthurhouston3 The GWR stands for The Great Western Railway was British Railway Company. The first line was between London and Bristol. Subsequently, it linked London with mid-lands, south-west and west of England and Wales.

[@arthurhouston3]

Can you take a picture and post it someplace I can look at it.

[@danielakinoshita]

nvm

[@Jjonathanhart]

You talk like Christopher Walken.

[@facondofilicidad9515]

hi everyone ,if anyone else is searching for how to build a model railway layout try Pycanta Model Railroaders Protocol ( search on google ) ? Ive heard some awesome things about it and my neighbor got great results with it.

[@arthurhouston3]

You Tube and FB is loaded with tons of sights that will provide helpful information.

[@mirsadmrkaljevic6685]

interesting points ,if anyone else wants to uncover dog training tips try Balarno Canine Lessons Bonanza (should be on google have a look ) ? Ive heard some decent things about it and my co-worker got amazing success with it.

[@MCM31030]

I've been researching how to build a railroad layout and discovered an awesome website at Jareks Hobby Club (google it if you are interested)

[@mirtauhidulislam3070]

I\'m not sure but ,if anyone else wants to learn about how to build a model railroad layout plans try Megarno Railroad Membership Magician ( search on google ) ? Ive heard some extraordinary things about it and my partner got excellent success with it.

[@karthi1vchennai542]

I'm studying diy railroad layouts and discovered an awesome website at Jareks Hobby Club (google it if you are interested)

[@liondecka9062]

Nothing special 🥱

[@michaelaldred6529]

Very impressive layout and very good points made will take note on your ideas.

[@tracksidescenery]

Good stuff here!