LAYOUT OPERATIONS - Part 1: Mainline Running

[@MrWallnerfe]

Excellent video! Always enjoy watching. Great seeing your trains running the length of your layout. Scenery really brings the layout to life! Take care...Fred

[@jerrysmith1929]

Excellent progress toward a layout which looks good and operates equally well.

[@tatetally4198]

Wow that is so cool! You never really get to see what the trains are like through the entire layout so this was very fun to watch

[@PaulMichael-z4g]

I'm from Maryland and I've been to Crawford Hill a couple of times. It's a fantastic area to watch trains and your layout is an awesome recreation. Love it!

[@railfan220]

Thanks! I've only been once, but clearly it left an impression. -Cam

[@MesquiteBelt]

Another great video Cameron! Important for folks to see another layout not finished, to let them see progress! Keep it going!

[@brtree74]

Amazing video. Incredibly well designed and built layout. Outstandingly realistic scenery and awesome trains. I could watch this all day. Please keep posting videos and updates. Love it!

[@railfan220]

Thanks! There's more on the way, and soon I'll get back to working on scenery. -Cam

[@jrn-ovejohannsen8178]

Very nice video. It helps a lot that you show the track diagram during the video. That gives a lot of sence. Looking forward to your next switching video.

[@jbll36]

Hi Cam. Trains are running smoothly. Excellent working setup. Enjoy the day. Ray L

[@williambryant5946]

I really haven't ever like modeling of the present time frame. I don't like watching videos of mainline big corporation railroads with unit trains and container trains, which I despise the most. I don't like watching videos of people modeling or running present era either. Then there's your layout and channel, that along with two maybe three others that are so amazingly done that I have found myself watching the full videos of you and the others running trains and videos doing modeling. I still don't like watching videos of real mainline trains or think for one second I'd model present era but you've done such an excellent job it has drawn me in. Lots of your techniques can be used for any era modeling so I justify it to myself that way. LOL. I tell myself "You're not here interested in the running but you're watching for the modeling techniques." LOL. You're great modeling is warping my mind set. Great video. Stay well. -Wil 👍

[@railfan220]

Haha, thanks for the kind words, Wil! I can understand that. I happen to model the modern era because I think the equipment is cool. It's fun to go out and take your own photos of the prototype, and then try to model it. But, I'm also not married to the idea of contemporary modeling. The late steam era has always fascinated me, again because of the cool equipment. I've always been a Southern Pacific fan, but I also have a thing for Montana. Would love to someday model the NP line over Bozeman and/or Mullan Pass with those big Z-8 challengers. Anyway, I hope you continue to find modeling inspiration! -Cam

[@williambryant5946]

@@railfan220 I love the transition era. Late steam and early diesels. I've always been a fan of Southern Railroad. I plan on modeling a Southern Railroad branchline off the double track crescent mainline in the transition era so I can have smaller steam like 2-8-0s and some of the road switchers like geep 7s and RS2s and probably an F3 or FT A-B set. I'll always find inspiration for modeling from great modelers like yourself. Thanks. -Wil 👍

[@GRUBEDGAM1]

Your layout is perfect: not to big, not to small , perfect light! thx

[@railfan220]

Thanks! Glad you enjoy it. -Cam

[@SFRATON]

Great video and i loved the shot at 1.04 of the layout. Cool work has been done. Take care. Kevin

[@daleshipman7139]

Your fine without the "Husker" flag, was just out that way and I can honestest say, that I didn't see anything red. Love this area. I just ran the consist that you are showing on my stack train last week. Might have to change some thinking to include a little bit larger area for area. Once again, gret job!

[@hangarflying]

It really can’t be an accurate depiction of Nebraska with no Husker flag hanging from something. 😜 Looking great! Keep up the great work!

[@arthurhouston3]

What is claim in inches were the stack train passes the manifest fright. That is a big change in elevation.

[@railfan220]

That is quite a climb. It's definitely the toughest portion of the railroad. From where I started filming at 2:25 to where you last see the train at 4:25 is about a 7" difference. -Cam

[@jimsmoter4510]

Enjoyed the operations video Cam .. Your layout is lookin great .

[@SFRATON]

Another great shot at 4.12 also 6.13 making great rail fanning times..

[@modelrailroader5619]

Those are some nice looking locomotives!👍

[@peavinedownunder8726]

Just found your site - really awesome

[@TrainDetailsbyGuss]

Nice Layout, thanks for sharing. .

[@bradytains1593]

Can’t wait to see the Montana scenery start up

[@FlashJonesTrains]

Wow man awesome video! It was great to see that. Do more if you can please! That shot at the end was sweet!

[@railfan220]

Thanks! I will continue to do more of this as I get more scenery done (plus more rolling stock). It can only get better. Also, that final shot will be featured in the next video, if not the one after that. -Cam

[@kvcroff]

Great work on the layout, being that I'm from the Glacier Park area you need to put the bridge over the Whitefish yard just west of the old GN passenger terminal. Just my input, but it is your work and it's ALL GOOD!!!!!!!!!!

[@railfan220]

Thanks! That's the plan. I'm not certain which end of the yard to place it because on a map, the orientation of the yard is inverted. On the layout, when you're looking at the backdrop, you're facing south, but the yard is laid out as if you're looking north and standing on the Amtrak platform side of the yard. So, to keep with the aesthetics, I think I might place the overpass on the east/left end of the yard. -Cam

[@68Jaguar420G]

Nice scenery progress since your last video. The upper deck is very much realizing your original vision. I'm especially glad you have started to introduce your new schematic and geographic relocation. So now it's off to Google earth to see how it all comes together.

[@railfan220]

Thanks! Funny you mention that because I was considering doing a video that just compares the layout locations with railroad maps and satellite imagery. I think that would really help explain the track plan. -Cam

[@68Jaguar420G]

@@railfan220 Yes. That would be welcomed and helpful, especially as the layout is now functionally opposite to the original schematic.

[@chrisshoulders4066]

Awesome progress my friend, be safe.

[@felixthetrainfan4819]

Nice model ;) On 1:52 that BNSF ET44AC Teir 4 is my favorite :D

[@leestoddart7014]

Great video of a really good looking layout. One "picky" point... why did the helper unit not help?

[@railfan220]

Thanks! Good question. It’s my understanding that on Crawford Hill, helpers typically don’t push anything other than coal trains. I’ve seen a couple of videos of stacks and manifests heading up the hill, and they haven’t utilized helpers. However, I’ve never seen a coal train go up the hill without helpers, and that’s what we’ll show in part 3 of this series. -Cam

[@pzavis25]

You have one professional looking layout!

[@natetoews2421]

Your layout has been an inspiration for me to try and do something similar but instead of Montana and Nebraska I will model Alberta Saskatchewan and Manitoba Canada with CN trains rolling along the prairies it should be pretty cool since I have a 56ft long by 12ft house trailer that I will be doing my train layout in

[@mysticrailroad]

superb layout.

[@EmPtySworld1]

Cam what a great video..Thanks for sharing man

[@natetoews2421]

I have a couple scaletrains rivet counter ES44ACs in CN paint they are amazing and I run them all over my train layout set in Alberta Saskatchewan and Manitoba and I am really impressed with the details of the scale trains ES44ACs I live in Alberta

[@bamamarco1008]

I love your layout. What did you use and how long did it take you to set it up?

[@pattipilot]

How do you connect the upper level and the lower level? Do you have a video on that? Thanks!

[@railfan220]

Yes indeed! If you check out my most recent video, you’ll get a tour of the whole layout. In the description of that video is the link to a cab ride over the layout as well. That should show how the two connect. -Cam

[@randallellison6421]

Nice tour of the layout! That Scaletrains.com C44-9W looks and sounds so good! Someday I hope to get a rivet counter one as I already have 2 Operator versions! Subbed too!

[@railfan220]

Thanks for the sub! They are really nice locos. I've actually been eye-balling the Heritage 1 Operator versions. They're not perfect, but add a bit of detail, and they'd probably be great looking and running. -Cam

[@randallellison6421]

@@railfan220 the Operator versions are great locomotives especially since their driveline is virtually identical to the rivet counter versions so they can pretty much interchange with each other mechanically speaking! Only reason I tend to lean towards the Operator series is price (eventually 3 Operator locomotives to one rivet counter) and less risk of breaking details off of the locomotive.

[@doublediamondrailroad5949]

What Engine File is that Lead BNSF? Sounds Non Turbo?

[@npnorthwindsub4193]

Awesome hope to see more! : )

[@INKDRAILS]

Hey Cam, those are some great looking BNSF Locomotives! I just posted a video on the BNSF locomotive and rolling stock I have. I would like to add at least 4 or 5 more BNSF locomotives, I was wondering if you would have any recommendations?

[@railfan220]

Thanks! I think anything Scaletrains is fantastic. Getting a Dash 9 would be great. Their Rivet Counter line is 2nd to none, but I've even been eyeballing their Operator Dash 9s in the Heritage 1 scheme. They're not perfect and need details, but it would be a fun project. Same goes for Walthers Mainline locomotives. I see you already have a Genesis SD70ACe, so if you did a Mainline engine, I'd go for the ES44AC or ES44C4. Again, same story with these as with the Operator engines; you'd need to add details (the Walthers Mainline lighting is also terrible). But if you're looking to just spend the money rather than apply details, I think Scaletrains (Rivet Counter), Athearn Genesis, and Intermountain would be the way to go. An ET44C4, ES44AC/C4/DC, Dash 9, or SD70MAC would be great. -Cam

[@INKDRAILS]

@@railfan220 Hi Cam, thanks for the help! I have been looking into the Scale Trains Rivet Counter line and have been eyeing an ES44AC. I may go with a Scale Trains locomotive as I have a lot of Athearn Genesis in my roster already. Be sure to watch and subscribe! I will be sure to give your channel a shoutout after I purchase my next BNSF locomotive! Brian

[@houstonrailfanproductions8191]

What scale is your layout?

[@25mfd]

are dynamic brake sounds part of the DCC experience?????... YOU of all people certainly need that here

[@railfan220]

They are! Unfortunately, even though ESU exceeds in almost every way, their default GE dynamic brake sounds don't sound like much. This is the one area that Tsunami 2 decoders excel in. But once I get my hands on a LokProgrammer, I'll do some customizing to add the proper sounds and perhaps some logic (like deceleration or drive hold) to the dynamic brakes. It's pretty much a continuous climb/descent depending on the direction, so dynamic brakes are certainly important. -Cam

[@chadcampbell3754]

Nice train Set

[@WhiteRiverRails]

Great video!

[@vertisjohnson219]

I'd like to see what size is this layout

[@railfan220]

If you go to the last 15 seconds of this video, there should be a link to a layout cab ride video. That'll give you a sense of the whole layout (I'd run it on 2x speed). In terms of absolute measurements, it's 12' x 28'. -Cam

[@taylorbaggarleyunionpacifi5399]

I love your layout my buddy I can’t wait see your layout someday it’s awesome I hope get video soon my layout show you my Spokane sub

[@whttrains8301]

Amazing 😯

[@davidmason4153]

What percentage are your grades? That was impressive to see your train climbing without wheel slip. I use to have Crawford hill on MSTS (Microsoft trainsim) it was fun to operate before my computer crashed. Keep up the good work.

[@railfan220]

Thanks! The lower level is about a 1.5% climb while the upper level is a 2.5% grade (but a bit more brief). -Cam

[@SOT03Y]

Hey mate, at 6:40, what is your bench depth? I am looking at having a raised level layout and that bench depth looks ideal

[@railfan220]

That scene is 16" deep/wide. It seems like the right amount of space. -Cam

[@SOT03Y]

Thanks for the reply! Beautiful layout!

[@garymccullah1143]

Hi. My wife has family in Chadron so I have been to Crawford several times. Are my eyes playing tricks or was the backdrop photo of Main Street in Crawford taken facing toward the tracks with the trackside grain silos in the far background? I’m not trying to be critical as I love that part of Nebraska and I love the way you have modeled it. Keep up the good work!

[@railfan220]

Haha, I keep telling myself, nobody would ever notice that, so well done. The road I'm actually modeling is Annin St.; I skipped over Main St. because I didn't have enough vertical room to model the underpass. And, you're absolutely right about the perspective. The backdrop is displaying an image of 2nd St. looking north towards the West Plains Grain elevator. Someday, I'll get around to actually building that structure, which sits just a few feet to the right in the scene. It's sort of a little easter egg because I'll both model the elevator and have it visible in the backdrop. It doesn't make a ton of logical sense, but it was the best Crawford street photo I could find. Thanks for watching! -Cam

[@garymccullah1143]

I should have checked the Crawford street map before referring to Main Street. The main thing is that it looks right to you.

[@Toddgillilandfan]

I saw cn so a win for me

[@milwaukeemodeler1029]

Very cool, first! Lol

[@garrettlayout6598]

Ike the NS

[@jackdurbin4324]

You guys must.be rich to have trains jack