Manual Turnouts, River Bed, & Commuter Trains

[@MikeThomasRailRoadOverhaul]

Fantastic 1 away I know you’ll get that straight away. I’m with you on lighting on the turnout. Great idea with the switch and easily hid with ballast.

[@tanzj]

Thanks Mike. Using DPDT slide switches would be a way to easily add the LEDs but I did not want to do all of the extra drilling of holes into the plywood to fit the slide switch. My method of installing the LEDs will require only three small holes when I get around to them in the future (back allowing). I also have been working on your building too.....John

[@MikeThomasRailRoadOverhaul]

cool can’t wait

[@artmcclure637]

I had a lionel trainset when I was eleven years old. My landlord bought a 4' X 8' layout from a train show and he wants me to rewire the whole thing. I'm 68 now, and when I get underneath the layout to do some wiring, I take about 5 minutes to get up. I'm no whiner but I hurt for at least a couple of hours. I'm learning a lot, and it's fun playing with the trains. Next, the scenery and model buildings. It's better than sitting around waiting for my SSI to show up.

[@tanzj]

Boy do I agree! Thanks for subbing....John

[@clashofminiatures]

Looks good John. Looking forward to your water scenes. Chuck RVRR

[@tanzj]

Hi Chuck, Thanks for watching & your comments. I've never done water so it will be exciting (probably a lot of bad words)....John

[@davidmuse7004]

John, really like the update. The ground throws are very nice to use, I have a lot of switches on my layout and all are the Caboose throws. Keeps the cost down also!! Nice tip on throwing those two switches at the same time. Thank you for sharing D. Muse

[@tanzj]

Thanks David. Back when I was planning the layout, I did a cost estimate for electrifying all of the 96 turnouts and that number was unaffordable in my book so I just did the ones that were out of reach....John

[@jolliemark6294]

John, it's hard to get under th the layout when we were young & now we are older? its it's getting even harder even when you are not hurting. the idea of painting the throws is a good one , thanks for sharing that o e too....looks like you are moving right along on the layout and you will make 1000 I'm sure soon & congratulation too....Jack🙂

[@tanzj]

Thanks Jack. I guess it was about 3 years ago I spent 6 hours under the layout on a roll-around creeper (with a head rest) working on the wiring under the area shown in the video. I cannot do that today.....John

[@sparky107107]

very nice. i like the ground throws. that is a easy way to see that,

[@tanzj]

Thanks. I can still see red & green paint colors. Eventually I will add the LEDs to the fascia when I get around to doing the fascia.....John

[@N-Scale]

Thanks for the look at the layout and hope you reach 1000. Mike

[@tanzj]

Thanks Mike.

[@JoeG-firehousewhiskey]

I really like how you do your turnout, keep up the good work

[@tanzj]

Thanks again. I have 23 more ground throws coming from FHS to finish everywhere but at Union Station....John

[@grandparails8858]

Congratulations on 1000 quite a milestone! I'm also using Caboose Ind. ground throw #202s I haven't installed them yet, seeing this video has given me some ideas. John

[@tanzj]

Hi John, Being retired gives me a lot of time (sometimes too much) to think things out. This technique seemed to be the most cost effective & quickest way to see the position of the turnouts....John

[@IHVRRNotBad]

Thanks John really like the tips . I'm planning on using them with my turnouts. Just got my first 5 today. I want to paint them red and green like you did. Like that idea. Thanks for sharing... Wilmer

[@tanzj]

Thanks for watching and your comments. This seemed to be the simplest way for me to visibly tell which way the turnouts were facing without a tremendous amount of construction & wiring......John

[@dacuzzz]

hi John... l also am using caboose hobbies ground throws for all the places i can reach... i also use the same method of tube under the track...i will give you a shout out on my live stream tonight... vinny

[@tanzj]

Hey Vinny, Thanks. How is the station assembly coming along? I am planning on tuning in tonight....John

[@dacuzzz]

hi John... i have not started on the station yet ... i have however found an exterior paint Rustoleum's Fine Textured paint.. i'm using it on another build that i will be showing in tonight's show.. what i can't find is Terracotta for the roof.. have not checked Hobby Lobby yet...vinny

[@SMTMainline]

I'm subscriber 999, see you at 1000

[@tanzj]

Thanks again.

[@Rustyrailhead]

I am guessing, hopefully, this is an N scale layout? I have looked at several videos and they all appear to be HO. Please, what brand insulated joiner and your track code are you using.

[@tanzj]

Yes it is an N scale layout…..John