Model Railroad for Beginners - From Loop to Layout - Getting Started

[@JCsRiptrack]

So did you start with a loop of track?

[@JCsRiptrack]

Mine was also a Tyco set back in the day, with a CN F-unit on the lead. The first layout was based on the "Yule Central" track plan.

[@Jujy_Models]

JC's Riptrack my first loop of track was made with Bachmann easy track on a piece of plywood in my room

[@JCsRiptrack]

Often a good place to start. :) Thanks for sharing.

[@tonylars4128]

There are a few components to diy railroad layouts. One plan I found that succeeds in merging these is the Jareks hobby club (check it out on google) definately the no.1 blueprint that I have ever heard of. Check out all the incredible information .

[@carlosmendez3757]

I have spent months studying how to build a railroad layout and discovered an awesome resource at Jareks Hobby Club (google it if you're interested)

[@elleryparsons5766]

Model Railroading is An Art that Can’t Be Rushed.

[@OscarTaylor4536]

"... Not due to time.... due to cost.." - a man that built a model rail

[@OscarTaylor4536]

Lmao

[@imprezacabbit8463]

@@OscarTaylor4536 can’t rush it if you can’t afford it lol

[@mikel5295]

Very true

[@dennisneo1608]

Or it can be simple and easy fun with a basic train set.

[@toddkloes478]

My grandfather was a conductor for New York Central and he had a massive N scale model in his basement. There mountains and a riverway, a town with people and animals. I had a small loop track in our basement my whole childhood. And always put up a Christmas theme train around my tree. I am recently retired and am looking to start an HO model layout.

[@jamesbach2021]

I bought my son a train set for his 4th birthday. It took over the entire basement after a few years. I taught my son carpentry, how to work with plaster of Paris and similar materials, how to wire things up and later how to maintain things. He was into it for many years but eventually went his own way. I still run the lay out and maintain it. It's great therapy for the old man. I find using "stock" track with the attached road bed pretty limiting. I like using flex track over cork and a good plan. But it's good to get your first layout going. You'll learn a lot from that experience. Oh, and I should mention that a good layout is never done...

[@nascarmadman]

I got my first HO train for my 11th Bday. It was an oval with 2 switches to make a smaller oval if wanted. It wasn't much. My Mom talked about setting it up 'right' on plywood and going from there. It never happened. Other activities took over my life and the train went into a cardboard box. But I always thought about that train and what I (sorta) wanted to do. Many years later, I was now married and we had just moved. Going through boxes I found that old train and got it out. It had been augmented by another HO train that was in my Dad's effects, still in the box. I got them out and set up a small layout on an old desk in the garage. But again, I just didn't have time for it. Now that I'm semi-retired and have moved one last time, I am ready to finally do a nice set up. I even have the wife's blessing.

[@craig5323]

Lucky!!

[@lucasmustang66]

Very nice ! . I started at age 5 I’m 32 now . I am watching this video because my Dad and I pulled some trains and track out tonight after my trains sitting 20 years untouched. I now have a boy also and tomorrow am gathering supplies to start a set up. Loved your video. I understood everything you said and it made since. Now that I’m older I’ll be a little better at setting something up than. Being 6 just playing viciously with these trains. I’m excited and so is my dad. He had a super Dad grin on his face while we set up just a line tonight and made engines go back and forth to just test them. Most worked.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Glad to hear it. In some of the later videos in this series, you can see my son working as the engineer while I was the conductor. I'd tell him where to move the train, and he gleefully did so. I'm hoping to get him to help me with the next video in this series :)

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

Very nicely done. I've been in the hobby for a while and have done my share of landscaping and track planning, but I have an LGB with a simple oval and there's no way I can justify spending a ton to have a complex G scale layout. I came here looking for ideas. Thank you.

[@davidsheriff8989]

Interesting with the divide...makes for many diverse scenes

[@JCsRiptrack]

It really works to make the whole thing bigger, even just with visual divide. As I expand my layout, I'm trying to break it up into different scenes to keep this in mind!

[@wills_corner]

My first layout was a circle! It was very fun, even with no scenery at all!

[@harryflashman6828]

Excellent. Bags of free tips. Thank you.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Glad it was helpful!

[@elleryparsons5766]

I Love Watching these Videos Dosen’t matter from Anyone they All are Very helpfull.

[@racketyjack]

Thank you for this video. It was just what I needed to hear. I am getting the P42 Amtrak set and the M1 for starters. But I am already making the wife crazy thinking of ways to make it more interesting. You gave me some good pointers.

[@Batesandrw]

The imagination fills in the rest beyond the layout of model trains going round in loop.

[@RichadTheLionHeat]

Excellent, informative, helpful, enjoyable, relaxing. Thank you. 🙏🏻🇺🇸🙏🏻🇺🇸🙏🏻🇺🇸

[@JCsRiptrack]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@GrotrianSeiler]

Very good video, that helps to demystify all the magic. The possibilities are endless.

[@apitheous194]

Sir, you are an excellent presenter. Thank you.

[@thomasm519]

Nice video you got here!. You probably answered and helped a lot of others with their questions regarding Kato unitrack and converting mm to inches.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks thomasm519! I am planning on doing a video on the geometry of unitrack and how to avoid the artificially straight look that it can sometimes create. There's enough variety in the system so that one can create a very fluid look.

[@jimbrent8151]

Yes I started with N gauge under my bed when I was about 10 years old... It was wonderful. I did HO with my children and gave them everything when they moved out. HO is great but my wife like N gauge (it fits better in small spaces). Hats off for your Information section... I am determined to build the N gauge layout this year and your documentation and "store" should make make this easier easier for me...

[@jimlee4961]

I started out with a simple OO Gauge loop as a kid which my dad expanded on and built me a layout from. After learning my love for models I soon discovered N gauge and marvelled at the tiny scale of it all compared to my OO gauge trains. However I didn't have the money to put into an N gauge set up at such a young age. Jump to my late teens and I finally got a job and a child came into my life (not my own) whom I decided to try and build an N gauge layout for as it's more compact and had always been in the back of my mind, plus I have fond memories of the layout my dad built me. Before I was able to complete it his (the child) mother left me and the whole plan went out the window. Eleven years on I am now building another N gauge layout, primarily for my own enjoyment but also, as time has healed the wounds I am able to see the boy again and he's much more able to appreciate it now anyway, for him too. This one didn't start out as a basic loop but a full track plan with two loops forming a main line, with a branch and sidings, built to the best of my ability and in the style of an exhibition piece.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Nice! What Road/Location do you model?

[@jimlee4961]

@@JCsRiptrack I'm basing my layout loosely on Faversham in Kent as this was where my Grandparents lived and my Great Grandfather used to drive the Golden Arrow boat train along with several other trains of the steam era so it's a bit of a homage.

[@SteveH-TN]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas. I have enjoyed running a point to point shelf switching layouts for many years. The last 10 years I have explored TTRAK Layouts with multiple clubs joining modules. Now I am considering Rokuhan Z scale multiple loops and passing sidings.

[@harperlarry49]

My first layout started as a simple oval on 4x8 plywood. It did not take long for my father and I to add on several more loops and reverse loops. This was when I was 10 (60 years ago). My current HO layout is a single loop with a sliding and a narrow gauge (n30) with double loop and yard area. I like what you have done so far. Thanks for sharing.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks Larry, and thanks for sharing. There's much to be said about the loop!

[@mdeange3]

Excellent presentation and tips.

[@williambryant5946]

Started with a Lionel train set in 1987 that I got for my 4th birthday from my grandparents. My dad screwed the track to a piece of plywood and I added telephone poles, signs, and other small things. I played around with it for about 4 years when I could get my dad to bring it in the house from out of the rafters in his shop. As I got older, I got tired of the train just running in circles and lost intrest. The trains got put away for a couple years until I was 10 years old. My grandparents had moved to a new home that had a nice building in the back yard that is around 15' × 22' that had been used as a chicken house by the previous owners. No chickens had been in it for a very long time. It had electricity and all it need was a good cleaning. I set up tracks going all over the floor in that building and enjoyed that for 3 years. That was about the time I found model railroader magazine. Then everything changed. I wanted the trains off the floor and wanted to switch to HO scale to be able to have more track and have it look like the layouts featured in the magazines. My grandfather decided I need a better building to built this new found dream in so he gave me and my father the money to build a new building at my house. We built a 14' × 24' building. The walls had sheetrock put on them and finished, and has a popcorn texture ceiling and linoleum flooring. The popcorn ceiling saved the expense of finishing and painting the ceiling that's why that was done. The linoleum was brand new and salvaged from a flooring store that was getting ready to trash it. We put a 4' × 5' closet in one corner at the end where the entrance door is. Its a double door entrance in the center of one end. We put two 8' florescent light fixtures running long ways in the middle of the ceiling. 4 electric outlets on each wall with 2 on the end wall opposite the doors. The lights have their own circuit, then there's 2 circuits for the outlets that have 5 on each, 4 from one side wall and one from the end wall. I worked on building an HO scale layout until I was around 19 years old. I put a home on some land my dad gave me and had a son myself. I put the trains aside for awhile and eventually took down what I had built of the layout when I was in my mid 20s. The building turned into a storage room up until 2 years ago when I built a small storage building for all the stuff that didn't belong in my train building and cleaned it out. Now I'm 36 and I'm soon to start building another layout. I'm not sure when it will be but it won't be long. I use the space now to build buildings and dioramas that I will incorporate into the layout when I do go ahead with it. So right now I've been absorbing information and learning so much from expert model railroaders like yourself that put out how to videos and observing layouts that people just post running videos of so I can get ideas for my layout. I wrote a book there didn't I? But you asked. 👍🎅❄🎄☃️ By the way I think this will be a great series and be very helpful to someone that's new to the hobby and even good for me because it will help me keep up to date on new technology in the model railroading world. Thanks for the great videos. 👍

[@JCsRiptrack]

Books are good. Thank you for sharing your story. Looking forward to seeing how this all evolves, even when I get past settling on a track plan...

[@coreyreece290]

Super helpful! I too bought a Kato starter set along with the passing siding and rail yard packs. I currently have a small switching layout above my work bench where I build scale models (mostly aircraft and ships 😂). Here soon I will be building a kato layout on a 3x7ft hollow core door above the same work station. This loop with sidings for industry will work very well. I have already started using my scale model skills by painting some locomotives in the US Sugar scheme that runs here where I am in South Central FL. Along with sone CSX and Florida East Coast.

[@Trainlover1995]

My first loop was in my living room. My parents were buying a new Sleep Number bed at Sleep Train back in 2004, and me and my brother were laying on one of the beds, watching the store's G-scale train running on a loop. At the time, Sleep Train was running a promotion: you could either get free pillows, or a train set. Said train set was a Bachmann HO set, The Challenger, with a UP F9, a BN hopper, an MSL hopper, a UP caboose, and a circle of Steel Alloy EZ Track. It was my very first true exposure to model railroading. My next loop came later that year, another Bachmann HO set, The American, with a UP 0-6-0, a Quaker State tanker, an MSL hopper identical to the one from the first set, another UP caboose, and an oval of Steel Alloy EZ Track. Both sets didn't last an entire year. I was young, and I'm pretty sure train sets like aren't meant to really last. My third and current loop was my first serious foray into model railroading. In 2007, my late grandpa, who was a sheriff's deputy of Santa Clara County, California, built me a 4x8 table. Right after picking it up, we went to my local hobby shop, D&J Hobby & Craft, where I acquired a locomotive (a Bachmann GP38-2, also my first DCC-equipped locomotive), some cars (including an Exxon tanker, a CSX hopper with C&O reporting marks, a UP 50' boxcar, an ATSF flatcar, and an ATSF caboose, all by Bachmann), a DC power pack (also by Bachmann), and The World's Greatest Hobby Track Pack (yes, my entire layout was Bachmann at the beginning). The intention was to build the Madison Central seen on that video narrated by Michael Gross. Some progress was made in 2008 when additional cars were acquired (including an NADX 50' reefer with Safeway branding, a pair of cylindrical grain hoppers, one for Canada Grain and the other for ATSF, and a track-cleaning tank car), as was the classic Atlas passenger station, a Model Power sand bunker, and a Model Power pre-built strip mall with a tow truck. In addition, the foam board was put down, the track was glued, the road was drawn, and Lake Mendota was cut out. At this point, progress on the layout stalled out as I became distracted with video games and the internet. But I never lost interest in the hobby, and in 2015, I joined a model railroad club, and in that time, acquired a Walthers box car lettered for Yreka Western and an undecorated BL2 with horn-hook couplers from the club; any other cars I got were for the club, including one acquired from the Colorado Model Railroad Museum. Recently, our club received a massive donation of locomotives, rolling stock, and a few misc. items like containers. Having been threatened with the layout being thrown out due to lack of progress, I claimed a bunch of cars (mainly hoppers for Glacier Gravel Co.) and a new locomotive and caboose, with an eye towards re-equipping 99% of the layout's rolling stock (the old GP38-2 will find a new home at the club, along with another BNSF GP38-2 I claimed from the donation; the new power for my home layout is an SP GP40-2; the BNSF Geep doesn't have a decoder, but I hope to get help installing one and then pairing it with the ATSF Geep, after the latter has had some BNSF patches applied). I am now dead-set on completing this layout (though part of me wants to start over and build, say, the Cripple Creek Central from that one Model Railroader book).

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks for sharing your story! I appreciate the being threatened for your layout getting thrown out for lack of progress! I'm nearly finished the benchwork framing in my new space. I'm looking forward to getting some track on it soon!

[@sparky107107]

very helpful info for beginners. and maybe even for some of us old timers, lol. Angle the track plan. very smart thinking, you went from a LOOP to a DIORAMA

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks sparky. I had a chance to do a module for my n-scale club, and thinking about it as a diorama made a whole lot of sense. Why not apply the same to a full layout, no matter how big it is?

[@jamesparson]

4:20 it is one of he best illustrations of this concept I have ever seen.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks James. The challenge for what I am doing is trying to figure out what sort of a block would serve me best in this cirucmstance!

[@calebtaylor2477]

My dad got a 6x4 plywood board and put it on hinges in the garage. It would fold up onto the wall when I wasn’t using it. Definitely limited the height but at 10 years old I was more interested in the train itself than the scale detail with my first set.

[@nhyardlimit]

Excellent! 6:00 I realized I had the siding wrong so I switched it like I see in your vid and voila! Everything is fine now!! Wiring problem solved (for now anyway). Thanks!

[@saltspringrailway3683]

My railway which started on a door with one point/switch in 1979 is now a tourist attraction! Look up Saltspring Railway on KZbin. The railway runs both indoors and outside and we have a camera on the front of one of the trains so you get to see the driver's view. Great fun, great hobby.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks for sharing this. I'll have to see if I can stop by for a visit at some point :)

[@douglasmargison7189]

Very useful video for beginners. I am on the lookout for these kinds of videos to encourage parents and children to get into model railroading Douglas Margison, Fredericton Model Railaroaders, New Brunswick

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks Douglas. A matter of trivia for this layout: even though I live in Western Canada, this layout is set in Nova Scotia and will feature both CN and CBCNS power. :)

[@pacokrikotania1523]

Wow I've just found your channel ! Thanks a lot for this video ! It's amazing!

[@steve87thpsap]

Yes a a young kid a long time ago it was loop. My first layout was a switching layout when I got into the hobby as an adult. Currently my layout is Black River Junction Kato set for HO. So it is still basically a working loop layout.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Nice. Loops can be the basis of a double-sided switching layout. I expect that this is how this one is going to end up.

[@Nightwish1094]

Thank you for this. Learned a lot. Its been decades since i've had an HO layout, but i just got a Kato N-scale starter set and will be building one shortly with pretty limited space.

[@frankedgar6694]

45 years ago, my son and I built a small set-up. A divorce ended that enjoyment. Now I’m retired, bored and ready to get back into model railroading. You can’t imagine how shocked I was at how much prices have gone up. It’s going to take a bit to build what we had before. My wife now, to whom I’ve been married 40 years isn’t enthusiastic about finding turnouts at $30 plus apiece. You posted 4 years ago and your video is still pertinent.

[@dwightbernheimer331]

Our family lived in Stratford Connecticut. So I grew up with American Flyer from AC Gilbert in New Haven. You couldn't get me to model in N scale at the point of a gun. At going on 80 years old O scale is starting to get small LOL Thanks for the video. If Kato made O scale track... Talkin' 2 rail... I'd buy it LOL. Their stuff seems pretty dependable especially when you're putting a layout together and then a few days later taking it all up and building something else. Thanks for posting

[@JCsRiptrack]

I'm hoping that the basic principles apply to any scale. My real-estate only allows for N-Scale. O Scale is awesome for modelling and detail. Less locomotives and rolling stock, but lots and lots of details.

[@TrainsnPlanes]

a-ha moment at 04:46! Well described! I wish I'd done Kato track when I was doing my N Scale layout, but I've moved on to Lionel! Really like how you're describing this!

[@JCsRiptrack]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@davebnsfnscale4433]

Kato track is a great start,many options to explore

[@WC3fanatic997]

I started out with an Athearn GP38-2 set (Of course) of the BNSF variety my dad got me when I was like, 11-ish? He planned on me setting up a layout on a table in our apartment and later in a garage of a house we moved into. He got me a second set of track, some more locomotives (An old Southern Pacific 4-6-2, an Amtrak California F59PHI, and a Santa Fe 8-40BW), as well as more cars, structures, etc. It wasn't super well-done or far along; it did have a mountain tunnel and a little town with some trees and roads, and being as I was only 12 it of course was garbage, but he didn't care, he supported me and he liked the trains too. Whenever we took a drive into Oakland we'd stop by Just Trains, a huge railroad-only hobby shop with a 90-foot layout and I'd go to town in there. Fast-forward about 17 years and a lot has happened in my life and railroading had to take a seat in storage. Recently we moved into a house that we plan on being ours and ours alone. After having my love of trains reawakened, I realized that with a little work I can have room for a good sized layout now, even with all of our stuff and all that is going on in life. I still have a lot from back then, though: I kept all the trains, cars, the Model Railroad Magazines from that time, etc., they all still in amazing condition (Except the 4-8-2 but that thing was old when I got it and needs work) and I'm planning on them being a part of the new Layout that will likely be set around the Los Angeles Junction in the 90's. But I dont know where that GP38-2 and the caboose went. It aggravates me to no end because I have a bad suspicion it got accidentally donated to Goodwill with a bunch of other stuff, even though I specifically remember it being packed in with all of my other trains. Sure, it wasn't the best engine in the world, but it was the first train my dad ever got me, and he's no longer with me. I just hope whoever got it is taking good care of it. As average as it was, it never once let me down. . . . It fell a couple times, but thats different I suppose. Regardless though, I plan on doing a lot of what you mentioned in this video. The layout isn't going to be huge, maybe around 15x5, and I dont have a desire for super intricate track work (I mostly like seeing trains just run and take the whole scene in), but because it will be taking place in a very dense and busy area, with lots of tunnels, overpasses, huge buildings, concrete flood channels, etc., there are countless opportunities to make the railroad look far more dynamic than it will actually be laid out as. I love the video by the way, and I am subscribed. As much as I have studied up in preparation for a serious layout, it still benefits to listen to someone clearly more experienced than I am.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks for sharing! Sounds like your plan has a lot of opportunity for scenery!

[@n-scaleunionpacificevansto6569]

I love Kato Unitrack and what you can do with it. ...Roy

[@JCsRiptrack]

You are very much an inspiration for this one Roy, thank you.

[@robertbenjamin6335]

Just getting started can be daunting. Great video, very helpful.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks Robert. I've had numerous false starts myself, but it's good to get this one going! It won't be long until the next installment.

[@elleryparsons5766]

I saw a vision you can go to an F layout off the Regular 4x8 or an L shaped I saw you could try an Formation on that N scale.

[@florianschmitt6108]

First own railroad in board unser bed. Thank's dad!

[@langdontomkins001]

Excellent video.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thank you very much, Langdon!

[@SD45-ET44AC]

This is so nice and I dont need to be doing DCC++ ... and raspberry pie-that's something I eat for dinner!

[@davidoickle1778]

Food for thought, thank you.

[@steveward3008]

Ok John, I'm using Any Rail with the Kato library track loaded and I am trying to reproduce the circle and can't figure out how to get all of these pieces to line up. All was going fairly good until I got to the side closest to the camera and can't figure out your track laying sizes to get the loops to align with the single crossover. I like the loop and am trying to copy it but can't figure it out. Is there a track plan in Kato track with the track piece configuration? Can I get it? I alwat struggled with the loop layout design as they never seemed to be good for switching. I built a room size HO layout a few years ago but since then I have downsized and looking into n scale with Kato track. this layout really caught my attention with I watched the operating video of this layout. If its on the FB site I can view it there. Thanks. Great series love watching the fast forward movements of your son. I'm thinking he's at normal speed and your in fast motion hahaha

[@JCsRiptrack]

Hi Steve. Email me through the contact me and I may be able to help. I've relied fairly heavily on some voodoo geometry (as I'm calling it), to get things to line up. I try to avoid the expander pieces, but there are going to be a few places where it's inevitable. My son moves pretty fast as it is, so seeing him in the speed up video just tires me out faster!

[@dcoop46]

I, like everyone, started with a Lionel loop. Progressed to American Flyer. Been doing n scale for about 35 yrs now. My youngest son got interested at 3. He is now planning a new layout for him & his son. Family tradition!

[@gpwildcat77]

Awesome video John!

[@Scobyland]

I started with the Kato M2 (2 year ago, N scale) and slowly added a bit more track, learning by reading, watching, and attending train shows. I recently begun to think of doing a loop. I now have, basically, something like and “L” shape layout. I hope to learn from you! When possible I have stop using folding tables and do some bench work, etc. Thank you for your video.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Mine is set up on a basic 36x80 door, and then I added a 6" extension to one end of it. I got the plans for the legs from David Popp's Step by Step book on his Naugatuk Railroad.

[@raymondfellers9430]

This is a great series.

[@kamala2111]

Excellent video looking forward to the series

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks Kamala2111.

[@Batesandrw]

And yes, I did start off with a loop oval that my dad got me when I was about 7 years of age. Happy daze.

[@elleryparsons5766]

I am in the mist of getting my 2nd Board done it’s gonna look real good when I get it done taking it slowly.

[@Jorlaan42]

Excellent video looking forward to followup. The wife and I are buying an M1 set in the near future and this is very informative. We'll add the v2 next and go from there one step at a time.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks Jorlaan42! Unitrack is a good place to start, and gives you lots of room to play with.

[@mylittletrainbc909]

Wow! thats very interesting ...thanks for sharing John.

[@lthdean]

I like your approach using the styrofoam as a base. But question ? How are you going to attach the track to the hard styrofoam. Especially if you might want to reuse it again. White glue or something else ? Thanks

[@glennmckay5119]

Great advice for a Newby like me. Very much liked the idea of dividing the loop. Pretty funny for me (in Australia) that finally you guys have to convert back from metric to imperial with Kato track. We're usually forever converting from imperial to metric. From our point of view, you make something really simple like metric and convert it to something highly complicated 😀 Loving the step by step build

[@JCsRiptrack]

In truth, I was converting for an American audience, as I'm Canadian and we are (mostly) metric here, but we have to be bilingual for our neighbours to the south. :)

[@yrunaked4]

very informative and well put together series JC. Should be interesting to see whats next. Merry Christmas, Rob

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks Rob. Hopefully you'll see a few additions to this loop shortly. I have a new control system that I need to set up and break in, so that will be part of what comes next.

[@jtmonsman]

Man, I started with an HO oval, it was my dads. Then he did it up big. Switches, tunnel, waterfall….. we had so much fun down the old basement. now….. he’s moving to a double 4x8 “L” shaped. And now im a dad myself, getting a 4x8 n scale going. It’s gonna be amazing. Or a disaster. Only time will tell!!!!!

[@lionellance]

I'm getting restarted again.. thanks for sharing and keep up the great.. Lance

[@ronaldwatson1951]

I definitely enjoyed this video and I have intrest, but I'm a HO scale guy, I'll be looking into Kato for beginners and following your advice.

[@haydenbrooksarenburg3024]

I've only got a loop with 2 inner sidings, now after a trip to the local hobby shop (Maritime Crafts and Hobbies) and I am looking for some track ideas for an area with not a lot of room.

[@alcopower5710]

Excellent tips and ideas

[@JCsRiptrack]

Glad you like them!

[@hunterriley9904]

Great video !! Very helpful tips thinking of building a small ho layout. I have alot of necessities already ( locos rolling stock ez track etc.) But havent decided quite how to do it yet

[@JCsRiptrack]

Nice thing about using a system like Unitrack or EZ-track is that you can play around with some layout ideas to try them out!

[@RailfanDownunder]

In my late 60's, I am also finishing with this type of layout .... see my own KZbin channel and my layout 'Sandy Creek' ........ Superb work Sir

[@DarKKlusteR]

4 years later in 2024 - I personally started with a basic oval set in about late August/early September of 2023, with an Alaska engine, and 2 - 3 freight cars. The oval was made using Bachmann EZ track. Eventually I decided to get a passing side like what KATO has with Bachmann switches. After a while I noticed that KATO has a LOT more to offer for structures and track sets. So I decided to switch from Bachmann EZ track to KATO Unitrack. I now have some crossing grades, including an automatic crossing grade. A bunch of scenery materials from Woodland Scenics mostly, and KATO's Viaduct variation track that I bought from my local train store. However I have yet to really use any of the scenery equipment because I'm currently working with a 6ft x 3ft white plastic folding table. In all fairness, this alone can give me quite some space to work with when it comes to N Scale. But I'm envisioning a grand scale layout that has all the bells and whistles from structures to lights and ambient sounds(not just the engine sounds of a train). So in order for this to work, I need to get a wooden 4ft x 8ft table created. The next things I plan to purchase are KATO's V3 Railyard track system along with some more switches to add more variation. As well as hopefully switch to DCC eventually.

[@johnkulpowich5260]

You deffenley know your subject you keep it simple and interesting. Good instructer

[@JCsRiptrack]

I appreciate that! Hopefully I can keep it up for next video in this series.

[@lewis1912]

I got a GWR set handed down to me from my dad. I've been toying with the idea of a full layout for around a year now haha

[@sherlock1895]

This was very informative. Cheers!

[@jimyeetast9335]

How are you running 2 is this dcc or a dc circuit change?

[@MMRails]

This is a great series for beginners. Well done. -Mark

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks M&M. I realized I was in a good starting position to do a video like this, even if it isn't the primary focus of my channel. Certainlly no harm in sharing, and besides, it gives me opportunities to show weathering beyond rolling stock. :)

[@williamtay7413]

thanks this helped me inspire to make my own kato ho scale model railroad thanks for the videos and tips

[@JCsRiptrack]

Glad to offer it. It's as much of a sharing this as I am doing it as anything else!

[@malcolmpayne754]

Interesting video but not wanting to get ahead of myself can the Kato system be used with a dcc system at some later date.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Yes it can, very easily. What you see me doing on the layout is done with two different DCC systems. In the “Getting Started” video, when I move downstairs, I use the older one, while the next two video use the newer one.

[@malcolmpayne754]

@@JCsRiptrack Thanks for the reply. It seems to me the KATO system is very good but very expensive. However, it saves time drilling holes for traditional point motors which can be difficult when the holes are very close together and of course you don't have to bother with ballasting. I will be watching more of your videos as I am keen to get started with dcc using the KATO rail system.

[@adamschubert1626]

@JC’s riptrack if I have more than one track, is there a power block that has multiple tracks I can hook up too???

[@JCsRiptrack]

Are you using Direct Current or Digital Command Control to run your trains? Power Blocks are most needed for doing DC. Either way, you can run power to multiple sections of track, just make sure the wires are properly connected to the correct rail!

[@theblooper9631]

if you have multiple tracks that are connected to each other in some sections, how do you control only one train, as the trains just get power from the track, so shouldn't they both be controlled the same?

[@JCsRiptrack]

If you're working with a Direct Current system, you'll need to isolate the tracks into blocks to make sure a locomotive can remain still while others move. Alternatively, you can use a Digital Command Control system, like I use, that lets you control individual locomotives. I did a recent video on the different systems: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGi7pKmZn8x1q6M

[@SD_Marc]

Couple questions. On the track layout, as shown at the end of the video, how many power feeders did you use? Second, did you just freestyle that layout, or plan it on software? It's very aesthetically pleasing.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Hi Marc. So far, there are three power feeders on this particular arrangement, but they are temporary. I ran into a few issues in the making of the following video (although edited out) , I expect to have a few more when I finalize the plan! It's partial freestyle, but I also used SCARM to work some stuff out. You'll see me play around more when I add a switching district in the next video in this series.

[@SD_Marc]

@@JCsRiptrack thanks. I'm reworking my layout a little now. It was a little toyish, and so, I borrowed a couple features from yours to make it more interactive. It had a "yard" but it wasn't really conducive to assembling and storing cars. I think it will work better now, and has more room in the middle for scenery. Thank you again. Looking forward to the next video.

[@JCsRiptrack]

I will be adding a yard in an upcoming video, but I want to add an industrial area with some more switching to the "port" side of the layout in the next one. The yard will be on the same side as the interchange track, but it will be fairly modest. Essentially I'm going to squeeze a small yard in between the team/transloading track and the main line, but keep it operational.

[@Meagain921]

Particulary good….thank you.👏

[@nscaler454]

I was at a trainshow and wanted to start my first ever layout. Everyone suggested I get a unitrack loop kit so I could go home and run some trains. 3:53 shows just how quickly I would get bored with that. Instead, I decided to do a proper layout and I am happy I did. I'm filming my progress, which is slow, but it's been fun to build so far.

[@ag-lx6km]

Really helpful video, thanks! 🙂

[@elleryparsons5766]

When I Started My Dad and I Put 3 4x8’s that was Ho when done put the Track down Looked Back and was Shocked how Large it Was Now I am deeply Hooked and love it.

[@conrailhbgline]

Just found the channel, subscribed. Two quick questions for you, first, is there any update on the layout? This was great to get started and was interested if you go to structures or scenery yet. Second, in your highlights of your work, you appear to be talking into another camera, is that a different set of videos available somewhere or for another service/company?

[@JCsRiptrack]

Hi Phil, I've built out the benchwork considerably, but life circumstances saw things stall. I'm thinking that I should do some smaller scenery options to demonstrate some techniques.

[@IMRROcom]

111k in views! Impressive, Most Impressive

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thank you Lord Vader ;) This one did reasonably well to start when I published it a year ago, but it really took off in April.

[@SD_Marc]

I've been wanting to build a small "table-top" layout in n-scale. I've gathered all the track (almost) and trains, but getting to work has been full of roadblocks. I'm really glad you've started this series. Looking forward to seeing the progress. Because I live in a small condo, I have to keep my layout to something I can stow easily. Right now I'm looking at 5.5 x 3, and I've already come up with a track layout. To keep it light I've been thinking about 1"x 4' x 8' foamular foam board, cut to size. My question is, if I built a light frame of wood, is foamular stiff and durable enough to be the main base of a layout? Especially one which might be moved around occasionally.

[@yrunaked4]

you are going to have lot of fun im sure of it. :)

[@JCsRiptrack]

The pink foam you see me using in this video is certainly rigid enough to form a base to the layout. Mine happens to be on a door, but I've seen others who create a frame and glue the foam down on top of the frame. Just make sure the frame is solid and won't warp.

[@SD_Marc]

@@JCsRiptrack so, for whatever reason expanded polystyrene foam is not available in my area - for hundreds of miles. Unfaced anyways. Is there any reason I couldn't use face foam board? I think it's a thin foam face. I'm really getting impatient. I've been in a holding pattern for weeks. I may have to return to plywood, but the weight is a lot for what I need.

[@JCsRiptrack]

You’re in South Korea, right? If push comes to shove you can use white styrofoam as well. It’s just messier as it’s a bunch of compressed styrofoam balls pressed together.

[@SD_Marc]

@@JCsRiptrack haha. No, South Kalifornia. I've searched Home Depot and Lowe's in San Diego and Los Angeles, and I'm starting to wonder if there is some sort of regulation on unfaced expanded polystyrene. I'm going to just drive to every home supply box store in the county tomorrow.

[@simoncurrie5520]

That was an excellent video

[@donaldperkins6148]

Love it I'm just getting into train's I'm hooked I'm ready to build a model in my basement

[@rebelndirt8830]

It was a HO scale Tyco Chattanooga GP20 set around the Xmas tree. It would only be allowed to come out during the holidays. Now I have trains all over the place from “L” scale to “N” scale.

[@awr3965]

I’ve started making the first episode of a show about Railways with a blue blanket, a green blanket a, white rug, a bachmann ez track oval, some pillows to make hills and a crappy I-pad mini 2.

[@bigboy-il7wp]

Yesterday I finally my Ho outdoor layout

[@maxheadroom7687]

Excellent information, thinking of starting in n gauge, subscribed.👍😎🇦🇺

[@farmerdave7965]

My first layout was brass track mounted on a 4x8 sheet of plywood.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Not sure if my track was brass, but the 4x8 sheet of plywood sounds familiar.

[@russherman545]

I started with less than a loop of track. It was a 3 foot section of brass "flex" track that my dad and I pushed some HO cars he'd built back and forth to each other.

[@jimlee4961]

3:55 Cat hears noise, comes to investigate, Quick put it all away before the loco becomes prey! Lol.

[@momoansari1195]

Awesome 👍

[@elleryparsons2433]

My Dad Brought Home A Train set in the Bed of the Dodge truck a 4x8. Hung it To the ceiling in the Basement then I knew I was Hooked and To this Day I will Never stop Model Railroading.

[@sgttoe9763]

Love this series. I’m returning to the hobby after almost 20 years. My question is what diameter are your curves when you double the loop? Did you add the Kato inner loop or the outer loop to what you started with? Or is the track plan available for us to download? Thanks

[@JCsRiptrack]

The minimum sized curves on the plan that I eventually developed were 11" (282mm), but I tried to keep as much to the two next larger sizes (315mm and 348mm). The nicely thing is that the radius tracks are spaced well. I haven't made the trackplan available for download yet, but I may be able to do so with my new Blog website.

[@laurensiemens1436]

When you double your oval or loop for example use 18 inch on the outside and 15 inch on the inside...it also depends on how big your engines that you have. You might want 22 inch on the outside and 18 inch on the inside

[@conrailhbgline]

@@JCsRiptrack Have you posted the track plan as built anywhere?

[@JCsRiptrack]

@@conrailhbgline Not exactly. I have it as a SCARM file which I can send to you if you email me through the "Contact" tab on my channel.

[@conrailhbgline]

@@JCsRiptrack Done!

[@TheFrogfeeder]

A few years ago I built a table top Christmas tree frozen mountain for my Christmas tree, using model train techniques and a small toy battery powered Christmas train that came in a small tin. It actually sits on my “Amish fireplace”, It’s pretty good, I got ice ledges and snow and bears and a frozen waterfall into a frozen skating pond. The characters are all “fairy garden” figures from amazon which were not only the perfect size but also very comical, mostly gnomes and such. Been wanting to make a new one that’s a bit bigger and can use my little actual model train. I want to the train to loop it’s way up the frozen mountain, but I haven’t figured out how it gets back down yet... Edit: can’t I just make a steep downhill run hidden in the back, the train would never have to climb it...I’m talking the mountain is about 18-24 inches tall and the train winds around up it, then into a hidden tunnel which is a steep downhill run to the far side, so say ~20inch drop in 3ft of track?

[@elleryparsons5766]

My Wife is Starting On her N Scale she Is Running Bachmann And Kato on her Table which is Big Enough I Know she Will Love it When she’s done.

[@JoeG-firehousewhiskey]

I had the circle in the basement for a childhood , and it grew from there. I like the metric system much better then imperial

[@JCsRiptrack]

Metric is handy. In Canada we use an odd hybrid depending upon the amounts and where it's being used. We use imperial for height/weight, but metric for distance & speed.

[@DarrenCharron]

Thank you this is a great video I am just getting started and this has helped me a ton.