Model Railroad for Beginners - From Loop to Layout - New Series!

**Click on Show More** **Please Like and Share**
It’s time for something a little different. This week I am starting a new series that explores the process of moving from a simple loop of track to a small layout. This video gives a bit of a background to the process that I will be using, as well as a nod to the original source and why I've decided to make this foray into layout planning and building.
Don't worry, I'll still be doing lots of weathering, and more of those videos are already in the pipe, but this series will also help get my layout built!
Links to Roy Smith's N-Scale Union Pacific Subdivision Channel:
/ @n-scaleunionpacificev...
And Mike Fifer's Channel:
/ @n-scale
Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
/ jcsriptrack
/ jcsriptrack
/ jcs_riptrack
Yes! I do take commissions!
Check out my Patreon page for more details: / jcs_riptrack
I could even feature your model, railcar, or locomotive in an upcoming video!
You can email me at [e-mail]
If you enjoyed this video, give it a "like" 👍, subscribe 🔔, comment 💬 below, and share it on your social media and model railroad forums.
To learn more about the Products and Equipment Featured or Used in this Video:
Check out my Amazon Store:
www.amazon.com...
Equipment & Software:
Canon HF R800: amzn.to/2XxLfa8
Dji Osmo Mobile 2 (Mobile Phone Gimbal): amzn.to/2EZAk1Y
Sony SLT-A55 DSLR (Link is for the A68) - amzn.to/2x81GOv
Neewer Backdrop Kit: amzn.to/2FVmw8Y
Neewer 176 Lights (x3): amzn.to/2xvSap5
Neewer Softboxes for 176 Lights: amzn.to/2YByT1g
GlideGear TMP-100 Teleprompter Unit: amzn.to/2JdJIRW
Apple iPad Air: amzn.to/2XnKiQV
Zoom H4n Handy Recorder: amzn.to/2K3TdBY
Boya BY-M1 Universal Lavalier Microphone - amzn.to/2Qml0QO
Manfrotto 190X Pro Tripod - amzn.to/2Nz4vCu
Adobe Creative Cloud Suite:
Photoshop CC 2018, Premiere Pro CC 2018, Audition CC 2018, After Effects CC 2018.
Buy the Suite: amzn.to/2G11oQj
Learn How to use them: amzn.to/2Nz4z5c
Credits:
Music: "Engine No. 9" by Les Hooper
© 1981 Birch Island Music Press, Sole Selling Agent: C.L. Barnhouse Co., Oskaloosa, IA
Used with Permission
Keywords:
model train layout planning,model railway track planning,Kato unitrack layout planning,Kato unitrack n scale track plans,Kato unitrack n scale layout plans,unitrack layout plans,Kato unitrack weathering,Kato starter set,model train layout on a door track plan,model railroad layout on a door track plan,weathering model trains,Kato unitrack n scale,jc's riptrack,from loop to layout

[@JCsRiptrack]

So what sort of things would you like me to address in this series? The nice thing about being at this point is I can hopefully address stuff right from the start.

[@grahamthedark]

Why would anyone give a thumbs down to a series that could get more people into thee hobby. Kato track ? N scale ? If you are going to thumbs down at least give a reason you disagree.

[@mauricethorne5912]

That is the first thing that came to mind.

[@robertcummings7890]

Great stuff John, great ideas and operating tips. Way to go, going model my layout based on your insights.

[@n-scaleunionpacificevansto6569]

Nice video, John. You are so right about Kato Unitrack. Thanks for the mention. I look forward to watching the continuing episodes in this series. ...Roy

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks Roy. A well-deserved shout out, because you and Mike have shown what can be done with Unitrack to make a realistic-looking layout :)

[@tractorrailfan_1]

For me, tony koester was my biggest inspiration

[@craigbaldwin4935]

Clear, concise and to the point. These are videos I enjoy the most. Thank you JC.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks Craig. Well, this series is really showing some promise, so I hope to continue it!

[@silkcustoms520]

Great Channel. I won the V2 Kato Set at a Train Show about 6 years ago and I was hooked. I started in O Scale about 20 yrs ago when my Uncle Moved and gave me all his trains, etc, then went N scale and built a 2 level Layout on a Door in our old House, then did a small G scale Garden Railroad around my Landscaping, then HO and now back N scale and sticking with it and Kato. The V2 is a Great Set. I need another one.

[@JCsRiptrack]

The Kato sets are very good, and nearly bulletproof. There's some places that need tweaks for it, but for the most part, it's a set-up and play kind of arrangement.

[@robertjohnson4755]

This new series will be a welcome addition to the great content you already create. The names you mentioned have all been a great inspiration to me and one more is Luke Towan and his channel Boulder creek railroad. Very inspirational and discovering his channel a couple years ago is what got me back into model railroading. Keep up the great work John!

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks Robert. I also subscribe to Luke and have used some of his tricks for scenery too. :) His Mod-Podge mix is what I use for scenic cement. :)

[@thelowmein9143]

Lance Mindheim, who would say forget the loop do a point to point switching layout, keep it very simple and think in terms of car spots not number of turnouts. His LA junction is a perfect example of this doctrine.

[@jolliemark6294]

Thanks John, I too watch the guys you mentioned and in joy them, I have been planning a layout for years and this just might be what I need it get me started by starting small.....thanks for sharing Jack

[@JCsRiptrack]

Likewise. This is as much kicking myself in the butt as it is showing everyone what I am doing. :)

[@aryadog_1236]

I have dabbled in O scale for the longest time but due to space constraints I am switching to HO. Although you are demonstrating with N gauge, your talking points are still very transferable! Thanks a lot

[@JCsRiptrack]

Great to hear! My hope with the series is that it is transferrable. :)

[@tractorrailfan_1]

I love the CN engines

[@TheSwitchList]

Hi John - looking forward to following this new series! -Rick

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks Rick. Something to intersperse between my weathering videos. :)

[@jml8975]

Tony Koester has certainly been an inspiration.

[@820krx7]

I just got back into this hobby for my kids; had an HO as a kid. I'm living in an apartment in Seoul (980sq ft) and so I'll be doing an N - just bought some stock, a loco, and some Kato M2 & various add on v sets to replicate the rail & siding where I grew up. I grew up in the late 80s/90s so i had a green mat under my HO on a big 4x10' table. Now with kids who are really digging the O scale Lionel I got for the Christmas Tree, I want to model my hometown, where I grew up (and also dated my wife while she attended Uni stateside) in a roughly 2x3 or 2x4' area (planning 150mmx90mm) so I'll need to hide or divide the rear track.... if I'm going to use foam, I'm thinking of maybe making a slight grade on the track and model a slope up so the rear track sits half a train lower in height, but the houses on the back of the table are higher, slightly - sitting over the concealed rear portion of the loop (which actually models the real slopen of my hometown in western Pa - stream, tracks, our home and all the while the ground is sloping up away from the valley floor... But, I really have no clue about foam cutting, foams, foam thickness, and also what kind of grades are acceptable on a Kato turn from a m2 or v6 set? So I'd like if you could talk about the base, planning for streams & hills a bit... but I'm eagerly looking forward to this series in anycase!! perfect timing!

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks Stephen! As you may have seen from the video, I have mine on pink foam, which is readily available here in western Canada. I'll see what I can do to answer some of your questions along the way!

[@820krx7]

@@JCsRiptrack Awesome, looking forward. Found a big 3'x6' (88cmx190cm) beat up conference table with metal legs for $30 bucks at a used furniture store, which fits the kato m1 & v6 outer loop I ended up with (Kato track is all sold out over here & in Japan for christmas, I guess??) So I'll need to wait a month or so for turnouts, etc. which is fine, holidays are coming, and it'll give me time to research & plan more, too! Enjoying your weathering videos, that's something i hadn't considered doing before.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks Stephen. I suppose if it is in high demand, then yes you may need to wait. I'm fortunate to have a bit of stash I can at least work with for these videos. My next video is a weathering one, and then hopefully the next part in this series shortly after that!

[@ibiubuok]

Although I've been away from model railroading for a few years (mostly in HO, and I even uploaded a bunch of my own videos), I've been thinking of getting back into the hobby -- perhaps this time in N-scale. I appreciate your uploading this video series. This will be a huge help. Thanks a million!

[@JCsRiptrack]

Glad you’re finding it useful!

[@elleryparsons5766]

When I came Back To Model Railroad Dad got a train set in wis Then got me into m.Railroading so We went to a Hardware store got the Wood cut And shaped The Layout Bought 3 4x8’s My dad and I were Playing with the Train.Dad and I were Happy with the Outcome The Layout was Huge looking and loved it.now that I am moved out And Married Now My wife and I Are model Railroading.

[@conrailhbgline]

All the big names but also Lance Mindheim and David Popp as well since they do modern, simple and N-scale, respectively.

[@shockwave1952]

Nice work

[@kamala2111]

Looking forward too the progression

[@JCsRiptrack]

So am I! Thanks for tuning in!

[@KingDragon312]

N scale is a little challenging but fun, I had a great time with it about for a while now.

[@donmartin9567]

Great idea for a series John, looking forward to it. IF you plan to use Kato Unitrack for your layout this method is a great way to go but if you don't then I'm not so sure what to use. As I build my own track and turnouts, my options for track planning would be "buy a bunch of Unitrack and only use it for track planning" or "buy a bunch of flex track and only use it for track planning" or, some other method. The hardest thing for me to get going on a layout is to settle on what I what I want. With a basement bedroom available I can go all the way around, I can do upper loops, I can do lower loops, I could do an island etc. And, not only the track plan but what about the buildings & industries??? So, it'll be interesting to see how you evolve and how much you have pre-planned and are just executing versus how much your plan evolves along the way with the concept of "I don't know what'll go in there right now but I'll figure it out".

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks Don. I do have a basic location theme (Central Nova Scotia), and some ideas of what I'd like to do. I expect that I will probably have a brewery somewhere (Alexander Keith's anyone?), and a scrapyard for my Gondolas. The first thing is to show how to make a basic loop interesting. :)

[@JoeG-firehousewhiskey]

This is going to be a great series, im looking forward to it!

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks Joe! It's been fun so far. :)

[@normanrowe2831]

Hello John, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! This is great. I’m in the process of taking down my HO layout and replacing it with an N scale one. I, too, will be using Kato track. It will be a DCC powered layout. So....I am “ all aboard “ on this this. Ouch! That was bad. Okay, see ya next time.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks Norman. Would love to have your feedback along the way, and looking forward to seeing yours!

[@canyonpast]

Great Video, thanks for making the hobby great. I enjoy your work.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks canyonpast. This is a bit of a new venture for me, glad to have you along for the trip. :)

[@frankhellman6879]

I'm a fairly new subscriber, so I binged all your old vids not long ago. But for the life of me, I don't remember anything about a hollow-core door layout table. I welcome a series like this. I'd love to know how you pick power districts (presuming you will be), and how you incorporate/ allow for DDC control while designing your plan.

[@JCsRiptrack]

You can find a link to the video in question when I show the track plan in the background in this video. All I did was show me adding the 6" extension, and a brief glimpse at the track plan that I was (am?) using. Look for the thumbnail that has me with safety glasses and a brad nailer on it.

[@jerrysmith1929]

An interesting approach to track planning, i.e., Unitrack. I favor code 55 flex track because of appearance and {grin} it's flexibility. But I did use Unitrack for staging on one layout because it was easy to modify to suit evolving needs in staging during construction of the final layout. So I see how Unitrack could be used to develop a track plan and then the Unitrack could be recycled as track for the staging yard.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Absolutely. I think the playing around aspect of Unitrack is its strength, and its relative portability and interchangeability reflects why it is so dominant in Japan.

[@Adol666]

Tomix/Tomytec also makes an N scale track like Kato. I use it instead of Kato but they are both good. I think the tomix has more types of track then Kato

[@Howie2025]

Looks interesting John. Funnily enough we both got back into the hobby at the same time and starting with the same Koester book. Still refer to it today. I also started my current layout using Kato Unitrack. I gave up on it though, as I wasn't having total success with all my rolling stock staying on the track. I've since switched to Micro Engineering track and a much bigger layout. looking forward to following your experiences with this new series.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks David. My own space is limited at the moment, although I do have designs and ideas for a staging yard and stuff beyond it. However, the main focus is to develop this part, and then build in some expansion options. :)

[@gjr427]

I am very interested in your new series because of the Kato track. I hope to start a new layout soon once we move into a new house. I have done a couple layouts in the past but nothing outstanding. I expect to do a better job this time, yet not be a prototypical railroad. I have concerns about laying track and wiring and wonder if the Kato would be better and easier. Also concerned about cost. Any information you give I know will be a great help. Watch your weathering videos and enjoy them already. Keep up the great work.

[@JCsRiptrack]

I'm a unitrack convert. The turnouts are pricier than other brands, but the switch motors are built in which is one of the things that sold it for me.

[@Grainexpress]

Going to be a great series John! I’m HO and actually have a layout but thinking about going modular and take the hobby to the public. Looking forward to more videos. Have a great Thanksgiving!

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks Grainexpress! You can pack a lot of stuff into N-Scale, but the principles here should work with any scale.

[@austinmaxi555]

Thank you so much. Im going to enjoy this series. Liked and subbed

[@MartyM22]

I'm interested in this new series of videos, I'm committed to ho scale and have come back to the hobby a year ago. My track plan is down but only pinned to the foam board, just started to glue the mainline. Interested to see your ideas before I get too far and cant change without some involved work. Looking forward to future videos

[@JCsRiptrack]

No worries, even if you're committed to HO Scale, this series will still work for you, because it's the principles behind it more than the size and shape of the track that matters...

[@elleryparsons5766]

I found out by Going to Train shows then watching these videos if and when I need to find out how to something I utube to find what I am looking for. Yes this my Choice of drug and I love it Before and after work or My day off I am working on my Layouts N gauge or Ho. How many people dual Gauge like I do?

[@russellloomis4376]

I'm glad to find this tutorial I'm really hoping that sooner or later you'll be playing with elevation changes if you haven't already. I've played with 4×8 tables running two loops. Right now I have an L shape 8×10×6w table but I want to take the next step I just don't know-how. I would eventually go into a girder system shelf layout around my garage asking the table as a yard or something to that effect. It just how do I take that next step. I model in HO but like you said some plans can be converted plus I'm just looking for the basics to take that step. Thanks

[@JCsRiptrack]

I hadn't planned on elevation changes with this particular layout, but I am working on some ideas that may include them in a future expansion of the layout. Glad to offer some insights. I'm passing stuff along as I learn it myself :)

[@elleryparsons5766]

Bachman is Also good I am Also Thinking Of Doin Lifelike Also In N Scale as Well.

[@7200932]

Just found this series, I already have an Idea of a track plan I want to use. and started with the kato M2 set it has evolved into using the V11, V12 nd V13 sets so its a kind of double track figure of 8 loop with a single track runoff into a marshalling yard.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Nice. Would love to see some pictures.

[@williambryant5946]

Neat video and good idea for a series. 👍

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks Willilam. The fun part is that I genuinely don't know exactly where I am going to end up. :)

[@dexterdog62]

Don’t want to nitpick, but I think you’re mixing up the two Johns... Allen and Armstrong. The track planning book you mention was written by John Armstrong. Definitely looking forward to this series!

[@JCsRiptrack]

You're right. My bad! Gotta fix that in the next video. It's even in the graphic on the video. Ooops.

[@daviddaane-bolier2090]

David Barrow and his dominos.

[@kevinreed4027]

I am interested in reading Mr. Ropers article. I have been unable to find it using the Wayback Machine. How can I find this article? Great series so far. You should create a play list for it.

[@JCsRiptrack]

I do have a playlist for this series which you can find here: kzbin.info/aero/PLxNYoknHPrDoI9LemF4X2hW2lmA1mko4M The article is trickier to locate on the wayback machine. Look for "Evolution of a 3x5 layout"

[@kevinreed4027]

@@JCsRiptrack thanks

[@austinmaxi555]

@@kevinreed4027 "Index of /c/ca/caroper/tutorial" web.archive.org/web/20180916185525/users.iafrica.com/c/ca/caroper/tutorial/

[@steveward3008]

Nice series. Is there a copy of the article by Chris Roper? I wouldn't mind reading that article myself

[@JCsRiptrack]

Unfortunately, it's no longer easily available on the internet. That's partly why I created this series in honour of what he did. Try a search for "Evolution of a 3x5 Layout", but when it gives you the link, copy the link and post it into the "Wayback Machine" at archive.org. You may be able to find parts of that article that way.

[@ewoodrailway]

Great video, Thankyou. I've subbed

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks! Looking forward to getting the next video up soon. I'm more likely to have a weathering video up next, but exploring the basic loop is next.

[@charlesmitchell487]

Hey JC - Thanks for this - (BTW You have your own bookmark folder on my bar - a very great honor :) I've just completed constructing a hollow-core door. 30"x80. I've designed the track plan - Kato N scale. I'm getting ready to glue down the 2" blue foam board. Exciting, right? Yeah, except for - where do I go next? I plan to cut out some rivers, etc. Do I glue the track on top of the foam? Do I pin it? Do I put a very thin veneer of wood on this? Or do I just start building the mountains and rivers around the track? (Which I assume you pin) Help.

[@wilzdart]

hey John I think it will be a good series, I use Uni-track on my layout, I liked about it best I could operate it and any areas that proved to be a hassle I could quickly adjust for smoother train flow. I use a lot of sunrise reference books. I refer to them a lot. They are in color and have them on just about all the major railroads. The books you talked about are in my library also. Looking forward to the next one.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks Will. This is probably going to be about putting as much of my own mistakes on the record as it is being a proper how-to!

[@MMRails]

Great series, great editing, great video. What’s your secret in regards to script reading? I asked for a teleprompter for Christmas but Santa said it was too expensive.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks M&M, I do have access to an inexpensive teleprompter. I use my own iPad on it, but it has 70/30 glass on an angle in front of the camera. However, the software I use on the tablet can also run concurrently while using the tablet's camera as another option. So I could film with the iPad while running the teleprompter software. I also do public speaking professionally, so that helps a little bit.

[@falconeye577]

Hello I want to build an N Scale layout and I have two major questions 1 - is there a kit or a plan for building a Helcoil for N Scale 2 - what is the rise and run for up hill slopes Thanks James

[@JCsRiptrack]

Hi James. You're asking about a Helix for N-Scale to bring it from one level to another? Yes, this is easily done in N-scale, and can be done with Kato Unitrack as long as your benchwork is designed for it. There are some third-party kits out there, but many people build their own out of plywood or hardboard. At least at this stage in the layout I'm keeping things pretty flat given the space that I have to work with (my next video on it will be out tomorrow morning). This link has a good helix calculator so you know what sort of rise/run you're getting given the radius of curves. I've found with most Kato Unitrack curves, you're very likely to be pushing a 2-3% grade or higher. | www.modelbuildings.org/helix-design-calculator/

[@easypeasylemonsqueezy5663]

I use an old British magazine called the world of trains

[@wykedinsanity]

im going n-scale again soon my plansd are kato cuz im disabled now

[@backontrack133]

This should be cool

[@JCsRiptrack]

Looking forward to sharing it. Hope you like it.

[@AverageOhioan1903]

what better bachmann ez track or kato? im not really sure

[@maxwilson7001]

I’ve always heard Kato is better. Reliability, cost, and availability are the most common points for Kato I hear.

[@elleryparsons5766]

When Model Railroading it’s nice to Bite off more than you can chew then you can challenge yourself this is Called no harm NoFoul.

[@tomemslie6978]

I believe Mr Roper has died. I think I remember seeing that someone else took over the site. Every so often I still get an email from the site that someone sends out

[@JCsRiptrack]

I'm sad to hear this. Thank you for sharing, and perhaps through this series I can at least honour what he did.

[@edwinkowalinski4337]

I’m just getting into the hobby and have a collection of flex track and snap-track. Can these be joined together?

[@JCsRiptrack]

As I replied on the other video, yes they can. I'm using Kato Unitrack specifically, and even it has pieces that are intended to attach to other brands of track.

[@crr311sux5]

@@JCsRiptrack Really? Does this also count 4 HO scale? I'm considering switching from EZ track to Kato track

[@JCsRiptrack]

I've just checked the current track supplies for HO Scale Unitrack, and they don't appear to explicitly have a piece that is purposefully designed as a connector piece like they have in N-Scale. However, I am pretty sure that the HO Scale Unitrack is Code 100, and could connect to other code 100 track if you remove the unijoiners at the appropriate end, and use standard railjoiners to connect the track at that point. You'd need to make sure your roadbed, whether cork or foam makes sure that stuff lines up. Unitrack is one of the few places where the selection for N-Scale is considerably more robust than HO Scale.

[@crr311sux5]

@@JCsRiptrack Cool. Never new prefab track was code 100. I might as well get some normal track and it it in between the two prefab tracks, thanks.

[@thiruraj3866]

JC: this can Aldo work for ho scale as well as n scale TT scale modelers: what about us N scale modeler: n scale you can fit more layout into Z scale modeler: no z scale you can fit more layout into T scale modeler: amateurs Both modelers: what did you say T scale modelers: amateurs

[@nateshon3eastbroadtoprailr448]

You mean John Armstrong's track planning book, not John Allen's. ;-)

[@JCsRiptrack]

Yup. Someone else already pointed that out. My bad. The picture had the right name on it. :P

[@nateshon3eastbroadtoprailr448]

@@JCsRiptrack I have that book somewhere, just need to find it. Oh, ok, you just confused the two masters. ;-)

[@SleepyHollowRestoredMikeJohns]

John Allen John Olson Dave Frary and Malcom Furlough

[@alfredfactorsr5447]

why you talk to much