Model Railroad for Beginners - From Loop to Layout - Operating the Yard and Layout

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The next step in my “From Loop to Layout” series continues from the last video, showing how I integrate the Yard and Industries together into a fully-operational layout. Sure, there's virtually no scenery yet, but this video shows how far we have progressed beyond the basic loop. This video explains the different parts of the layout including the yard, ways to visualize it for operations, and then I run an operations session with my son.
While this is N-Scale, the principles here are transferrable to any scale.
The Micro-Mark Waybill System can be found here:
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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!
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The DCC Control System I use is a Piko Smart Control, which is essentially the same hardware as an ESU Cab Control:
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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
Stock Footage from Storyblocks.com purchased under a yearly membership.
Keywords:
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[@robertcummings7890]

John, thank you so much, your videos have gave the direction for my next layout. My grandchildren will love the layout based on your insights. Again thank so much.

[@dexterdog62]

It’s so heartwarming to see a father son so engaged and having fun together operating the layout. Kids grow up so fast and time passes by so quickly. Cherish every moment and the memories that were created.

[@dexterdog62]

@John Hugh what are you talking about??

[@JCsRiptrack]

@dexterdog62 --It was a spam post. I'm setting up filters to get rid of them, but some of the bots get through.

[@pedrobrunodeandrade]

"This loop is not a loop." The best modelling tip I've heard this year, dude. Imagining the layout beyond the obvious circle. The possibilities are huge! :)

[@jhoodfysh]

Great video John. The part I liked best was the "high five" the smile on your son's face at the end.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@alfonsolanzagorta5138]

This is the perfect solution for those kids who find trains boring!

[@1TruNub]

This series has been a major help to me. I am in the process of building my first layout. a railroad that is supposed to go between Galveston Texas and New Orleans Louisiana set in the 1920s. So this video in particular is helpful

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks! I'm glad you have found it useful!

[@HallimarRathlornStudios]

It's good to see the series again.

[@googlypal]

It’s so much fun to watch video after video while realizing how fast kids are growing.

[@elleryparsons5766]

Great Looking Table.

[@tcepilot]

Where did you go? Your videos are second to none!

[@JCsRiptrack]

I’m still around, but I’ve not been able to record or post videos from home for the past while. I’m hoping that people are still able to make use of my library.

[@daveeberle1410]

Thank you so much JC for providing such amazingly informative videos!

[@americanindependantmedia9229]

That was fun to watch.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Thanks. It was fun to do.

[@labschi]

I just finished my first N gauge layout yesterday. The track plan follows your From Loop to Layout videos except for this last step. Instead of a port I've set up a container bridge, and the middle track is a coal mining complex. Thanks a lot for the great tips and hints! :)

[@JCsRiptrack]

That is awesome! Thanks for sharing Matthias!

[@keeganseva3975]

Thanks for sharing. This is a great series for people like myself who are new to the hobby. I cannot wait till you post layout updates of this one.

[@alanandammakingnewmemories2950]

Hi JC I was wondering if you have anymore vlogs coming out they were so good and very informative and have encouraged me to build one myself would love to have seen the finished job cheers from Australia Alan

[@cyrano234]

Not a modeler but interested in the layout design and operations side of things. Would love to see a video about the waybill system or other such systems that can be used.

[@tomwcameron]

yes pls Actual wording details on what is written on 2 or 3 typical cards would be great.

[@thatsimulatorguy]

Seriously needs more. Love this Series even if it’s old. And for your question, I do have a small layout yard and I use it for full layout operations

[@mattarmstrong5637]

Awesome video John, your son made a very responsible engineer too!! Great fun!

[@JCsRiptrack]

You got that right! He had fun, but i had to do each job as a separate session.

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

Ok. I'm a little confused since I'm new at this. So let me see if I'm getting this right: You pick up cars to be delivered at rail yard, go 3x around track(clockwise), dropoff & pick up returns then go 3x around track counter clockwise. I'm guessing this is to show you are coming back to yard otherwise you would be heading farther away?? This is very interesting & exciting!! This is what I'm looking forward to do!!! Stay Safe & God Bless!!

[@JCsRiptrack]

Yes. The 3x laps creates an illusion of distance, and an opportunity to railfan. Honestly, it can be as many times as you like, but if you want to keep it consistent, just make sure you do the same number of laps going out as you do coming back. So I do 3 laps out and back, but you could do 10 out and back and it'd still work.

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

@@JCsRiptrack Thanks for the info much appreciated!!

[@kamala2111]

Great video, nice too see you and your son enjoying the hobby!

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

Really enjoyed this series!!!👊🏻 I've learned a lot of things and hope I can grow and learn more about this Cool Hobby!! I think you have found your Engineer for your layout and you as the conductor!!🤩 Stay Safe & God Bless!!!!

[@strangleholdoutdoors]

Love the video!

[@alanandammakingnewmemories2950]

that was so good and helpful

[@elleryparsons2433]

Love the Design Lively track plan.👍👍👍👍

[@andrewpalm2103]

I enjoyed watching your operating session and your approach to opening up the loop. My own little HO layout is based on the Inglenook Sidings Puzzle. It represents a very small industrial park or transfer facility in 1962. The dedicated engine lives at the end of the lead track, and cars arrive from an interchange at the end of the long siding (the bumper is replaced by a derail). Due to its small size, I use a switch list as the operating document. I also wrote a computer program to determine efficient switching schemes, and it generally does much better than I do just winging it. Thanks for sharing your layout and painting methods.

[@cyclewithsteve6202]

This was helpful in imagining what I might be able to do when I can finally reclaim one bedroom. Instead of a table I could do a series of 12” to 18” wide shelves. (If you were standing at the wall, think of something shaped like a capital “G”). It would even allow for different yards for each direction.

[@Maurice00PA]

Nice job. Good explanation on basic operations. I am impressed with the smooth operation you got from the Kato crossovers. They can be finicky. I have two yards on my layout. Each on one side of a loop. One side is staging and the other represents the Conrail yard where my prototype shortline would pickup interchange. I have two shelves off that to represent two of the branches of my prototype. Cheers, stay safe and model on!

[@JCsRiptrack]

They can be finicky. I have some GP9rm's that I need to adjust the wheels on as they're slightly out of gauge that get caught on the points from time to time.

[@joeyd4593]

lifelong loop railroader, where were you 40 years ago lol :)

[@Spek1212]

I am currently working on building a N scale layout that models a fictional BNSF mainline from Casper, Wyoming to Burns, Oregon, and eventually Seattle. My moddled portion is from Pinedale, Wyoming to Rexburg, Idaho. The layout is extremly small, being about 6 feet long at its longest point. I plan to include a yard at Rexburg that will be used as staging, but if I ever decide to change things up, it can be used for operations.

[@HumancityJunction]

We were just talking about this series recently. Good to see another episode coming out. No yard, I do not have the room if I want to do continuous running.

[@KenN.OXN.805]

@Human[c]ity Junction @Heath You can see whether you have room to put switches on two corner modules that lead to an imaginary destination away from your t trak loop. Then connect a yard module when you have time to build.

[@HumancityJunction]

@@KenN.OXN.805 I have been considering adding a siding that can me extended to a staging yard. I like the yard Kevin Brown created for his t-trak layout.

[@KenN.OXN.805]

@@HumancityJunction do you have a link to Kevin Brown’s staging yard?

[@HumancityJunction]

@@KenN.OXN.805 Absolutely, kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooHGnmOEpZyAo7M

[@HumancityJunction]

@@KenN.OXN.805 I posted the link, but I think the link is being blocked. If you email me I can send it to you.

[@jerrysmith1929]

Looks like a good time is being had by all. While not personally a big fan of Unitraack, I can see it's usefulness in getting trains running quickly for a son and beginner father project before father goes on to more challenging modeling.

[@JCsRiptrack]

That's primarily why I am using it. Quick set up, and play around with several configurations before settling in on something that works. The original version of the plan included a timesaver puzzle. After testing stuff out, the Inglenook ended up being a better (if simpler) choice.

[@elleryparsons2433]

With My I Have a Line Going into the Center of the Table Then I Have 3 Buildings On Each side then I Have a Coaling Station on the Outside off the Main Line Looking Good and Productive .

[@cameron_krause]

Awesome video John!

[@roberthubal6278]

Did the railroad workers get lunch break? Union rules. Great video. Nice job on the layout.

[@donaldshroyer8633]

Nice vid. I've been using a similar system with 2 big differences: 1) When a train departs a locale, it doesn't leave, it enters a tunnel and emerges from the other side with a new symbol and its own set of movements. 2) All of the "paperwork" is generated from a custom programed MS Access app as .PDFs displayed on laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

[@astolatpere11]

Fascinating!

[@kevinreed4027]

I am hoping you will be producing more of these videos soon.

[@danchapin7987]

Thank you John for helping me see a realistic path to getting back into the hobby. I have several decent locomotives, many cars of various types, and a dcc controller in boxes because I bit off way more than was realistic for me. I put it all in boxes and it has sat unused for too long. I now see I can get started with this layout and enjoy the switching operations without the pressure to detail the scenery. Would you be willing to share this track layout and the Kato track items needed to build your track layout?

[@IMRROcom]

Would of had the 2 engines sitting on the A/D track waiting and then have the switcher put the train onto those 2 engines. Same with the other way have the switcher put the train on the A/D track and then the engines arrive at the train. Do the same thing for the returns. Switcher does the yard work your locals do nothing in the yard other than wait for the switcher especially pulling cars out of your yard body. Union Rules are Union Rules

[@druark2]

This is great. Thanks.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Glad you liked it, Dave! Thank you.

[@richardjayroe8922]

I just started on my yard.

[@Browneye57]

Awesome...and the kids love it. 'Basic' operation is confuzzling for this old timer. :) I didn't catch it - are you running DC or DCC control?

[@cadecunningham2208]

Can you do a video on wires such as soldering? Thanks.

[@ketchy9]

Great video! Really shows what can be done in a relatively small space w n scale. Just curious what is the size of you layout in its current state?

[@elleryparsons5766]

I Run An Ho layout it is L- Shape. I Have a Switch goin Into The Line And Going to the Main Line My N Scale is Still Working in Progress. More Track will be Done Eventually.Not Rushing It.

[@roguedragondraksis9114]

I guess I'm lucky enough to live by a short line railroad that literally does make a loop. The UCRY. Which I hope to model in lego

[@SamBoards]

Love the videos I would like to see a interchange video because that’s what I want to do on my layout but don’t know how to

[@dodo1opps]

Good Video, John. Great to see your layout. But I'd loose the background music...

[@MyFingerLakesRailwayLayout]

Man that layout turned out nice! Any plans for scenery? It would make a huge difference. Bet your son would enjoy that part too.

[@JCsRiptrack]

Hi Bill, eventually! Although I now have some more real-estate to use, so I am going to spread some of these elements around my new space. So yes, scenery will come. I may even start by doing some dioramas to show the process in a smaller space.

[@brendynscholler4288]

my yard is the main hub of my 4x8 ft CN layout and has a oil and freight house buiness

[@JCsRiptrack]

You'll see a lot of CN stuff on mine :)

[@DrDiff952]

I am building an inglenook switchyard in N scale

[@MartinGallacher]

Great! What does the Mario(?) dude with the yellow hard hat do?

[@Chris-ux1ij]

Isn't there a mistake at 13:33 - a train arriving should go to the arrival/departure track first then get the switcher to take the train from the opposite end and feed it into the yard via the yard lead before the big loco can then go to the rip track or pick up some other train from the yard to depart? In other words, stopping a train on the main line and then running around would not be allowed?? (as it would foul the mainline, i.e. it would be unsafe + inefficient to stop a train on the main line)

[@woodman5647]

Is it possible to get your track plan. I would like to build it.

[@Fgr63]

Hi John, What are the Kato unitrack sets you use for this layout?

[@denisebasile3813]

Always wanted one just not sure how I just made a new layout it's two 4by 4 an a whole in middle it's a long one whole wall I have HO if you have any ideals let me know. A lot of engines are long

[@michaelplumb298]

What is the dice roll that you mentioned at the end of this video

[@JCsRiptrack]

If you look at one of the other videos in the series: "The Puzzle of Switching Operations." I use a dice-roll mechanic as part of that video.

[@LifeOfRiley2166]

What dimensions would you use for an HO scale equivalent to your track plan?

[@JCsRiptrack]

In HO Scale this track plan would be roughly 5.5' by 14' - But you could easily push the width of it as an around-the walls kind of layout.

[@Bighell01]

With a 40 years old history(stopped in the 80’s) I’m curious where you are goning to in modellrailroading.

[@Bighell01]

Don’t see the loop “which isn’t a loop”. Will try to look it over and over. If I don’t find out I will report myself. Grtz from the Netherlands (Europe)

[@JCsRiptrack]

Are you looking for the earlier videos in the series?

[@Niles442]

Well Done - but kill the music. The music detracts from your demonstration.