Model Trains in action on Tony Koester ’s amazing Nickel Plate Road model railway layout in HO Scale

A great model railway or model railroad is Tony Koester’s amazing model train layout of the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad Company (“Nickel Plate Road”). The original rail network was constructed in 1881 and operated in the United States of America. The famous Nickel Plate Road served a large area, including rail networks in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. In the last century, the Nickel Plate Road was enlarged by merging with other railway companies.
Such a large rail network, which covered more than 7,000 miles (11,000 km) of tracks and served 14 states and the Canadian province of Ontario, offers endless ideas for planning and building a model railway layout in HO scale. In the field of rail transport modeling, Tony Koester is a widely known Nickel Plate Road historian and model railroader. So Tony authentically created the “Third Sub-Division” of the St. Louis Division (Clover Leaf District) of the Nickel Plate Road. What makes Tony’s layout stand out even more is that it is as much of an artistic masterpiece as it is an operational and functional recreation of railroading history. The yardmaster, for example, uses realistic road rules for all his operations.
Please note, this video footage was made by Forrest Nace. Forrest is a professional model railroad videographer and photographer from the United States and he provided Pilentum Television with some exquisite video footage. Forrest made a documentary of 2 hours and 40 minutes about Tony Koester’s Nickel Plate Road that includes complete operation of the entire model railroad, interviews, how to segments, panoramic overviews, layout staging, and crew duties during an operating session, which is available at www.nacesvideo.... In this KZbin video we see some short video sequences from his documentary.
Read More:
▶ www.pilentum.de
▶ www.pilentum.org
▶ www.pilentum-t...
▶ www.nacesvideo...
▶ www.nkphts.org

[@TheRustedSpike]

Gold standard for farmland modeling!!

[@pquixano]

Dear Tony, My great grandfather, Walter Ross, was President of the NPR, back in the day. It warms my heart to see the Road so beautifully memorialized in such a way. Having grown up in Ohio, it also captures a bit of life in the late ‘40s/early ‘50s in rural Parts of the state. I was born in Toledo. When I was very young, my dad would take my brother and me to visit the New York Central marshaling yard to watch the “puffer bellies,” as he called the steam locomotives being shifted to switching duties as the diesel electric locomotives were coming on line. Now, I don’t know if it really is ,ironic, but i-r-o-n-i-c-a-l-l-y I met my future wife as she stepped off the New York Central 20th Century Limited at Lasalle Street Station in Chicago, Illinois in April of 1966. We married several sweet seasons later in November of 1971. Kind regards, Stephen A. Blair

[@mach37]

"Down by the station, early in the morning, See the little puffer bellies, all in a row." Surprised to learn that this was co-written by a great jazz pianist, Slim Gaillard, in 1948. I heard it when I was a child.

[@paktoysreview8377]

The detail is absolutely stunning, true to life.

[@juanizcue5574]

Oh my...this layout is absolutely wonderful! The sounds and backdrops are so well made... beautiful weathering, just perfect!

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this preview of Tony Koester’s incredible masterpiece. I offer a complete 2-1/2 hour documentary with choreographed train movements to a story line based on the actual NKP schedule from 1954, an in depth interview with Tony not only about trains but his life, a full panoramic overview of the entire layout, and how to clinic segments. Please visit www.nacesvideography.com for this and other award-winning model railroad programs.

[@williambryant5946]

Mr. Tony Koester is a excellent modeler. Definitely a master in the craft. 👍

[@HemlockRidge]

I don't think I have ever seen such wonderful "woods and thickets" modeling.

[@richardboess8050]

Thanks for a fantastic video ! Finally someone gets the volume just right. Far too many videos ruined by excessive volume IMHO.

[@kge420]

I used to follow his building of this layout long ago in MR. I thought to myself “this guy’s a massive rivet counter, I can’t make that much difference “. My sincerest apology. It makes a huge difference. Very nicely done.

[@lilianmachura560]

Très chouette les locos et les voitures et belle mise en valeur du pont . So beautiful

[@lissanne9769]

WOW! This is a fun video! I really liked the idea of having both camera and engine running next to each other. The lay-out, background images, trees, houses, and people are in such well placed spaces. The whole video looked and sounded so real due to the great design and detail. Thank you to Tony, and everyone for sharing this beautiful artwork. The history in the description was excellant.

[@thedude3423]

Tony's modeling is just SUPERB! Thanks for this " Teaser"! Gotta get the video now! Thanks.👍😊

[@pilentum]

Yes, it's just a "teaser"... a teaser of a great layout!

[@simpleman8937]

Excellent attention to detail

[@scottsilvey7522]

Two great Model Railroads built in one lifetime is pretty awesome!! I still miss the Midland Road!!!!

[@castaway3129]

Wow! Discipline, persistence, skill and knowledge creates a Great Model Railroad! Go Tony!

[@hartmutlorentzen9659]

A very realistic layout, a wonderful movie, no idiotic music, only the sound of trains and some cows! Thanks, from Germany

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this preview of Tony Koester’s incredible masterpiece. I offer a complete 2-1/2 hour documentary with choreographed train movements to a story line based on the actual NKP schedule from 1954, an in depth interview with Tony not only about trains but his life, a full panoramic overview of the entire layout, and how to clinic segments. Please visit www.nacesvideography.com for this and other award-winning model railroad programs.

[@kennyirving4538]

Nice two see a doubleheader of two steam locomotives pulling freight cars instead of passengers This video of your model railroading is very cool especially the scene of the country side cattle farm and the railroad crossing over open steel bridge tresses

[@robertcieslak1861]

Photography at its finest!

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Thank you Robert! Forrest Nace - Videographer

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this preview of Tony Koester’s incredible masterpiece. I offer a complete 2-1/2 hour documentary with choreographed train movements to a story line based on the actual NKP schedule from 1954, an in depth interview with Tony not only about trains but his life, a full panoramic overview of the entire layout, and how to clinic segments. Please visit www.nacesvideography.com for this and other award-winning model railroad programs.

[@garrettsubproductions8705]

That is one huge and beautiful layout❤️!!

[@dougcostello9064]

Impressive. 👍

[@user-mi2xu4qw6m]

Super PILENTUM!!!! 👍👍👍👍😁👌

[@bpp325]

Fantabulous detail & videography. Thank you for sharing.👍👍

[@forrestnace2589]

Thank you Bob, greatly appreciated, Forrest Nace / www.nacesvideography.com

[@TheBobservations]

Just need some people in the engines. Great video, well done, and great weathering.

[@robinroberts3335]

Fantastic job well done 👍🏻 Robin out .

[@ronnronn55]

I especially liked the photo shots from inside the roundhouse. Ronn

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this preview of Tony Koester’s incredible masterpiece. I offer a complete 2-1/2 hour documentary with choreographed train movements to a story line based on the actual NKP schedule from 1954, an in depth interview with Tony not only about trains but his life, a full panoramic overview of the entire layout, and how to clinic segments. Please visit www.nacesvideography.com for this and other award-winning model railroad programs.

[@RailsofMichigan]

I would so love to see this gentleman's gorgeous Model railroad. I'm from Durand, Michigan live there my whole life still do grew up around the Grand Trunk Western which I do Love that railroad but when I was a kid and I got into steam locomotives I fell in love with Nickel Plate Road 765 when I saw her in old 1990s VHS tapes and I immediately fell in love with her and I fell in love with the 2-8-4 class locomotives of all the railroads that had that class of locomotive, the Nickel Plate Road was my absolute number one Love and still is because I love their steam locomotives as well as their diesels. But I would so love to see this gentleman's gorgeous railroad because it represents a once class act famous mainline railroad.

[@gerrymacpherson9598]

A real beauty .....

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this preview of Tony Koester’s incredible masterpiece. I offer a complete 2-1/2 hour documentary with choreographed train movements to a story line based on the actual NKP schedule from 1954, an in depth interview with Tony not only about trains but his life, a full panoramic overview of the entire layout, and how to clinic segments. Please visit www.nacesvideography.com for this and other award-winning model railroad programs.

[@schutendohkji548]

Wow! Super weathering and so as the sounds esp. the rail joint clicking. thx!

[@schutendohkji548]

And yes! Nice run bye

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this preview of Tony Koester’s incredible masterpiece. I offer a complete 2-1/2 hour documentary with choreographed train movements to a story line based on the actual NKP schedule from 1954, an in depth interview with Tony not only about trains but his life, a full panoramic overview of the entire layout, and how to clinic segments. Please visit www.nacesvideography.com for this and other award-winning model railroad programs.

[@taoskid8769]

I've seen so many articles on his backdrops/ They are truly astounding in a video ...

[@steveking4203]

The Nickel Plate is near and dear to my heart, my grandfathers, uncles and my father all worked on the NP in Indiana

[@billyray94]

Great modelling! Thanks so much!

[@tonyromano6220]

Super layout.

[@markfortin421]

Hi Tony...are you the gentleman that models the New Jersey lines?? Fond of your layouts ...if you are. Thanx.✌😊

[@richardaurre4840]

Artwork!

[@joeedmack9893]

Great job, Tony your scenes are very realistic and take me back my boyhood during the late 50's and 60's in Northeast Ohio 👍

[@fw2699]

Fantastic ....

[@malakingdude]

Fascinating. Wonderful work. The station is much like Liberty Island, Jersey City, NJ, a must see living museum piece.

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this preview of Tony Koester’s incredible masterpiece. I offer a complete 2-1/2 hour documentary with choreographed train movements to a story line based on the actual NKP schedule from 1954, an in depth interview with Tony not only about trains but his life, a full panoramic overview of the entire layout, and how to clinic segments. Please visit www.nacesvideography.com for this and other award-winning model railroad programs.

[@steffenrosmus1864]

Absolutetly convincin scenery and exremly well modelled scenes Chapeau👍👍👍👍

[@davidrice2862]

Superb photography

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this preview of Tony Koester’s incredible masterpiece. I offer a complete 2-1/2 hour documentary with choreographed train movements to a story line based on the actual NKP schedule from 1954, an in depth interview with Tony not only about trains but his life, a full panoramic overview of the entire layout, and how to clinic segments. Please visit www.nacesvideography.com for this and other award-winning model railroad programs.

[@ronnronn55]

Nice shot inside the roundhouse. Ronn

[@BaronVonRichtofen]

Magnificent

[@johnkulpowich5260]

All the details right on the money

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this preview of Tony Koester’s incredible masterpiece. I offer a complete 2-1/2 hour documentary with choreographed train movements to a story line based on the actual NKP schedule from 1954, an in depth interview with Tony not only about trains but his life, a full panoramic overview of the entire layout, and how to clinic segments. Please visit www.nacesvideography.com for this and other award-winning model railroad programs.

[@UnboxingPower]

Swhr schönes Video Viele Grüße aus Deutschland

[@Gatewayvick]

Camera movement and angles are superb ! Scenery is as realistic as you can get, fantastic !

[@Cumbriahandyman]

Not into model railways or even railways. However I was very impressed at the level of detail that went into this layout.

[@New-tu3mn]

Outstanding use of actual railroad sounds perfectly synchronized to the layout action in the video. It added greatly to the realism of the models..

[@jtandme-ot9cl]

Thought I was looking at the real thing at first! Great modeling & scenery. Well done!

[@kokosnood]

Incredible layout. I love the water effect downstream of the piers for the railroad bridge...the ripples. Amazing...everything!

[@thomasabramson100]

AMAZING

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this preview of Tony Koester’s incredible masterpiece. I offer a complete 2-1/2 hour documentary with choreographed train movements to a story line based on the actual NKP schedule from 1954, an in depth interview with Tony not only about trains but his life, a full panoramic overview of the entire layout, and how to clinic segments. Please visit www.nacesvideography.com for this and other award-winning model railroad programs.

[@user-mi2xu4qw6m]

Super!!!! Mersi PILENTUM!!!!👍👍👍😃😆😃😆😃

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this preview of Tony Koester’s incredible masterpiece. I offer a complete 2-1/2 hour documentary with choreographed train movements to a story line based on the actual NKP schedule from 1954, an in depth interview with Tony not only about trains but his life, a full panoramic overview of the entire layout, and how to clinic segments. Please visit www.nacesvideography.com for this and other award-winning model railroad programs.

[@gerlinpic1]

Gotta love those NKP Berkshires!

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this preview of Tony Koester’s incredible masterpiece. I offer a complete 2-1/2 hour documentary with choreographed train movements to a story line based on the actual NKP schedule from 1954, an in depth interview with Tony not only about trains but his life, a full panoramic overview of the entire layout, and how to clinic segments. Please visit www.nacesvideography.com for this and other award-winning model railroad programs.

[@daviddryden8088]

Tony's Train Of Thought articles in MR were always my first go to reads as far back as the late 80's. Always thought he would have been a good choice to replace Russ Larsen. One of the great American modelers. And a great writer/teacher of prototypical operations and design of a model railroad. Very Pilentum shots. Grreat camera angles.

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this preview of Tony Koester’s incredible masterpiece. I offer a complete 2-1/2 hour documentary with choreographed train movements to a story line based on the actual NKP schedule from 1954, an in depth interview with Tony not only about trains but his life, a full panoramic overview of the entire layout, and how to clinic segments. Please visit www.nacesvideography.com for this and other award-winning model railroad programs.

[@loulasalle]

a superb model railroad, and excellent photography!

[@ianforfun1]

Excellent animation.

[@SoPacStudios]

Animation?

[@1JUSTGOTLUCKY1]

Beautiful layout! I wonder what the 25 people did not like about this video.

[@bianchikat]

Amazing! Fantastic railway, and scenery and clouds were exquisite. My wife was praising the trees and the grass. Very lush scenery almost like the UK!

[@hoscaleconstuction]

Nice to see 587 and 624 in here. Absolutely gorgeous layout.

[@forrestnace2589]

Hello, yes, the 587 and 624 actually operated on the Third Subdivision, so it is prototypically correct to have them in the program. Tony did an amazing job in creating this masterpiece. Thank you for your appreciative comments Forrest Nace

[@user-ee5fl7qh1k]

Классный макет! За счет детализации воспринимается очень живым. Спасибо за видео!

[@joelvale3887]

I love those big steam engines.

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this preview of Tony Koester’s incredible masterpiece. I offer a complete 2-1/2 hour documentary with choreographed train movements to a story line based on the actual NKP schedule from 1954, an in depth interview with Tony not only about trains but his life, a full panoramic overview of the entire layout, and how to clinic segments. Please visit www.nacesvideography.com for this and other award-winning model railroad programs.

[@jandoerlidoe3412]

So lifelike.... amazing scenery...

[@sidd804PTI]

Amazing

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this preview of Tony Koester’s incredible masterpiece. I offer a complete 2-1/2 hour documentary with choreographed train movements to a story line based on the actual NKP schedule from 1954, an in depth interview with Tony not only about trains but his life, a full panoramic overview of the entire layout, and how to clinic segments. Please visit www.nacesvideography.com for this and other award-winning model railroad programs.

[@kinyodas]

The rust on the gravel next to the rails and ties is just great detailing - it's the little things that make this layout sweet.

[@Papag53]

Applause applause

[@dereuregioman]

Endlich mal ein toller Sound mit tollen Aufnahmen.

[@scottpool4777]

Yes very nice very nice nickel plate that’s what I have but in a smaller version thank you very much.

[@CrazyBear65]

Very nice.

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this preview of Tony Koester’s incredible masterpiece. I offer a complete 2-1/2 hour documentary with choreographed train movements to a story line based on the actual NKP schedule from 1954, an in depth interview with Tony not only about trains but his life, a full panoramic overview of the entire layout, and how to clinic segments. Please visit www.nacesvideography.com for this and other award-winning model railroad programs.

[@huguessmets4682]

belle réalisation merci pour les yeux

[@PaulAFulcher]

A truly outstanding layout,thanks for posting this.

[@loug6445]

Can't tell where the layout ends and the backdrop begins. Excellent!

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this preview of Tony Koester’s incredible masterpiece. I offer a complete 2-1/2 hour documentary with choreographed train movements to a story line based on the actual NKP schedule from 1954, an in depth interview with Tony not only about trains but his life, a full panoramic overview of the entire layout, and how to clinic segments. Please visit www.nacesvideography.com for this and other award-winning model railroad programs.

[@steffenrosmus9177]

Truely a price of art, excellent weathering and sence for detail

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this preview of Tony Koester’s incredible masterpiece. I offer a complete 2-1/2 hour documentary with choreographed train movements to a story line based on the actual NKP schedule from 1954, an in depth interview with Tony not only about trains but his life, a full panoramic overview of the entire layout, and how to clinic segments. Please visit www.nacesvideography.com for this and other award-winning model railroad programs.

[@NortheastRails]

WOW! That is super realistic! That's amazing!

[@gretetimm]

Such attention to detail, I am overwhelmed. A big thank you and best regards from Berlin-Brandenburg. So eine Liebe zum Detail, ich bin überwältigt. Ganz großes Dankeschön und liebe Grüße aus Berlin-Brandenburg.

[@pilentum]

Danke, Gerold!

[@makeamericagreatagain7314]

The sky line is magnificent....as well as the train layout

[@silverwiskers7371]

COME ON MAN that's freaking awesome, back in the 60's I got a really nice set for xmas and I loved it, 2bad I didn't know how to take good care of it tho, now I'm in my late 50's I still love scale model trains and after watching this I may just go buy another one

[@pilentum]

50 years or older? That's no problem! Just "buy back" your childhood, perhaps with used trains? Have a look at www.pilentum.de/pilentum-ebay.htm

[@Bruno.Trains]

excellent ! Very nice trains!!!

[@oscar35575]

Absolutely amazing! What a great job you have done!

[@tonydee2069]

OK, the video was sent to you. Because I know it is an immovable 'shelf' layout, anchored to walls. I remember his live presentation of how he was building this- over 15 years ago? So I tried a shelf layout for the first time, and it is all still in operation! Tony K has been into HO modeling for over 50 years I know of, so I expect his layout to be nothing but perfect!

[@yvesrey5494]

Très beau réseau ferroviaire, détail magnifique, tout mes compliments.

[@SimonTog]

Super nice :)

[@kunstoder]

great layout!!! Many greetings from Germany

[@yvesrey5494]

Splendide réseau ferroviaire, très beau travail, tout mes compliments, bravo.

[@wvbygraceofgod5508]

Simply the best layout I’ve ever seen

[@BootsShamrock]

Incredible railway. So realistic!

[@GfwTrains]

This s such a nice train set up. Thank you for sharing. Thumbs up.

[@PaulBerson]

Awesomeness Wonderful Wow 🥇🏄🥂

[@JimmyConnor]

i’ve been dying to see a model 587 for ages. incredible!!!!

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this preview of Tony Koester’s incredible masterpiece. I offer a complete 2-1/2 hour documentary with choreographed train movements to a story line based on the actual NKP schedule from 1954, an in depth interview with Tony not only about trains but his life, a full panoramic overview of the entire layout, and how to clinic segments. Please visit www.nacesvideography.com for this and other award-winning model railroad programs.

[@jeannot46]

Quel incroyable réalisme!

[@MyBigboy4884]

This is truly a great model railroad! Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@pilentum]

Thanks for watching.

[@grumpyoldman8661]

Fantastic! (UK)

[@jaybriscoe6385]

I know this is probably minor to most, but I really appreciate this modeler's period accurate motor vehicles. I typically don't like cars on layouts because they look toyish, out-of-place and/or incorrect for the period, but he/she does a great job and it's very tasteful. Beautiful layout

[@marcellosqueri4388]

It's almost 3 dimension they look so real I'm enjoyed it. every bit of it thank you again😍😎

[@tebigman65]

It's hard to imagine all the work that went into this video! Simply fantastic! Thanks a million.

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Greetings Tom, below are the statistics it took to produce the 2 hour & 40 minute program on this entire layout and Tony's life story, available at www.nacesvideography.com Days on site capturing video: 30 Staff hours capturing & editing video and audio clips: 1,121 Number of video clips captured: 1,738 Number of video clips used for the final program: 632 Number of dubbed audio files (for sound effects & story line narration): 4,225 Additionally, all of the steam whistle, diesel horn, and bell sounds / rhythms are correct for the class of locomotive being viewed in each scene, which Tony and the NKPT&HS were invaluable in providing that information. Also, all steam chuff sounds are correctly synchronized to be heard when the rods are at the 12, 9, 6, and 3 o’clock positions, which sometimes requires each chuff to be overlaid one at a time. Glad you are enjoying it, thank you, Forrest Nace - Videographer & Producer

[@rapidrrobert4333]

WOW!

[@raymondleggs5508]

I saw this layout in a magazine when I was a kid!

[@user-dl3jv8dp2v]

those are the best dirt roads I have ever seen, great job!

[@nacesvideographyllc9075]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this preview of Tony Koester’s incredible masterpiece. I offer a complete 2-1/2 hour documentary with choreographed train movements to a story line based on the actual NKP schedule from 1954, an in depth interview with Tony not only about trains but his life, a full panoramic overview of the entire layout, and how to clinic segments. Please visit www.nacesvideography.com for this and other award-winning model railroad programs.

[@harrildrailroads5584]

So neat - both the layout and the video! 😊👍🏻

[@earthling7355]

Incredible camera work on this. Beautiful scenery, very well done. Lovely setup.

[@thejerseyj9422]

Amazing ! Best I've ever seen.

[@tomholz9928]

Excellent background!

[@OregonRailfan83]

Excellent! Great! Thanks for sharing!

[@Marienthal1956]

Nice video, nice layout and nice trains. Thank you. I like 👍

[@toyman9642]

Wow. Great train layout and the sounds really bring it alive.