Tour Ken Patterson's layout | June 2021 WHATS NEAT Model Railroad Hobbyist

mrhmag.com - Model Railroad Hobbyist roving reporter Ken Patterson's June What's Neat show includes a special treat! Ken gives us an in-depth tour of his home layout! And as always, there's lots of great runbys
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IMPORTANT NOTE: The MRH monthly What's Neat video is posted the 15th of each month. June 15 for June, July 15 for July, and so on. This month, the core staff got Covid, so the issue release has been delayed a few days (June 18). Fortunately, everyone is on the mend now!
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► See the full article and follow the discussion: mrhmag.com/magazine/mrh2021-0... (not available until evening of June 18h this month due to core staff down with Covid.)
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► THERE’S LOTS MORE:
Get even more how-tos for model railroading on the Model Railroad Hobbyist website. This video is just part of the FREE June 2021 issue of Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine (not available until June 18 this month). mrhmag.com
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[@cprtrain]

Model railroading is really animated art. You have demonstrated that fact via your photography. I'd encourage everyone to take photos of their work, study the photos and pick out things that you can do to improve the scenes. Well done Ken.

[@FloodManagementGroup]

Thank you Ken. Enjoy your show and the changes. I look forward going back through the previous videos and seeing how you constructed some of those sections. Cheers to you, your crew, MRH, and everyone who supports your show!

[@elwood.downey]

Great summary. It's a real tribute to your work how seamlessly the run-bys would switch from model to prototype. Thanks for all you do for the hobby.

[@jamesfrommanitoba.1992]

I’m speechless, just WOW. You are one talented man. Thank you for sharing Ken.

[@ironwolfusa]

That was GREAT Ken! I never miss your shows!

[@williambryant5946]

Best hobby in the world is a fact. Very awesome how you worked options in from the start so things could be reworked easily later in the layouts life. Thanks for sharing the ongoing evolution of your layout Ken! Great video! Stay well. -Wil 👍

[@Perfusionist01]

Delightful! I have been a fan of the podcast and this show since they began, but this is the first overview of your layout that I can remember. Really nice work. It's neat to see how a layout evolves as the owner or builder wants to add or subtract different features.

[@oldtown6240]

Absolutely stunning: the design and its implementation. Special thanks and appreciation for sharing. I was spellbound the entire video.

[@markhayes6407]

Cool video. Your photography is so wonderful. I never miss a show. Always go back to them as well.

[@waynehawkins2157]

Fantastic LAYOUT I like your history and the way you included your history .I'm 71 I do a lot of weathering and building and WATCHING WHATS NEAT!!

[@richarddrum9970]

Great show and great layout Ken, let me say that your wife is a saint for supporting you in these endeavors. Glad to see that you support carving foam for scenery. My layout, depicting the coal fields of PA during the LVRR, EL and Reading era, uses carved and painted foam for much of the scenery. Thanks for the tour and layout history lesson.

[@The282mike]

Thanks Ken! Outstanding segment, I really enjoy what's neat this week!

[@riogrande5761]

Very cool and impressive. Ken's managed to integrate his hobby, his passion while making a good living at it very well. Take away, he has been able to do what many of us have little time or ability to make a reality. Some may call it a gift!

[@MojaveModelRailroad]

What a nice behind the scene of Ken's layout. We see it every week on his show, but we don't really see it. Now we know and it is just awesome!

[@the4000class]

Great to see a complete tour of your layout.Very helpful and insightful information,thank you

[@DCoombs928]

That goes back to when I first met you about 11 years ago now! Man that layout has changed over the years.

[@MrOmega52]

Hey Ken, great show. Thanks for the tour of your layout and it's history. Love the run by's especially. Great job.

[@freakazoid5907]

I learned a few things from Ken today. Growth, changes, and needs - Ken's layout meets all those challenges without a hitch while my vision for a home layout would not. Thanks for the video, it gave me a lot to think about - good thing I am still about a year from laying track!

[@jsos3985]

This is awesome! I grew up at the entrance to cliff cave. I spent a good portion of my childhood and early teenage years under those very bluffs waiting for and watching trains. Fast forward 20 + years to the present day and I'm recently living in my parents old house. I walk my dog down the hill to watch the morning texas eagle as much as I can. It makes me feel like a kid again. I can't possibly tell you how much I appreciate the detail you put into that cliff side and the rest of the layout

[@n0nka]

Awesome video Ken! I really appreciate the build tips. Especially the modular design, door hinges, metal 2x4s, and the self contained approach. Thanks for making this. It's a real inspiration and answered many questions for me.

[@nw24153ns]

It's nice that to celebrate Father's Day you are having your daughter doing your intro. Thanks for letting us come into your home and for showing us your layout.

[@Kensart55]

that's my amazing looking young wife. I'm getting older as she seems to get younger. we are about the same age in reality.

[@bhigdaddymark]

Stunning! Ten years ago when I returned to the hobby after a thirty-seven year absence, I found and joined perhaps the best HO model railroading club in Florida and I've been reacquainted with the hobby but not as yet to being an actual modeller as in building, painting, weathering etc as I'm having fun just running trains. The current club president once told me years ago when he was president then, that once I either learn to build a layout myself or hire someone to build a layout for me, to make sure it's modular for the ease of moving from one residence to another and for changing things around just as you've demonstrated. I greatly appreciate your superb skills and this video, thanks!

[@spacecalander]

I love runbys just so awesome to watch them. Great show and great information!

[@jaesonpryer4760]

Hi Ken. Really nice layout you have there. I really like watching your shows. Thanks from Jaeson in the UK 🇬🇧.

[@Eduardomd54]

Thank you for the very interesting tour of your layout . Very inspiring the way you see this great hobby

[@seanspennywisemiserrr]

Great segment Ken. I'm blown away how realistic the trains look when the modules are shot outside. So much so that I'm thinking I might build a module for photographing outside. Thank you for the tour.

[@daviddane4931]

Thanks for sharing Ken. Love the modular build of your layout. I’m currently getting a building ready so I can build my layout using my free-mo modules.

[@walterritter2495]

Great Video Ken, I really enjoyed your sharing of your layout and the design you used. Truly a beautiful layout and design.

[@tct855]

MRHm & Ken, Very nice layout video presentation. You are a true builder my friend. Can't wait to see what the future holds with this awesome layout. Thanx Thom...

[@ThePeejRR]

Love it! Those were some sweet run bys.

[@joerg810]

Thank you. Great layout. All the best and stay healthy from Germany

[@mvg2x34]

Beautiful work. Love the mixture of freelance and prototype. Great hobby.

[@mrjsanchez1]

Very well thought out, so many interesting concepts and ideas on this layout, awesome bridges, I like the one shot of an auto transporter with AMC automobiles!

[@michaeltrufitt5477]

Great video thanks for sharing your layout with us it looks great and also the outside shots were great too 😀👍

[@rangerstl07]

Very nice, Ken. It's nice to see the St. Louis area treated in such detail. Modular sure seems like the way to go with this. My problem with motivation is the fear of not doing something in the best way and then being stuck with it. Your approach makes changes easy, and whole-heatedly embraces the concept that "No layout is ever truly finished". This looks like the key to a healthy model railroading experience!

[@mdpfishoh1516]

Thank you for sharing. I model in N scale and you provided some great ideas I can incorporate into my layout. Some great action shots too!

[@robertheroux2402]

Great show Ken! Can’t wait for the next one!

[@patrickmoore2978]

Ken you have a stunning layout! Can't wait to see more of your videos.I love the way you can run it either dc or dcc my layout is mostly dc although I have a command 2000 MRC controller that was given to me keep the videos coming.

[@Eagle91382]

If there is a model railroading hall of fame, Ken should be in it. He's does a lot for the hobby and makes model railroading fun. I enjoyed seeing the Mo-pac engines and the fantastic run-bys at the end.

[@kimrok1]

Great episode!! Love how you designed your layout, I am going to try that method. Thanks!

[@jimarmour9035]

Great Video and layout. I love the index idea you did . I will have to look that up.

[@markushodel173]

Fantastic video, thanks Ken. It seems to be quite windy in St. Louis.

[@oliverheidelberg]

Love your videos. I think the modular design on foam boards is ingenious!

[@jackoesterlejr.3454]

What a nice show! I like the opening to your show...Michele. That just adds a nice touch! Your layout is "Exquisite" It shows you are a.."Perfectionist" The layout was well thought out! I can't wait to see it! Maybe bring my "MoPac's" on your Exquisite Layout! Thank You so much for this video! It is a learning curve! This is the"World's Greatest Hobby" Till Next Time! "MoPac Jack" "May Your Tracks Be Clear...And Your Switches Be Lined Up" Model Railroading Is Fun! Be Safe! Back To My "Train Cave" In Kirkwood,Missouri. Rock N' Roll The Crazy Train.."Keeping Model Railroading..Great"

[@arthouserailway4214]

Fantastic layout Ken, great to see the layout change over time. Really like the modular design and I am also an advocate of using foam for all the scenery as it keeps the weight down. Thanks for sharing.😀👍

[@39djscottie]

A great in depth look at what we have only seen bits and pieces of. Thanks for the tour and to see the tools you used to help get such great results. Looks like a road trip has just been added to my bucket list. Thank you Ken ! Scottie

[@bradleyogden5688]

Very impressive Mr Patterson! We have seen a lot of changes throughout our lifetime. Remember the smell of the transformers when we was young? Then when Athearn announced their first scale width hood? Then someone that wasn't into our hobby described to me what model railroading would be like in the future with DCC. Then the "must haves" Walther's catalogues with "The Magic of Model Railroading". My only problem back then was that everything looked better in brass. Now the plastic model railroad companies are giving brass a run for their money! Anyways, you've got one amazing layout and one great wife that tolerates our hobby and likes to help out instead of bashing it. You're one lucky gentleman.

[@stephenrick6672]

One of your best videos yet!

[@albertofranchi6408]

SUPER GREAT LAYOUT!GREAT MR PATTERSON'S

[@zwsplac]

Thanks for the tour!

[@nycart256]

Thanks for another great show. Aloha

[@philwhite3134]

Ken, many thanks for a great overview of your home layout. Like you I have been a user of Styrofoam and modular construction for many years now and the one lesson which I have learnt and relearnt is that you need a powerful vacuum cleaner. Thanks again. Phil

[@johnday71]

Love that section with your house on it!

[@donaldfaris4798]

You hit the nail on the head Ken as modelers we need to build a layout that we like not someone else plan. I love to switch and make a break trains as others like other aspects of the hobby

[@stephengrybowski9573]

Loved the sequence of outdoor run-bys. Couldn’t help but notice the telephone wires (?threads) flapping in the breeze. Always look forward to MRH and WNTW.

[@f8green187]

I am thrilled to see your layout. As someone who grew up by and now works on the DeSoto sub I recognize almost all of your prototype sections dealing with it. My father and I used to go shooting along the tracks less than half mile from the Meramec bridge at the Wicks siding. I remember the Mopac traincrews waving as they went by. I was married near the Kimmswick bridge at the Anheuser House property. I loved to go to Bee Tree as a kid (a moderate bike ride from my boyhood home) and take the trail down to the tracks and Mississippi river. I eventually got a job with Uncle Pete and am still on the DeSoto Sub feeling very lucky to be doing what I do. Awesome layout.

[@randy1817]

Amazing job Ken!!

[@simontrainsmodelrailway]

Love the tour, some awesome ideas on the layout.

[@stevenikitas8170]

Your own trainspotting platform. Fantastic...

[@rjl110919581]

thank you share a very detailed video on your beauty detail layout as great watching to joy your detail layout that build over time from Australia

[@trapdriver7006]

Excellent video I enjoyed watching it Ken

[@richardbreton3271]

Bravo! Our entity is also in a modular state of mind.😊

[@dennyjelsma8017]

WOW what a great show Mr. Ken. What a professional announcer, just listen to his VOICE, he never misses a beat, what a pro. Just listen to ken's command of the English language and proper grammar, it's so refreshing to hear this in todays media.

[@trainmaster9323]

Great video Best wishes from Barcelona 👍👍

[@markr4888]

Kudos Ken , very impressive . I'm a N scaler and also model 1:1 down to the curbs and Trash . I like the use of the GPS and the laser meter are tools I will try for my Kennebec River Diorama

[@Wbmfishman1]

Table top concept is awesome. Wish I had used the concept before I built my 4 modules with L girder. Also no cork road bed? Now I can see how that would have eliminated a couple of road crossing cosmetic issues I had. Good content Ken. Many more years of health and inspiration to you.

[@JenniferEKirk]

So great to see!

[@jasonboche]

So great to see Michael Gross and still in the hobby!

[@jackoesterlejr.3454]

In person he is so nice & down to earth! When he sat down to talk to us about the trains & model trains you forget he is an actor & television actor! He is just the greatest to know! Thank You..Mr. Gross for everything! All The Best! MoPac Jack

[@Fatboypool]

Fantastic Ken

[@biggiefitz6275]

Great show!

[@andreaugustodafonseca927]

GRET JOB, Ken!

[@kenshores9900]

Ken: I like the concept you have. I believe because of you ideas I am going to redesign my layout and do it in a similar modular table/shelf style. Rail on. I am attempting to model fictional rail area where a number of 60’s era rail roads ran. Thanks!

[@eXtremeFX2010]

I am studying your technique... Building an extension under the window seal only 15"x51 long. Doing this because my wife was concerned it was a safety hazard blocking the window. Which I agree... Already have the map plan, but now i need to support it with shelf supports under it... so taking notes... Thank You for this!

[@kenshores9900]

I grew up on the Ohio river and really like your barges. Way to neat! My first challenge is building the support table for the modules.

[@arthursogaugelioneltrains5744]

Cool invitations on layout.🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃

[@SheltonDCruz]

what a beautiful layout!

[@Tricky929]

BarstowRick checking in to say job well done. Salute.

[@wamozart9573]

High Five Ken! No one does more for the hobby than you do!

[@generalsb6332]

Cant argue with his modeling but it’s pretty obvious nobody loves Ken Patterson more than Ken Patterson. He’s not too far from referring to himself in the 3rd person.

[@sixpackmrttomskinner8792]

Very nice layout and structure, the Idea of sectional pieces is a grate way to do shelf style, but lot of us have small rooms so table tops is it ! Q, your removable modgular section do they line up with other sections - pull one out insert another ! . And I like that you use layers of foam as a base instead of plywood and it just sits on top !! Thanks for the show ..

[@Don-et3yp]

Hey Ken, As an old retired engineer off the T&P/MOP/UP in Fort Worth it was neat seeing the MOP 6007 and 587 run by as I have run both those engines many times maybe even lashed together as you have them.

[@deafeningmurmurs]

SO damn Cool. Quality Control Off the Chain, good Sir.

[@book1957]

Great show as always. Hope to watch your show in person again at Trainfest.

[@Kensart55]

no Trainfest this year.

[@michaelspoor6919]

Amazing Layout. You are very brave allowing a cat in the layout room.

[@ewl45]

Nice and helpful video! And as a Pacer owner: a lot of Pacers, see 31'48. That is almost a whole years production LOL. Greatings from Ecuador.

[@luciano54ful]

I really like your layout. Luciano from Florence,Italy

[@genepersons9741]

Pretty cool!!

[@DavidSmith-lk3yf]

Inspirational!

[@FunWithHOScaleStuff]

Amazing.

[@corm7538]

I live in Barnhart, Mo, it's cool seeing places I know in the real world on your layout, like the highway M bridge in Barnhart or Pevely as you called it. I live in the newest subdivision off the outer road that runs from highway Z in the south and highway M in the north.

[@DCoombs928]

My grandmother lives in barnhart! I tend to stalk the BNSF river sub around imperial and the. Barnhart area when trains run by lol.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Great stuff Ken! Really interesting to see the constantly changing lay out, so what’s next for it?

[@alconk7129]

Ken that has to be the best most amazing “What’s Neat” episode ever! I was very impressed and you’re quite the professional in your hobby. I’m 3 hrs away in central Illinois do you have a open house from time to time?

[@thisplayer01]

Thanks Ken, for a great (and long overdue ;) ) tour of your inspiring layout; combined with the many hints and tips, this brings tons of fun and motiviation!

[@progressiverockvocal]

Ken, nice to see your entire space and hear your thoughts on your work. Please let me introduce myself, I am a retired Museum Exhibit Specialist and I am rebuilding John Allen's world famous Gorre & Daphetid Railroad. I credit John for the wonderful career I had and am repaying him in some way through this project. This will be a private layout just like Johns and my aisles are no larger than his were, perhaps even a bit tighter. Your space has so many uses for you it is a point well taken that SPACE within the layout is an important consideration early on. For most of us our layouts will not be visited so much that the planning for people should take away from your overall modeling desires, but if you are planning on operating with others or are active with a local club or the NMRA members designing for this likely, future, use needs to be brought into play in the first stages of planning. In my case, I constructed additions to my second floor garage to try and expand the space I had to accommodate John's diagonal cellar he had in Monterey. I pout a new entrance to simply change the access to the rest of the second floor and create the same viewing access to the room. But I had no extra space to work and I could not sacrifice any part of this iconic layout, so I will always deal with being able to allow only 3 or 4 visitors in here at a time. And even now, in the unfinished condition of this massive project, the visitors have begun. Nice job on the brilliant use of the space you have and its versatile ability to change. And your efforts to keep this hobby looking good... Your presentations are always interesting and enlightening. Randy Decker "The Great Divide Line" Upstate NY. facebook.com/Great-Divide-Lines-423511918192732/

[@danwhitton7966]

Ken great video! Can you talk about the models at 4:57. The 2 SLSF boxcars. They look great. Love to hear about the weathering and the kits.

[@r_mon_e]

Hi Ken, You have been a great inspiration! I am wondering what rail joiners you used on the lift out section? I was impressed by how easy they moved.

[@ronaldcottrell4992]

Love the barge with the crane and the boat behind it...in the Bridges scene at the beginning of the show...r those scratch built or commercial available...

[@154Colin]

👍👍👍 You are "The Dude" 😎

[@JanicefromKansas]

Hello from Kansas 🇺🇸

[@barryklinetobe4330]

I was told I had to use insulated rail joiners on both rails when running a DC train especially on single cross overs on my double track mainline. Right now I have only the hot rail insulated and never had any problems, but I was told this can fry my DCC decoders on any locomotives on my layout while running a DC train. even though I turned off the power on my DCC blocks with my Atlas Controllers.

[@juansilveti9336]

saludos amigo linda maqueta hermosos vagones