N scale layout update. Running trains and getting ideas.

[@vincecrysler3821]

Just keeps on getting better! Everytime I tune in its something new. Fantastic work.

[@avlisk]

If your railroad is limited by the available space, it's always worth remembering the basic tenet of railway modeling: Measure once, cut twice. It effectively doubles the size of the layout because you have to do everything (at least) twice. I, too, enjoy the building process, and have built and demolished many layouts over the last 6 decades. It's initially sad to see the old one go, but the excitement of a new one taking shape is what I enjoy. I anticipate one day getting into operations, but so far, I still enjoy the design and construction process. Thanks for the update. Ken from Maine, USA.

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

Hey Ken, That’s a great way to look at the bright side of my many measuring mistakes 😆

[@davidraco6810]

good afternoon mate, the setup your thinking is sounding awesome to me. keep up the good work

[@rickmiller595]

Ramble on! It's your railroad, and it is entertaining watching you re-engineer things.

[@Woody8654]

Extra staging would look great. Never have enough.

[@workndad]

Glad to see the old noggin is thinking, I like to build and restructure the layout too. That’s half the fun

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

Yep, I’ve certainly done a lot of restructuring I’ve the time I’ve been building.

[@smcnish1droid]

The layout looks impressive! I would say it is prototypical, it’s your layout and your own little world; that’s why it’s called model railroading.

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

This is true.

[@stephenrickjr.7519]

Good to hear from you. Thanks for the video 😎👍!

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@xfiles-thetruthisoutthere8038]

I know for sure I would leave it alone. It's fine just the way it is and perhaps it's time to start enjoying what you have and have fun with it.

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

I hear you, I still have plenty of fun running what I have. It just niggles at me that I could do it better. Whilst it’s still just wood and cork it’s not too late to change.

[@garryhulshof4383]

Looking fantastic David. Do whatever makes you happy and if you have the space go for it. There is a spot on my layout that I need a step stool to get at switch. The struggle is real.🤣 Keep on trucking.

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

Thanks Garry, I have one tricky to reach turnout but I will eventually put a motor on it with a switch up at the fascia.

[@Vman7757]

I'm here. Thanks for sharing.

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

Good stuff 👍

[@jimskif]

Coming through with the goods! Cheers Davo

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

Got to keep my public happy 😆

[@Miertreg1]

Super train🛤🚂👍👍👍. Greetings from Germany Gert

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

Thanks Gert.

[@tommynorwood5184]

Hi David , glad to see you’re doing well. Summer there and winter here in the mid Atlantic States in the USA. It’s been cold and rainy here. I have been working on the layout. I do like seeing your trains running. Sounds like you have some good ideas there. A layout is never completely done. There’s things that just have to be changed or added. Thanks for sharing. Have a good week. 😎😎 👍

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

Yeah, when my work friends ask me when the layout will be finished I always reply “it will probably never be finished”. I’m sure there will always be things I can go back and change or improve.

[@dwighthitchens9838]

Hi David. Layout is looking great. Looking forward to seeing your modifications. My NS coal train isn’t prototypical either because they don’t always play nice. It took a little while to get them sorted so they’ll run together. Take care.

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

Hi Dwight, My coal train seemed to work better when I mixed up the order of the wagons and didn’t just have them in manufacturer blocks. The long intermodal took a lot of shuffling around.

[@dwighthitchens9838]

My intermodal train isn’t as long because I have a smaller room to work with. Right now I have an Atlas 5 car spine car set, a Kato 3 car set, a Kato 5 car set and 2 single micro train car in my intermodal train. So far that “children” in that consists are getting along. This is the first time in my life I had room for a model train layout. (I’m about to turn 70 so I’m enjoying it!)

[@timpearson9870]

Hi David, good to see you and looking well, Happy New Year... all good here in UK, and I am spending the winter months speed matching locos for consists too! Firstly and regarding unhelpful comments around 'prototypical' ... Ignore them mate, if it looks good it looks good, end of! You should be rightly proud of what you have achieved there, such a great project to follow mate.... other stuff... What is wrong with stupidly long coal trains? or Grain, or intermodal? they just look so great when running with no hitches... 🙂 Staging yard plan, seems a good idea. Extending the reverse loop to fill the space a bit more tricky. You commented about being able to reach the whole layout and I agree, this is hugely important... we all know where the problems will be if there is a bit of track you cannot reach !😆 I have a small section I cannot reach easily and I need to use a small stool, which annoys me greatly now, but is a decent enough work around.... keep going bud and keep smiling! 😊

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

I love the long trains too, I refer to them as “stupidly long” because I have no one to blame but myself for trying to run them 😆 I have a little Ikea step in the train room which does help for reaching the back of the layout on the wider settings. I have a few tight sections to clean. I think I’ll make some of my scenery removable so if it’s a big issue I can lift it out the way to remedy the problem. Cleaning some sections is also tricky.

[@Woody8654]

The layout is Looking good and running well. Enjoyed the intermodal. Thanks for posting.

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

Thanks mate, The intermodal took a lot of tinkering with wagon order to get it to run fairly faultless. The tension on everything when forces or pulling down both sides of the peninsula created issues.

[@Woody8654]

@@nessriverrailroad1299😊hopefully the UP ArroWedge on the first car reduces drag?

[@Bill_Bogan]

At this point if your moving the grain yard, maybe a port facility where the grain yard is might be a good swap in? I love a good port facility in layouts. 5 to go.

[@monsvillerailways5736]

Yeah. There is a lot of work ahead of you. The trains are running so that's a bonus. Happy modelling

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

Sometimes it’s like pulling a thread. Hopefully this one won’t unravel too much 😉

[@stephenpearce7058]

I hear you Dave. Let’s face it it’s your layout and it’s as you like it. My layout has things built on it suggesting how it is in real life and that’s fine by me. So truck on mate. What ever gives you pleasure. 👍👨‍✈️🚂

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

Thanks Stephen, I feel that as long as my layout gives the right impression of what I’m modelling I’m happy. I definitely don’t get caught up on super detail or realism.

[@edtoomuchfun957]

Track question for you. When you are laying track and testing but havent made the decision yet to make it permanent, what are you using to keep your turnouts in the thrown position that you want?

[@johnwhatmore163]

The centre area could be a port with loops for unloacing for coal, grain, and intermodal sidings.

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

I do like that idea but I have plans for a coal destination that will be built once I have my main deck area sorted. Intermodal could be a thing though, I don’t have anything planned for them yet.

[@EssexThameside]

Hi David, still here in Essex England. Extending the return loop is a good idea but what are your plans for the bit in the middle of the loop? How about a coal fired power station? This would give a local destination for some of the coal. Split trains could be shunted on the other straight section you were talking about which could be made wider for more shunting tracks. Such fun😅 Brian

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

Hi Brian, I do have an idea for a coal destination but that’s a little way off yet. To give a hint let me just say that I want the lower level track sorted before it’s construction begins.

[@RoyEltham]

I'm still watching, doing alright. Take care!

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

Thanks Roy, glad to see you.

[@davebnsfnscale4433]

Longer grain trains are good,like the expanded balloon track for grain facilities

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

I love the long trains but they can get out of hand.

[@wamgoc]

Doesn’t have to be prototypical! It’s your railway! Do what you want and run what you want! After all, hobby is meant to be fun!!!! Enjoy!!

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

If it’s not fun you’re missing the point I reckon. 😀

[@N_scale]

This is a gnikcuf great idea. I do 1947-1955 and I have 3 mines (coal, copper, lead) on my layout & KZbin channel. Just making changes to the copper mine tracks to fit 36 car train. Expansion worth it.

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

Hey, 36 cars, that’s what my coal drag is. Congrats on the 1k subscribers by the way.

[@N_scale]

@@nessriverrailroad1299 thank you. I have to replace the atlas wheels to metal and MTL trucks they come apart all the time.

[@N_scale]

@@nessriverrailroad1299 coal trains are fantastic to run

[@nscalefan7739]

My only concern you addressed yourself. That is being to reach the back of the layout for issues and maintenance.

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

Yeah, I may have to get creative with the shape.

[@3006USMC]

👍🇺🇸

[@Woody8654]

Will you redesign using a CAD app or is it pencil and paper? I use trial and error which is the beauty of KATO Snaptrack. Hi from London.

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

Not even pencil and paper for me, I just lay it out from my head. I’m sure that’s far from the best way to do it. Sometimes with the big curves I’ll draw the live straight to the plywood so I know where to lay the cork. We’ll be in London for a few days next month as part of a holiday up to Lapland.

[@darylhitchcock7680]

You mention operating, and could you be losing operator space by bumping the loop out? How many people?

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

I don’t think I’ll be losing space. The space difference is be creating wouldn’t be enough to fit another industry in. I also don’t want to over crowd the layout with track.

[@seanpacificrailroad3700]

Looks good buddy

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

Cheers

[@Longshadowsmodeltrees]

If you got the space....Do it!! Remember....it's your Layout....Run it your way. Bob

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

Thanks Bob, Thanks for always leaving a comment 👍

[@stpaulisland]

What kind of turnouts are you using? Great Layout!

[@nessriverrailroad1299]

Hey, I use Atlas turnouts. When I couldn’t get my hands on any of them I sourced some Micro Engineering turnouts. I’ve used two of them in my grain loop. The rest are all Atlas.