New Main Line for Train Station...Total Knee Replacement Surgery

[@johnchambers1380]

I'm so glad to have found your page. I just retired and need a hobby. Growing up near strasburg RR and the once booming lancaster train station it was almost law to have a layout when kids were young, 40 years ago. It looks like things have come a long way. Time to start buying train books. Good luck with that knee. I know your pain.

[@AirwolfCrazy]

Strasburg is a great little RR. I do not live very far from SRR and considered building a model of it. I decided not. Yes, there are a lot of good books out there to read to get you started in the hobby. DCC is the way to go from the start. There are many folks out there that can help you. I am happy to help as well.

[@Kens265]

Wow that’s cool. Thanks for watching

[@philtucker1224]

I’ve also retired and tried a few things as a hobby. However my advice to you is just think what you loved doing as a teenager and make that your hobby - now you have that same free time again. Live long and proper John ! 🙏

[@deputy630]

8 days out of knee surgery!!! WTH are you a superhero!!!

[@Kens265]

Haha no ! Bored! I had to do something and this so much fun

[@KevinsTinyTrains]

Hi Ken, great start! That new mainline curve that you had issues with at the end will most likely be too tight for most cars. What you can do to make it even more interesting is to widen the curve a bit, and place the train station in between the 2 tracks! That way, that gap will look like it was built on purpose while allowing you to keep the turning radius more open

[@Kens265]

Cool thanks

[@rayrussell6258]

Menard's has some really great new railroad buildings for the holidays, on shelves now!

[@Kens265]

Thanks I'll check them out.

[@AirwolfCrazy]

Like the build so far. Keep it going. If you plan to just run two trains on completely separate loops then DCC may not be what you need. However, If you want to run more than two engines and you want any kind of operations (even simply picking up cars in the yard) and if you want to have passing sidings or beable to cross over onto the other loop then consider DCC. Yes, the old school DC wireing to a panel to control the polarity of blocks will allow for running multiple engines. But, DCC will allow you to walk around, have lights and sounds and generaly makes the electrical work easier. You know what your vision is. You build what you feel will work best for you. If you decided to go DCC the change can be done. Happy building!

[@Kens265]

Thanks. Dcc will be coming when budget allows

[@AirwolfCrazy]

@Kens265 understood! If you have questions please ask

[@musicman8942]

The problem with DCC layouts I see here on KZbin is the rails have to be kept clean. The least little bit of dirt or tarnish on the rails and communications becomes spotty. If you look there's plenty of trackage he won't be able to comfortably reach especially considering his knee replacement. Leaning for that kind of reach would be painful and trains are supposed to be fun. Standard DC you don't have that worry.

[@AirwolfCrazy]

@@musicman8942 I think track regardless has to stay clean. I run the CMX brass cleaning car. A fresh pad and cleaner will clean the track very well. My layout is two levels and two complete runs of the main line does not even use a full tank. Also, there are cleaners on a stick (no experience with them) and cleaning cars that are powered (some folks love them, others not so much). If you have DC or DCC setup, brass, steal, or nickel silver rail it will need to be cleaned and cleaned often to retain good electrical connection. Now, if we all could have the rail heads plated in gold then we would not have to worry about corrosion of the rails but that is just not practical (or prototypical).

[@musicman8942]

@@AirwolfCrazy Agreed that clean track is good to have but it's not that important for straight DC. I've always run DC and even with not-so-clean track I've never had an issue. The biggest problem I've had was dirty engine wheels but never track. Clean those wheels and it's smooth running.

[@barriesmith3489]

Glad to see you walking well remember full recovery takes time so don’t over do it at this time of life you need to enjoy it

[@Kens265]

Thanks I was in the shop about 2 hours working on the train station and it was a bit much

[@mikedkc]

Glad you’re healing up. I appreciate your work on both channels.

[@Kens265]

Thanks, I appreciate that.

[@gamerdruid7605]

I'm pleased to see you able to stand and move so readily after such a short time. I'm waiting for my knee replacement in February and hope to be as agile as you are at the same point. Good luck with the layout build and the recovery!

[@Kens265]

I hope it goes well for you. I’m still very sore walking on it.

[@johnbanicki7232]

Make sure you do your PT the way they tell you too. It will really help. I have had both knees replaced. Layout is moving along. Thanks for sharing.

[@Kens265]

Thanks I will

[@renatogiovanni-m5x]

Artist and craftsman, greetings from Palermo

[@Kens265]

Welcome glad you found me

[@EugeneCollum-l5f]

The reason the rail is loose on the Atlas track is the loose rail goes to the inside of the curve. That way you only have to cut the loose rail to even the end.

[@Kens265]

Interesting. They’re both loose though

[@TheNorthwestWind]

looking good!

[@Kens265]

Thanks!

[@dbsmithy]

I live near the former Diamond Hill Ski area in Rhode Island. I’ve seen ads from the Providence Journal for taking the train for a day of skiing. That’ll be a great addition for you.

[@Kens265]

Thanks

[@wellhausen]

Well done! Keep it up! Best regards from Dresden! Andreas

[@Kens265]

Greetings. Beautiful country over there

[@alanb287]

I have a train book somewhere with a picture of an advertisement for the Waterbury Vt. train station that suggests taking a train to the ski area. I have to find it.

[@Kens265]

Cool. There’s an old Disney movie “Cannonball Run” that used a train to get to the ski area

[@kevinlucas8437]

I'm glad you're doing well !!! Layout is coming along.

[@Kens265]

Thanks I'm getting there.

[@karl7994]

I bought a Dremel mainly for my model railway. Great investment. Keep safe

[@Kens265]

Nice. I went with the cordless so I wouldn’t be dragging the cord over things

[@devernebreed6486]

A ski lift would be great. Maybe having a skier coming down a trail. Possibly by remote control.

[@Kens265]

Thanks that would be interesting

[@Kx110x]

Hi sir I had a knee replacement about five months ago , certainly not for the faint hearted as the pain afterwards was horrendous . But eventually it does settle down , only just starting to try kneeling on it , but still a bit to go in that respect . Interesting project and different approach to the layouts that are planned to the minutes detail , makes a change with your let’s just run with it style. Kind regards from the UK

[@Kens265]

Glad your knee is doing well. Yes my style is definitely more fluid

[@garyoverton6222]

I had both knees done. Do your ice and therapy regiously, without fail, you’ll do well. Always look forward to your train videos. Glad you like that dremel. I use it all the time.

[@Kens265]

Nice hope you’re doing well

[@garyoverton6222]

@ very well

[@scrooem]

Strong Work! small marching steps to get your thigh muscles back in shape, after a knee replacement, in no time

[@Kens265]

Thanks I like the marching idea

[@HeliMX365]

Good luck with the recovery. I just had mine done on the 11th, very painful. I do O gauge and i am getting my grandson HO scale for Christmas. Gld to have found your channel

[@Kens265]

Thanks. That’s great

[@mrbscpds5801]

I like what your doing!, I'm a new subscriber, i started out the same way, then switched to DCC, before you get to far with your layout watch some basic DDC layout videos, trust me it will save you time and aggravation in the long run. Have fun, i'll be watching!

[@Kens265]

Thanks for subscribing. I am researching dcc for sure

[@rdyardie]

Thank you for showing us what is required when you are laying track.

[@Kens265]

You bet. Thanks

[@arlinwneal3044]

Ken when you create a side spur like you did with the station, you need to use non conducting rail joiners to isolate this track from the main line.. Then connect wires from this track to a switch that can be shutting off power to that track. If you park an engine there while you are running trains on the outer track, the train in the side spur will try to run also. If you don't do this, the side track will be energized every time you power your track. You need to do this with all your side spurs.

[@Kens265]

Thanks I agree

[@sandygrant9220]

Good work on the railroad! Looking forward to you getting a ski lift someplace on there! Would add a lot to the railroad! You can do it! With a ski lift and train station, it will start to look like Lyndonville! Then you'll need a bandstand park somewhere!

[@Kens265]

Wow. Looks like I’ll be busy

[@Mad-Duk_Machine_Werkes]

if you wrap a damp cold washcloth or dusting rag moistened with cold tap water around the track piece as your cutting with the dremel Whizz-Wheel, it wont melt the plastic part nearly at all!

[@Kens265]

Interesting I'll try that out.

[@Joesmith-y5p]

Ken, glad to see you are recovering from surgery. Did you get the rail heights worked out using the code 100 vs code 83 rail track? I could not tell if the gaps were corrected. If you run your finger across the top of the rail where the joints are it should all be smooth. You definately want to get that fixxed before you ballast all the track.

[@Kens265]

Yes I think I got it

[@garyfox8170]

Great job giving the station a main line.

[@Kens265]

Thanks

[@jamesculp-e7o]

When you lay track you should consider "T" pins to hold in place in the nail holes tn the middle of the ties.

[@Kens265]

Thanks will they hold in foam?

[@jamesculp-e7o]

@@Kens265 It seams the pins you use do real well, I have always used "T" pins because they can go further into the foam board and would hold better when taking track apart to change designe of layout.

[@richardbrobeck2384]

coming right alone !!

[@Kens265]

Thanks

[@brucealvarez9263]

You'll need to build a big mountain for the skiers!! What is Lauren doing? Sometimes she is with you and sometimes you go to southern NH to her.

[@Kens265]

Right. Photography media for an organization

[@neilschwerdt3493]

Hi Ken you need to go to the hobby shop and get some rail cutters . To cut the rail and the plastic ties. I,ve been making Ho Aspen trees so far I made 100 trees for my Montana rail link train layout. Have a great Christmas with your family this year. From Neil schwerdt in west valley city Utah 😊

[@Kens265]

Cool thanks. Merry Christmas to you

[@chrishorton444]

Look at nce powercab for dcc

[@Kens265]

Thanks I appreciate it

[@clarencewiles963]

Ken you’re doing great and keeping the channel alive! Thanks for sharing your story. But do slow things down for now standing is a slow process to recovery.

[@Kens265]

Thanks. I’m getting a little stir crazy not doing anything. I’m trying to go slowly

[@clarencewiles963]

@ Do some editing by category of work. You can do that in bed or the recliner! Edit your Ken’s Scenic Journeys using the files from some of HO Model Railroading, and Ken’s Karpentry you have those files that could be useful to add to the collection. I’m sure you’ll find them. Thumbs up 👍

[@Pamela-e4w]

Very Interesting 😀

[@Kens265]

I’ll give you a ride when it’s done

[@transgendertina293]

wow it is loooking so amazing

[@carrieemery7191]

nice job ken looks good

[@Kens265]

Thanks 👍

[@dennisosborn5589]

Cool Video! Hope you Recover Good from your Knee Surgery.

[@Kens265]

Thanks. I appreciate it.

[@mikepoindexter9849]

Wow. I thought I did good after my knee replacements. Had mine replaced in 2013 and the other in 2016. That is the key. You have to get up and move around. Way to go Ken. From experience I know you are in pain doin that video. I was cutting my grass with a push mower but I was still in quite a bit of pain.

[@Kens265]

Nice glad yours went well. Yes definitely pain

[@marysenatore8856]

Ski lift would be awesome! We think you should also add a construction area , a garage with workers! Sound familiar? Haha you could have Dan and Chad and you models made PS, You're doing great! My husband and I have both had knee replacement and encourage you to be sure to do the PT, so important!

[@Kens265]

Thanks hah good ideas

[@mer2705]

I've had both knees replaced. Best surgery I've ever had. Best of luck on your recovery. Be sure to do all your PT

[@Kens265]

Good to know. Thanks

[@philtucker1224]

Ken remember that station platforms have be straight for the number of passenger carriages that will stop there.

[@Kens265]

Thanks I think I can make that work

[@philtucker1224]

@ plus make some platforms.

[@JamItJohn]

Can you do a video on the train components you use, tracks, transformer, etc.

[@Kens265]

I think so sometime

[@josefreck1103]

Ken weiter gute Genesung und ein schönes Wochenende

[@Kens265]

Thanks you too

[@RobertBOUSKILL]

I love the way you do things, so educational. It explains why cities are so poorly designed. In all my travels, Savannah is the only place where parks rule and there are no through streets. You have a great space but you need to do a bit of planning on a piece of paper because constant change eventually will show wear that is unfixable.

[@Kens265]

Thanks mi agree

[@wingman8447]

Wow a ski lift! That I have to see

[@Kens265]

Cool. Still figuring it out in my mind

[@larrybaughman618]

I enjoy. Watching you🤠🚂🗯

[@Kens265]

Thanks I appreciate it

[@rammur1]

I need a ski lift! ❤

[@Kens265]

Haha good I’ll learn from yours

[@elleryparsons2433]

With A Layout Like That for Your Info use Sectional Track as Well You Use sectional Track it Will Help In Working your layout in Some spots.think About it.

[@Kens265]

Thanks

[@linmark55]

Ken, Take a look into Locofi and see what you think. I just ordered one for my 4x8 layout. Seems like a great alternative to DCC. Interested in your thoughts.

[@Kens265]

Thanks. I’ll take a look at it.

[@linmark55]

@@Kens265 Look forward to reading what you think of this system.

[@johnmanthey2683]

Wise decision.

[@Kens265]

Thanks

[@randallfawc7501]

what happened to the train station you hand built on your first layout?

[@Kens265]

That layout is still there. At some point I will revisit that.

[@robertstewart5685]

I solder the rail joiners first before bending. Then the track will be shorter or longer on the other side , and you can cut it or?

[@Kens265]

Thanks I may try that. I’ve never soldered before and seems a little daunting

[@robertstewart5685]

@ you need a soldering pencil and a little flux. But usually it can come all together, it’s not expensive but you need as fine a tip as you can find. And don’t get stressed about wiring DCC just need a thicker main line and add drops from your track to main line

[@robertstewart5685]

I enjoy your channel I think I could step right in with Chad and Dan and build a garage LOL, but I have an NCE. DCC controller and it’s easy to use cost about 174$, Tony’s train exchange is where I find good prices, in Vermont

[@Kens265]

Thanks hey I’ll look into that

[@TimsBitsnPieces]

Once again... this is exactly why you do not stick the track down until you have finished everything on the layout... I thought you would have learnt from your previous layouts..

[@Kens265]

Thanks

[@jongon03]

Is your layout dcc or did you install two separate dc controllers?

[@Kens265]

Two separate dc lines but I think I’m going to convert to dcc

[@jongon03]

@Kens265 thanks. Keep on making more fun and innovative videos and get well. Cheers

[@kennethsears5041]

I like that

[@Kens265]

Thanks

[@DeborahCottle-z8e]

Hi! Will you be showing how you built the tiny houses to scale for your railroad? or did I miss it in another video? Apologies if so.

[@Kens265]

I bought them all assembled. I cheated. I will be building some things as I go

[@havingoodtime]

It is not the best but I just use Bachmann E-Z command DCC so I can switch controllers depending on what engines I want to run.

[@Kens265]

Good to know thanks