Run Your Small Model Railroad like a Big One!

[@markmickelinc3206]

Good morning. Great video as always. I wanted to share a brief experience about my small ho scale layout. It consists of an oval made with Atlas True Track and one siding, all on a ping pong table. It has a couple buildings, some homemade and Lego trees, and most importantly some Woodland Scenics cows. I set it up for my six year old granddaughter to introduce her to model railroading. It was a hit! She was the engineer while I played brakeman. She learned how to operate the manual switch, how to make sure it was lined up correctly, the procedure for uncoupling the caboose and setting out the appropriate car... most importantly she learned how fast the train could go without throwing off the cows that were riding on top of the engine. Obviously I love way more realistic layouts but this one made it fun for Nina. She can't wait for the next visit. To me that's priceless. Thanks for listening!

[@williamthawley9251]

what you describe is what I have the most enjoyment doing, I have a six track yard, two track mow yard, 2 tracks for diesel maintenance, and one rip track. I have about 25 industries to serve, with two auxillary yards, one two track, and one three track yard. all of this in two levels in a 9 x 13 ft room. I use a car card system, and have switch lists printed.

[@andrewlaverghetta715]

I really like how you've gotten your model railroad broken up. My N scale layout is 2.5'x4', two loops with two industries in them. I've actually decided that I think one of the industries is going to have a team track at part of it, even though there isn't room for anything to get in an unload, because there just isn't room, but the track is still there and it would add some interest. Also, when I built the layout, I built made a kind of interchange track attaching to one of the loops and going off the layout. Recently I've added a small 1'x4' staging yard that can be anyting off the layout, basically. I can pull a train into it, uncouple the locos, run them out and grab another train, and a switcher that's there can work on breaking it down to make something else, potentially.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

I love seeing a Chicago Metra train visiting out east and running through mountains - wish I was riding that one!!

[@brettany_renee_blatchley]

Re trains meeting and passing one another: this happens quite frequently in Skykomish WA at the foot of Steven's Pass on BNSF's Scenic Subdivision. They have a great webcam here on YT.

[@georgiasunbelt]

Lots of good stuff packed into this video Jimmy…I do have two small yards that mainly serve industries as you described…

[@jasonminier6782]

I used a small yard that will dispatch a local that will switch a few industries and then drop a load at a small support yard with a run around track that a switcher later takes to other industries. Adding length to my passing track was a game changer.

[@melkitson]

You have presented the options very nicely. A great video as always. I think some form of passing siding is essential.

[@tommynorwood5184]

Hi jimmy , I have a twice around double track. The enter track serves as a branch line with the industry on it with a yard and engine house. The outer track is a main line with two storage tracks on the back side of the layout. I have 4 single cross overs to get to the yard and branch line. Which also serves as a run around. Also have 2 sidings off the main line so if I want to extend the layout the turn outs are already there. Thanks for sharing. 😎😎 👍

[@skerbs7755]

Jimmy, another great video. I really enjoyed the close-up video shots. I felt like I was trackside on your layout! I have a mountain range that runs along the width of the layout, splitting it into two sections. One section is large and contains a town serviced by Conrail. The other section is a narrow area on the other side of the mountain range and only has a train station and some tracks. The train passes through a tunnel on one side of the mountain and exits the other side through a small gap between two hills. This way, on my 5x7 layout, the whole train disappears for a few seconds. Have a great day!

[@sheldonbeiler1028]

Always liked yards but never had them because when I was a kid I only had four turnouts and had to decide between yard and industries. Eventually though I got more and since then I’ve been toying with junction yards/interchanges

[@franhildwine1340]

Im looking to get back in to model railroad and this was a great find. Great ideas. Not too much running of trains with music and a cool layout.

[@patrickmurphy6775]

This is a good video. I have a small yard that handles a refrigerator train, a work train, and 5 short lines for various cars.

[@dcrrails3402]

Great video, love the ideas. I am thinking of building an n-scale layout in the corner of a storage room. I've been thinking about how to do operations on it, and you've given me some great ideas. Thanks for sharing.

[@danbalmer1]

Nice editing and music! Stepped up on this one. Great content and ideas. I need these as I plan a slightly larger and more practical layout. I enjoy the fact that you have enough options to run everything from steam to modern diesel and everything passenger and commuter, and not be too dedicated to one particular region or period. You should probably make a video on how to keep that open as well. (I'm really digging all of the Kato passenger train options available and am doing the same thing. Love them). Thanks!

[@Cowboy_Steve]

Howdy Jimmy! Very cool suggestions. So much to take into consideration when planning a layout... it can be overwhelming. But seeing it broken down like this helps quite a bit. Nicely done and thanks for sharing 🤠

[@thomascanady1967]

Don't forget staging yards!

[@TOzzy_]

Scenic separation is a huge one. On my layout, I have a large mountain separating half of the layout!

[@BuntingBros]

Love the videos, you have kept me in this hobby thank you

[@plushieproductionslol]

Hi, i've been watching your videos for a while now and finally decided to comment. I'm, uh, on the younger side... 14 years old (so my budget would be a bit tight). I have a small continuous layout using Bachman's E-Z track based around the early 1900's with 2 "branch off" tracks now. I recently bought a second engine, used, at a train show for $10... I told you my budget is tight! I like the points you make here, hopefully with a track booster pack I'm asking for Christmas, I can add a second line to one industry and make a passing loop out of the other. 🚂

[@dkaustin98]

Not all small yards with a dedicated locomotive have refueling services. I have seen a few where a fuel truck comes in to refuel the loco. A local fuel business has a contract with the railroad. If you are modeling a modern era and don't have room for a refueling area, get a fuel oil truck model and relabel it for diesel.

[@sounddude177]

Fantastic video Jimmy! You've really upped your game with the video production. Lots of great ideas here.

[@johnmiller2880]

Great ideas! Run arounds are huge!!! Even if it allows for one car.

[@Claude_Terrier]

Thanks for taking the time to list those tips and tricks! 🙂

[@thesheq5023]

a big misconception is that a layout should do everything- it doesn’t have to. I run a decent size layout thats based around “a millionaire bought all the indiana shortlines on credit and unfortunately the times have turned slightly less profitable so he couldn’t repaint them all” so I run a bunch of small shortline stuff with the premise of connecting tracks from csx in illinois to the csx in chicago as well as some up help. I have a few industrial areas to build but this lets me run 2 mainlines, 2 yards, and have a constant amount of different cars on the layout without actually needing to justify them. “Oh i like these army cars, lets run them up to chicago” or an airplane thats going to california or something. Yes its shoetline operation but it feels a lot bigger.

[@EricAlainDufresne]

Full of great ideas. Thank you very much.

[@emoisit]

"here's the team track right here"... clunk... derail. hahahahaha Good video. Great info. Got a good laugh out of that one clip. LOL

[@NorthernBandit1]

Great music and details!

[@trainglen22]

Great video and very helpful.

[@crazyjoe4247]

Can you do a video comparing DCC++EX and NCE PowerCab

[@thetrainloverdk]

Nice video and new intro!

[@jimkammerer5240]

EXCELLENT VIDEO THANK YOU I APPRECIATE IT AND YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY TODAY JIM KAMMERER OF PHILADELPHIA PA 👌 😀

[@randysrockandrollrailroad8207]

Great ideas 👍🤠👍

[@jaidanbatham9147]

N scale isn't for me but I love watching you do it

[@jimkammerer5240]

AWESOME GOOD VIDEO THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS WITH ME JIM KAMMERER OF PHILADELPHIA PA 👌 😀

[@tonylloyd5077]

A great, sensible informative video with some great tips. Just subscribed. But please, easy on some of the loud, obnoxious background noise (music ???) really distracted from your commentary. 👍

[@mosindesire]

Personally I like to have as much track as possible with multiple turnouts.

[@BASILPANAS]

Jimmy, what happened to your catchy, fun music?

[@sheldonbeiler1028]

“But what if you want mainline action?” [boss music starts]

[@El_Crab]

Hello

[@BigBushWookie]

I wish I could make small feel like big, but genetics are genetics 😔😔