S1: E7: Giant HO Scale Layout Update: Into the Workshop!

In this video I head down into the workshop to build a turnout by hand. I've gotten the best performance with hand built turnouts over commercially available ones. They do take time, but the results are well worth it in terms of smooth operation and overall reliability (and there is a monetary cost savings as well). During the turnout build, we'll take some breaks and look at a new waterfront structure built for the layout by my good friend Karl, as well as a new loco that arrives while this video was in production. Then, we'll give the new loco a shakedown run on the layout.
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[@ToyotaYaris-ft1ro]

man am i glad that your first video randomly got into my recommended, cause this is actually cool

[@rcgrabbag]

Thanks!

[@ToyotaYaris-ft1ro]

@Caspian Drew no one

[@gordonmcknight8877]

I'm always so impressed with channels doing careful, tedious craft and hobby work AND take the time to set up all the camera work with quality editing and voice over to boot. Thanks for taking the time to share your awesome work, and as always, can't wait to see what additions come next!

[@rcgrabbag]

I appreciate the kind words! Thank you!

[@markgoetz8616]

Not only do I learn so much from your videos they are pleasant and relaxing to watch. Thank you for sharing your hobby with me, you do amazing work

[@rcgrabbag]

Thanks glad you are enjoying the journey!

[@tood6459]

I've never been into model railroads and have no idea what you are doing, but I immensely enjoy your videos, and cannot wait to see what is next!

[@FJD333]

I agree totally. I have no interest in model railways, but this is fascinating stuff.

[@rcgrabbag]

@@FJD333 @Tood Thank you very much!

[@mannyc19]

@@rcgrabbag Hi, What size is that beautiful Loco at 25:11 ? Love the videos and thanks.

[@andreh.dupuis8475]

the difference between boys and men is the price of their toys 😄 Beautiful layout, brings back memories of my teenage years, thanks for sharing !

[@thetopnotchrailroad2901]

I have to give you a load of credit. Your patience is absolutely incredible. I don't have the patience to edit a video. You are building frigging switches and THEN EDITING. And a trip to Italy!!! I vacationed in Venice, Rome, and Florence. Beautiful!!! Kudos to you!!! INCREDIBLE!!!

[@rcgrabbag]

Thanks glad you are enjoying!

[@youngmemory604]

Don't have the time, budget, or patience to build a layout like this. So I'm happy to join you as "we" build yours. Thanks for posting these!

[@Studio23Media]

The footage of Italy was my favorite part of the video. Isn't it such a beautiful country?! Venice is the most incredible place I've ever been. Incredible work with the turnouts as well! Such fine, intricate details.

[@lanceotto9569]

Dang that’s one nice loco. It’s smoke stack actually looks realistic with it’s not very visible but fluffy smoke! Great video as always man.

[@djscottdog1]

Making your own points is next level.

[@aaronbarton2008]

I love how you go into great detail. Well done sir

[@rcgrabbag]

Thanks!

[@Meister190]

Outstanding work. Thanks for taking time to post it.

[@GaryRMoor]

Totally love what you are doing. Thank you for sharing all this. You contribute much what is suitable to how I want to build my dream layout, not to mention I'd really enjoy visiting Italy.

[@thomaswalla4210]

Fascinating to see your method of building turnouts using this jig and the laser cut roster and the waterfront structure is also real impressive! Thanks for showing Sir!

[@mistac5050]

Another great video. Looking forward to seeing what's next.

[@jbturof]

Very informative. Happy I came across your videos!

[@rcgrabbag]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dcctrain]

Outstanding 👍

[@JediTim28]

I look forward to your updates. Enjoyed watching the building of the turnout…very informative. Also liked the video of Italy…been quite some time since I’ve been there.

[@arthurskim7898]

What you are building goes beyond description. Absolutely amazing. Thanks for sharing. Bravo Zulu.

[@rcgrabbag]

Thanks a lot!

[@johne5854]

That building was stunning. Incredible workmanship.

[@stomper12000]

Fantastic!, just fantastic. I hope you will be able to complete the journey in building this layout. a real pleasure to see, thanks for sharing.

[@frozenghostbry]

I use fast tracks as well. I have been building a model of Fostoria, Ohio. The diamonds and such are great for the angles I need and many different turnouts including a few Ys and a 3-way. I love their product. Great stuff. Made getting 88 degree diamonds easy.

[@rcgrabbag]

Very cool!

[@RFMCabooseNP1713]

Great job. Thanks for the Fast Tracks clinic. They look like the way to go.

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Enjoyed the video very much hope there more to come.

[@plto4ka]

congratulations, amazing layout.

[@briansmith8967]

Ah, Venice! My 3rd favorite European after Berlin and Paris. Railroad's looking good!

[@jfk5812]

Thats incredible. Amazing

[@rcgrabbag]

Thanks!

[@kevinleftridge8241]

Man I'm learning a ton from watching your videos! beautiful layout! I enjoy your videos while drinking my coffee!

[@andrewcalldridge1644]

A piece of art! Thanks for sharing and good luck for the future! Cheers from Belgium

[@rcgrabbag]

Thank you very much!

[@farmcat3198]

"I'd walk a mile for a vertical smile", my favorite play off the "I'll walk a mile for a Camel" advertisement.

[@THHF_Hobby_Time]

This is amazing work. Your attention to detail is very impressive. Those turnouts are a work of art!

[@rcgrabbag]

Thank you very much!

[@brettkear2933]

Outstanding skill.......

[@Channel-qn9le]

I also ordered the DM&IR Yellowstone #220, I got mine yesterday and laughed because when you said you had a surprise new package I thought “it’s prob the Yellowstone😂.” Love the content and channel, looking forward to the next update video already👍🏻

[@rcgrabbag]

Thanks! The Yellowstone is a nice model for sure.

[@iowa_don]

The Emporium Seafood Co. is totally AWESOME! 👍👍 The layout isn't bad either! 🤣🤣 Seems like a lot of work to make your own turnouts. The 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone looks to be well worth its $600 price tag. 😀😀

[@garylaker4335]

Also a Tam Valley and Fast Tracks devotee. Hugely rewarding building your own turnouts, mine are #7 due to space restrictions, the #8’s seem to flow so well, trains look quite prototypical running through them. Wife and I visited UK and Europe in ‘18, including Rome, Venice and Florence. So beautiful. Seems a different world now 😞

[@hubsimike]

👍👍👍👍👍😉 Very nice Layout! Mike from Austria

[@bigsparky65]

Wow a lot of work on those turnouts. Never knew MTH made anything but O scale. Beautiful locomotive, excellent sound

[@Longshadowsmodeltrees]

Great Video!! Bob

[@rcgrabbag]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@boarder6246]

I can’t wait to see the finished product =] Watching your progress has been super fun!

[@rcgrabbag]

Thanks!

[@boarder6246]

@@rcgrabbag keep up the awesome work! =]

[@tomblack6972]

You know what’s great about Italy? The place is full of Italians!

[@rcgrabbag]

Can't argue that! ...and gelato

[@rebeladventures2887]

Love your videos!!

[@rcgrabbag]

Thanks!

[@davidmuse7004]

Very impressive work and great modeling!! Really enjoyed and learned a few things along the way. Muse

[@rcgrabbag]

Many thanks!

[@BuhdaPunk]

What can help when soldering is a weak pair metal clamps with flat jaws to use as a heat sink. I put it just up from the solder joint to leech heat, keep the entire rail from heat warping.

[@matthewtouma2781]

Another awesome video brother! I love seeing the progress on your layout. Definitely the best quality modeling videos I've seen on youtube. I turned the bell on. Keep it coming!

[@rcgrabbag]

Thanks! Will do!

[@DIYD]

You'll are some Monsters in the HO scale game ... One day!

[@bernardc2553]

As a collector for decades it's time to build a layout B4 I'm outta time,love of big steam & Turbine's means big turnouts,so appreciate your detail how to "fast-track,you make it look so easy,With these hands I know, better plan ,and with time ...BTW Nice STEAM, hand shakes my friend..

[@rcgrabbag]

Thanks! Good luck with your layout!

[@jimhoade9265]

As the first one was replaced I'll say it again! Your railroad is great, you're doing such a great job and it's an inspiration for us all. Secondly, this is the best video on turnout construction I've ever seen, I've always been interested and wanted to try but I found it confusing in the extreme. This film makes me think that I can do it and I can't thank you enough for that. Best wishes from South Wales to you and yours, I sincerely hope that you're all safe and well.

[@rcgrabbag]

Very nice of you to say and thanks for reposting! I find building turnouts a bit addicting. BTW, I was in Wales two years ago visiting Caerphilly Castle.

[@jimhoade9265]

@@rcgrabbag jeez! I lived in Machen, two miles from Filly. I wish I'd known! If you ever come again you're absolutely invited to stay with us in the splendidly name Village of Pantygog. I will introduce you to the delights of Hornby Dublo

[@blainedunlap4242]

The bridge at 35:00 is really nice, what a showcase shot for your loco's. IDK why you would go to Italy when you could stay and do Model Railroading. I been there, it's just a bunch of old stuff.

[@GenialesTuning]

*@rcgrabbag* Unbelievable what is possible. And I've been tinkering with my #Lego mountain with my #Batcave for 2 months now. But the creation of the switch, even if I move with Lego on a different scale, this #workshop inspired me incredibly. thanks for that.

[@rcgrabbag]

Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for watching!

[@GenialesTuning]

@@rcgrabbag Yes of course. It's unbelievable what energy you put into this incredible project. I'm trying to get a project out of the ground myself in which I want to overcome a stretch of Lego rails of up to 300 meters. If that works, I'll reach for the stars😊

[@davidcurtis5398]

Oh, by the way. Love the rock work I can see at the 27:00 time line...

[@rcgrabbag]

Thanks! Trying to get all the bridges done in the general area so I can go back to working on the scenery.

[@brucegiroux]

Great video and workmanship. I was wondering if you soldered the frog rails together at about 12:15 in the video. Your soldering is very good and I could not see any solder at that location. Thanks for your explanation of the process. By far the best video I've seen to date on the subject.

[@kyleware4798]

Really interested in the basics of track layout and what products like track you chose to use. Great video!

[@rcgrabbag]

Glad you liked it!

[@HoboHeaven]

Hope you enjoyed Roma. You must see napoli, capri and the amalfi coast. Greetings from Hamburg/ Germany. Btw great train layout, looking forward for the next Episode

[@rcgrabbag]

Hi there, yes, we also went to Napoli, Capri and Amalfi Coast on another trip. Beautiful!

[@HoboHeaven]

@@rcgrabbag I was there in Winter, 21 Grad Celsius, most is closed but no Tourists.

[@derekalexander4030]

Really enjoy your videos. Your layout is incredible and quite an undertaking. Karl’s buildings and your trestle are amazing. Was the large rock mold from Bragdon or did you create your own? It’s a nice size and level of detail of the rocks. If it’s your own, may I suggest it as a future video? After bees and rockets, etc... I found myself wondering throughout the video where we might be going or what we might be doing at the end and thank you, Italy was spectacular.

[@reggiep671]

Great video series. I'm curious about what cameras you use to shoot video, particularly the turnout construction. Thanks.

[@rcgrabbag]

Thanks! I use a Nikon Z7 during turnout construction, an iPhone and an old HD video camera, and the Z7 combined for everything else.

[@mikey1196]

Since you've got the elevation on your layout and obviously have the track building skills, did ever consider building a funicular railway? The one at Horseshoe Curve is a great "newer" example. Too bad it is not currently operating. Awesome progress by the way!

[@TheWagonDude]

Looks nice but you have more free time than me to hand build switches.

[@joebeasant5056]

Love the fretsaw frame, please what's the source? Not seen the like here in the UK.

[@jackcutler1059]

Hi, great video. I have a question. It appears that you did not solder the frog rails to their PCB tie at the point end of the frog. Did you forget to do this, or is this on purpose? If on purpose, why?

[@08trader]

Very very nicely done, how much man-hours did you put into the layout so far? Did you do everything by yourself?

[@rcgrabbag]

Thanks very much! I had an evening of help pre-covid. Since then it's been all me!

[@ericwalstrand3512]

When I see these frogs on these model videos, are all of them made like this or do they come premade also?

[@James-Railyard]

Great video! Two questions about the Yellowstone; 1.) does it have the whistle steam, and 2.) can you move the tender connection to the closer coupling or is it stuck in the outer position?

[@rcgrabbag]

Thanks! It doesn't have the whistle steam but it does have a closer coupling option.

[@Channel-qn9le]

@@rcgrabbag F7 should activate whistle steam option for DCC with the Yellowstone.

[@000Weasel000]

Love your channel! Subbed... so.. I'm a total rookie.. love that engine u bought.. how does it produce smoke???

[@rcgrabbag]

Thanks! The smoke is produced by a small heated “smoke unit” that heats and vaporizes a special smoke oil.

[@josemiguelmanuelbajon1169]

Buenas tardes desde Los Alcazares ( Murcia ) ESPAÑA bonito trabajo de hacer los desvíos de esa maqueta de los FERROCARRILES Americanos, ya me gustaria hacer eso a mi y poder ver con mis propios ojos, pero yo soy una persona que cobro poco, estoy jubilado y soy una persona con cierta discapacidad por un accidente de moto, que Dios os guarde un saludo...............

[@santhosh5796]

Why there is no #12 or #10 turnout in ho scale? Up to #8 is only available. But some of the rolling stocks are long. So, #8 turnout is little sharp. Please give your reply.

[@acdii]

Just curious. I see a very expensive Epilog laser in the workshop, yet you used some other companies laser cut ties? Couldn't you have done those on the Epilog? How much of the layout has the laser been used for it?

[@MartinFutter70]

Am I missing something here, or can these junctions not be bought in hobby/railway shops?

[@dougcook7507]

What, roughly, is the cost break downs. Cost to buy the materials and how many turnouts do you get. Not including the templates and fixtures. Thanks for a great video. You have my interest peaked on building turnouts now.

[@russcarlson7151]

I just started using Fast Tracks tools. Using Quick Sticks you can build them for about $12-14 each. I have a stock of ties so I don't use Quick Sticks. The great thing about these tools and jigs is you learn to build turnouts. After only a few in jig I am now building custom fit turnouts that fit particular situations. You can also build a ladder with minimal or no joints in the stock rail.

[@dougcook7507]

@@russcarlson7151 Thanks for the info. Our module club is going to be expanding a few sections soon, one section will be a yard and other will be light industry with a couple switching spots.

[@russcarlson7151]

I started building my own because I will be using code 70 and 55, due to the prototype I am modeling had light rail. I can build a turnout easily in 2 hrs. If you were to build frogs, points and guard rails ahead of time in batches you could speed the process a lot.

[@nwoida8057]

have you been to the miniatur wunderland in hamburg, germany?

[@rcgrabbag]

It’s on the list!

[@SilentGloves]

Thanks for putting these videos together. I'm enjoying this series. I'm not a model railroader (too many other hobbies, don't need a new one), but I find watching the construction of a new layout to be great lunchtime entertainment. If I could make a request, I've seen several "cab ride" videos and I really think these add an intriguing dimension to a layout video series. There are small, inexpensive action cameras available that make this possible, e.g. RunCam. I believe modelers usually attach these to a flatcar in front of the loco to achieve. Here's one of my favorite examples: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5S4fX9thsh4qLM Cheers!

[@rcgrabbag]

I have several videos with a “pace cam” on a flat car.

[@SilentGloves]

@@rcgrabbag Oh, I see... I must've missed those. I've only found your channel with the new build. My bad.

[@rcgrabbag]

They are kinda old videos so you’d have to go digging but they are there if you’re bored!

[@GuitarandMusicInstitute]

Brilliant video as always however at the end views of Italy accompanied by Django hot club music expressing the essence of France....okay....?

[@rcgrabbag]

Thanks for the compliment! And, hehe, I'm gonna take only partial responsibility for the music choice ;-). I searched "Italian" in the KZbin free music library and these were among the choices, so ...

[@davidcurtis5398]

Why not use a Dremmel tool to cut the gaps in any rail you need to cut???

[@rcgrabbag]

Dremel cut is much wider than the coping saw.

[@davidcurtis5398]

@@rcgrabbag Agree!!!

[@daniobonello1953]

Siena in my city......

[@paulreinhardt6052]

Great vid! Does Karl have a KZbin channel? Link?

[@rcgrabbag]

Karl does not have a KZbin channel but does post his work on modelersforum.com as PostalKarl.

[@paulreinhardt6052]

@@rcgrabbag Wow, he’s very talented!

[@Kev5565]

I wish we were on HO in the uk not 00.

[@Tokkemon]

You made all those by hand?! What's the advantage to doing that?

[@rcgrabbag]

Smoother, more reliable operation, I think. Secondly, you can make things that are simply not commercially available, like a #10 double slip switch #10 double crossover, or #12 turnout. Lastly, it's fun (well, for me it is)!

[@kelenr6236]

Why build your own turnoff? Seems like a lot of work

[@rcgrabbag]

It is, but they perform better and I can make sizes that you just can't get commercially.

[@arcticjoe1142]

Where do you live, and can I come see this?

[@Interceptor00X]

I'm always impressed and disappointed by MTH models. They're really nice, have lots of detail, and seem to be quite well made. But they always have that huge gap between the loco and the tender, and that just ruins the look. We don't have that in europe, so I can't understand why is it so common in the states.

[@rcgrabbag]

The MTH models generally have two attachment points on the drawbar for the tender. Out of the box they are typically attached on the point that puts the loco and tender farther apart, I'm guessing to handle the smaller radii turns that are assumed to be on most layouts.

[@kensomething379]

Your build and tutorials are absolutely amazing!!!... but you have enough people gushing all over you and you're layout. Lets get down to brass tracks (or is that tacks...ANYWAYS...) at what point does it become cost effective? (and before I get a bunch of "it''s not about the cost" etc, for some of us that don't have a money tree, it is!) At what point, or how many turnouts do you have to build where the cost of buying out weighs the cost of building? I would be very curious to know! I have all the time in the world, but not the money. Physically disabled and told by me orthopedic surgeon, no working FULL STOP! is there a point where they are "cheaper" to make than buy?!?

[@rcgrabbag]

Thanks for watching! I'm not sure how to answer your question though. The reason I'm building turnouts is for what I consider superior performance of the hand built turnouts vs. those that are commercially available. If you want to do some type of cost comparison, the best I can offer in terms of advice is; how much is your time worth? It takes about 1.5 hours to build a turnout once you become proficient. Is 1.5 hours of your time more cost effective than purchasing that same turnout instead?

[@clintlane5426]

in your spare time, maybe you can help NASA figure out how to launch a rocket to the moon since they lost all their notes on it from 50yrs ago 🙃

[@andrewcrawford2093]

So is this how board millionaires fill there days..😂😂😂.

[@rcgrabbag]

Haha! I am rarely bored. Too many hobbies!

[@sirclarkmarz]

I bet his wife gets to buy as much jewelry as she wants

[@smsucks7174]

What a strange comment

[@sampleexamplemusic]

i cant even fathom how wealthy you must be. helicopter trips and an epilog laser chilling in the basement not to mention basically every fast tracks jig and every tool under the sun and a purpose built building for your layout... wtf...