Small N Gauge Layout

[@GRUMP5B]

Just the little bits of scenery you have created have given me ideas that I am sure will be borrowed. Thank you .

[@tonystinytrains1705]

And I “borrowed” many of “my ideas” from others! Thank you for your kind comment.

[@David-wi1ih]

Tony, this is a lovely layout. I hate those layouts that tail chase. Love layouts that have sidings and shunting and engine run rounds etc. excellent scenery too. Nice one. Thank you.

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the kind words. I’m glad you like the layout and scenery.

[@fabiennechevallier2516]

With a lot of love for detail, very nicely built.

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for your kind words. I’m glad you liked it!

[@legohotwheelsmadness]

Such a great little layout. I love the amount of detail you've done and the realistic shunting speed of the trains. Thanks for sharing.

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@clivesmith6164]

Nice Blackbird in the back round.

[@jefwisse1957]

Very nice layout and stunning scenery

[@miks146]

This is by far the best n gauge layout I have seen. The scenery its perfect.

[@tonystinytrains1705]

You are being far too kind, but I’ll take it anyway! I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Winter is coming and I plan on doing a bit more during the dark evenings.

[@mr488gto8]

totally agree 👌

[@Erik-mz7yq]

This a wonderful layout. Easily one of the best n gauge layouts I've seen. Great detail and landscapes. Exceptional.

[@tonystinytrains1705]

You’re being way too kind! But thank you for the kind words!

[@melkitson]

Wonderful video. Well edited and well lighted. This is a lovely layout which is enhanced by the realistic speed of the trains. This is what I am trying to emulate on my own layout.

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the kind comments. Are we going to see videos of your layout?

[@melkitson]

@@tonystinytrains1705 Soon. I am having the roof replaced so had to vacate the loft space.

[@TonisalpenmodellbahnN58]

Hello Tony, you built and showed a very nice, small layou. Best regards, Toni from Germany

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you very much for your kind words.

[@davidsheriff8989]

Small is beautiful...an uncluttered layout and slow working adds realsim....well done

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the kind comments. It’s interesting that you say “uncluttered” - I thought I’d packed in every-man-and-his-dog onto that board;-)

[@zanegracie39]

What a fantastic model railway, for an individual that had no knowledge of railways or even model railways, i feel you have excelled in what you have created, i love the detail you've put into your layout and the best touch is the looped birdsong, cow and sheep sound, such a neat creation, thankyou for posting, totally enjoyed your video.

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the incredibly kind comments. It makes me happy seeing that people are enjoying my little world!

[@glennwilsonboerstlerii535]

Great work. The locomotives are awesome.

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the kind comments.

[@mcekim2]

Really nice layout! Small with a lot of action and scenery, yet has an uncluttered feel.

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the positive words. I really wanted the feel of a train running through the British countryside - and I think I got that on the far side. And then every train set has to have a tunnel... And then one station by itself doesn’t make sense so I needed two... and then a goods siding needs something to unload so I added a little drift mine... and then I ran out of space ;-)

[@peterlutz7191]

Awesome layout, it's hard to believe this is your first foray into the world of model railroading.!

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the kind words. Overall, I’m pleased the way it turned out - but quite surprised by my (albeit limited) ability ;-)

[@joshrussell4081]

really like it mate great job

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you Josh. I’m glad people are enjoying it.

[@tommcg5930]

The scenery on your layout is great. You really did a great job in small space.

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the kind comment. I really had no idea what I was doing at the time - I’d have an idea for something and then would try and find a KZbin video that would help me. Luckily most things turned out ok and I learned a lot...

[@peterdelaney1946]

First layout, no knowledge, 3 months. Wow. You've done one hell of a job in 3 months. Well done. I'm working on my 5' x 3' n gauge layout for years now. Only getting back into it again after taking a break for a year. I can't wait to see what you build next.

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the kind comment. But you’ve got to put up a video of your progress on your channel ;-)

[@whodgdon]

Great layout, Tony. I love the holding gates and the village, that reminds me of England and Scotland. Very realistic, great job!

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you, and that’s praise indeed having seen your layout. I’m glad you like it.

[@alfredbarten4901]

Beautiful. Congratulations!

[@pagodaracingmountpennreadi8915]

Very nice work. Hard to believe it is your first one! Looking forward to seeing more.

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the kind comment! I saw some absolutely stunning layouts on KZbin, and they inspired me to try a little harder... But I’m a long way off the quality that many people achieve.

[@dr_bnc]

Nicely done!

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@sailingschooners8668]

Great looking layout not overdone....

[@EthansTrains]

Fantastic! Got this in my recommended, just shows to me that there are still many people getting into this awesome hobby. Well done! 😃

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the kind comment. I agree that it is a hobby that can have something for everybody. I’m really enjoying adding the signals, and I’m currently working on automating the crossing gates. But what I would say is that the cost of entry into the hobby could be eye-watering unless you exhibit severe restraint! I’m convinced that probably puts many people off...

[@EthansTrains]

Absolutely!

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Like the video very much .Hope there more.

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for your kind words. Domestic chores permitting, I shall be wiring in some new signals this weekend and probably videoing the process.

[@tayronachan]

Very nice work.

[@wheezypalacemodels7726]

Hi Tony, that is a fantastic job considering you have had no experience before 2020.. Just shows how quick you can pick things up in this hobby. Great job 👏🏼, regards Chris

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the kind comment! I certainly learnt a few new things in those 3 months...

[@SpookyMcGhee]

Wow. That's a damn fine job for only three months and having never had a go at it before. Well done! I'm currently building my own N scale layout (2x4 ft) and I hope I can manage as good as this, again well done

[@tonystinytrains1705]

And that’s a damn fine comment - thank you! Good luck with your layout - and have fun with it! And don’t forget to post a video of it ;-)

[@SpookyMcGhee]

@@tonystinytrains1705 I plan on posting quite a few lol. Cheers from Cleveland Ohio

[@slorailfan]

Bravo! What a great first layout. Very nice. Thanks for the thorough tour including underneath.

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the kind comment. I wasn’t sure anybody would be interested in the underside!

[@kirishima638]

Brilliant job!

[@Stussmeister]

A very nice layout, and you certainly could have fooled me when you said you had no knowledge of railways/model railways. I also must admit that while I've been a lifelong ferroequinologist (railroad nut), it's only in the past three years that I've started to get more seriously into model railroading.

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for taking the time to make a positive comment and extending my vocabulary... I’ve never seen the word ferroequinologist before but the etymology made sense to me. But I had to google it just to confirm! However, I don’t think I’ll be dropping it into everyday conversations ;-)

[@Stussmeister]

@@tonystinytrains1705 You're quite welcome :). To be honest, I first encountered the word at a railroad museum/historic site, and, like you, had to use Google to find out exactly what it meant. Additionally, while I do have a bumper sticker with the word "ferroequinologist" on it, I don't plan on using the word in daily interactions, either, though most of my peers and relatives already know the extent of my "trainsanity."

[@stephenpike3147]

What an excellent model you have created, cannot get over how much you achieved in three months and picking it all up from scratch. Nice to see neat well laid out controls and wiring too - I see you have put a lot of thought into everything, a real gem, well done and enjoy. Will you be trying another perhaps larger project? All the best Stephen

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the kind words. I am planning a new layout, but I’m limited in space so it will only be a fraction larger - maybe 150mm increase in width and depth. At this time it is a two tier urban setting, but exists only in a draft plan form. Maybe over Christmas I’ll order some track and start putting something concrete together...

[@christee4846]

Great layout for 3 months work! I started something of a similar size 3 years ago, though finescale kit track and custom points are a bit daunting. I think you can have track sections wherever you want, leave the joiners alone and slit the rail where it is supported by the sleeper moulding. N scale you have found is not very good for coupling and shunting, consider Sprat and Winkle couplings, Wizard Models do a starter kit. Featherweight coupling and then you pause the train over a magnet in the sleepers to uncouple. The wagon can then be pushed on without coupling up. Just a piece of wire between the buffers on the loco. Mount a piece of track on a timber offcut to practise on first.

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the positive message. I’m now busy reading about S&W couplings... As winter is drawing in, I’ll probably start playing with trains again taking what I’ve learned and suggestions such as yours into consideration and put them into practice on a new small layout.

[@Benji_transport_vids]

fabulous work! i hope your channel gets 1000 one day! ;)

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you. In all honesty, I didn’t expect anywhere near this number of views and certainly didn’t expect ANY subscribers!

[@jamesezekiel5728]

Very nice!

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the kind comment

[@DiscordantVice]

Very very impressive. I’ve never built any layout but it’s something I’d like to do one day. Didn’t dream this could be first attempt! You must be a modeller of other bits and this is just first train model? Is that right, regardless great work it looks lovely.

[@tonystinytrains1705]

You’d be wrong! The last “models” I built were over 40 years ago - balsa planes and Airfix models - and I wasn’t good at it - just a kid glueing kits together with no care or attention to detail. Thank you for the lovely comment.

[@glenaleksis4589]

Awesome layout!! What’s the dimensions? I’m looking to make my own first n scale layout.

[@tonystinytrains1705]

The layout is on a 24” x 46” plywood (9mm) sheet. Good luck with your layout. Are we going to see any videos?

[@glenaleksis4589]

@@tonystinytrains1705 thanks for the reply! As far as videos, idk, let’s see if I can make something worth recording lol

[@In2-Tech]

What kind of switches are you using for the turn outs? I also want to add the same kind to switch my Atlas remote turn outs? Fantastic work on your layout!

[@tonystinytrains1705]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2nRm4Nvp8aDbrM Thank you for the kind comment. I used the wooden mounts shown in the video above with generic 9g servos and some 0.6mm piano wire. An Arduino combined with a generic PCA9685 board was all that was needed for control. Very low cost and relatively easy to set up.

[@allanegleston4931]

eggscllent.:)

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Haha - I see what you did there - that’s a funny yoke. Thank you for the “sunny side up” review!

[@ReaverLordTonus]

I found the set featured at the beginning, it's just over $500.00 USD, is that common pricing for something like that?

[@tonystinytrains1705]

The train set upon which this layout was based costs appropriately £330 in Great Britain. I think that is about the going rate for an n gauge loco with sound, 2 coaches, track and a DCC (albeit basic) controller.

[@dodo1opps]

Need to get Stewart Ainsworth out there to investigate the "lumps and bumps" and Dr John Gator to do the Geophys of the area...😂😊 GO YOU 'R's!!!

[@tommcg5930]

Beautiful layout. Can I ask what is the overall size?

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the kind comment! The whole layout fits on a 24” by 46” sheet.

[@martinbarker5045]

I've only just seen this video. A great layout. What size board have you used? I retire next year and want to get back into railway modelling. Something like this would be ideal for me. It'll keep me out from under my missisus feet. 👍

[@tonystinytrains1705]

The board was 24” x 46” of 9mm ply. If I was to do it again, I’d make it about 6” larger all round. It’d still be a 1-man carry without too much weight penalty. Have fun!

[@tylersowell5376]

How big is this layout? VERY nicely done!

[@tonystinytrains1705]

The board is 24” by 46” - just deep enough to make the 2nd radius curves at each end. If I were to make another layout of this size, then I’d probably make it 6” deeper (30” by whatever) - it wouldn’t add too much weight/bulk but would give so much more layout flexibility such that everything wouldn’t need to be “inside” the loop. Thank you for the positive comment. I’m glad people are enjoying it!

[@Racer997]

Tracks, compared to the people, are wider than 4 foot 8-1/2.🤔

[@pim1234]

Great layout, nice sounds but you have to be an electric genius to work with the Ardino etc. Wouldn't you ?

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the kind comment! Lol - I’m no electrical genius, but I can program a bit! I’d never touched an Arduino, a servo, or a servo driver board before I started this project. Absolutely everything was done using online tutorials and following KZbin videos. If you have an idea, there’s a real probability that somebody has already done it before you - and videoed themselves doing it.

[@pim1234]

@@tonystinytrains1705 Done programming in Basic and Fortran, so there is hope

[@tonystinytrains1705]

@@pim1234 lol - I still use FORTRAN at work! You even knowing what FORTRAN is, probably puts you streets ahead of the average Arduino newbie. A few hours with a starter kit and you’d be switching LEDs on and off with a switch, or have them flashing with a timer. You honestly don’t have to have an electrical engineering degree for this!

[@pim1234]

@@tonystinytrains1705 top ! Watching Arduino vids from now on

[@PaulSmith-pl7fo]

What a grand layout! Do you intend to refine the control panel? I would have liked to hear a little commentary on your wiring. A higher resolution recording of your video would be nice to see (if at all possible). Interestingly, I shall also use brown/blue for my power bus wiring. Was that a speaker I saw on the underside of your layout? Keep up the good work.

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the kind comments. Regarding the wiring - the blue/brown choice was simply because I had a roll of twin and earth in the shed! I ran that around the perimeter of the board with strategically placed choc strip to take off drop wires for the rails. I saw a video that suggested that was a “good thing” to do, and so I did it. The drop wires are 7/0.2 mm also in blue/brown. I'd do the same again if I ever decide to create a new layout. The track was laid without insulation joiners to create blocks - and that was a mistake. If you have even the slightest inclination to add signals, automation, etc to your layout then I'd strongly suggest you partition your track layout into blocks. This is my first attempt at railway modelling/any form of modelling since I was a lad some 45 years ago, and so I find it weird speaking as an “expert”, but I view not making my layout with blocks a BIG mistake and I'd like to prevent others from doing the same. Yes, there are speakers on the underside. One is under the “cow field”, the other is under the “sheep field” and appropriate cow and sheep sounds come out of the respective speakers - interspersed with bird song. If I had partitioned the track then I would have also had “The train approaching platform 1 is the ” announcements! Yesterday I received some super cheap Chinese signal lights - probably not applicable to the era, but adds interest to the scene. I created an Arduino sketch to automate two of them, and I installed them on the layout this morning. Check out the next video - sometime this weekend hopefully. I'll steal my wife's phone stand to try and reduce the video shake, and render to a higher resolution - thanks for that feedback (but in all honesty, I didn't expect anybody to watch this). That brings me on to the control panel - I'm not sure if I will put a significant amount of effort into improving it. If I had partitioned the track for block detection, then I'd definitely make a pukka panel with point position indication, signal state and occupancy detection - but that is not a realistic option now. I may tidy it with a laminated panel, but no more than that.

[@MrMikef350]

Fantastic layout mate 👌

[@marloncole]

Hi Tony, currently researching “small N gauge layouts” as I’m looking to do my own very first layout, approx 4’ x 2’ - and your vid popped up! Really great stuff, and very encouraging to see what can be achieved by a similar neophyte in just 3 months :) So how many hours per day would this have averaged? And could you estimate how much the whole thing has cost you? (I never seem to see anyone mention costs around this great hobby!) Finally, I find the whole wiring subject very daunting - and then I see how much wiring you’ve got behind the scenes! Did you have any background in that, or have you learned that from scratch too - if the latter, any hints on how to start to approach that topic? Cheers, Marlon

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Starting with cost - the train set (a loop of track, controller and the loco and carriages) was about £320 (current recommended price £375). Extra track was about £70 I think. The Metcalf buildings (houses, signal box, station, and shed) were about £15 each - £60 total. I bought some super cheap model landscape grass, shrubs, etc for about £20. Track ballast - £10. The base board and hard landscaping plaster were from my shed supplies - but the board would have been £15. Some pound shop acrylic paints for the scenery - £5. So the basic track and textured landscape with a running train came to about £500. Then came the electrical extras: The signal lights from eBay £20 plus £25 for the control pcbs. Servos for points and gates control £20. Mounts for servos £15. Misc wire - £20. Points switches £10. So another £100. Then came the little extras: People, fences, etc £25 at a guess. All in I would guess around £700. Time wise - mainly weekends during the 3 months (6 to 8 hours per day) and maybe 1 hour per evening during the week. Wiring - I’m pretty handy and will have a crack at most things. The wiring looks complex, but it’s all made from discrete sub systems. The track power is separate from the lighting and servos etc. So just do it one system at a time. I did it on the cheap with spare household twin and earth and choc blocks for the track power, and small auto wire with the correct plugs for the servos. I’m sure there are much neater solutions - a little research on what others are doing will help you narrow down the options. Good luck with it. Are we going to see videos?!!!!

[@marloncole]

@@tonystinytrains1705 Thanks Tony for the detailed reply, much appreciated! I’ve got quite a lot of old bits & pieces, including all the rolling stock I’d need for starters, including a Graham Farish starter set that must be about 20 years old now! Yes, this project has been a long time coming (largely waiting for my retirement, which has now happened). Thanks for the advice about wiring - I still have so much to learn - and buy! Might do videos, but then I might be embarrassed being my first attempt at modelling & all that - I’ve got several videos on YT to my name already, but none about trains or modelling :)

[@brianmccutcheon3205]

A lot of time goes into making these videos and appreciate that, but, it would have been good to see the whole layout rather than small segments:

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for taking the time to comment. It is certainly something I’ll keep in mind for my new layout.

[@VestedUTuber]

Seems like a bit of a waste to use a RasPi just to run ambient sound. You could have probably run everything from point control to DCC on that thing.

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the feedback. That RasPi is an old first generation 1B model that had been laying in a drawer for the past 6 years. In testing with JMRI, it exhibited overly long load up times and a very unresponsive web interface which precluded it from any further efforts regarding layout control. Loading up a non-gui media player and looping the 5 minute bird song stereo flac stresses the thing without running anything else ;-)

[@zippy5131]

My dear sir, check out Mel the Terainiac on here youtube he is the guru of flocking using Javis products. Believe me you will never look at flock again in the same light. But may I say damm good job. Well done Sir.

[@tonystinytrains1705]

Thank you for the positive comments, and thanks for the pointer to Mel - very interesting.

[@onkelmichl3300]

Tiny all over the world :-) ABO - logo. Greetings from Thuringia