Switching Andover ME on the Allagash | Model railroad Allagash | Model Railroad Hobbyist | MRH

mrhmag.com - Watch as ALCo 303 switches Andover, Maine on the Allagash. The sounds in this video are all from the loco, including the prime mover sounds, brake squeal, and coupler clank. Also see how Mike uses "finger flick" turnout points and uncoupling picks - the Allagash runs every bit as nice as it looks!

[@userequaltoNull]

This is *by far* the best recreation of winter New England I have ever seen. I mean, it is *perfect*, great job to whoever made this.

[@GandZscale]

That is one seriously awesome switching layout. Great operations, excellent equipment and tons of atmosphere. It is inspiring to see a small layout that punches way above it's size.

[@ioanekirarahu951]

I thought it was the real thing too at first. Fantastic. What a bleak (and realistic) day!

[@dadnyfur]

This looks and sounds so real, that when his hands appear to throw the turnouts, it's like a giant man appears. Very nice job!

[@geraldstokes5661]

Beautiful modeling Mike, awesome alco, & switching ,thanks for the video

[@captainmorgan757]

The scenery is remarkably realistic! Job well done!

[@wesleybarnett6860]

Very cool....love the Alco sound!

[@malquezare]

Very realistic layout, congrats.

[@bigfella1952]

Great video. Love the actions, and the sound chip superb.. Just shows what can be done in a small space. I would love to fit that sound chip into one of my British Diesels, or maybe even use the same local in my new Dock layout, and repaint in local colours. x Paul x

[@thomasabramson100]

Awesome modeling and great idea using a photo as a backdrop and best of all an Alco RS3

[@MarkInLA]

Here I am 5 yrs later watching again.. No other posts since !! Among thee best trackwork and scenery/weathering ever.. + switching moves....

[@felix73339]

My friend your scenery and lighting compliment each other very well. Good job.

[@markduncan6690]

This is a really authenic layout!! I really like the rural aspect to it!! No high-rise buildings!!!

[@justpassinthru1674]

Who ever gave THIS video a thumbs down is out of their mind

[@retrainrun]

I thought I was looking at the real thing! This is modeling at it's best! Like everybodyelse I want to see more of this layout. Thanks for sharing. RT

[@brocklanders6172]

Best forced perspective backdrop I've ever seen. True artistry.

[@wolfgang548]

It does, especially at 9:25 when he dropped off the pulpwood car. It looks almost more real than real itself.

[@KU4PC]

Great ops! Mike

[@Clavichordist]

This looks like the real thing! Great job modeling the backwoods of western Maine. Your combination of photos and realistically placed trees made this very convincing. I've actually visited this region many years ago and you got this spot on.

[@Kensart55]

Mike, I love your work. Scenery , All of it . You are A master. The switching is the best I have ever seen. I strive for that slow accurate quality. You are the best. KP

[@silverfox5319]

This is truly a masterpiece of a switching layout. Superior modeling skills are present from one end of the layout to the other. It just doesn't get any more realistic than this. Well done and thanks for sharing.

[@BrooklynPerson30000]

This is amazing my friend. When i youtube model trains, this is what i'm hoping to find.. it really looks like an actual place that would exist. i can't stand the cluttered messes builders usually make. i hope whoever worked on this is very proud of it

[@outdoorenthusiast4099]

Very nice and realistic layout, thanks for sharing.

[@nekomasteryoutube3232]

Very nice RS-3, I think every North american modeler needs a RS-3 or RS-18 in their fleet :)

[@markduncan6690]

How cool is that!! Where was the locomotive coming from at the start of the video!! ???

[@johnweston5069]

Very well done. A good insight into the art of shunting. Brilliant integration of 3D foreground and wall photo. Such patience - of Mike and his miniature engineer!

[@lilgtheswagtheif]

dude u r a genius best model railroad I've ever seen life changing

[@sqwuade]

Really great scenery and especially the trees and background photo. Have any advice for a newbie on how to do this? Are there any websites you'd recommend with info on making train scenery?

[@allagashrailway8095]

Thanks for the nice comments guys. The White Mountain Branch is a fun branch to operate. It's a good example of how much operation you can get out of a relatively small space. Around the bend is a rock quarry that ships out crushed stone as well.

[@brendanb.8007]

Absolutely one of the most simple and beyond beautiful examples of model railroad i have ever seen. This shows exactly how to build a great layout with plenty of operations in a short space. Thank you!

[@LeonelTrains]

Amazing, it's very beautiful and realistic, very good colours and scenery

[@allagashrailway8095]

The locomotive is an Atlas RS3 with a Soundtraxx Alco 244 decoder. Wire handrails and other details added as well.

[@mlredden1]

Which speaker did you use and where is it installed?

[@PRR5406]

Is this the entire layout? SO well done, it looks just like home.

[@cindiiritsky2124]

The scenery makes me want to put a winter coat on. Just beautiful.

[@BrianTuckerRailvideos]

Excellent and inspiring layout ...just great

[@NAR-cv6cc]

Love the Sound of the Loco....Who makes it?? Are you going to do more video's with this loco in them?? Thanks for share - Jay

[@allagashrailway8095]

Thanks Jay. That's a Soundtyraxx Alco 244. LokSound's is better IMO. This unit is retired now. Moved the calendar ahead to 1984 and this is in the deadline!

[@NAR-cv6cc]

is it for sale??...LOL

[@philipasanchez5445]

02/18/20 I Love switch movements and "Engineer Mike" did an excellent job in his movements. Thank you Mike............ I don't have a layout but the layout I've been operating on is a running Railroad. PANDERWY1 Because of my health got me down I've only have 6 on-Board videos using a key chain camcorder and I was operating on The Oahu Sierra RR in Fair Oaks Ca "Sacramento Area" Southern Pacific

[@allagashrailway8095]

Sorry, I can't seem to reply directly to the questions, so I'll post answers here. Cow212tst, for an RS1, you would use the Soundtraxx Tsunami Alco 539T. Awesome decoder! And no I don't do small shelf layouts for clients, but Lance Mindheim does. Google Shelf Layouts Company.

[@Nerfball6]

Beautiful, beautiful layout!

[@scenariomckinney]

Great job!!! Ultra realistic, and great ops!!

[@backtosleep]

WOW just WOW

[@jimroberts1924]

I'm interested in the "finger flick" method mentioned. How does this work? What is needed/required to outfit switches for this? Oh, and I cannot believe the meticulous scenery there - it really is top notch! I have been perpetually building a layout of my own for some years now (every time I end up pulling everything up for moves or the arrival of children - I only have one more to go... move that is, no more kids, and I can at long last start on a real layout) and I hope to do half so good as you have done! Can't wait to see more!

[@mec253]

Andover Maine never looked so good. Nice video. Thank you.

[@MarkInLA]

I've seen Mike's great pics and vids before. When I do I actually can sense how freezing cold it is, having grown up in NYC and later living in Waterville and Bangor Me. many many years.. All the barren trees, icy rocks, snow patches... Brrrrrrrrr .....

[@Lancelot_Jago]

@MRH your "hand holding text overlays" destroyed 90% of the illusion this wonderful depiction was offering. Please stop interfering with poorly timed descriptions and inappropriate distractions. Let the video speak for itself. In most cases your interludes wont be required. If you feel further explanation is required, add it to the end of the video or put it in the eZine

[@jerdd9392]

Is this a Lionel Strang layout? The engine looks like it’s from the Allegheny and Lackawanna Southern.

[@MRhobbyist]

Lionel dismantled his layout a decade ago. This is Mike Confalone and his Allagash Railway. Check this out: www.google.com/search?q=allagash+site%3Amrhmag.com

[@caseyjonesii6050]

Looks like the crew wanted overtime. It would have been better to come in on a different track with those woodchip cars. Cut them off, go over to the bulkhead flat and shove it back to spot, then go ahead, grab the caboose and Chip cars spot them and leave, your caboose being on the right end.

[@edtoytoy]

very nice! ! realism surprenent ! ... just missing the smell of diesel oil and firs .... bravo! !

[@RomanRiz]

Super layout, and WOW sounds.. super!

[@espalding3]

Chris Foran-I am not sure either, but I believe some switches are spring-loaded and stay to the side you push them with your finger, without a mechanical mechanism.

[@mpeterll]

Nice winter scene. Thanks for posting.

[@gunnernob]

excellent, great modelling.

[@jeremynorman5329]

That is one hell of a layout. Thank you

[@bcrnfan]

Real nice. How do you keep the points on the turnouts from moving when you don't want them to? Is there an article or video how to make the 'finger flick' points?

[@lukehartel6978]

Best layout I’ve ever seen. Period.

[@bgm-1961]

The conductor is saying to himself, "Whoo hoo! I don't have to get out and walk around to switch all these turnouts because a giant hand from the sky is doing it for me"!

[@arthurhouston3]

So were are the rest of the comments. Are you selectively picking ones you want people to read?

[@MRhobbyist]

Art: the other comments are on an older, lower quality version of the video. Unfortunately, when you update your video, KZbin won't let you replace it, you have to create a completely new video. The way MRH mag works is we can point it at any video we want whenever we want, so we repointed the mag video here to the new, improved one. If KZbin would let me do what I want, all the comments would be here. You can blame KZbin on this one.

[@EADGBE5]

This is one of the most beautiful, convincing and enjoyable HO layouts I have seen. ALCO sounds are music to my ears. I invite you to visit my A Ride On the O Scale Ironbound RR

[@daf827]

Truly awe-inspiring. Brilliant scenery, SFX, and videography.

[@applicareinc]

The weathering of the locomotive and the variety of authentic looking trees is astounding. The realistic random position ties is wonderful. Have you considered in the future weathering the track?

[@tomzorko6589]

Super video. Great Alco sound. Is the caboose scratch built? Very close to a CGW caboose.

[@slamekmario]

Super Layout, very Good!!!!!

[@bonanzadriver7261]

Terrific production, the editing is outstanding as well. Even with the hands in the scene it’s not distracting. Fantastic layout and good switching action.

[@RantzBizGroup]

Your build quality on the scenery is the best I've ever observed! How did you do the evergreen trees? Superb workmanship!

[@alexanderphonarev7748]

Круто. Пугающе реалистично. Очень атмосферно.

[@MRhobbyist]

Translation for English viewers: Cool. Frighteningly realistic. Very atmospheric.

[@JohnPW22]

Great bit of shunting! Good to see some proper operations! Nicely done!

[@ksmith5686]

Great look at the bread and butter of railroads, serving customers. Looks a little cold up there.

[@MarkInLA]

And yet again, another year later !!!

[@J2GXP]

What backdrop did he use? And who makes it?

[@tschagalaga]

which couplers are that?

[@geraldstokes5661]

Real nice , very realistic. Are there any videos on the making of those beautiful bare trees?

[@xfiles-thetruthisoutthere8038]

LOVE this layout ! 🚂

[@lilgtheswagtheif]

when i let me eyes lose focus but remain open on the video it blurs a hair and makes me feel like I'm in the woods watching the train in real life

[@njRRtrainer]

great job, nice equipment.. Many thanks

[@mamanbear11]

Beautiful attention to detail

[@Hornhausen]

very nice

[@PFDChaseVids]

Great video dude! Nice looking train!

[@chrishedrick6433]

very cool what kind of decoders were they they sounded awsome

[@grahamekemp5067]

Really enjoyed watching this clip. Well done.

[@jalbhagwagar3353]

Speechless!

[@zirndorfredleg7688]

Is this N ?

[@brocklanders6172]

The best use of backdrops EVER.

[@jbj1960]

Extremely detailed layout...... Very nice !!

[@levchernyshev417]

What are those couplings that you use on your train? It is much ,ore realistic than standard manufacturer ones.

[@levchernyshev417]

Are they Kadee couplings?

[@martinhrabe9888]

what do you use for your tree armitures?

[@chrisforan5403]

how do you get the 'finger flickable' switch points to work?

[@espalding3]

I overlooked the "Reply" since I rarely do it.! Chris Foran-I am not sure either, but I believe some switches are spring-loaded and stay to the side you push them with your finger, without a mechanical mechanism.

[@stevenbrown5693]

Nice use of the sound effects!

[@Tom.Gregory]

This is my kinda video...

[@TheMaineSurveyor]

Looks great!

[@No1_Inpa_Ticular]

I love that rs unit

[@Maine_Railfan]

o scale?

[@CPRailSD90]

Awesome layout!

[@K4JW]

Awesome!

[@alantrains]

Love it!

[@bfs1054]

Well done!

[@sunday_funday7765]

What brand and decoder is this loco

[@MRhobbyist]

+Sunday_funday77 SoundTrax Tsunami using the braking function, that's what allows revving up (while the brake is still set) and generates the realistic brake squeal when slowing down.

[@allagashrailway8095]

Hey Ken! Thanks man. I just watched your video on Trainmasters TV the other night. Very cool. You must have been pleased. It was well done. Contact me off line and we can chat.Appreciate the comments.

[@jorgstephan783]

is this H0?

[@MRhobbyist]

Yes, it's HO. Why?

[@jorgstephan783]

because you do not recognize it that way

[@littlewingpsc27]

HO really? From the camera view I thought it might be S-scale.