Switching Brett

Brett is an HO scale shelf layout, built for home use. It is only 8 x 1 ft with no offscene staging or 'fiddle'. I used Peco code 100 with insulfrogs, all manually switched, 'Switchlist' Mac program to create operational interest, and an NCE Powercab DCC system. If you enjoy this video - Thanks! You may like some of the others I have posted. To find out more see mogtrains.blogspot.com

[@XBOXShawn12thman]

Wow ... I can't believe this was 10 years ago!!! 😳 .... That was fun to watch!!! 😁👍

[@moghobbystuff]

Thanks for the positive comments all, very encouraging :-)

[@davidsheriff8989]

Awesome layout - simple uncluttered and functional...with sound really comes to life....well done

[@moghobbystuff]

Thanks David .. Brett had been retired for a while now but I still have the boards and the track and was thinking of doing a v2 :-)

[@drewzdrew27]

This is truly an amazing piece of work, great layout!

[@moghobbystuff]

drewzdrew27 Kind words, thanks!

[@kevingautier107]

Pretty freaking cool small layout. You've got my wheels turning in my head.

[@moghobbystuff]

Thanks Kevin.. Brett had since been retired but it was fun to build and operate :-)

[@therealandrewstrains]

Martin; I really love this layout. You've done great work on a good design and the visual impact is just right for an end of branch location.

[@ethermation]

Great video. Lovely little switching layout you've got there Mog. I'm looking forward to going through your videos and seeing how it all develops. Ross

[@MarkInLA]

..Love those Alco S4s ! These and RS 3s (and/or 1 & 2). I run an HO L&N DCC/sound Bach, RS3.. But am still bigger, a steam guy..As I now live where I can only construct a shelf, switching layout, this is pretty much the way I've envisioned it.....All aspects of this video; trains, scenery, structures, photography, sound are very nicely done...Thanks for posting it....Mark

[@moghobbystuff]

Thanks Mark.. I'd quite like to get hold of an RS3 myself - my first non-UK model was a Rutland N scale RS1 (I think). Glad you liked the video.. Brett is being replaced so I hope you enjoy my other videos :-)

[@wendellparks9058]

Nice switching layout! This layout looks like a spread-out Timesaver(with a longer runaround and longer sidings). I also like the fact that you don't crowd the layout with too many cars.

[@moghobbystuff]

Wendell Parks thanks Wendell... I guess it's similar in having a loop with spurs off it. I posted another video explaining the trackplan I think..

[@aerobee58]

Great Model. I like how you did the ground grass too.

[@moghobbystuff]

Hi Craig.. thank you for the compliments.. much appreciated. The layout is built for my convenience on an 8 ft x 1 ft shelf, very low-tech and sits on some rack shelving. More detail here.. mogtrains.blogspot.co.uk/

[@girlfriend677]

Excellent video, thanks for sharing!

[@nrscroller]

HI I just saw this as I searched for switching layouts. This is really nice. I took my big layout down and have gone to an 18 inch by 108 inch one industry switching module and I find is really fun. Lot's less work and lets me enjoy the actual switching of what happens at a large grain complex. I also run DCC and have a stock of 10 switchers. I enjoy running with my BLI sw sound engine also at times. I will have to check out your blog Thanks Bill

[@moghobbystuff]

Hi Bill.. glad you liked it... yep, a 'small' layout can be lots of fun if you plan enough operational potential. this is the biggest layout I've built! any pics or videos of your layout?

[@neiszron6461]

great switching video. you have given me some great ideas for a Chessie switching layout.

[@moghobbystuff]

+Ron Neisz thanks Ron. Please share :-)

[@Tnapvrvideo]

Wonderful share! Very enjoyable to watch.

[@philburrows6036]

Great switching layout with nice scenery So much with very little Great work Im building a 12 foot by 8 foot by 18 inch wide L shaped switching layout myself There is great inspiration here Cheers

[@moghobbystuff]

Thanks Phil.. Brett has now been replaced with a slightly larger layout.. 'Greenville'. Hopefully see some of your layout construction on youtube?

[@philburrows6036]

Mog Will do I have the baseboard finished with Peco code 83 track purchased and will go down on 3mm cork road bed Im back into the hobby after a 20 year absence Ill be using Athearn and Atlas Switchers DCC and rolling stock a friend has kindly donated to me(the rolling stock only) Cheers Phil

[@andrewpiskel3561]

Sounds like a good idea !!!Tweaking will also be the order of things

[@rustyc521]

Very nice layout! Looks like a ton of fun!

[@moghobbystuff]

Rusty Collier Thanks Rusty!

[@ronbennett6396]

This is quite nice. I like how you couple like the prototype. Adds so much to the immersion level. This reminds me of the "Timesaver". Add some cars, and prepare for a little aggravation ! : )

[@moghobbystuff]

Thanks Ron.. Brett had been replaced by something a little longer now, Greenville

[@robertsjunction4753]

very nice layout, the details are amazing.

[@moghobbystuff]

Robert's Junction thanks Robert.. glad you liked it, now replaced with my current layout, Greenville

[@TheGomes412]

Love this. Keep up the good work.

[@edstaib9511]

Very nice switching layout

[@rjl110919581]

thank you for detail video on small layout

[@csmart287]

Nice. I see from below those are non functioning Central Valley ground throws? They look great, in fact, everything does. Also the slow switching is appreciated; some videos show couplings that would smash rolling stock.

[@GandZscale]

Really enjoyed the video, well shot.

[@CSXEMDTrainLover]

awesome train video

[@jacjac5761]

Please do more videos of this short switching love the detail work!

[@moghobbystuff]

Hi Jac, thanks! I've done a few more - see my other videos. Sure there'll be more to come :-)

[@jacjac5761]

Can't wait thanks!

[@ulc35]

Very nice layout.. And I also enjoyed the switching operations.. Cheers

[@moghobbystuff]

***** Thank You! :-)

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Very nice, thanks for sharing...Anthony

[@craigjohnston5577]

this is a wonderful example of how a model rail road should be .. visually great with plenty of operational interest, can I ask what are the layout dimensions ?

[@ammoguy5]

Nice Layout

[@moghobbystuff]

+ammoguy5 Hi, thanks! Hope you enjoy some of the other videos, made some progress since then on the layout.

[@mytfy1]

Nice job!!

[@signman9328]

Nice job! Hope you're still on here. I was wondering how you set up the loco headlights that stay on (and bright!) all the time? I have an old Athern GP-9 I'd like to be able to see the headlight!

[@moghobbystuff]

Hi, thanks..yep.. been a while since I posted a home layout video (currently Greenville). This is a Bachmann DCC loco and the light was stock. I'm pretty sure I didn't tweak anything. If you have old bulbs you may be able to swap them out for LEDs if you're on DCC you can usually select light modes by setting CVs too. (Not something Ive done but the manuals for decoders will normally cover it)

[@davebolyard6808]

Hi Dave here I enjoy watching switching and doing it I am going to be given a HO layout from a rriend cant wait I may have to do some rewireing dont know yet Great video is there more for me to watch

[@moghobbystuff]

Cheers Dave, glad you like it. Only one other video at the moment - hope to do some more :-)

[@charlize841]

This is highly educational, with your links below. I am just thinking about starting and yours is the best small layout I have seen. I am a bit scared by the price tag associated with this hobby though. I am wondering about engines. Do you have any comparative views of the manufacturers? Anyway, thanks for sharing.

[@moghobbystuff]

Hi charlize841 .. much appreciated, glad you like it or found it useful. I know what you mean about the prices, but actually you can get started on a budget. I certainly did. I've hardly ever paid full price.. get a lot of stuff from ebay. For a layout like this you only really need one loco to get you going. I would recommend going for a cheap new one rather than a second hand one unless you can be sure of it's quality. Nothing more frustrating than stuff just not working. Bachmann and Atlas do good starter engines. You don't need DCC and sound either (it's nice!) Go on, get stuck in! :-)

[@cp368productions2]

Price depends on manufacturer. Sure you can spend $500-$1000 on a locomotive but there are plenty around for $60-$120.

[@tschagalaga]

As kid had i H0 layout. then i moved and demounted all. have still stuff. your layout is nice but when i think at 8ft... what could i do on this brett with H0e (H030n)…. or opposite: this layout in H0e railway with less need for space...

[@lditoledo]

Wonderful !!

[@moghobbystuff]

lditoledo Thanks Iditoledo :-)

[@Cardpoints]

Hi M Mog. Love the layout and the video - both are seamless!! Looks great and works extremely well. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like Peco Code 100 track - I had to scrutinise the screen to tell as you've made a very good job of disguising them. May I ask which radius you used e.g. small or medium etc.? Whichever type you used, your stock runs very smoothly over them. I look forward to future screenings. cardpoints.

[@moghobbystuff]

Appreciate it, thanks. Yep - Peco 100. Insulfrog too.. not very 'modeller' but works and doesn't look too bad. More info on the layout over at www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/83960-my-ho-switching-shelf-brett-id/

[@Cardpoints]

Hi M Mog and thanks for the prompt reply. Not very 'modeller' perhaps, but my priorities lie with smooth running. Recently I attended an exhibition for the first time in donkey's and was drawn to two layouts within spitting distance of each other, one P4 the other EM gauge. Despite having admired both previously on a particular forum (I think one has also been published) I was disappointed that the stock on both 'dropped' a wheel into the frog of the point causing them to lurch across quite unrealistically. Nice layouts, mind, but spoilt by poor running across the points. I think you're too harsh on your excellent achievements; if nothing else, you've convinced me that PECO 100 is the way to go for NMRA modelling. I've tried PECO 75 and ME code 70 switches thus far, and neither are any good in my experience with American stock - the ME's cast frog was proud on both the points I bought in from the States). I also believe that the flangeways on PECO Code 83 do not conform to NMRA standards (and at that price too I would have expected better!- not tried them though, to be fair). Have built my own using a vernier and dimensions from ther NMRA page and surprisingly they're fine. Wouldn't want to build a whole load though for any reasonably sized layout. Have considered Fast Tracks but anything coming in from across the pond will incur tax/shipping charges so not really cost effective (I'm in the UK). So really, there's no choice lol!! Think I've watched the vid about 5 times now; will probably watch 5 times more. Keep up the good work!

[@JGFuller]

CNW 717078 - ex-Rock Island, with the "Route Rock" and large "R" painted over when CNW obtained the car.

[@moghobbystuff]

+Jack Fuller Innersting factoid Jack, thanks :-)

[@RavennaRailfan4070]

Very nice switching layout! What are the dimensions?

[@moghobbystuff]

Ravenna Railfan 4070 thanks.. Brett was 8ft x 1ft

[@AngeloL49]

Hi...I like this layout also. I'm trying to build something similar. Mine is a 2 x 12 I wonder if you can help me? I don't really know what to call them, you have them on this layout, they are at the switch point and look like stop signs without the letters, I been trying to find them on the internet with no luck. What is the right name for them? And where can I get them? Any help is greatly appreciated. Angelo

[@moghobbystuff]

+AngeloL49 Hi Angelo.. 'switch stands' ? Mine are small plastic kits.. they do not function - purely for decoration as I switch the points by hand. These are made by 'Central Valley Models' .. Other makes are available.. I got mine from 'Model Junction' in the UK. On my Freemo modules I have used 'Caboose Industries' throws, these actually throw the point too. I hope that helps and that you enjoy the rest of my videos :-)

[@AngeloL49]

Thanks.. Yes I seen another one, pretty good. Angelo

[@daveblack7344]

Beautiful... question, how long and wide is this layout?

[@moghobbystuff]

Hi Dave.. thanks. Brett was 8ft X 1ft .. see some of the comments and other videos for more details :-)

[@daveblack7344]

Ok , thank you.

[@andrewpiskel3561]

One question, as I am building a small switching layout and had been running some track configuration before I ripped it all up to start all over. :-) I was using the Mac program that you are using, do you find that you are using the same cars time and time again? If so have you figured out how to avoid it? Thanks. Andy

[@moghobbystuff]

Andrew Piskel hi Andy.. it does happen a bit, when I started using it on Brett it happened but seemed to even out over time, maybe that was down to me tweaking the cargoes and making sure that cars were assigned/unassigned types. I've just started again with my new layout and noticed it starting again.. recycling the same hopper instead of pulling a new one from the pool. might be worth posting in the switchlist forum?

[@littlepiggy6935]

Just wondering, but where did you get the chain link fences because I've been looking for them for months now. Nice video too!

[@moghobbystuff]

Hi.. Thanks. Sorry but I can't remember, it was on eBay and I believe something that someone was making up and selling himself. There are a number of kits available though.. Busch, Walters etc.

[@littlepiggy6935]

thank you for responding. thanks for the help.

[@Gregg825]

In watching your video, I noticed that your whistle signals MAY be "bass ackwards". Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the following was more or less "universal". Stop = 1 long/short Forward = 2 long/short Reverse = 3 long/short

[@moghobbystuff]

:-) You're probably right. Learning all the time. On more standard Tsunami's I turn the auto 'whistle' on and the loco does it for me.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jamWh5aBeMaNbKs

[@modeler4840]

Cool video and layout! What is the dimensions of it.

[@moghobbystuff]

+Modeler 48 Hi.. thanks. Hope you enjoy some of the other videos too. This layout is 8ft x 1ft (see below) :-)

[@rcguilford]

would a GP40 be too big for this size layout?

[@moghobbystuff]

no, I don't think so. I've used a few 4 axle engines. if you look at my video about the track on Sheldon, I mention something about the planning side of it

[@User-jj8pd]

The engine sucks. Not just to you, But I hate S-2s. But you have a great layout!

[@moghobbystuff]

Variety is the spice of life :-) Thanks for your interest!

[@farmerdave7965]

Anachronism alert !