The Big Lie About this N Scale Layout

[@22turney]

My husband says great video. As a N scale model railroader he knows all about that the trains don't always run perfect. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

Ah yes, take a lot to make them look good sometimes. i do try hard to make them run like the videos though :)

[@thomasboese3793]

I learned 3 hard fast rules back in the 70s when I joined an HO club. 1). 3.5 times the longest piece of non-articulated equipment is your minimum radius. 2) Any "S" curves need a minimum of 1.5 times the length of your longest piece of equipment of straight track between the curves. 3). And the hardest one to follow, always check every car at the bench before placing it on the layout. (Weight, coupler height/swing, wheelset rolling/alignment/gauge/swing/3-point stability).

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

I got rid of my 'S' curves because they were tight, on grade, and nothing but trouble. My minimum radius is techniclly 9 3/4" but you don't see it buried under Union Station. And that's not really mainline so we're at 11" ML run. and as for number three, i'm guilty - i don't check anything unless it under performs. then i usually wait until it ticks me off enough to grab it off the layout and see what the heck is wrong LOL!

[@chrisbarr1359]

I like your snow scene, it is very realistic especially the snow on the roofs and the snow removal activities.

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

thanks! winter is my favorite season to model. challenging and expensive to get right and i constantly find new ways to do it - so it's probably one of the most re-done scenes on the layout.

[@ArrTee-j7m]

Tips from a pro on N scale: 1) You are running your trains too fast around tight curves. Slow down. Although expensive, consider DCC. 2) If couplers between two rail cars continue separating regardless of attempting to fix track issues, then fuck'em and just Krazy glue the two couplers together. It's not worth getting frustrated over and only you have to know. 3) When all else fails - use duct tape. It fixes everything. 4) However, The ultimate fix is a couple of sticks of dynamite. That's what I did. The wife and I bought a couple of lawn chairs and some cold beers, and with an unnamed friend, we rigged up the layout for maximum effect. Detonation was set for 22:00 hours. It was GLORIOUS I say, GLORIOUS!!! The whole neighborhood lit up and layout parts and freight cars, track, even a model fire truck were found on the street and roofs of homes 1/2 mile away. So as I write this from prison, man It was worth it! 😉

[@dutch2120]

On those 2 boxcars that keep coming apart, I noticed you have those crappy Atlas unimate couplers. I had the same problems you have so I always replace couplers with MTL couplers. Even when I buy a new Atlas or off-brand car, I install MTL on all my cars and locos. Beautiful layout and scenery!!

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

yeah, they're crappy alright - absolutely hate them. MTL is the layout standard - i will eventually change out all of the stock couplers and trucks as they keep failing. thanks, glad you're enjoying the layout!

[@inderbuenrostro9511]

That dinosaur on the flat bed is hilarious.

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

Everyone loves Rexy LOL

[@rogerrendzak8055]

In the write-up, it warns of copyright protection (so YOU, can't use it) But, in the next line, it encourages viewers to share (for obvious, financial gain). Stipulative, isn't it??? And all 'cause of 💵😞………… Very good, looking layout. Love, N-scale trains. Had a small layout, of them also.

[@seanpacificrailroad3700]

Love the video man! I go through this every day I have my certain cars that just don’t like to go around the layout. I recently just pulled one off the other day and switched trucks, when absolutely nothing was wrong with the other trucks 🤪

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

I've noticed sometimes wheels check in gauge, coupler heights check and they just don't run right. Change the wheelset and couplers and suddenly no issue. I can't explain it. I have boxes of "ok" sets that should work but for some reason didn't. But, i'll also tell you some of track things i've 'fixed' i didn't see either.

[@Woody8654]

Great layout. Love the autoracks. Just got some, so I’m looking out for faults. Hopefully not too many.

[@tommynorwood5184]

Thanks for honest because it happens. I having problems in one area . So I have been sanding underneath the track still having issues. Now I’m going to add mineral underneath. It’s the only area where the trains come uncoupled. Tiring to get get this done before I glue and ballast the track. Thanks for sharing. Have a good day.

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

if you run your trains real slow you can usually watch what happens - if it's the wheelsets or couplers or if the track kinks just enough to be out of gauge.

[@ekapus]

Just watching this. It's funny you mention those cars: I've found that the REAL torture test is always running my 89' TOFC flats. I've found ALL of the problem spots. All of em.

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

oh yes, those a brutal, too. i have an old ConCor 89' TOFC and that bad boy liked to be everywhere but the rails! the ScaleTrains autoracks are beautiful but they are very finicky.

[@jeffreycorbin4619]

Thanks for the videos. Thanks for sharing your layout and the information I know will be helpful.

[@rayopeongo]

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Was that a dead dinosaur at 2:40?

[@doublediamondrailroad5949]

I have 3 old MTH Superliners that are really touchy. Good for finding bad track! On that Box, either clip the coupler wire shorter or bend it up level at the low end. I clip mine by half. Not using for uncoupling. Were always catching on Switches and Guard Rails.

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

That's a huge problem. I bought a height gauge to adjust couplers and trip pins. if you've got a hotshot making up lost time and a low pin hits a turnout - i've bent couplers out that way and sent rolling stock tumbling to the floor.

[@simonetaormina7080]

I have N scale and it just looks like you have some tight turns for those car carriers. The manufacturer does put recommendations on the product about radius. It’s a beautiful layout but only your fifth? Lol, I have built many for my self and for friends. Derailments bad track weather from relocating or just bad environment. But bench work, track laying and controlled environment. Nice layout nice enjoy it. My own videos will be going up soon; in my basement cause that’s what basements are for and yes like a real RR maintenance on track and equipment is definitely part of the hobby. Thank you for the real look.

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

Three of the layouts were childhood through college. then it came time to be an adult and the last two have been at my own place - but there, i wasn't limited to where i put the layout or how big i could make it - until i hit the foundation walls, that was pretty much the limit - so i added a second deck. while the cars should have been able to handle the radii, it was the embankments that caused the issues so thankfully that issue is gone now and i can run trains without worrying about the 'trouble spots'.

[@HumancityJunction]

It always works perfectly UNTIL you turn on the camera.

[@doublediamondrailroad5949]

So True!

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

I can legit run for hours without a single issue and the second i go to do a video, it all goes to hell.

[@vuurvrproductions4656]

@@AlleghenyNorthern true

[@dunky7157]

I love n scale you can fit so much in a small space and it’s a neat perspective. But I primarily have Lionel and MTH O scale for me is pretty bulletproof and just always runs even if the track is not perfectly clean etc. I have massive respect for people that have the patience to do such a small scale

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

that is the advantage - you get a lot of 'stuff' into a small scene with n-scale - but the catch is, they're finicky as hell because in that small size, small problems produce big unintended oopsies.

[@Crookedriverandeasternrr]

Glad to know it’s not just my layout lol. Good info

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

LOL! Exactly why I did the video. if someone tells you they don't have trouble - they're probably lying. there's always one piece of track or one piece of rolling stock that's a troublemaker.

[@davebnsfnscale4433]

I love tinkering with rolling stock,my favorite part of the hobby

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

I love when it just works. I like the satisfaction of making a coupler or wheelset change and then not having issues, but tinkering with unruly cars takes away from what i want to be doing which is either building models or running them. So, ugh - maintenance isn't my favorite!

[@RailfanVince]

Who made the NS heritage units? I’ve been looking for some.

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

They're old Fox Valley models. If you find them, they're awesome.

[@pewterschmidt23lord99]

fox valley did them but Broadway have just done them as well

[@mikecoyne9331]

for long auto racks, do you recommend body mount: short or reguler shank length?

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

check the swing on your cars by pushing them over the tightest radius. i don't typically use short shank couplers because of my ruling curve. you also want enough space between cars so they don't bump on curves or pull themselves off the track.

[@donaldshroyer8633]

I bought some Intermountain value line coalporter cars in N scale some time ago and they have been nothing but trouble. Obviously, they are not extra long. They lacked bolster washers, couplers seemed unreliable, and some of the trucks will occasionally pick turnout points that no other rolling stock has an issue with. Will never buy that manufacturer again. Ever. While very long cars often present the most strain, my 30ish" radius curves were designed with such equipment in mind. I've worked through some kinks like you describe and agree that fixing has to be done. Working only most of the time is unsatisfactory. Do it, do it now.

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

Spot on. That fear of not knowing if it's going to work or not really sucks the fun out of the layout and can destroy the enjoyment. I never had issue with Intermountain - but Athearn couplers and wheel sets are my kryptonite. if i buy Athearn cars, i just order Microtrains couplers and wheelsets with them.

[@oscarmerida5068]

Thanks for the honest video, very helpful. Would like to know what’s the steepest grade the 89’s can handle?

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

There are no grade restrictions on the cars themselves. as long as the transitions aren't too sharp that one car essentially pivots above the other, you could get them up a 4% or higher grade. Woodland Scenics risers are believe go up to 4%. the cars are properly rated, so the higher the grade percent, the more locos you'll need. too many front locos and too much weight behind could cause an operational issue as well.

[@JBG1968]

Love the winter scene . Not many people do winter and it can be hard to find accessories for winter . I just do a small under the tree layout ar Christmas so i do winter scenes .

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

winter is complicated to do for permanent layout. it's more than just dumping snow materials over scenery. i try very hard to get the shading, layers, and ice just right. it's one of my favorite seasons so doing it right was important to me. problem is, i learn a new technique or find a new product and i want to redo the whole scene!

[@JBG1968]

@@AlleghenyNorthern well it looks pretty darn good to me . I'd love to know how you do some of it .

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

@@JBG1968 i did a multi video series on the winter scene and the melting snow scenes. if there's anything you have questions about after watching, leave me a comment and i'll try to answer.

[@steveashworth6707]

Great video!, nice layout!.

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

Thanks!

[@derailroad]

love this, i plan on showing the good and bad as my layout progresses. it drives me nuts that most people don’t always, or ever show mistakes

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

it's part of the hobby. our model trains are very tiny and very intricate and that's exactly the type of machine that needs a lot of TLC to stay running. it should be the goal to eliminate issues, realizing we can get it good, but never prefect.

[@TheGryxter]

The last video I watched you had done some work on the bridge overpass. It's good to see that the snowplow driver can finally get back home to his wife and kids!!!😂

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

Yes, they're quite happy to be able to get off the bridge.

[@mikecoyne9331]

excellent, well done.

[@UDX-yo1sl]

Great video, the realistic side of model railroading for sure. My "kryptonite" seems to be metal wheel sets through my Kato turnouts. One car with metal wheels kept catching the points on one turnout. I changed the trucks from the mfg. to the micro trains trucks, problem solved. On to the next car, heheh

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

yup, i am not a fan of metal wheels. MicroTrains is my layout standard. there's still others on there, but the day there's an issue - out come the replacement trucks.

[@JBG1968]

I've discovered that sometimes it's a simple as flipping the car around or shuffling a couple of cars and the problems stop .

[@AlanRitchie-wr1uz]

Your fired as a CEO. Of the Alleghany Northern Railroad. Your now a Maintenance supervisor of the Railroad?😂😂😂😂. Lol. Love your work.

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

Chief cook and bottle wash. Have to be CEO, MOW supervisor, electrical engineer, carpenter, and financial analyst. it's a lot of work keepin the wheels turning on this road!

[@BritishRail60062]

I like this N scale layout. I have 8 GE Tier 4 GEVO's in N scale from ScaleTrains and they are great.

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

Thanks! Those ScaleTrains are probably the best N-scale loco on the market.

[@acrranscaleandlifejourney4330]

If you test and run before you start videoing, then you shouldn’t have as many problems. I know my layout will never be perfect, as I am imperfect, I still strive for near perfection. Thanks for being truthful, and for sharing.

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

I've run trains for hours without problems, turned the camera on, and made my layout look like East Palestine. it's like the trains know they're on camera sometimes.

[@acrranscaleandlifejourney4330]

@@AlleghenyNorthern 😂🤣😂

[@N-Scale]

Great info and logical fixes in proper order !!!!!

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

Thanks! Hopefully it helps some of the new folks to the hobby save a lot of aggravation and resentment. It's easy to get discouraged when you first throw the throttle on and cars go everywhere.

[@jaredkelly930]

So weight to them. I’ve noticed on my layout some cars are just too lite. A couple of fishing weights a piece and boom problem solved.

[@thesheq5023]

Are you using kato track or flextrack?

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

Almost a trick question. I am using Kato track, but they also make flex track, so the flex track you see is by Kato.

[@thesheq5023]

@@AlleghenyNorthern got ya. Im adding an addition but was considering using flex track. What’s been your experience with it?

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

@@thesheq5023 if you don't like ballasting track, you're going to hate flex track. for me, that's the biggest negative. but, it's easier to paint and weather since you don't have to worry about accidentally getting paint or other scenery material on the molded in ballast on regular Kato track. it's also not as forgiving - Unitrack can go over some rough sub-bed and run great but flex track needs a good cork bed over a good sub-bed or you're going to have issues. I used the flex track in long stretches where i didn't have any complete track work - minimal switches and in some cases, behind the scenes so no ballast or weathering.

[@thesheq5023]

@@AlleghenyNorthern how do you connect one piece of flex track to another?

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

@@thesheq5023 Metal rail joiners by the track's manufacturer - so Kato for Kato, Atlas for Atlas but they're somewhat universal. Plastic rail joiners by the same for blocks if you're DC or power districts if you're DCC.

[@ghoormann]

I'm a Union Lineman and I can say that powerlies would never have that much slack in them. You have to fix that if you're looking for scale realism because it stands out like a sore thumb.

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

yes, the woodland scenics poles come with essentially black thread. they need replaced with EZ line or some better modeling line.

[@williamruss8830]

put those cars on the rear of the train to relieve the stress on the couplers

[@atsfandy]

Love the content of this video.

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

Thanks!

[@jamesbraxton6132]

It looks like you have different wheel size on that box car

[@pewterschmidt23lord99]

The 86 footers and 89 footers are the true test of an n scale model railroad

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

oh yes, especially auto racks. long, high, and unbalanced. if they roll nice - you've got a winner.

[@RailRide]

@@AlleghenyNorthern Imagine what those are like in O scale :D (I have five of the Atlas ones. They weigh around 3 pounds apiece )

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

@@RailRide that's just way too aggressive LOL. my autoracks fall off the track and it's inconvenient. yours fall off the tracks and they squish the family dog.

[@sernajrlouis]

Awesome video

[@goat_horde]

I have more trouble shooting rolling stock on my n scale layout than my ho layout

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

smaller scale is bigger problems - they don't handle little imperfections as well. I'm contemplating building a Z scale layout into a table, i can only imagine what that little guy would act like during an operating session.

[@georgiasunbelt]

See, I knew it wasn’t just my layout 😂😂…good stuff…but, usually works just fine until I start videoing 😊

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

LOL, don't i know it. when it's just me - i can spend a saturday morning running trains, not a single issue. then go to shoot a video - nothing but trouble. if you go back and see some of my videos where there's no trains running... usually that because they won and i just shut them off to shoot the vid.

[@m.l.vanzoen236]

Is there a dinosaur on the freight train there ???

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

Yup. That's Rexy. She's been riding the rails for months now 🦎

[@factchecker6674]

By lie, you mean basic filmmaking? Does that mean Spider-Man isn’t real?

[@Longshadowsmodeltrees]

Yup, turn the video camara on and......All hell breaks loose, I know how you feel. Some runs are good, some.....Not so much. Bob

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

it's the same for guests. run the trains the day before guest arrive and everything works. people show up to see the layout, nothing turns on, the house fills with smoke, and in the distance police sirens sound.

[@jamesoke7414]

LMFAO, i know what you mean about the Autoracks.. you want to see if you have a good layout without issues.. run autoracks, full length passenger cars and the 5 car intermodals. Those will show you all your errors that need to be resolved.

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

autoracks are bad... 5-unit well cars suck, too.

[@bcsferromodelismo3822]

🇧🇷🚂👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@ddhh753]

um

[@davidsheriff8989]

Use shorter trucks...

[@AllanLoveJr]

Are those 2 rear CSXT units SD50's?

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

Yes... 50s or 60s i can't remember.

[@ronbaker8383]

Car carriers if ran at end of train. Derail by falling on their side