The N-scale project: week 1

[@JoeyBPhotography]

Wow, that's a lot of work in a short time period! Looking awesome, glad you managed to avoid that wreck, your work is very inspirational to watch!

[@tomjenssen7486]

Excellent work. You've really made some great progress on this amazing looking layout. You certainly know your stuff when it comes to track laying. I'll be following you on this project. Great stuff...Thanks for taking the time to film your work. All the best...Tom

[@auldstampguy]

What you got done was very impressive. That would have taken me months of weekend work. :-) I'm looking forward to seeing how this layout develops.

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

That is some remarkable work. Really enjoying this build and looking forward to watching more. Thanks for sharing...Anthony

[@larrybaughman618]

It is amazing what you do.Thank you for sharing it🚂🫵

[@charlierumsfeld6626]

WOW!! Great to see the building process.

[@SFCRambo60]

WOW,Totally awesome, looks like it is going to be a wonderful layout.

[@sparky107107]

that looks pretty good. lots of switching and massive yard. I like that part. keep them eyes open heading home, and watch them other crazy drivers. I do a lot of driving as well and always have to have a eye on the other guys..

[@markarnold8160]

It's looking very good Peter. I'll be interested to see how much scenery gets onto this layout. I can see your predicted rivers etc. but boy is there a lot of track. Must have cost a pretty penny.

[@jolliemark6294]

Nice looking foward to see more....thanks for sharing....Jack

[@rjl110919581]

thank you for detail video as great watching on how build and put together

[@indiananotch8204]

Great work as always, thanks for sharing:)

[@BALD8BIL]

Wow wow fantastic job so far I look forward to seeing week 2

[@s1mon1983]

I'm just starting out and n gauge is the size I'm going with 👍

[@mandarin1257]

HOe is the one for me, HO scale running on N gauge track. Simulates narrow gauge.

[@michaelhjerpe7763]

Interesting to have the opportunity to follow your work on this layout. Been looking for risers like that myself! Keep up the good work! 🙂

[@mpeterll]

See the reply to Rally's comment.

[@chimochimo]

What a large N-scale layout!!!

[@RM-io7qo]

Wow!! Awesome size layout in N gauge, only wish that I had a similar size to work with for my own n scale layout. Currently, I have approximately 20' by 2' in a very small room. the cost of all those turnouts and rail frightens me... Good luck and can't wait to see more. Take care...

[@cascadesub6235]

Bang on.. more please.👍

[@jimtedesco]

excellent job and a very detailed video.

[@gartsherriejunction4643]

Evenjng Peter, well it is in Scotland. I have been binge watching your video channel over the weekend and saw you labouring on a commissioned piece of work dated June 2018. Can I make a suggestion to your cutting and chiselling of plaster along and above the railway track. It appears you are hard at it. My suggestion is to buy and use a man's beard/hair trimming tool, removing the protective guard which limits the upper most length of hair and using it to cut and shape the plaster. Not only will it be less strenuous it might also give you back a degree of control. It would be not dissimilar to using sheep shearers to cut the wool away from the sheep. It works because the constant vibration keeps tge cutting teeth clear but not sure how long the motor will last. The other benefit is it is mobile being on a rechargeable battery. Regards, Mike

[@elleryparsons5766]

When you Work on your Own Layout you are your own Boss and the Layout is done the way you want it. I am Running 3 Lines on mine.

[@jamescarryl9690]

Wlow what a layout? Can only imagine how much space that layout would take up in Ho scale. I say you're doing beautiful work Will you add scenery and all the bits as well? God bless. And all the best take care.

[@mpeterll]

Thanks. In HO, you'd need something in the region of 28x40, or in O-scale, a mile by two. The dimensions don't scale directly because of adjustments necessary for benckwork and aisle width. Only the 3x16 area with the mine and the logging line gets scenery.

[@scotthayes5933]

I am going to build my own N-Scale train layout one day and most of the rolling stock that will appear on it will be coal hoppers and ore cars.

[@Elios0000]

something to think about is derailments any time you have a tunnel you must have way to get your hands in there because the ONE place you cant get to is first place youll have a derailment

[@mpeterll]

Yes, I agree. There is plenty of space to access the lower track where it goes under the logging line. As for the other tunnels at the ends of the room where the track goes through the wall, you'll have to wait a few weeks to see how I handled that.

[@gregbowen617]

Looking great... I am intrigued as to your risers... do you use something like a CNC machine ? It’s very much like the Woodland Scenics items... weren’t you originally an N scale modeler

[@mpeterll]

Yes, Yes, No. They are cut on a CNC machine, and very similar to Woodland Scenics. WS only produces 2%, 3% and 4%. If they also did 1%, 1.5% and 2.4%, they would be more useful. I've never been an N-scale modeller, although my first professional work as the mine housed I did in N-scale a few years ago. I did spend many years working in O-scale, with British models.

[@andysfishden6506]

I don't have room for a layout now, but when I do and am ready to build, I want to hire someone like you to do the trackwork and wiring and I'll then do all the scenery and building etc.

[@normanrowe2831]

Hi, hard at it I see. That is a very large n scale layout. Looks like you're going to be at it for a while. That is if you are doing all the scenic work, and I'm assuming you will be. I look forward to your progress. See you next time.

[@mpeterll]

Yes, it is pretty large for N-scale - about 24x16 if my memory is correct.

[@Jstroman221]

Glad your okay, I really love these videos as a novice getting back into the hobby I really learn a lot. I'm curious are there many people like yourself who design and build these Ultimate home layouts? Of course I would love to build my own one day but would love to work w/ someone who knows much more than I do. I suppose that is were local clubs come into play, I just have to be patient.

[@jgalexander510]

Well done. Glad you didn’t die! :-)

[@MarkInLA]

You are in Tennessee, USA ?! Waz up wit dat ? Does the customer fly you to and house you in a hotel for the long time it takes to build the MRR, or what ? ! And though you're one of the best, I do wonder why people have other people get their jollies building a train layout for them !! ..And who does the scenicing and structures ?

[@elleryparsons5766]

Hey Simon I run N Scale too I am Running Bachmann Silver And I Like it.

[@frankhellman6879]

Watch out out there in the real world. It's getting dangerous. How do you find the time to do all these customer layouts? And how do you work so fast? It's like you're your own crew!

[@mpeterll]

I guess it comes from having run a construction company with my brother for fourteen years. It was just the two of us with no employees and no-one getting paid by the hour, so the quicker we work the more we can earn. We constantly developed more efficient ways of doing things. Being entrenched in that mindset, I still work the same way even when getting paid by the hour ("busting ass" as the saying goes, is the only speed I know). I intend to keep it that way as I want my customers to feel they are getting their money's worth. Planning ahead also helps. Before I pick up a tool, I already know exactly how I'm going to do something. Often that entails building the entire project piece-by-piece in my head.

[@mhbpodnk]

Looks good you do great work. Do you just do big layouts or do you do small n scale switching layouts like 15 inches wide by six feet long

[@mpeterll]

Thanks for the compliment. I do whatever sized layout the customer wants. I can create a small N-scale switching layout such as you mentioned. If you are in the market for a custom layout build, please contact me privately via email at [e-mail] or through my website superiormodelrailroads.com

[@spongatejunction]

Do you do any UK based track plans

[@mpeterll]

Yes I do. I am equally proficient with both British and American layout designs. Please contact me through my web site if you are in the market for a custom layout design. superiormodelrailroads.com

[@scotthayes5933]

That area with all the turnouts would be great for a coal mine!

[@mpeterll]

That corner with all the turnouts IS for a coal mine. The back three spurs run under the tipple and the front three are for holding extra cars.

[@scotthayes5933]

@@mpeterll I noticed past the turnout where the coal spur connects to the main line there is a long stretch of track. That would be good for storing extra coal hoppers.

[@elleryparsons5766]

If and when not to hurry it does look quite good what you have for Engines?

[@erniepike3902]

I have been watching your videos and love your work, but it make me curious, what sort of people pay someone else to build a railroad for them?

[@mpeterll]

There are many reasons why someone might hire a professional to build a model railroad: Maybe someone is too busy at work to be able to invest the time to build a railroad, but just wants to be able to run a few trains to relax after getting home from work. Maybe someone has a disability that affects fine motor skills or hand-eye co-ordination. Some customers have no interest in one of more aspects of layout building - often someone just wants to get to the parts they consider fun and would rather pay someone to get them to that point instead of spending years of (possibly very limited) free time getting through the "boring" parts first. Sometimes a customer will hire me to work with him so that he can learn new skills.

[@joeraderblackrockcentralrr]

one word-WOW

[@mpeterll]

Thanks.

[@craigsummers131]

impressive , what takes you a day , takes me a couple of weeks :)

[@mpeterll]

Doing it professionally now, I have to work quickly. I bill by the hour and need to give my customers value for money.

[@robertstrainset6556]

Hi, Having seen how hard you work I would love to see you and a small team compete in our (UK) tv show The Great Model Railway Challenge which is in its 2 nd series on channel 5 this is a 3 day event where you have to build a complete layout to a given theme against 2 other teams and the winner of this heat goes on to the next round, however will look forward to seeing you continuing with this build and may be how your getting on in your new house and building your own layout if you have anytime left. Cheers Robert.

[@mpeterll]

"The Great Model Railway Challenge" - sounds interesting. I'll have to see if I can fine an episode on-line somewhere. I've never heard of it. I wonder if it's open to professionals. As for my own layout ... I'm still working on the design for it but have had to shelve it for now. I have two huge layouts to design for clients before I can finish my own design.

[@robertstrainset6556]

Hi, I am not sure if it open to professionals but some of the people taking part do earn money from You Tube videos so that might make them a professional and I think if there is another series the makers would be keen to show the standard of a true professional who builds actual layouts to "normal" modelers and the fact you would bring a team from the USA should be irresistible after all model trains are a world wide hobby.Let me know if you think it might be a runner and I will see if I can get any more information on the makers etc. I would think they may not fund the whole thing but you never know and the next series will probably be 2 years away I would think. Cheers Robert.

[@rally8959]

Did you make the risers if so how did you get the right rise

[@mpeterll]

For level track, it's a simple matter to cut the risers on a table saw. It's possible to make the grades this way too by attaching a board to the foam at an angle. The company I'm doing this build for (Affordable Model Railroads) cuts them on a CNC router. I don't know if they sell them but you can always ask. Scenic Express also makes a similar product, but only in 2%, 3% and 4% versions. AMR cuts them in multiples of 1/4% for in-house use.

[@rally8959]

Thanks for the response. Looking good

[@AffordableModelRR]

@@mpeterll We can custom produce the risers at any percentage you need. You can contact me (James Adams) at [e-mail]

[@SS454LS6]

Did you make all those foam risers?

[@AffordableModelRR]

We produce the foam risers Peter uses in shop at AffordableModelRailroads.com when he is not around (don't want the noise of the CNC router disturbing his layout mojo). By cutting them on the cnc machine we can cut them to the precise grade needed.

[@MrBsHiawathalandRails]

That was great! Well everything but near head on.

[@canuckprogressive.3435]

I don't think there is such a thing as affordable model railroading. Then again it depends on what you can afford.

[@adriengadson3544]

Sounds like he bought track plans from you or another person . The original guy flaked out and wasn't either professional or didn't know or was over his head. Anyway good for you to get the job and don't be afraid to make correct changes to the layout. Just because he thinks it will work a certain it may not , your the builder. All jobs and occupations have standards. Good vid!

[@mpeterll]

The full-sized track plans are produced by AMR, the company whose shop I'm building this in. The "other guy" had to get the layout started prior to my arrival because of time constraints. I won't bad-mouth him here.

[@AffordableModelRR]

The original plan was supplied by the client ("the other guy") and we asked Peter to clean it up for us since he was going to be doing most of the build. The client rejected a lot of his suggestions. Sometimes the client just wants what they want...as long as the trains run correctly and the layout is wired correctly the rest is in the eye of the beholder....and when they be holding the check you tell them what is right and then do what they are paying for.

[@adriengadson3544]

@@AffordableModelRR you can tell that it has some elements that a real model railroader would not do. To bad they didn't listen and except some guidance from Peter.

[@AffordableModelRR]

@@adriengadson3544 Don't want to get too philosophical, but there is no such thing as a "real model railroader". Model railroading is your world and everyone has a right to do whatever they want....may not follow prototypical standards, may not follow what a "real model railroader" thinks is right but who are we to judge what anyone else wants. Look at the huge difference between toy train modelers and proto87 modelers, they both have fun enjoying what they enjoy. If we were to build a railroad for you we would build it to your standards and not what the toy train modelers likes.

[@adriengadson3544]

@@AffordableModelRR I also have the right to my own opinion. Also I did not leave a dumb down and not putting anyone down..just my opinion as others may have there own opinions. ..thx

[@elleryparsons5766]

Instead of using paper to do the trackwork take the paper write on the wood for trackwork.

[@rdanscale3416]

Well as a Cheeky Fellow🤨 from the U.S.of A 🇺🇸 it looks ok but my understanding for whom this is for🤔 is still stirring in my Head it looks like it's being Built for someone Else?😒 Maybe I'm Wrong maybe it's for someone that cant be around the Materials or maybe its for someone that is lade up & is Sick.. I'll add this.. there looks to be lots of Work still to Do Down the Road.. Good Luck.!

[@tricorius9653]

Ah man. Just getting back into modeling and watching this is amazing. I tip my hat to you, good sir. I dream of being half as good at some point. :) Edit: blah. I didn’t mean to make this a reply. Lol. I lose at KZbin today.

[@chazzyb8660]

Good to see it getting built. I think this was your original? kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4XEhaGDe5ucsKs Hope we get to watch the build and instillation.