New HO Scale Layout Upgrades - Extra Trackage for my Trains
Ойын-сауық
A few months ago I added an expansion to the far side of my Ho scale layout to make way for some major changes.
This included room for the relocation of two mainline tracks as well as a side track to connect my mountain layout directly to the mainline.
I also decided to move and add some new switches for more convenient operation. I hope to reconnect my freight yard and get it functional in the near future as well.
Пікірлер: 328
Great changes to your layout! I think it's important to show those new to the hobby that upgrades/repairs/tweaks are part of the natural evolution to our miniature worlds.
@Divina-mu1ij
4 ай бұрын
It's very good. Maybe you can move the rock
Hey SMT, Love the update on the layout. I recommend running your tendered steam locos like your hornbys or other locos with a free-wheeled pony truck in the front to test the tracks. It could be beneficial in the long run in case steam engines are asked for on streams.
@SMTMainline
4 ай бұрын
I've already started with my Bachmann steamers which are super sensitive and so far there haven't been any derailments. I did have an issue with the grain car derailing in the tunnel but it turned out to be an over tightened screw on the right truck.
@ModelRailwayFan38
4 ай бұрын
@@SMTMainline the older Hornby locos have really thick flanges, so it would probably be a good idea to test them.
The layout modifications are looking great. Can't wait to see it finished. I always chuckle over how a serious hobbyist's layout is never what you'd call "finished." LOL
Really enjoy your videos. Takes me back to 1979 and my model railway. I had many of the same things you have. Like the big electric soldering gun. And some of the same rolling stock. Brings back good memories. Thanks!
@SMTMainline
4 ай бұрын
The mountain layout looks like it could have been made in the 70s with the age of the track and buildings. A lot of people hate on that soldering gun but I still like it over smaller irons that are popular.
@kevininasia
4 ай бұрын
Yeah that soldering gun. I would solder a track joint, and melt the next 3 or 4 plastic ties on either side of the joint 😂
@Petemonster62
4 ай бұрын
@@SMTMainline - The thing around using a soldering gun is that some guns have settings for both 100 watts and 140 watts. If you pull the trigger back partially and it "clicks" that could be the 100-watt setting which is often hot enough for track work. Pulling the trigger all the way back would then be the 140-watt setting.
Your work on this layout is amazing and valuable, Harrison. Amazing video, and please make more like this.
Thrilled to see the mountain intergrated a bit more mate. 🇦🇺
Nice upgrades Harrison! Solid track work definitely is a must for good layout performance! Your trains, and your blood pressure will thank you!
Love the video great work. Can't wait to see what it will look like with all the scenery and to see trains running on the new parts in live streams. Keep up the great work
Each time improving the layout, congratulations my dear, let's hope that with that curve the Acela Express event is not repeated
Great work! Incredible artistic talent for this. Thanks for posting!
@SMTMainline
4 ай бұрын
Thank you!
Now that's looking good, I love the changes❤,next is a bigger freight yard,😊
Gtrat job Harrisson, just a little bit of track cleaning and adjustement and all done
Wow that really tied the whole thing together. Awesome job
@normancoreyBuildingTrains
4 ай бұрын
Watching your layout grow over the last 5 years has been pretty cool
Awesome seeing new additions and improvements to your layout! I love that this is your long term custom layout that has evolved over the years, it’s totally yours and is so special because of how much love and care you’ve put into it. It shows! I’m looking forward to seeing the new track in your videos 😁
I’ve got back into model railroading because of your videos. Everyday new tweaks to make a layout better keeps it continuously exciting
Just reaching for the bedside light when notification of a new SMT video pops up....oh well going to bed before 1am is for wimps anyway.🙂 Plus we get to find out Harrison does his own death defying stunts and doesn't use a stuntman. And yayyy for Nerf kittuh appearance.
Amazing video! Love when you do track work, scenery, or anything that’s related to editing/improving the layout. Home to see an update video when you solder the track and lay ballast! Thanks again!
Great job buddy! I’m delving into my trains after many years of HO slot car racing/layouts. My goal is to run them around my den ceiling. Again Kudos to you sir!
@SMTMainline
4 ай бұрын
Thank you!
On the delight elevation change going to the mountain tunnel I I use carpenters shims that are about a foot long to change grade about a quarter inch. Thanks Hal
Harrison: another model railroader who is living proof that a layout is never completed. It always changes or gets completely ripped out and replaced. And you did some damned nice work as well... And I see the Nurf Cat cameo!!!!
Real happy you did the new track, it had been on my mind for some time now, and then.
Hey SMT just want to say ,I love the new additions to the layout and you have a wealth of knowledge beyond your years.keep up the great videos ! They are truly enjoyable!
Really nice change It looks great! Thanks for the video Harrison.
Great job Harrison, looks great. Michael
Loved watching the upgrades to your layout!!! I never tire of these videos! Thanks for doing them!
You must’ve been looking forward to doing that for a long time judging by how passionately you dug your claws into it and ripped it out.
Make sure the Big Boy and the DD40X can fit through the new tunnel portals. 😊
@SMTMainline
4 ай бұрын
I don't think they'll ever fit through.
Great job SMT that looks really good! Great balance on the bench work there first thing I would have done would have been fall through the foam and wrecked it all!😂
Good work, SMT!
beautiful cat The layout is looking good
Harrison what a fantastic job you did on the layout. I know for a fact when it's full up running it's going to be awesome 😊
Since the mountains are so sharp, I’ve called that part of the layout, “The Spiky Taverns.” Or the graveyard for any unfortunate locomotives or rolling stock un able to make it under any bridges or turns. Love to see you finally connect the two now! Love to see the new uploads in the channel.
Looks like an ambitious project. Based on what I've seen over the past months, I look forward to the outcome.
Nicely done and a nice layout!
That new layout looks great. Awesome. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
That is a great upgrade plus you got to get rid of that nasty foam. I myself am a firm believer on cork roadbed period. Good job
You sure made that look easy. I would have had second thoughts to start ripping track and switches out in multiple places on the layout.
I would lay nickel silver tracks in all tunnels so you don't have to worry about cleaning it as much. I would put your dad's brass track in accessible places and where it can be seen and appreciated.😊
@SMTMainline
4 ай бұрын
Those are both great ideas
Very good presentation. I am inspired!
Harrison you make track laying look easy, modifications looks great
I’m here at the bar thinking about what to do with my layout and your videos really help
Solid advice on the track bed material; I'll be sticking to cork for my future projects. Shoutout to the comedically-timed shunter. Should give it a name...
I wish I had the place in my basement to build my own layout. Nice upgrade. Thanks for sharing.
Nice use of the extra space 👍
hello SMT Mainline & it's is Randy and i like yours video is cool & Thanks SMT Mainline Friends Randy
Awesome job....
Great job 👍👍👍
@SMTMainline
4 ай бұрын
Thank you! Cheers!
Great video happy to see you adding more to your layout
Looks beautiful!
I have some of those brass custom line switches from thirty years ago and they still work just fine. Plus I’m too cheap to tear them out and replace with new ns ones lol
@SMTMainline
4 ай бұрын
I don't see a problem with brass track. Sure, you have to clean it more regularly but it gets the job done.
It appears you have a huge basement !
Nice upgrades Harrison 👍
May 17-20. you tube meet and greet. Jim Thorpe Pennsylvania. Reading and Northern RR . I hope you all can come this year
It always pays in dividends to take as much time and care as possible when laying down track. Good going!
@SMTMainline
4 ай бұрын
I couldn't agree more. Any time where I've rushed it, I've ended up redoing it shortly after.
Great additions! The feline supervisor seems to approve.
In the past I've used wooden shims that you can buy at a hardware store to put under the track to make transitions between high points and low points
wow very nice just watched your building a layout vlog cya next time
It helps to make changes and know where and when.... on my layout that I purchased second hand it had the foam underlay and I removed it and now have no underlay or cork bed it is much better and id rather hear the clickety clack of the wheels going over the joins than any fake sounds etc.. but thats just me... but with my new layout im designing at present it will have just an underlay foam carpet type stuff.. and no ballast or anything that will be it as im not one for scenery or cork or ballast.. i just want to run trains.. haha.. keep up the great videos.. thanks for another great one.. cheers from Melbourne Australia.. Tim.
Forman is a good looking dude... Nice work on the track...
A cedar shingle under the track works well when you have an elevation change as you have between the tables. It’s a tip from my 1960’s Atlas 6 Layouts you can build book…which is still in print!
@SMTMainline
4 ай бұрын
That's a great idea, I'll have a look for one.
awesome track work smt, abit of troubleshooting happens to everyone lol. cant wait for the next one!
Great content Harrison!!
Great work!! Thank you for sharing!
Inspired by this . I'm off today so time to go at the layout thanks
Hi SMT. Happy Thursday my friend. Nice layout and nice upgrade. I’m sure you’ll get the kinks back on track so to speak Have a great day
Live streams are about to be BUSSIN
@SMTMainline
4 ай бұрын
Absolutely! This should be a significant improvement to reduce derailments.
You helped my with my own layout. I decided to get creative with instant motor mount, just as you do, and I've become more daring with it. Some passenger cars were coming uncoupled over a joint between two tables. Plastic shims under the track didn't work, because the gap under the track varies in width. So, I just squeezed out some instant motor mount between the ties outside of the rails, and it seeped down to just where it was needed, but it was viscous enough to stay between the ties and cool and harden. I did every other gap between ties. Now there is no wavering of the track as the train goes over the joint between tables, and no cars are derailed or uncoupled, even at top speed. Thanks.
@SMTMainline
4 ай бұрын
I'm glad to hear that. Instant motor mount isn't pretty but it gets the job done and can help stabilize just about anything.
Good one, SMT!
Bel lavoro!!! Bravissimo👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Cool Nerf cat still alive and kicking!
@SMTMainline
4 ай бұрын
He's an old boy but life hasn't taken the fight out of him
Nice improvements on the layout, plus you know I'm partial to the LRC, so it was nice to see it on the track! Kudos!
@SMTMainline
3 ай бұрын
Thank you Peter. I can understand why the LRC would be a favourite of yours :)
love the new stuff!!!
Nice Update. Hi Nerf cat.nice to See ya Again.
Nice train lay out I have a small train layout at my grandma's house
fantastic video im so glad you maid it bigger i have ben wondering if you were going to great job
thats pretty darn cool dude
And the layout is cool!
I envision a coal mine on that mountain, similar to Faller's models. 15:08 Especially in that part of the dead end curve where the red and white car is resting. Great job!
Harrison: it looks as the Foreman Nerf Cat, likes the new track. He didn't swat at the trains to stop. L0l. Keep having fun. Peace
Harrison, Howdy. That older brass track will work fine. I have mine from the 70s and 80s. Just needs to be cleaned regularly. And those switches can be wired up and remotely thrown. You may want to consider this for something in the future. Good luck.
@SMTMainline
4 ай бұрын
I've been using brass track for years with the same experience. It's not the best but it gets the job done just fine.
The town even has its own haunted house. Nice touch.
@SMTMainline
2 ай бұрын
Its loosely based off the Addams Family home
Yes I’ve used the foam underlay on my layout. As you say it’s not as good as cork but I’m too far in to change out the foam out. Nice to see your changes happening.
@SMTMainline
4 ай бұрын
I'm glad it didn't cause as many issues for you.
Wow, You really scared me at 10:19. I'm glad you weren't hurt.
Great updates bud. I'd definitely recommend trying your worst cars and engines on new tracks, they'll find ALL the defects.
I knew Nerf Cat would show up for a layout inspection.
I have a 4x8 which has 2 mainlines plus an upper layer for local freight
Outstanding work nerf cat looking like he approved it
What worries me is the wiring. That has always been my greatest challenge. The control panel would be my greatest interest. looks like state of the art model RR in 1950
Great modifications to the layout and can’t wait to see some steam locomotives running on the new section soon 👍
I really would recommend putting down nickel-silver turnouts there under the new section for long-term reliability (especially in a tunnel!) , and save the brass turnouts for somewhere that only railcars will go, but not engines. An old industrial siding, for example, or a modeled section of rarely used or abandoned track. Nothing takes the fun out of running your trains like having them stop in tunnels due to corrosion or oxidation of the brass track. 😢
@SMTMainline
4 ай бұрын
I will if I redo that section of the track. Even if I replace them with nickel silver most of the track is still brass so I would have to replace it at the same time.
And thus everything was connected together! A true railroad system has been formed!
That mountain seems like it’s gonna be the equivalent of the backrooms for locomotives
Glad to see you getting the connections to the mountain part of the layout and track improvements. Looks like it will be quite a lot more fun! I was a little concerned about the "S" curve connector to the mountain section but it looks gentle enough not to cause derailments. In fact, it looks smoother than the "S" curves that happen at the crossover turnouts. This is cool to watch because I'm s l o w l y redoing my layout. The previous owner of my layout had glued and nailed the roadbed and then nailed the track so it was a real pain to tear it up, especially since the ballast then glued it all even more. I installed a couple of feet of new cork roadbed but had to take it up because I changed my mind. It was less trouble to pull up than the original but still, the latex caulk held more than you'd think. SO, my new rule - just use two fine lines of caulk (cut your caulk tube end like a professional - at an angle but just enough to make a tiny opening which allows a small, controlled, line of caulk) down the middle of each half the cork - it should be secure enough yet easy to remove with a chisel to change. We should admit that we or someone will want to change a layout in the future so may as well build with that in mind. I saved all the old broken up cork and you could save the rubber roadbed to grind up for scenery or use somehow. I try to reuse/recycle everything I can because I'm very conscious of the need to conserve earth's resources, be wise in using them, and avoid waste - especially non-organic waste. In nature, EVERYTHING gets reused/recycled and reconfigured. When we fully develop a circular economy, life will be healthier, better for all and more sustainable - and we can enjoy doing our amazing, creative, fun hobbies like model railroading!
@SMTMainline
4 ай бұрын
I added a small straight section to the S curve which I think helped a lot. I'm not too inclined to save the foam roadbed since it doesn't seem to do anything well but I will be saving all the cork. I didn't mention it in the video but the section under the S curve was made with reclaimed cork. I'm completely onboard with minimizing waste and agree that we live in a throw away world. I'll try to fix anything before throwing it out, even if it's practically worthless.
@music100vid
4 ай бұрын
@@SMTMainline Cool! And you certainly fix a lot of engines that many people would probably throw away. Admire your work and persistence. Love your channel!
@music100vid
4 ай бұрын
@@SMTMainline Oops, may have accidentally gave thumb down. But, related to using natural, organic materials for scenery - the previous owner of my layout had made a tunnel using paper machete made from paper and flour I think. Well, mice got into the basement, went in the tunnel and made a nest and a mess! They peed on the steel track, which pitted it and corroded it badly! Had to abandon that line when I got the layout. Since then I removed all the steel rail but am keeping the abundant brass thinking it will be fine if do the track treatment according to the video at Ron's Trains n Things titled like, Stop Cleaning Your Track
If you can, on the tunnel part of the mountain area, try to lift the supports below the track that runs above, and shimmy it a bit... nothing much, put a couple of wooden plates might do it...
@SMTMainline
4 ай бұрын
I can't raise the track above it since it would make the hill too steep for trains to climb. It was not a great design on my part.
Your rails aren't soldered? Whoa!
Great work Harrison, new track is always exciting! Surprised you did not use your track testing engine the green Burlington Athearn. It has served you well, probably deserves its 15 minutes of fame on one of the livestreams one day. Take care, Jeff.
Ever consider raising the tracks on the mountain area up and running track on the mountain surface as well as tunnels.The farther away a car/loco is from your seat the more difficult it is to see. Raising the far away stuff provides a better visual,and it's easy to do. A guy I knew had book cases instead of legs for his set up and faced them away on the far side and attached his hills/mountains to the backs and used the shelf part for engines and cars etc.
@SMTMainline
4 ай бұрын
It's not impossible but it would be a challenge. The hill can't be raised without raising the entire section otherwise it would become too steep to climb. It would be much easier to come up with a more compact support system.
Nerf cat observing this and plotting some destruction because that’s what they do!
Hay SMT it’s Xander nice to see you ❤😊
I see Nerf Cat lying there staring at you , probably wondering what the heck you were gesturing and blathering about !