Welcome to my channel and my small switching layout, Rowell Paper. I'm based in the UK and have had model railways in OO and O scale for most of my life, though I've never built a complete working layout before. I switched to US outline HO scale in 2020 and haven't looked back. I'm intending to model the Morristown and Erie Railway as soon as I have space, but for now, Rowell Paper is my main project. I'm currently filming using my Samsung A23 and Canon SX50HS DSLR, but will be looking for a more suitable upgrade soon.
Scale: HO, 1:87
Size: 8ft 10in x 13in at the widest point
DCC System: Gaugemaster Prodigy with a separate independently powered DCC Concepts ESP system for point motors
Track: Peco code 75, electrofrog points, IP Digital point motors
Style: Portable shelf layout, stored when not in use
Contact: [email protected]
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Nice to see you back on the airwaves mate. Hope you settle in to the new role and get some quality modelling time
@thebritishrailroader thanks Steve, I'm hoping that I'll get a bit more time once everything is back to a routine. I am worried I'll miss the commute though - good railfanning time!
Going forward means also having a life. There's no rush and it's all coming together. Post when you can and enjoy it.
@Castlebank_Sidings cheers Andy, once things settle down a bit I can hopefully get myself organised. My main focus needs to be on finishing a few things before I start something else!
Nice catch. Nothing says "Port Huron" like GTW and CN rolling stock. You got a good deal on them, too. Best of luck on finding a GTW Geep 9.
Hopefully I'll add a few more bits of similar stock in the future. I'm not holding out much hope of finding a GTW GP9 to be honest. I might have to settle for a GP38, or get the airbrush out.
@@jimbarrett1975 GP38/GP38-2 works, too. I saw quite a few of them on the paper spur over the years.
@@thomasdecker7631 I will see what I can find/afford....
You did well there. Cheltenham models often have Athearn Genesis freight stock cheap
Cheers Andy, I'll have a look at their website if they have it listed..
Hi I'm Walter. I use to live near the Morristown & Erie short line in NEW JERSEY. I know RS-1 M&E # 15.. The big ALCOs Centurys they had two C430s #s 16 . 17 . And there C 424s 18. 19 . . .. that's was my home town. Sadly C430s left M&E rails year 2001. Then in 2019 C424s left to 😢 .
Hi Walter, thank you for watching, and for your reply. Great to hear from someone who saw so much of the M&E fleet. I'm slowly building up my collection. I haven't visited the line yet but hope to be able to get out there at some point, and wish I'd been able to before the Alcos left. I'm planning on modeling the Cedar Knolls transload once I have the space.
Looking good Jim
Thank you!
Another great video. I have standardised my couplings but have gone for the Kadee no 5s (and variations). I know they are a bit overscale but at the moment there is only one size of 158 which sadly doesn't suit all the variables.
Thank you! After I'd filmed I swapped the couplings on all the stock on the layout for 148s or 5s, so hopefully everything will work properly now. I'm toying with cutting off the magnetic pins.
@@jimbarrett1975 I cut off all the pins as standard as I don't use them magnetically
@thebritishrailroader I will probably do the same. My original plan was to be completely hands free, but I found I enjoyed manual uncoupling so I didn't go with it in the end.
@jimbarrett1975 I am the same. I even started with manual points but I have decided to retrofit them with dcc Controlled point motors. I have done 3 of the 6 and am pleased with the results
@@thebritishrailroader I have the DCC Concepts Cobalt motors - I'm really happy with them. I've always wanted a layout with point motors, and now I have one!
Code 70? Code 75? The difference is a scale 7/16" ()11.5 mm). No one would ever know the difference without a depth mike. Looking good so far. Anxious to see the finished result.
Thank for watching, and for your comment. The main difference between code 70 and 75 track is that the 75 is chaired (British) whilst the 70 is spiked (US), so the eagle-eyed might spot a chaired rail. For those layout it's not something I'll worry about too much! It is starting to look like I might have a finished result one day - doing these videos has definitely pushed me on to make progress.
@@jimbarrett1975 Hmm... Concrete will hide a lot.
@thomasdecker7631 yes, I think so. As long as I don't mention it on social media or anything, no one will know 🙂
Looking good mate
Thank you! It's nice to start getting some ground on, I'm really looking forward to getting the final surface done, as well as the ballast. Need to start saving for a static grass applicator.
Jim, looks like they have indeed updated the chassis as I don't think either of my GP15's have a speaker housing (and I think they had filament lamps). Also interesting that they have improved the truck side frames as well.
I'm not sure whether the one you sent me is newer or older - it's side frames are definitely better than the one I have, and the fuel tank is plastic rather than metal. It will be interesting to look inside. My original may be older than I thought.
Although as you point out, it does have a speaker housing, so it must be reasonably up to date, and I think it came in a modern box.
Very nice, thanks for sharing. Dave
Thanks you for watching!
Very nice to see true Modellers going to work getting things done!
Thank you!
I have say, I was forced to look away when you removed the pin with the scalpel.
Haha, it does look a bit close, but it was sharp and there was material between the blade and my thumb. I work with a much larger knife day-to-day and have a very strict "cut away" rule - most of the time! It was much easier without the camera!
Nooooooooo bell please. Lol
The general manager of the factory instigated a 'No Bell' rule as he found sickness rates increased during each switching session.
@@jimbarrett1975 Quiet area.
@@Castlebank_Sidings definitely
Great video! The M&E and C&D is local to me so this is fantastic. This layout is reminiscent of the Dover and Rockaway branch. They drop off probably 8-10 of those graffiti hoppers on the line. The DRRV operates it now, formerly M&E. A lot of Morris County trackage is now operated by them. You see a lot of NJ transit power, NS, and former NS as well. The 2005 is in southern NJ currently. I can't wait to see your progress. Best of luck.
That's amazing, thanks Eric! I really got hooked on the M&E when I started looking for a shortline to model. I haven't visited yet, but I am hoping to make a trip over the Atlantic at some point soon to see it and the DRRV first hand. I have much more M&E based content to come, with a number of locomotive projects on the bench. Thanks again for watching and for your comments.
Looking good, thanks for sharing. Dave
Thank you, much appreciated!
Great video my friend. Look forward to seeing your progress
Thank you! I'm trying to do something, however small, every day to get things moving on. I'm really excited about this loco, but it's another project on the bench.
Nice to hear an overview about your plans for the layout...cheers James 🙂👍
Thanks James, slow and steady progress!
Things are moving along. Thanks for the update.
Thank you! Hopefully next time there'll be a bit more progress on construction.
Who says that you cant achieve what Boomer does. Self confidence and practice.
Very true. This layout is the practice, so hopefully I'll be able to achieve what I want once I start the next one. That said, I want to make this one the best I can as well.
@@jimbarrett1975 Looking at it so far mate you're certainly there with it
@Castlebank_Sidings thanks Andy, that's really appreciated. Watching Boomer, amongst others, has certainly helped me to up my game. Having aspirations above my skill level was always my biggest block to progress, but I think I'm starting to bring the two together in the middle somewhere now.
@@jimbarrett1975 As Boomer would say "fail forward" if it goes a little bit wrong, work through it, improve it, change it and it'll eventually come together
Don’t feel bad, for the first year my board was on three wooden stools.
It's amazing how these "I'll just do this for now" measures rapidly become semi-permanent. For reasons I won't go into, we have nine dining chairs, so putting two of them to use is not the end of the world!
Did I hear you say you are going to model the rolling bridge over the Black River?
No, there's a covered bridge in the plant that swings across the tracks that I want to include. That said, the Black River bridge is on my list of future projects, once I've made a bit more progress on the layout.
Do you think Athearn truck side frames would fit, the fitting lugs look the same. If yes, I have a number of them and your welcome to try them out. They may look a bit better as some of the parts are separate add ons.
Thanks Andy, I don't think they're a straight fit but I can make them work - I've been trying to find a couple of sets. I'd be really grateful if I could have some.
@@jimbarrett1975 Jim, Looking at the video, the Walthers ones are the type with 2 brake cylinders per truck side. I think this may be wrong, as I think by the time they got to GP15's they only has 1 per truck side. They are easily removable on Athearn trucks anyway. I will find 4 in good condition.
Ok 8+ Athearn side frames found, hopefully there is enough bits to go with them. Not sure what they are called, but there is a square frame, dampers and the cylinders (2 or 1 cylinder per side frame).
Tried em, they aren't a straight fit unfortunately
@@thebritishrailroader Is it worth Jim trying to make them fit or is it to much trouble (sorry learning)?
Hi Jim. Great video. I used a Soundtraxx Tsunami PNP8 in mine, I just took out the original circuit board and replaced it. The speaker is a Digitrax SP26158B which fits in the area where the grey enclosure is, I think I kept the enclosure but cut a hole in the top. The grab irons fit without removing the chassis weight if you fit them, glue them with a dab of superglue and then trim them right back almost flush with the inside. I also fitted ditch lights front and rear. As the wires for the LEDs are really thin, I was able to fit them without having to adjust the chassis. I'm not happy with the truck side frames and did look to see if Athearn ones would fit but sadly the pegs are different. Good luck with the build. Let me know if I can help in any way. Steve
Amazing, thanks Steve. I did try to link to your channel in the video but I'm still working through the details of how to add things - I will do that in a future video (though I suspect most of my subscribers came through you anyway!). Thanks again for the advice, particularly around the decoder and ditch lights. Did you get LEDs with lenses already attached? Cheers, Jim
@jimbarrett1975 thanks mate. I still don't know how to link and I have been doing it for a couple of years 😂. I do the whole links in the description though. As for the ditch lights, I just used micro LEDs that I got on ebay. To make the lenses, I used Glue n Glaze after fitting. Remember that when you wire them to the decoder, you need resistors and I would advise using several. Also if you want the ditch lights to flash, each one needs to go to its own function. Then it is a mapping and programming job, but that may be a zoom call when you get there 😆
@thebritishrailroader cheers, I'll take you up on the zoom call at some point I think! I've only done one DCC conversion so far and it's a bit of a disaster - I mean, learning curve!
@@jimbarrett1975 you'll get there, we all make mistakes
"Other sound decoders are available", so that this is a balanced chat.
Cool video and channel just subscribed. Can't wait to see more
Thank you! I'm hoping to get a workbench video out tomorrow, then maybe another bit of switching next week, time permitting.
You mention the random horn. My impression from watching real-life switching videos on KZread is they basically don't use the horn at all, these days, except at grade crossings.
I was having some issues with my controller which was either not sounding the horn at all, or was doing so when I operated the lights. Either way, you make a good point.
@@jimbarrett1975 Oh, OK. Always fun when DCC gets a mind of its own. I got a Kato SD40-2 on Ebay for cheap because its DCC is crazy. Probably just needs a reset but I've not got round to looking at it properly.
@@jimbarrett1975NCE sends out functions in groups. When the decoder loses power and comes back, all functions are in the ‘off’ condition until turned back on. Groups are F0-F4, F5-F8, F9-F12. So, the throttle shows F3 as on, so when you lose power it’s restored as off, so when you turn on the headlight, F0, it sends the group packet,, then turning F3 back on and hence the “random” seeming horn. When the decoder doesn’t lose power, F3 is still ‘on’, so when it sends the packet, F3 is on, so nothing changes. I hope this helps. ~George.
@goaliegeorge that makes sense. I'd only lost power to the locomotive, but I think it's the same effect. The reversed functions you describe were showing as well, so that makes sense. Thank you.
@@beeble2003 I have a TCS that runs the sound on an RS1 at either idle or full throttle. I think I may have damaged it when I installed it. As you say, always fun!
Nice. I’m using a caboose ‘shoving platform’ on my small layout at the moment too
Cheers for watching. Shoving platform is a great excuse to run a caboose, and just adds a little extra element to the switching. If I was moving more cars it would get in the way and add to the thinking.
Nice opps session. Thanks for sharing. Dave
Did you ever see the Model Railroader video on the M&E?
I don't think I did. I've got the Trains one, Taking Care of Business.
@@jimbarrett1975 Apologies, indeed it is done by trains. Where abouts are you located Jim ?
@andyknott8148 I'm in the UK, in Northamptonshire. Makes research a bit of a challenge, but I'm hoping to make a trip over to see it in person in the not too distant future.
@@jimbarrett1975 Jim, I know the feeling, I am in Hertfordshire. Good luck and take plenty of pictures of everything.
If ever you get tired of #18, I know a willing buyer.
Haha, I'm on the hunt for 19 to go with it. I've got most of the M&E main fleet, just missing a few.
@@jimbarrett1975 I have 4223 and 2 x C430's but I did not get 18 or 19. Sadly I saw a report 4223 has just been scrapped.
@@andyknott8148 I'm missing 16 and 19. Currently I'm working on 20, 22 and 25, and I have a donor unit for 23 if I can't find the Athearn release. I had heard that 4223 had gone - I might use it in my next video.
Interesting video. I know very little about the M&E, but any road operating ALCO power has to be interesting. Not having read your channel description before now, I was surprised to find that you are located in the U.K. I had assumed that you were located somewhere close to Port Huron, given your choice of locations to model. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gotten so lengthy about the nuances of Port Huron's ex GTW paper spur, lately operated by Lake State Railway. I enjoyed the video, having spent some time watching the Lake State switchers working there. I am, however, curious about how you arrived at modeling Domtar.
I'm glad you did share, always on the lookout for more information and interesting extras. As to why, I'll do a video on that as I want to cover Domtar as a prototype, but basically I saw it and thought it had a ton of potential even as a small layout. To be honest, it wasn't on my radar originally.
I'm hoping to invest in a GTW GP9 at some point.
@@jimbarrett1975 Another good choice. The GP9's were a common sight on the paper spur not that many years ago. Scrolling era modeling provides a lot in a small space.
@thomasdecker7631 I guess I've left it too late to have much chance of seeing anything moving on the Port Huron line now. I've dug out a bit of footage on KZread, and have been thinking about the Bascule bridge.....
@@jimbarrett1975 Yes, the rolling lift bridge over the Black River wouls make an interesting Model. It has a ton of character but is small enough not to overpower a smaller layout
I like the Caboose, If those tankers were in Dylington, they would be carrying Dylington Custard. Nice video...Cheers James 🙂👍
Thanks for watching. For all we know, they might be....
@jimbarrett1975 you'll need to get a Dylington Custard Company Billboard sign on your layout, Jim. We've just added one to ours. Scale Model Scenery does a billboard that comes with several advertisements, one of which is Dylington Custard, based of course on our layout. Watch out for it on a future video. There's also a ghost sign which we have on our water tower....cheers James 🙂👍
Great video! It’s always fun to see cabooses in operations 👍
Thank you! It doesn't do much, but it looks nice.
Ah ! Dead spot ! Depends a LOT on the kind of turnout you used. Sorry I didn't solve your issue here. Hope it's not an Atlas turnout ! Cause if it's so, you got to choices to my point of view : going to the church and pray really hard OR removing it and put one that will fix the issue. Good luck !
Luckily it turned out to be a bad solder joint which will be an easy fix once I've taken the board down - the advantage of a portable layout is no crawling about soldering upside down. Points are Peco - the only other real UK option is hand made, and its taken long enough for me to get this far!
Paper mills (of any scale) !!! Always a big challenge. Especially when it comes to realism AND railroad ops. How can it be built to look like a real one in a small space like a model train layout ? And make it easy to operate. My own layout is a BIG paper mill. Means I didn't solve the space issue. And for me, it's not even enough. At least I can run trains around it !!! That's a kind of beginning.. I like yours. All of it from scratch ! Respect ! Keep on your good work.
Thank you! Modelling a paper mill was definitely a process of evolution for me - it started life as a 4ft long engineering workshop Inglenook plan. I've got in most of the elements I wanted with a variety of car types, and I'm hoping I can make it look bigger with some of the backscene elements. Having a big paper mill sounds great, and I imagine you have loads of switching opportunities.
@@jimbarrett1975 Hi again Mr. barrett. Mine is so BIG... It's taking a whole 9 x 9 foot room. Course it's surrounding the room. Center is empty. Shelfs are 24 inches deep or a bit less. I'm trying to mix Walthers with kitbashed and scratched built buildings to get the whole think acceptable as close to prototype. All sorts of buildings and structures are used from Kibri, Pikestuff and Walthers to very expensive stuff found on EBay and the net. There are plenty of things wrong on it from the real ones but I'm modeling it for fun. I know a bit about paper mills. So I did no.1 (I got two of them) the best I can to be good looking AND to have fun doing Ops. Like yours, A LOT left to be done but I'm doing progress the best I can. I'm mostly modeling cars I'm selling on EBay. Nearly all are 3D wood chip gondolas or pulpwood flat cars. The main reasons I'm "into" paper mills are the fact that so MANY types of cars are used to serve mills in and out but also because it's huge and that I'm staring at them for nearly 50 years now. Keep on your good work.
Nice. Good subject to model + you get to use a great looking LSRC switcher. I considered modeling the Port Huron "paper spur" in an earlier period (postwar) featuring GTW steam and unbelievable traffic density all in the space of a mile. A good prototype no matter what era you choose.
Thank you for commenting. It's certainly a line with loads of potential. I was originally looking at Dunn Paper as a prototype, but the Domtar buildings were much more interesting. It's a shame you didn't build it - would have been great to see!
Cool. I bought an Atlas MoPac MP 15 engine that I am going to repaint and decal for 1502. I'll never get the silver stripe right though. I am in Michigan and saw the paper plant from a distance last year during a weekend trip. LSRC is a railroad in my area. How did you settle on this area to model?
Thank you. I must admit, I wouldn't fancy trying to do it as a repaint, though if I do build up the courage I wouldn't mind an SD40-2 in the LSRC livery.
Nice fix, when you hitting it will ballast?
There's a lot of buried track so I need to sort out which bits need ballast and which don't. I'm really looking forward to doing it because it will make a big difference to the look of the layout. I'm going to a train show at the weekend so I'm hoping to pick up some materials then.
@jimbarrett1975 If I was to suggest anything, buy fine ballast, which is supposed to be for N Scale, but it works really well. Just my opinion
@@BPSDMRRyes, I'll definitely do that, sound advice. I'm also thinking of using sand where the ballast runs out onto rough ground. Not sure if that'll work, but I'll give it a go.
Nice Video, great little layout, dropped a Sub
Much appreciated, I've done the same. Not sure how I haven't seen your channel before!
Awesome glad you got it resolved!
Location modeled??
It's based on Domtar Paper at Port Horon, MI. I'll do a video soon on how I did it and which buildings I moved around.
Nice. I grew up in Nekoosa Wisconsin, we have had Domtar paper there since early 90’s I am building a layout that will have the orginal mill NEPCO PAPER Which was Nekoosa Edwards paper company
@cn.trainbuff3352 paper mills make a great subject I think. It was originally going to be Lanxess on the Morristown and Erie (which I'm supposed to be modeling), but I changed when I saw the potential variety of car types. The layout itself is geographically fluid, depending on what power I want to run.
@@cn.trainbuff3352 I've subscribed to your channel, looking forward to watching your back catalogue.
Very cool. Just subbed up. Really nice set up!
Thank you, much appreciated!
Subbed you back. Cheers!
The "dead spots" seem to be at the turnout frogs. There are two ways to try to eliminate this issue. One is to, as someone else suggested, install a keep alive in the engine. The other is to "juice" the frog from with a frog juicer or off your turnout device like a tortoise machine if you are using one. Just be sure you are working with clean track and clean wheels as well. Great layout and video. Keep em comin. Thanks
Thank you! I'm using DCC Concepts IP Digital point motors and thought I'd got a loose connection there, which was going to be a pain to sort out because of where the motor's mounted. Turns out it was a loose solder joint at the bus connection - much easier to get to and fix!
Peco Unifrog switches are the best as they carry polarity in both directions. There is no need for frog juicers.
@Slim_digi I do have some code 70 unifrog now, but when I was putting this together they weren't available. I'm looking forward to trying them on my next project when I get space for the bigger layout I have planned. From what you say it sounds like they'll make things a bit easier.
@Slim_digi I do have some code 70 unifrog now, but when I was putting this together they weren't available. I'm looking forward to trying them on my next project when I get space for the bigger layout I have planned. From what you say it sounds like they'll make things a bit easier.
wonderfull
Thank you!
30th sub cungrats man
Thank you, its appreciated!
Glad you found the problem and was a relatively easy fix
Yes, I thought it would be a connection issue - handily a simple one to fix, though it took me a while to spot as it looks like it's all properly connected.