Siskiyou Line video series update

[jfugate]

As you may know, myMemoirs Video is doing a 5-part series on my Siskiyou Line. The idea is "learning by example" by seeing how a larger layout has been designed, constructed, and is operated.


Recent photo of the HO Siskiyou Line

Part 1, which is essentially a video tour and introduction to the layout and series has been out for a couple months now.

The video shooting has started on part 2 (design and construction) and it should be released this September.

If you happen to be attending the National Convention in Seattle, I will be giving a clinic sharing my experiences with DCC on the Siskiyou Line. Much of this material will be in video 3 on Electrical and Control.

I will also be giving some of my scenery techniques in a talk at the LD SIG / OP SIG banquet on Friday at the Seattle National.

For more on the video series, see: http://model-trains-video.com .

See some of you at the Seattle National!

[dave9999]

Joe,
I watched the preview video at the link you provided. This looks like a well done video and I will be
ordering the series. Keep up the good work, you help amateurs,like myself, with your professional work.
Thanks, Dave

[Anonymous]

man thats awesome work!!!!

[jfugate]

Thanks guys, for the kind words about my layout and video series.

After 36 years in the hobby and talking with other modelers who visit my layout now and then, I've come to realize how many techniques, tips, and tricks I've collected over the years.

So I'm sharing them in hopes that I can help my fellow modelers out with what I have learned. But I don't know everything and maybe you all can show me a thing or two, aye?


The Coos Bay Hauler enters Remote, Oregon, deep in the Coast Mountain range.

[Anonymous]

...wow. Someday I hope to have the level of expertise that you do. Your work is awesome.

[Anonymous]

What irks me is I think I can do just as good a job as Joe here, But I can't get any co-operation in the right of way department. So I sit caput. I guess I can cound on my rolling stock and buildings being ready to install when I get something built.

[jfugate]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Student of Big Sky Blue

What irks me is I think I can do just as good a job as Joe here, But I can't get any co-operation in the right of way department. So I sit caput. I guess I can count on my rolling stock and buildings being ready to install when I get something built.

Blue:

Don't underestimate the value of this advance work. The layout itself (benchwork, track, rough scenery) goes up relatively fast, but then things slow down quite a bit when you get to working on structures, rolling stock, and locos.

This is one thing I *did not* do and I'm really paying for it now. We're holding regular op sessions on a layout that is basically bare of structures and using mostly unfinished locos and rolling stock.

I use the finished stuff in photos and in the videos, but I could be *lots* further ahead by now had I spent more time in between layouts building things you *put on* the layout.

You ARE NOT wasting your time! Everything you can build in advance now before the day you get your layout space will pay off handsomely later, believe me.

[jjbmish]

For those of you who haven't bought Part 1 yet. I bought it and its great! I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in Model Railroading. I have watched it twice, and I'll be watching it again this weekend. I've ordered the entire series, so I'm looking forward to the second part coming out. Joe, you have a great model train layout and I've enjoyed the DVD.

John

[jfugate]

Gee, John, thanks for the accolades! We wanted to do a layout video series that breaks the "Keller" mold -- and Keller's videos are good stuff, but there's more than one way to video a layout.

I'm going to be giving a clinic in Seattle on DCC and larger layouts, and I'll be showing my tricks for short management. Since the cameras are now rolling for video 2, we shot a short segment from video 3 demoing how you can short one train in a single power booster district and the other trains in that same power district will keep on running. I'll be showing this segment at my clinic.

If you own the video, you can also view this rough-cut clip by going to the Siskiyou Line video support site and logging in (use the login that's given in your video).

See: http://mymemoirs.net/model-trains/support/ and click on the support site log in link.

[CBQ_Guy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jfugate

Blue:

This is one thing I *did not* do and I'm really paying for it now. We're holding regular op sessions on a layout that is basically bare of structures and using mostly unfinished locos and rolling stock.

I use the finished stuff in photos and in the videos, but I could be *lots* further ahead by now had I spent more time in between layouts building things you *put on* the layout.

You ARE NOT wasting your time! Everything you can build in advance now before the day you get your layout space will pay off handsomely later, believe me.

Joe,

I am in this same boat. Due to health problems, disability issues, lack of "promised" help, and low income for awhile (as in none!), I haven't been able to work on room prep for the layout for the past couple years or so. This would have been an EXCELLENT time to be building rolling stock and structures, which I have cartons and cartons of stashed in the basement.

The main problem was/is I don't know where I would put them in the meantime while the basement is being readied, benchwork being built, etc. For example, Athearn 40 foot cars fit back in the box after being built, but 50 feet or longers cars don't with the Kadee couplers installed. And of course structures take up a LOT more room after they're built than when unassembled in the box.

I never have come up with a workable solution for this problem.

[jfugate]

Paul:

You make a good point ... if you don't have space for a layout, then it's possible you don't have space for prebuilt locos, rolling stock, and structures either.

Several thoughts come to mind.

As to cars that don't fit back into their boxes fully built, perhaps you could just leave the couplers off, but finish everything else? This may not be as crazy as it sounds, because if you always install the couplers so they can be serviced, with a screw-on draft box lid, you could intall the couplers, test the height, etc. then remove them and leave them in the box with the car for storage. A couple minutes with a screwdriver and you're back in business.

There have been articles in past issues of the hobby magazines about storage ideas. One of the most clever I recall seeing was the use of PVC downspout material, cut to length, then glued together and stacked against the wall with the open end out. You put the cars into each opening kind of like they do with the mail in post office boxes at the post office.

These days, you can get some real nice plastic utility shelf storage units for under $50 at Home Depot or Lowes. They'll hold hundreds of pounds of stuff, which should be all you need to store some structures.

As to getting space, for $15 - $25 a month, you can rent a small storage unit at a mini-storage place that would give you enough room to store stuff you built ahead of time for a pretty good sized layout.

More ideas for the video series! I might include these ideas (and maybe a few others) on a special feature in video 4 on scenery and bridges.

[jjbmish]

Just bought a big screen television and I can't wait to watch the first DVD again. But now on a 61" screen. This should be truly awesome!!

John

[brothaslide]

I just ordered Volume 1 and I am very much looking forward to the watching it based on all of your comments. It should be a lot of fun.