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Once (or twice) Around!

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Once (or twice) Around!
Posted by BATMAN on Monday, November 21, 2011 4:36 PM

Here is an old video of my layout. Be warned, quality is not great and it is long but it gives an idea of my track plan. So watch none of it , a bit of it, or all of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXrYeMHw5j0

 

I Double Dog Dare all of you,Laugh to post a video of your layouts so as we can get a better understanding of them. Still photo's are great but video's give us the whole picture. So post away! On board cameras permitted.

Let's see those layouts.Dinner

 

                        BrentCowboy

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by csxns on Monday, November 21, 2011 4:45 PM

Great.

Russell

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Posted by Motley on Monday, November 21, 2011 4:52 PM

Nice video Brent.

OK here's a new video I just shot this weekend. Commemorating the very first train through the wall, into my expansion room layout.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Woblq5tN8c

Michael


CEO-
Mile-HI-Railroad
Prototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989

EDZ
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Posted by EDZ on Monday, November 21, 2011 6:35 PM

Nice videos, guys.  I wish I had that much room to work with.

-Ed

"We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit."  -Aristotle

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Posted by doctorwayne on Monday, November 21, 2011 8:10 PM

Nice long run, Brent, and nice steady camera work, too.  Thumbs Up

 

Wayne

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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, November 21, 2011 9:13 PM

Brent,

That is very cool.  How big is that layout?

It appears to be huge.

Can you post a track plan?

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by steinjr on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 12:00 AM

richhotrain

Brent,

That is very cool.  How big is that layout?

It appears to be huge.

Can you post a track plan?

 Track schematic seemingly looks like a dogbone, folder once in the middle, with the right end lobe coiled once.

 One passing siding on the lobe next to the fireplace, one passing siding on the inner coil on the other lobe, one connection from the inner to the outer coil. Couple of industry  tracks inside inner coil at one end, one on the outside of the loop at the other end.

 Like this:

 If this is H0 (and I think it is), I'd guesstimate track radius around 30" or so - maybe a little bigger, making the tables about 5 1/2 feet wide at  their widest point. - so figure a room maybe 12 x 14 feet or a little bigger? .

 No apparent staging, and built more for watching trains run than for operations, but it sure looks great  to watch the trains run. I loved the effect of letting the two trains run at different speeds in the same direction so they met at different spots during the loop.

 Grin,
 Stein

 

 

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Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 4:52 AM

Stein,

Thanks for taking the time to draw this diagram.  It is very helpful while watching the video.  Let's see if Batman agrees with your drawing.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by steinjr on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 5:40 AM

richhotrain

Stein,

Thnaks for taking the time to draw this diagram.  It is very helpful while watching the video.  Let's see if Batman agrees with your drawing.

Rich

 Well, he would probably point out the three tracks in red below missing, and probably add some more details inside the double curl blob at upper right.

 

 Grin,
 Stein

 

 

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Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 5:50 AM

Even so, Stein, looks to me like you nailed it.   Bow

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by PennCentral99 on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 6:27 AM

Double Dare accepted!!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8UNhMXDSao

I throw the challenge back and dare you to watch all (11) of them!!

Inspired by Addiction

See more on my YouTube Channel

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 7:05 AM

Here is the Route of the Broadway LION.

It is an older picture, so the trains end at NYP and reverse at what was the 137th Street Yard.

The line to South Ferry is not shown in this picture at all, and since it was taken, the lower level staging yards and NYP itself were torn out, the Helix became a four track helix, and the lower level a four track mane lion.

http://youtu.be/fRBqDNfjS6w

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

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Posted by wjstix on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 8:05 AM

This is showing a "rough draft" of the scenery, plus some recently painted / lettered passenger cars on my free lance St.Paul Route's "Lake Superior Limited":

http://www.youtube.com/user/wjstix#p/u/3/AKd1sHnqmwc

...and a quick shot of a steam double header crossing the Patterson River:

http://www.youtube.com/user/wjstix#p/u/5/HfmkQnVLGLs

Stix
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Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 8:12 AM

Stix,

Nicely filmed, beautiful layout, love the passenger train.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by jpmorrison on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 8:24 AM
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Posted by BATMAN on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 9:58 PM

Man we had one whopper of a storm come through here last night. Lost the internet for 24 Hrs.

Thanks for all the kind words from those that viewed my rough and ready video.

Micheal, I had a friend who was also a member of the hole in the wall gang. His wife didn't notice for 5 years. I'm not sure how she thought the trains got from one room to the next.Laugh When she finally did notice the hangin tree was in her sights.Angry

Rich, the room is 15' x 24'. Stein sure has a good eye. The bench by the fireplace is 66" wide and the other one is about 6'. Like Stein said it is more or less a folded dogbone and is a design that lets me sit back in front of the fire with a glass of white and just watch after a hard day.

My plan was drawn up on a big pad of graph paper. It included everything I thought I would want on the layout. For that reason the plan looks crowded. What I end up with will be much less. I want the centre of the big bench to be a Rocky Mountain pusher station with a small Roundhouse to service all those Selkirks and also a turntable. A small five or six track ladder to store all that MOW equipment necessary to keep those mountain passes open. I am trying to capture the feel of the monumental feat of pushing a rail line through those mountains and the job it takes to keep it open. I think I will put some staging under the big bench at some point. It is 18' x 6' so I think there's room.

Lion, how long have you been working on that? WOW!

Great video's everyone. I would really like to see the Helicopter view of Doc Wayne, Tom Whites and Grampy's to name a few.

I have never had to use the TRIPLE dog dare. Anyone else have a request???

 

                     BrentCowboy

 

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 5:34 AM

BATMAN

Rich, the room is 15' x 24'. Stein sure has a good eye. The bench by the fireplace is 66" wide and the other one is about 6'. Like Stein said it is more or less a folded dogbone and is a design that lets me sit back in front of the fire with a glass of white and just watch after a hard day.

My plan was drawn up on a big pad of graph paper. It included everything I thought I would want on the layout. For that reason the plan looks crowded. What I end up with will be much less.

 

Ahh, yes, sitting back with a drink in hand, just relaxing and watching those trains.  Oh boy, can I relate to that.  The one thing missing in my case is the fireplace.  My fireplace is upstairs, but my layout is down in the basement, so no fire to watch, just trains.

Incidentally, Brent, I don't think that the plan looks crowded at all.  You did a nice job of creating a very efficient track plan.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by BATMAN on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 10:22 AM

richhotrain

Incidentally, Brent, I don't think that the plan looks crowded at all.  You did a nice job of creating a very efficient track plan.

Rich

Thanks Rich. I am really happy with the way it has turned out so far.

                     BrentCowboy

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by p_man on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 1:14 PM

@ BATMAN: Are those the Spectrum baby Trainmasters?  If they are, did it take a lot of work to get them to run well?

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Posted by wjstix on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 4:36 PM

richhotrain

Stix,

Nicely filmed, beautiful layout, love the passenger train.

Rich

Thanks. Unfortunately I have a really good video camera...but it's so old, it won't work with anything beyond Windoze 98 so I can't load anything from it onto my PC with Vista. Sad Those vids were shot with a fairly cheap Bell and Howell camera that I got as a 20th anniversary of my being hired from my employer. One thing I've found makes a big difference is using a tripod.

Stix
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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 8:26 PM

wjstix

 richhotrain:

Stix,

Nicely filmed, beautiful layout, love the passenger train.

Rich

 

Thanks. Unfortunately I have a really good video camera...but it's so old, it won't work with anything beyond Windoze 98 so I can't load anything from it onto my PC with Vista. Sad Those vids were shot with a fairly cheap Bell and Howell camera that I got as a 20th anniversary of my being hired from my employer. One thing I've found makes a big difference is using a tripod.

Stix,

I agree.  You have to use a tripod to film a layout.  No matter how steady your hand, it is impossible to get results as good as when using a tripod.  However, that is a problem if you are trying to follow a train around a larger layout.  Then, you pretty much need to hold the video camera in your hand.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 9:14 PM

wjstix

 

 richhotrain:

 

One thing I've found makes a big difference is using a tripod.

YES! on of the things that I was advised about when I sought advice before buying a video cam for the Abbey was that a proper tripod (Called a dolly in the video world) was essential. I spent as much on that as on the camera and have never regretted it. As a matter of fact I was told not to worry so much about the camera, the are all pretty much the same until you get up into the professional broadcast range.

It looks a little unusual to have a proper video dolly with a camera no bigger than a Coke can, but that is what works for us.

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

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Posted by Grampys Trains on Thursday, November 24, 2011 1:33 AM
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Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, November 24, 2011 5:55 AM

Geez, DJ, I don't know what I like more, the layout, the film editing, or simply the train mounted camera.

I see a layout like that, and i want to rip mine down and start all over.

Very, very nice.

Tell me, how far apart are the two tracks on the double main line.

Incidentally, my favorite part of that video is the appearance of the approaching freight train in the distance.

Lastly, I love your backdrops.  Very cool as the train is approaching the area of large buildings.

BowBowBow

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by BATMAN on Thursday, November 24, 2011 10:15 AM

WOW!

That is just outstanding in every respect. I echo what Rich said. I feel like DJ has created a Mona Lisa and I am struggling with my paint by numbers kit.BowBowBow

Any chance of a track plan to go along with the video? Thanks so much for that contribution.

 

            BrentCowboy

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by BroadwayLion on Thursday, November 24, 2011 10:28 AM

Grampys Trains

Here's one of mine. DJ.

Very Nicely Done! US&S interlocking plants in the towers, as is correct for PRR. (The GRS machines have more compact equipment at the switch points) ☺

Your locomotive needs a headlight so that we can see what is in your tunnels. ☺

 

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

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  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
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Posted by BATMAN on Thursday, November 24, 2011 1:48 PM

p_man

@ BATMAN: Are those the Spectrum baby Trainmasters?  If they are, did it take a lot of work to get them to run well?

P man

They are Atlas Gold Series. They are without a doubt the best performing Loco's I have ever own in any scale.Thumbs Up

                               BrentCowboy

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by sfcouple on Thursday, November 24, 2011 4:27 PM

DJ, your layout and video are both top quality.  And I've got to say that your scenery immediately adjacent to the tracks was so realistic it was like looking at a prototype video.  Congrats on an excellent job.

Wayne 

Modeling HO Freelance Logging Railroad.

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Posted by twhite on Thursday, November 24, 2011 7:31 PM

BATMAN

Great video's everyone. I would really like to see the Helicopter view of Doc Wayne, Tom Whites and Grampy's to name a few.

I have never had to use the TRIPLE dog dare. Anyone else have a request???

 

                     BrentCowboy

 

Brent: 

If I can ever (1) get a decent video camera and (2) figure out how to download the videos onto first my computer and then Photobucket after I do #1, then I would be more than happy to take you guys on a tour of the Yuba River Sub. 

I really like your video and I really like the way your layout is designed.  Lots of great running room, and as you said, you can just sit back and watch the trains go by.  I like that!  Yes

And to the rest of you:  Great videos!  

Grampys:  What kind of on-board camera did you use for that video?  I've got a little one I got from MicroMark last year, but I'll be darned if I can figure out how to do much more with it than just record it and watch it on TV.   Is there some kind of magic formula to downloading it onto a computer and then to Photobucket?  I'm at sea on this one.  GREAT video!

Okay, I've got to get down to Best Buy and look for a camera.  But not tomorrow--shopping on Black Friday around here is like taking your life in your hands.

Tom Big Smile

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Posted by wjstix on Thursday, November 24, 2011 7:59 PM

richhotrain

 

 wjstix:

 

 

 richhotrain:

Stix,

Nicely filmed, beautiful layout, love the passenger train.

Rich

 

 

Thanks. Unfortunately I have a really good video camera...but it's so old, it won't work with anything beyond Windoze 98 so I can't load anything from it onto my PC with Vista. Sad Those vids were shot with a fairly cheap Bell and Howell camera that I got as a 20th anniversary of my being hired from my employer. One thing I've found makes a big difference is using a tripod.

 

 

Stix,

I agree.  You have to use a tripod to film a layout.  No matter how steady your hand, it is impossible to get results as good as when using a tripod.  However, that is a problem if you are trying to follow a train around a larger layout.  Then, you pretty much need to hold the video camera in your hand.

Rich

Well, if that's what you want to do of course...although with a tripod you can adjust it so the camera is level and you can pan left or right. You can also shoot one section at a time and edit it together into one "movie". The little movie I did of my passenger train was shot at two spots only a few feet apart - my layout right now is an "L" shaped switching layout, and the train after crossing the river turns 90 degrees and goes into a yard where the second shot was taken.

p.s. although this wasn't your goal here, when I want the shot to look real I try to shoot as close to eye level as possible.

Stix

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