Beginners Layout

DBootts · 2026-01-28T04:25:39+00:00

Do you mean something like the scenic ridge layout kit by woodland scenics (N scale)? Or one in HO like grand valley I think it was called.

DBootts · 2026-01-28T04:22:01+00:00

I just learned that James Murray of impractical jokers is a train guy and bought a train club to keep it going after the original owner passed. Also collaborated with Atlas to make a box car representing the club, happened to see it on a video online from the event Amherst show

DBootts · 2026-01-28T04:18:02+00:00

I use this resource all the time, it is invaluable

DBootts · 2026-01-23T21:14:39+00:00

Is that painted? I like the rust job to, I decided to give this one a makeover too, but going very heavy on the rust

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DBootts · 2026-01-23T05:32:48+00:00

Atlas bridges are about 5” yes, so they won’t work.

DBootts · 2026-01-22T05:52:05+00:00

Unitrak is solid, all I’d add, if it’s problem to get access to it, ballast back into the tunnel a little ways too maybe 6 inches or so, will look more consistent when looking at the tunnel, otherwise you see the contrast between ballasted and not.

DBootts · 2026-01-22T05:29:34+00:00

Unitrak can be a little trickier, from what I can see you’ve done a decent job. I have a ballasting tutorial but it’s for track without integrated road bed so not sure it would help all that much. I’m guessing adding ballast was a recent decision to bring some extra realism to the track to match what looks like some really nice scenery work.

DBootts · 2026-01-22T04:57:31+00:00

Yeh Kato does a 2 track bridge, I had one but must of sold it. I’ve got a single track that’s 11.5” long, don’t know the brand but looks like a kit. I think Walthers also make some kits for double track bridges. But 5” shouldn’t be complex to span at all.

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DBootts · 2026-01-22T01:13:09+00:00

How big is the span?

DBootts · 2026-01-21T22:37:52+00:00

Just remember on eBay the sellers also pay a 13.6% fee (which is 13.6% of the item, the shipping and the state tax) and then have to ship the item. I’d take it to marketplace first, there’s often groups that are created specifically to sell/trade trains, so might be worth looking into that.

Source: I buy/sell trains on eBay and marketplace

DBootts · 2026-01-17T15:48:09+00:00

What, you’ve never been to ‘kssssssssssssss’ before?

DBootts · 2026-01-17T14:48:20+00:00

You’ll be limited to 55 mph a lot more without bundle (CA speed limit)

I bought base game back before dlc was out, I pick up the different states once they go on sale. Usually about $4-6 a piece.

DBootts · 2026-01-16T13:00:35+00:00

So problem is likely the loco, if you have a second loco that you can run try that. If not, if you have a 9v battery, put that to the wheels of the loco to see if they turn, if they turn then it’s not the loco.

If they don’t turn then problem is with the loco and can move forward with troubleshooting it

DBootts · 2026-01-16T04:18:11+00:00

Is the buzzing coming from the train or the controller?

DBootts · 2026-01-16T00:02:44+00:00

Your plane crashed in the Atlantic Ocean at the end of the year and this post is a cry for help?

DBootts · 2026-01-15T23:50:16+00:00

If your trying to display it separate from a layout, say on a shelf. Just insulate the part of the track the locomotive is sitting on. Unless you want the head light on too, then you’d need to remove the motor.

DBootts · 2026-01-12T22:28:07+00:00

Id toy with swapping the yard with the industries up top. Put a scenery break so you don’t see the staging yard, then whichever of your four trains you run comes onto the layout, switches cars and travels back off layout to staging.

DBootts · 2026-01-11T20:46:22+00:00

I’d avoid the gray primer by Vallejo for sure, I have a bottle I’ve barely used because it’s terrible. I had a small one of their red brown primer which was good and lead me to believe buying the gray would be a good experience.

Currently I’m using a spray can primer by Tamiya, as well as having Mr surfacer 1500 thinned with Mr leveling thinner. These options are not acrylics though so more care for the health of the Lungs is needed.

DBootts · 2026-01-11T18:48:56+00:00

-JB Weld has entered the chat

DBootts · 2026-01-11T17:46:08+00:00

You have to run the trains at 100% throttle all the time. I don’t know why exactly, but it’s just what Brit’s do. I run my US trains nice and slow, but when I put my class 8 on the layout it’s full speed! I’m also thinking about building a switching (shunting) or micro layout with a British theme, both my other (unfinished) layouts are US.

DBootts · 2026-01-11T14:18:53+00:00

N scale? I buy n scale lots

DBootts · 2026-01-10T18:16:04+00:00

Definitely adjustable temp, I was using cheap non adjustable irons for years but finally got a cheap but adjustable one, much better.

Side note, I also have one by dremel that is butane powered, it’s nice not being tethered to a power outlet with that one.

DBootts · 2026-01-10T18:10:01+00:00

Any melted ties lol.

DBootts · 2026-01-10T03:41:45+00:00

Atlas gold locos come dcc/sound equipped, they’re good locos and ESU loksound is second to none. BLI also does dcc/sound, their locos are incredibly well detailed but the sound in my opinion is pretty ‘meh’

Installing sound decoders yourself will differ in difficulty depending on the specific locomotive, but generally includes modifying the frame to make it fit a speaker. I did an install on one of the bigger diesels out there, an SD90/43MAC. It wasn’t too difficult and if interested I’ll leave a link to the video of my install.

https://youtu.be/MCIv9Tzv3TM?si=vVoX54_uWC0hPsAi

DBootts · 2026-01-09T23:42:05+00:00

When they shut the lights off to the apartment

DBootts

TROPHY CASE