Tag Archives: layout

Bench Layout: Trains Running

Posted on by
Reply

In the space where I’m building the new layout there is an existing bench top/work top along the back wall, before I built the new base boards to extend the layout area there was some time to run trains on it, these videos are the trains running on that bench area. Its still a roundy-roundy, but atleast its not nose to tail with a 4 car HST like the test layout.

The Bench layout was extended out from both corners to make a large ‘U’ shaped layout which became the ‘main layout’, which you can see in the playlists ‘Weekend Engineering‘ and ‘Main Layout‘.

Weekend Engineering 5 & Track Testing 2

Posted on by
Reply

Slightly shorter update from over the colder winter period from December. I will add some more videos related to this update showing the track testing and how I did the plaster cloth later.

The first section of permanant track gets tested with a strange testing train made up of a class 20 in the middle, UK passenger stock on one side and mixed US passenger and freight on the other, being pushed and pulled round the new track. A second locomotive in the form of my second Union Pacific Heritage unit takes a couple of circuits with the US rolling stock to test out curves and points. The idea here was to try to get as many of the more torublesome and different types of items to test with. The UP loco has a long chassis and is very low to the ground. The class 20 has kadees at one side and tension locks on the other making it perfect for connecting both types of rolling stock at once. I used a newer MK3 coach by Hornby (one livery) and older Lima MK3 and a Hornby MK1 (which seems to de-rail on everything) and a mix of the US rolling stock.

HO MTH Union Pacific Heritage Units – UP 1988 The Katy & UP 1996 Southern Pacific

Posted on by
Reply

Two videos featuring the MTH Union Pacific Heritage Units.

Here is my first Union Pacific heritage unit, this one is the UP1988 The Katy from MTH. Amazing sound, and great build quality.

Here is my second Union Pacific heritage unit, UP1996 ‘Southern Pacific’ working as a double header with UP1988 ‘The Katy’, both are from MTH, both have amazing sound, and great build quality.

Trains Running 4 – US Edition

Posted on by
Reply

An Athearn SD40 and a 70 ton GE switcher in Southern Pacific colours with various rolling stock. Most of the rolling stock is by Walthers, either Proto or mainline.
Originally this was meant to be up sometime around WE layout update 3 but I was already late with the next update video and didn’t want to delay that further, so if the layout looks like its gone back in time, that is why. When I recorded the running session, I ended up with a lot of shots of the SD40 going over the bridge, as I only had a single track running at the time, I decided to mix in some of the bridge shots to try make it look a little more interesting with multiple trains running. You may also spot the ‘Katy’ heritage unit sitting by the track in one of the shots, its by MTH and may feature in the next video.

Automatic Block Signals & Train Control with Lenz Automatic Brake Control

Posted on by
Reply

Demo and tests of Block Signaling using Lenz BM3 block modules. Here is how to make trains stop at red signals and to automate block control on your model railway. Also I include some other things you can do with it such as protection for lift up bridges or points.

My intention is to have the entire layout operating with block signals, and to get these to work with the points automatically. At this stage its mainly testing it and giving a demo. When I get in a more final setup I’ll make another post and video on it.