I built a table/cart 40” H, 40” L, 28”W,so it moved through all my doorways. It’s made out of 1 sheet of plywood, on 2.5” wheels initially, now 5” wheels (on 1.5” bases attached to the base of the cart as I reinforced with 2x4s as needed.) The height matches my layout height. Cart+5” wheels +1.5” bases = 46.5”) & my new layout is 48” tall, which works great for me. I used it to build an “O” gauge layout 22’x13’ & as I constructed that layout with hardware, drills & so on I stored all my construction tools & materials on that cart. I used the cart when we moved to a 2 bedroom apartment & to build my new 4’x 8’ “N” gauge layout and now it’s my layout/train supply cart and workbench. You can get quite creative.
All good advice. I have at least three “Gramercy carts” from Michaels craft store. (My daughter works there). The totes on wheels are great for storing rolling stock and locomotives (another idea I got from you) and stools and short ladders. A must. Cheers 🍻 Mike.
Mike, An essential item I think in a small railway room is a fire extinquisher. I have a small kitchen one, attached to the wall. I also found room to squeeze in a beer, wine and Coka Cola ( full strength) fridge. Also 2 folding cup holders on the fascia so I can keep 2 beers on the go at once. Thank you for this, re-jogged my mind to get more plastic storage bins for my own railway room.Cheers, Chris Perry.
Some good ideas there :) i really like the rubber floor tiles. My original layout was to be built in my storage shed which has concrete flooring. I placed some plastic pallets down and put plywood over that buy didn't know what to put on top of that as carpet wasnt a good idea out there. The rubber tiles would have been perfect! And its amazing how we forget simple things like a trash recepticle of some kind. Building my new layout, i find myself walking out to the kitchen just to throw a few pices of trash away. THANKS! : )
Hi Mike great tips for the train room . I just visited a layout in a basement that used those rubber mats , your right they are a must have . It was nice to stand on for hours on end . Never saw those moon and sunset lights , they must be pretty cool for night ops .
Mike, Our master suite has recessed boxed-in fluorescent lighting in the master bath and over the vanity area with diffuser panels. It was probably there since the house was built in 1969. The one over the vanity started acting up. Sometimes it wouldn’t come on and my wife would fuss about it. Probably the ballast going out. Harbor Freight has 4ft workshop LED light fixtures rated at 5K Lumens for $19.99 under the name brand Braun. I took out the daylight double tube fluorescent fixture and put in the Braun single tube unit. It comes on instantly and the amount of light is incredible! My wife loves it. She had me replace the fixture in the master bath too. I plan to use these Braun fixtures in my layout room too.
I just happened to have the work out tiles in the room where I decided to run trains. Thanks for reminding me to refresh them. And elevating electrical plugins. Brilliant. 😄
Good info, mike changing out florescent bulbs is a good idea to LEDs isn't that hard today, you don't even have to rewire the boxes like I did years ago....thanks for sharing....Jack
Hi Mike, every one of these “ essentials “ is very, very smart. And should be adhered to by anyone just starting out. Your years of experience is certainly beneficial to noobies ! Great job. Good to see you again.
Great information,these are all good things to have. Its good to bring it up once in a while to refresh our memories oh what we might need or have forgotten to get
For a few seconds, I thought u were going to say a good train room needs a bunch of fighters flying overhead combat air patrol! Gotta put some air cav helicopters up there too Mike! Great tips in all seriousness. Thanks!
I use my osmo pocket a lot. it does have issues with focus and tracking small objects, aka N scale trains. I have foun dsomw ways to get around those problems, so an thing that might stump you with it let me know, Thanks mike.
Mike, thanks for the great update today and all the info you already provided in other vids before. May I ask a question, please? There are some small, white holes at the front of your layout (left of your yellow on/off switch and also some more on the right). What are they for? Did you hide some switches in the to trigger animations, sounds or points maybe? Maybe a stupid question but often the small things are very interesting for beginner like me... Happy Christmas time! Best Wishes from the Salzburger Land in Austria Stephan *Der-Küste-N-Bahner*
Thanks Stephen, they are for switching yard turnout controls and were covered a few videos ago on the Mike Fifer Channel. There is a single push button in each one that corresponds to a turnout (or turnouts ) adjacent to them. Thanks and Merry Christmas , Mike
Mike i think you forgot to touch on the most import essential. Every train layout needs an understanding wife/husband/partner. Especially when it comes to the wallet. Without that you aint getting much done. Plus the support they give is essential also.
Layout is looking great. Personally, I like it better than the previous one.
Thanks Jerry , Me too. Glad I do not have to go backwards.
Mike
I built a table/cart 40” H, 40” L, 28”W,so it moved through all my doorways. It’s made out of 1 sheet of plywood, on 2.5” wheels initially, now 5” wheels (on 1.5” bases attached to the base of the cart as I reinforced with 2x4s as needed.) The height matches my layout height. Cart+5” wheels +1.5” bases = 46.5”) & my new layout is 48” tall, which works great for me. I used it to build an “O” gauge layout 22’x13’ & as I constructed that layout with hardware, drills & so on I stored all my construction tools & materials on that cart. I used the cart when we moved to a 2 bedroom apartment & to build my new 4’x 8’ “N” gauge layout and now it’s my layout/train supply cart and workbench. You can get quite creative.
That sounds really cool !!!
All good advice. I have at least three “Gramercy carts” from Michaels craft store. (My daughter works there). The totes on wheels are great for storing rolling stock and locomotives (another idea I got from you) and stools and short ladders. A must. Cheers 🍻 Mike.
Thanks so much Patrick !!!
Lot's of good suggestions. I'd imagine you could have an endless list of essentials. hahaha Good stuff Mike!
Thanks so much .
Mike
Hadn't thought about lighting underneath my track table - good idea!
It is sure handy !!!
Mike
Mike, An essential item I think in a small railway room is a fire extinquisher. I have a small kitchen one, attached to the wall. I also found room to squeeze in a beer, wine and Coka Cola ( full strength) fridge. Also 2 folding cup holders on the fascia so I can keep 2 beers on the go at once. Thank you for this, re-jogged my mind to get more plastic storage bins for my own railway room.Cheers, Chris Perry.
You go Chris!
Yes Sir, got it all....but, need to tap into the heat/AC and my Layout is in a room I build in my garage, great info Mr. Mike. Bob
Thanks Bob , Mike
Some good ideas there :) i really like the rubber floor tiles. My original layout was to be built in my storage shed which has concrete flooring. I placed some plastic pallets down and put plywood over that buy didn't know what to put on top of that as carpet wasnt a good idea out there. The rubber tiles would have been perfect! And its amazing how we forget simple things like a trash recepticle of some kind. Building my new layout, i find myself walking out to the kitchen just to throw a few pices of trash away. THANKS! : )
Thanks for checking it out.
Mike
well Mike i wrote down everything you mentioned. put it in a envelope and addressed it to Santa. then slipped it under the wife's pillow
LOL , I hear you !!!
Great tips/ essentials to have, Mike. Thanks for sharing. Always good to see your videos. - Drew
Thanks so much Drew.
Mike
Hi Mike great tips for the train room . I just visited a layout in a basement that used those rubber mats , your right they are a must have . It was nice to stand on for hours on end . Never saw those moon and sunset lights , they must be pretty cool for night ops .
Thanks , I do not do any ops so far but when I do they are pretty handy.
Thanks , Mike
Mike, Our master suite has recessed boxed-in fluorescent lighting in the master bath and over the vanity area with diffuser panels. It was probably there since the house was built in 1969. The one over the vanity started acting up. Sometimes it wouldn’t come on and my wife would fuss about it. Probably the ballast going out. Harbor Freight has 4ft workshop LED light fixtures rated at 5K Lumens for $19.99 under the name brand Braun. I took out the daylight double tube fluorescent fixture and put in the Braun single tube unit. It comes on instantly and the amount of light is incredible! My wife loves it. She had me replace the fixture in the master bath too. I plan to use these Braun fixtures in my layout room too.
I have seen them and have thought about that option some day.
Thanks , Mike
I just happened to have the work out tiles in the room where I decided to run trains. Thanks for reminding me to refresh them. And elevating electrical plugins. Brilliant. 😄
Great ideas Mike and thanks for sharing them with us. Blessings
Thanks for taking a look see George.
Mike
Good info, mike changing out florescent bulbs is a good idea to LEDs isn't that hard today, you don't even have to rewire the boxes like I did years ago....thanks for sharing....Jack
I may try it soon.
Mike
Hi Mike, every one of these “ essentials “ is very, very smart. And should be adhered to by anyone just starting out. Your years of experience is certainly beneficial to noobies ! Great job. Good to see you again.
Thanks Norman. All those Items seem to make my room more useful and enjoyable.
Mike
That is a a FAB works. pressurized Air keeps the Cleanroom clean. Just make sure your incoming air is clean and you have done good.
Thanks Eric , Mike
Great tips!
Thanks Mr B.
Mike
Great information,these are all good things to have. Its good to bring it up once in a while to refresh our memories oh what we might need or have forgotten to get
Thanks Joe , Mike
Another fine video, good essentials and organized. Thanks, craig
Thanks Craig , Mike
Great video Mike - one of your most useful for sure!
For a few seconds, I thought u were going to say a good train room needs a bunch of fighters flying overhead combat air patrol! Gotta put some air cav helicopters up there too Mike! Great tips in all seriousness. Thanks!
Thanks so much John.
Mike
Great video, I've subbed
Thanks so much.
Mike
I use my osmo pocket a lot. it does have issues with focus and tracking small objects, aka N scale trains. I have foun dsomw ways to get around those problems, so an thing that might stump you with it let me know, Thanks mike.
Thanks , I will do that.
Mike
And I thought you were going to start out with Airplanes . . . .
No but I obviously could have !!
LOL
Mike
One thing I haven't heard you say is the detentions of your layout room.
I know what you meant. The room is about 8 X19.5
Hi Mike. How about turning the floor tiles over - will that not get double the life out of them?
They are totally different on the underside and nearly as bad.
Thanks , Mike
Great video. Thanks
Thanks John.
Mike
You forgot the mini-fridge!
Mike, thanks for the great update today and all the info you already provided in other vids before. May I ask a question, please? There are some small, white holes at the front of your layout (left of your yellow on/off switch and also some more on the right). What are they for? Did you hide some switches in the to trigger animations, sounds or points maybe? Maybe a stupid question but often the small things are very interesting for beginner like me...
Happy Christmas time!
Best Wishes from
the Salzburger Land
in Austria
Stephan
*Der-Küste-N-Bahner*
Thanks Stephen, they are for switching yard turnout controls and were covered a few videos ago on the Mike Fifer Channel. There is a single push button in each one that corresponds to a turnout (or turnouts ) adjacent to them.
Thanks and Merry Christmas , Mike
Mike i think you forgot to touch on the most import essential. Every train layout needs an understanding wife/husband/partner. Especially when it comes to the wallet. Without that you aint getting much done. Plus the support they give is essential also.
I guess I assumed everyone already had one of those.
LOL
Thanks , Mike