Colleywood / Maryville Junction - An N-scale DCC 4x8 Freelanced Layout
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- čas přidán 21. 08. 2024
- Simple DCC Wiring That Works! Take a tour of Colleywood / Maryville Junction, a 4 x 8 foot N-scale DCC model railroad set in the mid-60's in a fictional place located in the Kettle Moraine area of southern Wisconsin. This entire layout is powered by one single DCC feeder connection. It contains 4 main lines, 43 turnouts, 2 Auto Reverse Loops and effectively runs four different multiple locomotive consists, plus yard switching simultaneously from one DCC connection .... No Blocks or Power Districts, No Track Bus Wiring, No Boosters, No Extra Feeders and No Soldered Track. Check out this video to hear the entire story and see it in action!
Nice, I am re visiting model railroading after decades of being away, I appreciate the inspiration.
You claim to have 3rd grade model building experience but your voice over and presentation are PHD level. Thanks for shooting and sharing such a wonderful video.
amen
AWESOME, EXCELLENT and PERFECT!!!!! Your video is just like a show or DVD. I really enjoyed that the narration matches perfect with the train action. Thank you for sharing and keep up the good work.
Never Rush Perfection it's not a contest to see how fast to Build a layout it is a theraputic layout it is a passion for it if you love model Rail roading Don't Rush it.
I'm a Lionel guy. The Old tech stuff. Seems like the most realistic alternative for me is N Scale. Great layout. Keep up the great work.
Great to see someone enjoying model railroading, and having fun doing it. Too much emphasis on "pro level" layouts, and not enough on just playing with the trains. Very inspirational! I've been "planning" an N-Scale layout for years--your video makes me want to get serious and build the thing. Nice work!
amazing that you can pack all this in a 4 x 8. Bravo!
This is an amazing layout! There's no way you can do this with HO gauge. NO WAY! I love the ability to create a lot of movement on the layout. Nobody can say this is a boring
around and back again layout. I've been going back and forth between N and HO. I think I made up my mind. Great job creating something very special. I hope I can make something as nice.
Actually I really like what you have done. I wish I had more skills in building my own 4x8 n scale in my garage, but I'm taking everything super slow and trying to research each area (track design, wiring, scenery building, structures, lighting, etc etc) before I jump in. I've been at it 5 months now, finally ballasted my track (Kato) and am slowly building and painting structures. This n scale is all new to me. What really surprised me with the C/M Junction is how you implemented DCC with just that one controller and connection to the tracks. Amazing, and I'd like to here more about it. Keep up the good work.
the announcer voice juxtaposed to the comedic underpinnings is perfect! very Leslie Neilsen -well done!
Hi. Although I don't like this type of layouts but the Shell type because of the more realistic appearance and movement of the trains that allows, I must admit that your video have been impressed me not only by the layout itself, but also for its excellent narrative.
I would be very pleased to see the future progress of your magnificent layout in upcoming videos, so keep on uploading new ones. Cheers, John from Chile.
Incredible and inspirational. I am looking to get back into model railroading after not having been out of the game since I was about 16 (I'm 51 now, so 35ish years). I have a huge unfinished basement with nearly nothing in it and have been looking for some inspiration. Well, I just found smaller size inspiration. Now to boost it up to a 20x30 freelanced U layout. Switching yard, turntable with locomotive house, and all running DCC of course. I love this new DCC. No more switching polarity on a transformer. :-) Thanks for the inspiration!
THANK YOU for running your trains at prototypical speeds. I can't stand it when people run their trains like slot cars!
This is fabulous! And you power it all with a single Zephyr. I have a large conventional N Scale layout, but I am itching to build something smaller like this with tons of "action". Thanks for the inspiration!
This inspired me to build a 5x3 layout. Instead of digitrax I used nce power cab. running a 2 track main, a yard and industries for switching. Thank you very much for the inspiration to do it. What you achieved in a 4x8 is aw inspiring.
+sirracer2005 Thanks for your kind words. Good luck and have fun with your new layout. Hopefully it will bring you years of enjoyment.
+Radio Trains I must admit, I am of the nut and bolt counter crowd, but I confess at times we ruin an otherwise fun hobby by over our fanaticism. I build and paint model railroad equipment for a living and I have one customer that like only free lanced locomotives. They bring me some of the most fun because I get to design them the way I would if I were in charge of motive power on a real railroad. It is after all a hobby, not work. Good job!
Extremely well done. Explanations are terrific. One of best layout examples I've seen. Thanks.
Great work. One track feeder! Unheard of for a layout of this complexity.
The layout look very good! I want to do the same thing here at home. I especially like your switch yard this is a must for me as well....
I like all the different levels with the buildings on them! Nice work 😃
Great Looking and operating layout . The six no things that were not done makes this very unique and something to brag about. Lastly the narrative is great and informative . Thanks for sharing
Beautiful demonstration of what can be done with a single quality DCC Digitrax Command Station, and quality locomotives. Your grade is much steeper than what I would recommend normally, but you don't seem to have any issues. Congrats!
Seriously!? One DCC feeder, 43 turnouts, no blocks? How did you do that? Awesome. You are causing me to really rethink some things.
Yes, seriously ... one feeder. No soldering, just properly installed rail joiners connect all the track. No disrespect to the experts, but you don't have to do it "their way" with small layouts. I experimented and found that you can simply power the layout like an "old school" toy train set ... one connection and have fun. One drawback, if one train derails and short circuits, the whole layout comes to a halt, but on a 4 x 8 you are within arms reach to fix it.
I'm like wow. u sir have it. I'm
working a single loop, with two industries and an engine house. so this gives me something to shoot for.
I keep going back to this video for ideas! Because I'm going to be using HO, it looks like an 8 X 16 layout will be needed to replicate this work! I would like to run 5 independent trains! I am now convinced this can be done! Thanks once again!
a train guy and a guitar player too. cool
This is amazing.. I love the switch yard and how many things you fit into the layout, looks real!
Looks Awesome, Great Work !!!
Barry
for a rookie-your layout sure looks sweet to me!!!!
Fantastic…Nice video! Greetings from Spokane WA
Never Rush your Layout. On my N scale I Have 2 4x8’s together and I Love it.
kewl beans, I hope to have a layout oneday. Thanks for showing
Awesome vid. I also have that digitrax controller. Have dcc in ho. And no room for it. Hopefully I can start building my 2 story this yr. Which I've built a room just for my trains. Building a small 3x3 n scale for me and youngest to play with. He wants mining layout. Going to farmington hills train show this wknd. Leaving tonight. Show is for 21st and 22nd of Jan. Doing videos of it. You video helped me. So now I can use the knowledge tomorrow. Keep it up bro.
Love the video and I love what you have achieved and that you have done what you wanted to do. I'm just starting on this adventure and you inspire me to get in there and have a go. Thanks for sharing.
Fantastic video, great explanation, very impressive work sir
Seven engines (plus running two DC engines on the DCC power station) all running off three amps?! Pretty incredible!
Great work. Suddenly I no longer fear DCC. I'm restricted to 4 X 6 but I am going to give it a try!
Even though there are different scales, n-scale could offer you more space to put more track,scenery,structures, etc.
really nicely produced and narrated video. like your attitude. I'll check out the website.
Wow.. really nice layout.. just starting a n scale shelf layout.. thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.. Lance
VERY IMPRESSIVE!!!!!! Wish I knew a head of time....I got tons of peco and atlas code 80 switches,track,bridges for a layout probably 3 to 4 times that big...I dont have the room so it's all up for sale on letgo cause it depresses me to look at it....never had a train on any of it....this is just amazing!!!!!!!!
Sweet Layout! Your grade is roughly a 4% grade. 2/51 roughly equals the British 1 in 25 which means that the track climbs 1 inch every 25 inches, so divide 100 by 25 and you get 4%. I hope this helps.
Stunning layout
I LOVE IT!!! I am going to try and use your track layout to build me a layout. I, like you am limited on space.
The only difference will be is I run only DC so I will have to add blocks. I think your track plan is perfect for what I can do.
I mainly want to be able to run 2 trains on the mainlines (double main) and run a switching operation in the yard.
Again, Fantastic layout! I just subscribed to you and am looking forward to future updates on your layout.
That is a beautiful layout so if your not done i can't wait to see it in the future
buy the way nice layout will probable watch it many times
A very, very well put together video and excellent narration, make this a joy to watch. I must learn more about "N" scale railroading and see if it is feasible for me. I have subscribed and will watch this many more times I'm sure. Thanks for sharing. All the very best, Ed
N scale is very manageable and being that its so small, you can really do a lot with it. Check out my Channel to see my N scale layout its a 3' x 5' size.
Very well Presented & Narrated . I enjoyed it immensely Cheers Rich-BN Rail Nut
Wow all on 4x8!
Awsome layout.
I .... love.... you.... like seriously dude awesome layout
Thank you for giving me the incentive I needed to get my layout going again. We have a very similar situation and after seeing this video my problems are insignificant compared to what you overcame. I have the same height issue with the sloped roof against the back wall and although I dont have as much trackage and turnouts as yours it still comprises about 2 scale miles of single track mainline with 3 passing siding so I can run 2 consists simultaneously with main yard, industrial area and interlock switching abilities. I like dispatch operations so this is more suited to my interests. I am following you and please if you dont mind Id like to borrow some ideas I saw on you pike. Thanks again and keep em on the rails. ; )
Wow you gave me tons of ideas for my ho 4x8 layout I am building with my dad
Absolutely incredible job. I have layed out over 20 configurations so far and none have come close to this. If you would not mind sharing your layout plan I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks. The only track plan I have for the layout is contained within the video ... just pause the video at about 4:40 and you've got it. I designed the layout nearly ten years ago using a very basic, no frills freeware track plan program called "The Right Track Software" (RTS 7.0). Atlas used to provide it through their website. Google it ... it's still available.
Very nice layout and video. It sounds professionally narrated. As if you had a voice for radio. Again, very well done.
+Jason Boche Thanks, Jason ... I don't know if I have a voice for radio, but I do have a face for radio ;-)
excellent video..nice. TRACK
really nice
Very awsome looking layout.
You gave me inspiration thank you!!!
A very nice video and layout. I have plans to expand my own HO scale layout and create a mountain railroad and town, though I'll likely be modeling more of the 1940s-50s steam era.
I Use Bachman track too love it woun’t change either.glad to see someone Besides me using it .never Rush it it will come to ya.i just installed a 2 nd Board single level layout love it.
excellent production values and narration....professional quality! Same goes for your layout. As my eyes get older, N scale is too small. Nice job!
Great selection of trains.
great layout thanks for sharing
man what layout superb sir
Very nice, lots of operating options
So inspiring, great layout!
Love your layout .
Wow! I needed this! Thanks!
Very nice. Thanks for sharing.
Very nice. A great layout
Most impressive !
What track did you use? Just got my first n scale DCC set. It came with the bachmann ez command. I'll up grade later. Just going to build a little layout with 2 mains and a little yard and curious about track.
Atlas,PECO,ETC.
Love your Engines.
4:43 JeeeZz, that's a spaghetti bowl!
I absolutely love this. I'm looking to do something similar size wise. Would love if you could share how you wired everything. Again, great video!! 👍
Very, very cool !! Amazing !
Is the track plan (layout) available online? I’m looking for a similar plan to connect to a larger train layout.
Great video i watched the video and subscribed right away i have always wanted to do a model railroad and have started a n gauge lay out 7ft x 3ft and thinking of going DCC. I have a little bit of n gauge stuff from the mid 80's. The bit that interested me was that you run a DC and DCC together how did you do that? I have been told at my hobby shop that it can not be done because if i go DCC i do not wont to throw out my old locos thanks foe the great video kind regards Eric
With the Zephyr, it allows both DC and DCC to be run simultaneously.
the digitrax dcs50 allows you to run 2 smooth dc power packs/locos through their jump ports on the dcs50 that allows you to use some of your previous equipment. call digitrax @ 1-850-872-9890 to find out more.
Maybe you can go L shape add another 4x8?
LOL strong enough to carry a Buick!! :D :D :D
What caught my attention was the auto-reversing aspect. Questions about how you did that. Is your layout, including reverse track, Bachmann ez track? How easy is it to setup the ar1 module? I am currently TRYING to redesign a single train track plan to run ,multiple trains. Not so simple, even on a 9x6 table. Used to run HO,Thank you for the inspiration to see me through my 'project'.
+ArcAngel73991 The AR1 is incredibly easy to install, as it uses track power, no need to wire it anywhere but to the track, using "wired" rail joiners I purchased at my local hobby shop. Plus, I am using a single AR1 to control 2 separate reverse loops within the layout. The draw back is that it reverses the power on both loops simultaneously, so only one loop can be 'used' at a time ... not really a problem on a small 4 x 8 layout. The layout contains standard Atlas track mixed with flex track. Thanks for your comments and good luck with your project.
some day i hope to set mine up been buying for 20 years n scale i have more trains than track super nice layout
Looks like a fun project and that is a lot of track to fit in 4x8, but I'm curious as to how you handled the obvious reversing loop in the upper left without any insulating joiners? Just looking at that loop, it's obvious you would have a direct short from the outside to inside rail without insulating joiners.
the maker of his digitrax dcs50, also makes a reverser which he has. check it out.
You have approximately a 4% grade or somewhere around 3.9%. You're correct, a little steep for a railroad. However, in the prototype there WERE mainline grades even worse.
Saluda Grade is the steepest standard-gauge mainline railway grade in the United States. Owned by the Norfolk Southern Railway as part of its W Line, Saluda Grade in Polk County, North Carolina gains 606 feet (185 m) in elevation in less than three miles between Melrose and Saluda. Average grade is 4.24 percent for 2.6 miles (4.2 km) and maximum is 4.9% for about 300 feet (91 m).
From what I understand, they had to double or even triple the hill, meaning cut the train and take only sections of the train, one at a time! So I don't think you did so bad after all, eh? It takes courage not to solder. I think I will have to join Solder anonymous to quit, I got a monkey on my back!
Great layout ideas, and your documentary style videos are really a breathe of fresh air. Tell me, what size and type of turnouts do you use? Do you use the same size throughout the layout? Brand? Also, could you perhaps do a short tutorial video on how all 43 turnouts connect to the Zephyr unit, as well as the reverse loop module. That would be very helpful. Thanks
+Vernon Misselhorn I (unfortunately) used standard Atlas turnouts mixed with some old school Bachmann turnouts (didn't know any better at the time) which in retrospect, takes away a lot of authenticity from the layout. I knew very little about modeling back when I started 10 years ago and the turnouts are just one of my many regrets. They are NOT wired to the Digitrax ... I used an old DC transformer for that. As far as the reverse loops, the AR1 uses track power, no need for extra wiring. Thanks for watching and for your comments.
+Radio Trains Thank you for the feedback. Much appreciated. With previous layouts I built, I found that the Peco ST-5 and 6 turnouts were too tight a turn, especially for 6 axle locos, but work ok with 4-axle locos. realistically speaking though, I would hazard to guess that the Peco SL-395 and 396 turnouts are probably better, both in look and operational benefit. In Kato terms, the 15deg turnouts would work very well. So, to you have turnouts control board to manage all the turnouts?
+Vernon Misselhorn Do you perhaps have a track plan for this layout, as that would be a great help in assisting me in planning my new table top layout. Thank you
+Vernon Misselhorn Asked and answered in the comments below ... good luck with your plan.
Fantastic
Awesome narration. You should put together a demo tape and get yourself some voiceover work.
Good effort on the layout. I AM curious though why you didn't do a modular section "around the wall" C-shaped style layout since you can only stand in the middle of the room? Construction in sections in garage or other area then carry up to the attic.
6:55 About a 4% grade, 3.92% to be precise.
I like it.
Awesome job,,,,,
AWESOME
I have a Conteoller that Runs 2 lines then I have 1 controller to Run the middle line I don’t run Dcc still love how my layout is.maybe another 4x8 L shape maybe?
I'm very interested in your layout. Can this be done with a single DC powerpack as well. If it's HO scale would 5 X 8 be sufficient to run 4 trains? Great layout!
Wow… about a 5% grade there, buddy! lol. ✨🤗✨
Beware the layout has 2 shorts. The first short is the loop around the mountain. The second is the station line. Anytime you reverse direction you create a short. He must have used joint insulators on these two lines. He never goes threw either these lines.
very cool
NICE
Love this! I'm taking the plunge myself. I'm 20 years old and building a 95 square foot layout in my basement.. Well my parents basement. Do you have any tips? I'm definitely looking to get the most realism and scratch build 95% of it
I'm afraid I'm not a very good "Modeler"... I lack the artistic excellence that other modelers put into their layout. My tips for you ... take your time ... don't be afraid to experiment ... make it what YOU want it to be ... and HAVE FUN!!!
Stop, woah. If it is your first layout, start small, have a clearly defined plan and purpose for your railroad, model interchange tracks and such for future expansion. I know it's tempting but if you try a full basement layout for your first attempt you are setting up for a lot a LOT of frustration. If you just have to be involved with a model railroad that size, why not join a model train club? They will help you avoid pitfalls and such as you expand over the years to fill that basement. Just my .02$
go and find some layout planning books and dvds, and then talk with them about what you want to do.
Please, how do you keep your 1)tracks & 2)loco wheels clean?
I do appeeciate uour comments.
Great video!
Awsome layout!
Cheers
They make a wire brush for wheels that you rest on the track to draw power and u hold the train on the brushes to clean the wheels as it spins
What code track? Atlas----Unitrack------Peco? Beautiful (and $$) layout. My compliments.