Відео

Good morning. I’m not a railroad modeler but for some reason I find videos of well done model railroads fascinating. As a Chicagoan I particularly enjoy the CCR and applaud your upcoming attempt to make a CCMR version 2.0 even more accurate.

very nice.

Like a couple of other comments, I feel servos driven by an Arduino is a great way to go. My N scale club has moved from Tortoise to servos for our club layout. We can buy servos for only a couple of dollars per servo, and mount them using aluminum channel. They take up very little room and if a servo fails (very rare in our experience) a replacement can be put into place in a matter of minutes. We use Arduinos to not only drive the servos, but also any linked signals, so all the control is in one place.

Eric, this was a great video, thanks so much. While you are in "testing" phase for replacing the solenoid machines with servo control, I might suggest you consider Walthers switch machines. They offer them in both horizontal and vertical mount, have many different options for control and they have DCC built in at a very reasonable cost.

Good luck for your new underground. I am excited what comes in the next weeks. What I prefer for my modules is a white painting for the bottom to see better the cables, drives and connections. And I marking each switch, house lighting and other stuff with numbers, to see directly what is what. I’ve use the peco switches directly witch my hand by finger flickable points. But look for switchdrives from mtb, like the pm1, please. Maybe they are interesting for your layout. Cheers form over the atlantic 🙋‍♂

Can't wait!!

Hey, Eric. As usual, this video contains a lot of food for thought. Everyone should build the layout they find satisfactory. What works for you might not work for the next person and vice versa. I will admit to being a cheerleader for "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" and "Pick your battles". Your curiosity as a scientist is certainly going to play into the way you approach the hobby just as my own background as a machinist and process engineer lends a certain practicality to my approach. The way I see it, I've got enough things going on that don't work well so I shouldn't be messing with anything that does. You have done many things I have found interesting, particularly your approach to structure lighting, so I will be following with great interest. I'm sure there will be a lot of useful and interesting ideas coming from the renovation, and as usual, I will consider all ideas at length before I pick and choose. (Cost/benefit analysis?) Best wishes for great results.

Beautiful layout! Thanks for showing us that you don’t need a huge layout in order to fit a lot of operating fun into it. Looking forward to future updates. I’m beginning a 3’X12’ N Scale layout with a mainline through the city and several rail served industries. I chose to model the period of the 1920s just before the depression. Building it as a shadow box with a 1’ wide shelf behind the back wall for a continuous run mainline (when I just want to have something running while I operate by myself. I’m planning on super detailing it as well. Thanks for more inspiration. Blessings!

I hope a lot of other people of my generation in this hobby that see this video really give thought about what you basically said in regards to how no matter how advance or talented one can be that things will always continue to be a learning experience. Also, question if I may ask? With following your amazing work, I was wondering if it would be alright if I got in contact with you via email for some help from your expertis for ways to improve my layout and modeling? Only if you're OK with it that is.

lovely layout

After redoing my yard, I had to rework the bus line for the new feeders. I took the time to organize all the wiring under the layout including some of the feeders that was never attached to the bus wire. I like your approach to it, just because it's not broken, there's always room for improvement.

I made the decision to part ways with an incomplete N scale HCD layout that I had been working on for years. I never had much time for it, and having to relocate to a smaller place, I got rid of it. I'm in the planning stages of a 1'x 5' switching layout now.

Thanks Eric for the update. Loved how you explained the upcoming processes. An model of Pickens Kane ,Cherry St., or even Kingsbury would be cool. Thanks for sharing!

Dear Eric, fully understand the goal of this new project. Very interesting how you explained your approach of both the learning curve and the different aspects of the rewiring, plus the way you explained the tryout concept as a leeway into the rewiring process. Curious for your thoughts and plans, as for the next episodes of this quest. Cheerio

Hi Eric. Great video and some great thoughts. I am keen to see how things develop. I worked for a while in electronics where the wiring is very disciplined and follows specific routes only branching off where required and mainly at right angles. Looks good but hard to achieve esecially if one is adding to the wiring.

Thank you for keeping us in the loop, Eric. I loved all the Zen at the opening. It lends the appropriate amount of gravity to the task ahead of you. Wiring is something I have been remiss in addressing on my layout, and unfortunately, I will be on my back if I tackle it. (Not ideal) I too partake of Charlie’s railroad quite often. Although it is OO, his methodology is second to none, albeit a bit dry at times. I’ve learned a great deal from him. I’m really torn between keeping things as they are here and improving them, or making drastic layout changes. The ducking under is getting old. Look forward to your next installment. (Love the Stranger Things reference, btw) Take care, Brooklyn

Let me also add one that I fight with in the hobby at times from FDR: "We have nothing to fear but fear itself," Excited to grow with you on your journey. Scott

Looking forward to your test lest Layout. Have you looked into LCC ?

Excited to see the mini testbed layout! Will be an interesting project in itself. Great discussion. Thanks for sharing!

Change is good. You aren't the same modeler who started building that layout, and rewiring it is also an opportunity to reevaluate the top side of the layout. Don't be afraid to change stuff. Don't be afraid to trash the layout completely and rebuild it, even if identically, but as a more portable sectional layout that better supports your desire to display the layout. As I recall, you had issues with the scenery not necessarily Chicago-like - well, here's a chance to fix that too. Remember, the greatest constant in the universe is change. 😉

hey a real nice video on coming changes on your RR. I have to agree a test bed for up grades by building a switching layout is a wise move. I like the WS lighting stuff but myself I do enjoy soldering my own LED and SMD for the layout. I use an old computer power supply and run a 12 v buss ( for my switches) and a 5 v buss for my lighting. Wiring can and does gets to be a rats nest and sometimes are a pain to Trouble shoot. Funny thing is I have been upgrading my systems as well so I will be looking forward to your progress.

Quoting debby boone made me laugh! Stapling the wires did not🙈 maybe try some velcro strips on the test shelf. Ez on & off if there's trouble. I bought a couple tortoise machines myself to try...so big not to mention costly. I might use them on the x'ing gates. Servos are tiny, inexpensive & ez with arduinos. I want to try capacitive touch switch pads for that...hint hint😂 best of luck with the new endeavor, learning some new electric & electronic skills will be a breeze for you.

I would suggest MTB's MP series of switch machines. They are much smaller than the Tortoise.

You mentioned safety and the people on the second floor looking out. Architects use a book titled A Pattern Language. One of the patterns is called, "Safe Looking Out." It's a wonderful book about how we live in and around buildings.

Hi Eric I'm even intrigued by watching what your planning with the wiring. Keep up the great work my friend,looking foward to watching your progress!😊

There are several UA-camrs that I always make full screen on my laptop. Matts Offroad Recovery, Itchy Boots, and Chicago Crossing Railroad. Always a visual treat!

Thank you. Your videos have given me inspiration and many, many tips. Fellow lifelong learner here. I'm 76, haven't model railroaded since I was ten. I made grass with green food coloring and sawdust. My how the hobby has advanced! I am in great health and a recent widower who's time is now all mine. It. Is. Time! I am now the proud owner of the steep learning curve of a CNC router, laser engraver/cutter, and a resin printer. I'm excited about learning about Arduino and DIY DCC. I'm looking at Z scale for its large ability in a small space. I like model building. I wonder if there is room for TWO Art Deco train stations on my layout! Thanks again!

I loved the quotes in the beginning Eric, quite inspirational. As another option to the Tortoises, have you looked in r/c aircraft servos? From what Ive seen they work good for N and HO.

Eric my friend, the difference betwen now and day 1, is that layout "completion" is done. While on day 1 it was just a plan. Plan that you followed or changed. Hence non planified on day 1 wiring with things you added later on, or discovered, new products or simply you, willing to try or add. Ok now, close your eyes and try to go back on day 1. How could you imagine that very nice result with that layout and builted it in a better way ? Almost impossible ! Now that it´s done, far far easier if you don´t change nothing on the track, to make simpler more efficient wiring. And for exhibition, just add an easy removable fascia, as to keep secret about CMR. Having a test lab mini shelf test track is not a bad idea. Avoiding weird experiments on the big one. Now with everything done on CMR, rebuilt it like EMD did for its loco. Do it upside down. Far more easier and comfortablr than under it. Drop of hot lead soldering falling on your head or face is among model railroading pleasure.... Good spin my friend😊

Good thoughts: Just a thing to ponder I haven't seen it yet but a good old PC power supply could power all of the accessories and maybe even the trains.. They have 3V +-5 v +- 12 v and sometime even 6 and 15 volt. a single 500W supply could get rid of all of the wall warts that plug into 120VAC and there are even plug boards that use the big connector and break it out to a screw terminal strip. Many possibilities for busses for different areas.

Rachel’s “Water From the Same Source.” Fantastic music! Video quite nice,too. Thanks.

Regarding removable and portable modules, why not look at T-TRAK? The received version is for builidng large loops in gyms and convention halls, but there's a lot of potential beyond that.

Without a doubt we viewers will find the videos very instructive and inspirational, as usual. But that rabbit hole sure looks deep from here! 😃

Really looking forward to seeing what you do, and geting some inspiration, I also at the stage of a complete redo of electrics myself, it's what brought my layout to ahalt last time so wish me luck! 25will be the year I get back into it .

Looks nice

Good review. However, I think the price comparison is a little off as the Micro Trains car has their couplers installed where as the Aurora model would require that $5 ish addition. I personally love this new car from them and have bought quite a few. Micro trains is still the Gold standard IMO. Keep up the great videos.

A really good in-depth video. I'm working on a N scale shelf layout depicting a northern New England factory town of the early 60s that is in decline. I saw a lot of good ideas that I would like to introduce on mine. I'm amazed at all the stuff that you managed to squeeze into a small space.

Really beautiful layout,hard to believe it's that small,love your weathering

This is a gorgeous layout. Makes me want to visit my neighbors to the south again soon and get some amazing Chicago style deep dish!!

The overpass and grade separated berm should look really cool!

I know this is 9 months old now, but I thought a couple of points might be worth bringing up:- Firstly I believe it's good to aim for a consistency of 'level of detail' for a model, which applies to any scale. Your older and lower detail models will look much worse if they are alongside highly detailed models, if you aim for a consistent level of detail then nothing should jar, even if they are not the most highly detailed models. Secondly, and particularly with reference to the larger scales, for models of older prototypes a lot of information has been lost to time. No photograph is going to show every nut and rivet, so is it valid to 'invent' detail which can't be found from reference materials to make a model look highly detailed?

Nice review of a staple of Chicago railroading near the mills and factories that are left.

Would love to know what the overall dimensions for this are? This is beautiful

Great video!

I'm not usually into "unboxing" or "review" style videos since, for me at least, I'm going to break every single one of those little details off at some point lol. As long as the car looks like how it should it's good enough for me. Brake piping and the like will 100% get broken by my clumsy fingers. That said, I have really been enjoying these review videos and have been finding them helpful as far as technical information goes, like weight and coupler info. Would be interested if you reviewed some open load cars like gondolas, flats or bulkheads. Stock that has a different weight loaded vs. unloaded. Also just want to mention your scenery work in the end cinematics is so damn good. That cracked, overgrown parking lot is so well done.

Nice job on the review. I love detail, my problem is I find some of it on the floor after a while. I have a large rolling stock fleet. I have a $10.00 rule. I try not to spend more than $10.00 per unit. I buy used and project cars on eBay. At $50.00+ per car, a 20 car train is 1k. Add in a loco and your at 1.25k. 😊😊😊

That night shot with Metra passing through is phenomenal! The lighting really adds just the right amount of ambiance to Chicago at night. You absolutely nailed this build.