Doing some scenery might be something you really enjoy. I really dig o scale 3 rail. Expand as you go. Don't worry about what others think as long as you are having fun.
Once your started it’s gonna Get Bigger and Better And Yes you Are your The Biggest Crittic of that Layout. And You Take Pride. Model Rail Roading will Be The Best Hobby. don’t RUSH IT.
I was going to build my very first lay out in HO scale. I collected a lot of Locos, all Marklin. After realizing the time and cost and the space needed, I've decided to sell the HO stuff and maybe one day get into Lionel O scale. I think the O scale offers more enjoyment if your going to get into modeling Railroad. The locos I like in O scale are over five hundred but I should be able to afford it after selling the HO stuff. THanks for sharing your lay out.
Excellent presentation. "O gauge or no gauge." I was the same. Once seeing all the options, sounds, smells, sights, I was hooked on 'O' too. Getting a loop going then adding the bells-and-whistles (Cab-2, etc) is the way to go. Nice job. Oh, suggestion: Hide that Thomas Tank Train engine ASAP ;)
I like it👍 mine is 4 x 16, so similar to yours. I have two loops, outer loop on its own and inner loop with turnouts, train station, tide factory, gas station, a few houses. It’s fun to blow off stress and play around with. I can run 2 trains at a time. All O gauge. I have two conventional engines and one Lionel Lion Chief NS Dash 8. Not legacy, I can’t afford a 500.00 engine. I used green outdoor grass carpet to cover my base and used black foam board for the roads from Walmart in the craft area. I used Menards buildings as well as Lionel buildings.
Welcome to model railroading. I like your method. Just ease into the hobby and make sure the "bug" sticks. Enjoy running trains and if meant, the inspiration will come to make additions.
Great start! Welcome to O Gauge. I was away from the hobby for a number of years and just recently got back into it myself. Love the size, sounds, and impact of O Gauge. It looks like you have a plug-in “wall wart”. You may want to consider power options to allow some flexibility as you add accessories and more powerful engines. Lionel has a number of different power options that would work with your existing layout and also work well with the CAB3. A “PowerBrick “and a simple bus terminal to add a couple of power drops around the lay out will ensure consistent power delivery on all of your track.
Sweet man, Ya im building now, a layout very close to what you have done. 12LX6W I like the 2 loops with siding / car storage One thing you may want to think about is reversing the direction of the train, especially once you join the outer and inner loops. Having a switch that goes across the layout and joins the other side allows you to run the train counter clockwise now. Just an idea..... Thanks for the inspiration.😄🚂
I'm budget minded myself and am very satisfied with my Lionchief and Lionchief Plus engines. Being that you are just starting out, I would stick with the basics. You can control three trains with their individual remotes or a universal remote just fine.
You have a good start there just take your time and set a little money aside for things you like to purchase for it remember it's not a race is something you can enjoy over your lifetime and if I may suggest to caboose hobbies is on UA-cam and Monday nights is oscale night and if you're looking to purchase some more rolling stock see what they have their prices are pretty reasonable good luck in building your dream 👍👍
I would recommend putting at least one loop underneath your table, with several long staging tracks which switch on to your under table loop. This underside loop should come up and connect to top side layout. This is ideally placed somewhere, that does not interfere with all ready running trains. Where it goes down to to the lower level can be from a main line. By using a switch and an appropriate length of track to safely get the train to the lower level. I know this sounds like a bit much to do at this time, but believe it. There are many operators that wished they had done this in beginning. Instead of making it work later when their track work and scenery have become well established. Also this lower level you to put in a hidden reverse loop. It also gives you a place to entire trains, many engines or passenger, or freight cars. Instead of in a cabinet. Even though your current curves are adequate now, you should think of the future, if you intend to stay in the hobby? 072 are good for interior loops and track work. But many people are changing to 081, 096, and even 0106 curves. I may have the exact curvature wrong, but it is close. I think that FastTrack, atlas, gargraves, and Curtiss make these sizes.
I like what your doing been in 3 years and no completed layout yet due to trying to complex layouts . Keep it sime is my plan going forward. Like you I have other hobbies as well, slot cars, guns, gaming . Thank you for video hard to find people who don't have big layouts that can be overwhelming to someone new
My first layout was last year and it was way too big which caused me to step away before getting much done. Tore it down and built this smaller one and now I have the motivation.
I love this because I'm just getting into trains. I am clueless when it comes to the tech part of it. I have two lionchief sets and one set with the old cw80 transformer like yours. I'll keep watching, maybe we can learn together.
Good job. Some people only like scale equipment, but if you stay semi- scale it looks good too! Plus it is cheaper than scale equipment. You can get that switch stand that is broke on Lionel site or possibly eBay.
Just a thought, since you mentioned wanting to start with an L shaped layout. You could add an o42 switch to the outside loop which results in a straight section running off the layout along the wall. Would give room for future expansion, and an imaginary interchange in the meantime.
Just bought the same set after starting my first ho layout and love the o scale more. But I don’t have the space for O but I’m excited to see what you are able to do.
I built a 4x5 for Christmas in 2003, for some reason the target broke off, but it still works, I isolated the inside track and added another spur, more of less storage, I use the short isolated track, right off the turn out. So this is 2022, the 2003 holiday display never came down
I bought a similar set minus the controller and track from 7 years ago and went to my local train store and bought used tubular track and a CW80 powemax controller
I would not use the wall power pack for powering the track. I feel it would be better to use a standard train transformer like the Lionel CW80, or one of the atlas conventional transformers. This way you'll get more power, and you will be able to run conventional trains besides the Lionchief ones. There are a lot of conventional trains out there.
Hi do HO scale and I have spent every bit under $3000 of everything I’ve gotten and it’s like you said it’s used someone’s brand new but it’s in good shape
I hope you have a way of seeing the comment I tried to comment and that UA-cam didn’t just send it down the abyss of spam comments. I have a steam engine, box cars a tanker and some other stuff. Rather it in your hands then mine..I haven’t touched any of it in 10-15 yrs. 2 half circles of track connect by 3 feet of straights as well. Plus same throttle controlling thing you have. I saw your Jim Thorpe video…hopefully you live east of there lol. I’m in north Jersey. I wouldn’t mind coming out to you, meeting halfway, anything to avoid mailing it if you happened to be interested and we don’t live to to far from one another. Take care nonetheless and best of luck expanding your layout and UA-cam channel
Checkout Country Bunker's Trains UA-cam channel. He has a nice cost effective layout with some basic scenes that are pretty awesome! I have HO for the "one day layout" but have a shelf around my home office of O gauge and I may be just as hooked. :)
Tried to leave a comment but guess it got removed automatically by UA-cam regarding some of my personal info and how I could b reached. Guessing UA-cam automatically deemed it as spam, if you got a notification about the comment, pls read what I typed up. Take care a good luck with everything nonetheless
Doing some scenery might be something you really enjoy. I really dig o scale 3 rail. Expand as you go. Don't worry about what others think as long as you are having fun.
Once your started it’s gonna Get Bigger and Better And Yes you Are your The Biggest Crittic of that Layout. And You Take Pride. Model Rail Roading will Be The Best Hobby. don’t RUSH IT.
I was going to build my very first lay out in HO scale. I collected a lot of Locos, all Marklin. After realizing the time and cost and the space needed, I've decided to sell the HO stuff and maybe one day get into Lionel O scale. I think the O scale offers more enjoyment if your going to get into modeling Railroad. The locos I like in O scale are over five hundred but I should be able to afford it after selling the HO stuff. THanks for sharing your lay out.
Call Lionel they can send you new switch stand parts for pretty cheap. Great start to your layout. Remember, it’s your world make it what you enjoy.
Excellent presentation. "O gauge or no gauge." I was the same. Once seeing all the options, sounds, smells, sights, I was hooked on 'O' too. Getting a loop going then adding the bells-and-whistles (Cab-2, etc) is the way to go. Nice job. Oh, suggestion: Hide that Thomas Tank Train engine ASAP ;)
My kids love Thomas though! lol
Awesome start, love the slmplicity of train running.
Glad you enjoyed it
I think that manual switches are the way to go. It keeps you more involved. Perfect size brother
I like it👍 mine is 4 x 16, so similar to yours. I have two loops, outer loop on its own and inner loop with turnouts, train station, tide factory, gas station, a few houses. It’s fun to blow off stress and play around with. I can run 2 trains at a time. All O gauge. I have two conventional engines and one Lionel Lion Chief NS Dash 8. Not legacy, I can’t afford a 500.00 engine. I used green outdoor grass carpet to cover my base and used black foam board for the roads from Walmart in the craft area. I used Menards buildings as well as Lionel buildings.
Welcome to model railroading. I like your method. Just ease into the hobby and make sure the "bug" sticks. Enjoy running trains and if meant, the inspiration will come to make additions.
Thanks, will do!
Man you are starting great, enjoy your train time!
Great start! Welcome to O Gauge. I was away from the hobby for a number of years and just recently got back into it myself. Love the size, sounds, and impact of O Gauge. It looks like you have a plug-in “wall wart”. You may want to consider power options to allow some flexibility as you add accessories and more powerful engines. Lionel has a number of different power options that would work with your existing layout and also work well with the CAB3. A “PowerBrick “and a simple bus terminal to add a couple of power drops around the lay out will ensure consistent power delivery on all of your track.
I plan on getting a 180w power supply.
Good layout and video. Thanks for sharing.
i just started in O gauge myself, looks nice so far. great start
Sweet man, Ya im building now, a layout very close to what you have done. 12LX6W I like the 2 loops with siding / car storage One thing you may want to think about is reversing the direction of the train, especially once you join the outer and inner loops. Having a switch that goes across the layout and joins the other side allows you to run the train counter clockwise now. Just an idea..... Thanks for the inspiration.😄🚂
I originally wanted to but decided against just because I wanted the middle of the layout to be open for scenery
Looks good! Looking forward to seeing your progress!
I'm budget minded myself and am very satisfied with my Lionchief and Lionchief Plus engines. Being that you are just starting out, I would stick with the basics. You can control three trains with their individual remotes or a universal remote just fine.
Thanks for the advice!
Great start! I look forward to watching you grow your layout!!
great video -- starting myself and you break it down in this video!!😃
Awesome! Very well done. Now you will be working on it for the rest of your life!! So much fun!!!!!
word of advice , have fun.
Very nice set up
Welcome to the hobby man!!! Love the layout!!
Thanks a bunch!
Very nice, keep the good work
Welcome to the hobby, it's very addictive and enjoyable.
You have a good start there just take your time and set a little money aside for things you like to purchase for it remember it's not a race is something you can enjoy over your lifetime and if I may suggest to caboose hobbies is on UA-cam and Monday nights is oscale night and if you're looking to purchase some more rolling stock see what they have their prices are pretty reasonable good luck in building your dream 👍👍
Good goin' . . . Your off to a very well thought out set up ...
Love the layout. I’m starting my own as well. Can’t wait to see the progress!
I would recommend putting at least one loop underneath your table, with several long staging tracks which switch on to your under table loop. This underside loop should come up and connect to top side layout. This is ideally placed somewhere, that does not interfere with all ready running trains. Where it goes down to to the lower level can be from a main line. By using a switch and an appropriate length of track to safely get the train to the lower level. I know this sounds like a bit much to do at this time, but believe it. There are many operators that wished they had done this in beginning. Instead of making it work later when their track work and scenery have become well established. Also this lower level you to put in a hidden reverse loop. It also gives you a place to entire trains, many engines or passenger, or freight cars. Instead of in a cabinet.
Even though your current curves are adequate now, you should think of the future, if you intend to stay in the hobby? 072 are good for interior loops and track work. But many people are changing to 081, 096, and even 0106 curves. I may have the exact curvature wrong, but it is close. I think that FastTrack, atlas, gargraves, and Curtiss make these sizes.
I was thinking of doing something similar 🤔
I like what your doing been in 3 years and no completed layout yet due to trying to complex layouts . Keep it sime is my plan going forward. Like you I have other hobbies as well, slot cars, guns, gaming . Thank you for video hard to find people who don't have big layouts that can be overwhelming to someone new
My first layout was last year and it was way too big which caused me to step away before getting much done. Tore it down and built this smaller one and now I have the motivation.
Sorry I posted too quick. Great layout!
I love this because I'm just getting into trains. I am clueless when it comes to the tech part of it. I have two lionchief sets and one set with the old cw80 transformer like yours. I'll keep watching, maybe we can learn together.
I’m still learning when it comes to the different control systems and remotes but no worries, we will get this!
Good job. Some people only like scale equipment, but if you stay semi- scale it looks good too! Plus it is cheaper than scale equipment. You can get that switch stand that is broke on Lionel site or possibly eBay.
Love the video and can't wait to see what comes next. 👍
Thank you!
Great layout. I also just started to put a layout together. Keep it going.
Love this, i just started my first layout. We will learn together. My mistake was starting too big.
Just a thought, since you mentioned wanting to start with an L shaped layout. You could add an o42 switch to the outside loop which results in a straight section running off the layout along the wall. Would give room for future expansion, and an imaginary interchange in the meantime.
I’m liking this idea! 🤔
Just bought the same set after starting my first ho layout and love the o scale more. But I don’t have the space for O but I’m excited to see what you are able to do.
Nice layout! I have a 4x8 HO Scale layout
Everyone has their favorite Scale to start. On
I built a 4x5 for Christmas in 2003, for some reason the target broke off, but it still works, I isolated the inside track and added another spur, more of less storage, I use the short isolated track, right off the turn out. So this is 2022, the 2003 holiday display never came down
5x16 or 16x5 pretty good size.
I bought a similar set minus the controller and track from 7 years ago and went to my local train store and bought used tubular track and a CW80 powemax controller
Brother. Check the second hand market. You'd be amazed how cheap you can get sets.
Thank you!
Nice layout just got into my self alot of ebay used stuff and Menards track
Nice
It’s perfect! Is the board 4’ x 16’? Thx.
I would not use the wall power pack for powering the track. I feel it would be better to use a standard train transformer like the Lionel CW80, or one of the atlas conventional transformers. This way you'll get more power, and you will be able to run conventional trains besides the Lionchief ones. There are a lot of conventional trains out there.
You are absolutely right. I’m hoping to pick up a bigger power supply soon.
Awesome!!! Building a track right now using Lionels Fastrack. Do you know if its possible to run a track into a loop coming back on same track??
Yep you can easily make a reverse loop using fastrack.
You have the same train as me
Make the layout way you like and enjoy it.
That's the plan!
Welcome to model trains I do a layout also have 3 engines on a 10*8 1/2 foot room layout.
Hi do HO scale and I have spent every bit under $3000 of everything I’ve gotten and it’s like you said it’s used someone’s brand new but it’s in good shape
👍🇺🇸👍
Then Start going To Train Shows And You Will Love it That’s another way to Better yourself in the Future.
Awesome layout if your looking to get stuff cheaper look for some one getting out of the hobby or yard sales
I always have my eye out. The only stuff that ever comes up locally is junk or “I’m asking $30k for everything”
I hope you have a way of seeing the comment I tried to comment and that UA-cam didn’t just send it down the abyss of spam comments. I have a steam engine, box cars a tanker and some other stuff. Rather it in your hands then mine..I haven’t touched any of it in 10-15 yrs. 2 half circles of track connect by 3 feet of straights as well. Plus same throttle controlling thing you have. I saw your Jim Thorpe video…hopefully you live east of there lol. I’m in north Jersey. I wouldn’t mind coming out to you, meeting halfway, anything to avoid mailing it if you happened to be interested and we don’t live to to far from one another. Take care nonetheless and best of luck expanding your layout and UA-cam channel
Checkout Country Bunker's Trains UA-cam channel. He has a nice cost effective layout with some basic scenes that are pretty awesome! I have HO for the "one day layout" but have a shelf around my home office of O gauge and I may be just as hooked. :)
Love Country Bunker Trains
Tried to leave a comment but guess it got removed automatically by UA-cam regarding some of my personal info and how I could b reached. Guessing UA-cam automatically deemed it as spam, if you got a notification about the comment, pls read what I typed up. Take care a good luck with everything nonetheless
Add props
What is your table size
16x5
Trying to build in O scale too! 😅 I'm worried about how little space I have
Menards has nice buildings at reasonable cost too. check out my layout you might like it I just started it to in O gauge. I subscribe to your channel