Every square inch is attended to with love, passion and a fanatical eye to detail. You have to be mad, Mike. Only mad men achieve such beauty. Mad Mike. Thank you, Mad Mike.
I had to come on over and check this out because I read a comment while watching a video of (Florida's model RR club) which was titled " is this the most realistic looking scenery ever" anyway one of the comments said "no" this one was, and to look it up and see for ourselves! Well he wasn't lying, this is the best realistic looking Model RR scenery I've ever viewed. Everything about it was Done amazingly! Thank you for the beautiful video.
Wow! The realism is absolutely breathtaking. I don’t know what amazes me more: the scenery (especially the rock formations), the weathering on the locomotives and hoppers, or the videography. Model railroading does not get any better than this! Thanks for sharing.
Mike could you do some tutorial videos on trees? The most legit model railroad i've seen I still have my copy of the original magazine I seem the Allagash RR in 10+ years ago.
Mike you have one of the most absolutely stunning model railroad I’ve ever seen. New England is tough landscape and I’d say you nailed it! Your railroad is one of the reasons why I pay close attention to details. 🛤👍
The layout scenery is absolutely stunning. I went to high school in Maine, graduating 50 years ago, but this reminds me of early spring then when there were still patches of snow on the ground and "spring peeper" frogs in ponds were beginning their deafeningly shrill mating calls. I live in Hawai'i now, but the views of this super well-done layout give me chills!
I've been a model railroader off and on for nearly fifty years; I've always believed realism achieved through detail is the Holy Grail of a layout, and Mike achieves it. I first became familiar with Mike's work from his old Woodsville Terminal layout. Till then, I had thought the work of Lance Mindheim and Jim Six were tops; Mike's work blew me away. He is the master, in my humble opinion.
There are times I just fall out of the mood towards my layout.BUT, watching your videos will trigger that mood right back. You have a ‘superb’ layout, ENJOY ! 👽
I really enjoy the setting. It seems every layout we see is set in perfect weather. That in itself is unprototypical. The scenery is unique. Very nicely done.
I've always been a fan of this layout, very realistic. I love the time of year modelled as well, something you very rarely see (as let's face it, late winter isn't a very scenic time of year).
This is some of the most amazing modeling I have ever seen. With the exception of the wall corner visible in the back it looks so realistic. I bet your operators love running your railroad. Based on the videos of it I have seen it looks, sounds, and is run in a realistic manner which I am sure is very enjoyable. Very well done, sir. Thank you for sharing this video with the world. :)
I like how the "forest floor" is modeled around 7-7:30 ish minutes. Especially in contrast to the dead meadow grass. And you have to admit that spotty snow looks amazing!
Great modeling work Mike. Engines, rolling stock and scenery are amazing. I especially like the backdrop scenes around 5:44, they look so real. Great work and thanks for sharing your layout.
Beautiful, realistic scenery and the equipment weathering is spectacular. Very nice variety of video scene shots. Awesome modeling ............ first class! Thank you for sharing. Mike
I find your work as inspiring as I did Allen McClelland’s when I first learned of his V&O, Mike. I don’t think that’s a compliment to give lightly. Thanks for sharing.
Well, that's really nice of you to say. Thanks!. Just so happens I'm in process of reading "the V&O Story" for the 10th time! Allen McClelland is at the top of the list as far as I am concerned. What he did was pioneering. I only wish I could have seen the railroad in person, and that he could have experienced sound on the V&O, like we have today.
Now this is a layout where somebody takes prototypical train speed seriously. My only question is about the grade crossing warning sign at 3:53. It looks as tall as a telephone pole. Do they really stand them up that tall somewhere? Love the whole rest of that scene, esp the dirt road.
The allagash looks as lovely as ever! I do miss the days before Guilford absorbed the Allagash, but it certainly has brought with it a larger assortment of power, and color. In keeping with timeline, this window of color will not last forever, so the cameras better keep rolling while the era lasts. In reality though, I do believe that Mike intends to keep the Allagash within a time frame where the Allagash still retains some identity beyond reporting marks. If the F7s are not already gone from the fleet, Guilford would surely see fit to purge them soon.
Very good... I especially like the rock work at 8:48 so real...Would like to see more of the layout. Don't "rail fan" in real life and don't like it in modeling - anyway great sights - few as we saw
Very nicely done. There is nothing like seeing a coal train running on a layout. They go hand in hand imho and I find layouts without some type of coal industry lacking. However I was born and raised in coal country so I could be biased to the concept. Nevertheless great work on this layout.
Mike overweights his cars (~10oz each) so they track really well and it gives you a real sense of working hard to get the cars over the road. It needs that much power to pull 220 oz over the hill.
Great question. The compression factor. Those 22 cars really represent 50 or so. And with the grades on the railroad, you'd need 4 or 5 units to move 50 coal loads. I do weigh cars quite heavily, but in this case it is more trying to represent what a typical New England-bound unit coal train would have for power.
Hmm, seems you get nothing but compliments, let me be a critic. I'd say the.... No, okay, how about the...... well, if you ..... Hmm. Not much. Okay, one thing, probably just me, but maybe the scenes where the snow is kind of stuck in the trees, maybe that isn't quite perfect, maybe some of the snow fell past the trees and closer to the right of way? But well, that isn't necessarily true, we all know you cannot put nature in a box. Great layout, great work. I will be watching for more. I have considered an early or late winter on my tiny switching layout, but we all know how snow can get really dusty if you try to make it permanent. Maybe your patches are the answer for me? But without a lot of those bare trees mixed with evergreens, it won't look as good as yours. I'm modeling Michigan and its mostly city, so I'd have a hard time getting this effect. But with your layout as an example, I might be able to get a decent effect.
Every square inch is attended to with love, passion and a fanatical eye to detail. You have to be mad, Mike. Only mad men achieve such beauty. Mad Mike. Thank you, Mad Mike.
The scenery is just amazing. I can feel the cold seeping into my bones
I had to come on over and check this out because I read a comment while watching a video of (Florida's model RR club) which was titled " is this the most realistic looking scenery ever" anyway one of the comments said "no" this one was, and to look it up and see for ourselves! Well he wasn't lying, this is the best realistic looking Model RR scenery I've ever viewed. Everything about it was Done amazingly! Thank you for the beautiful video.
Wow! The realism is absolutely breathtaking. I don’t know what amazes me more: the scenery (especially the rock formations), the weathering on the locomotives and hoppers, or the videography. Model railroading does not get any better than this! Thanks for sharing.
Such attention to detail is mind blowing. Absolutely beautiful!
Thanks to everybody for the nice remarks. It is much appreciated!
How did you make those evergreen’s? They look amazing!
Mike could you do some tutorial videos on trees? The most legit model railroad i've seen I still have my copy of the original magazine I seem the Allagash RR in 10+ years ago.
Mike you have one of the most absolutely stunning model railroad I’ve ever seen. New England is tough landscape and I’d say you nailed it! Your railroad is one of the reasons why I pay close attention to details. 🛤👍
The scenery is excellent, super realistic and blends perfectly with the backdrop!!!
The layout scenery is absolutely stunning. I went to high school in Maine, graduating 50 years ago, but this reminds me of early spring then when there were still patches of snow on the ground and "spring peeper" frogs in ponds were beginning their deafeningly shrill mating calls. I live in Hawai'i now, but the views of this super well-done layout give me chills!
I've been a model railroader off and on for nearly fifty years; I've always believed realism achieved through detail is the Holy Grail of a layout, and Mike achieves it. I first became familiar with Mike's work from his old Woodsville Terminal layout. Till then, I had thought the work of Lance Mindheim and Jim Six were tops; Mike's work blew me away. He is the master, in my humble opinion.
Wow I can't get over the detail !! Especially with the snow. So realistic. Outstanding work
Looks so real, don't see an early spring motif on layouts much, great job!
There are times I just fall out of the mood towards my layout.BUT, watching your videos will trigger that mood right back. You have a ‘superb’ layout, ENJOY ! 👽
This looks 100 percent real
if the "rolling thunder" gets installed, it will SOUND real as well........
this layout must be worth a lot of money love the details
I can feel the chill in the air. Great work.
I really enjoy the setting. It seems every layout we see is set in perfect weather. That in itself is unprototypical. The scenery is unique. Very nicely done.
impressive scenery. especially the snow on the hillside.nice. thanks
I've always been a fan of this layout, very realistic. I love the time of year modelled as well, something you very rarely see (as let's face it, late winter isn't a very scenic time of year).
This is pure Art!
Modelrailroading at its Best👍🏻
This is the most real layout I have ever seen! WOW! Thanks for sharing
This is some of the most amazing modeling I have ever seen. With the exception of the wall corner visible in the back it looks so realistic. I bet your operators love running your railroad. Based on the videos of it I have seen it looks, sounds, and is run in a realistic manner which I am sure is very enjoyable. Very well done, sir. Thank you for sharing this video with the world. :)
Amazing pike. Jaw dropping realism. Outstanding video. Keep ‘em coming!
Beautiful work. A joy to follow along with the creation of this layout. Very inspirational.
This is NOT a model railroad at all, but the down to earth real thing ! Great, great work !!!!
And a very nice camerajob too !
I like how the "forest floor" is modeled around 7-7:30 ish minutes. Especially in contrast to the dead meadow grass. And you have to admit that spotty snow looks amazing!
best layout on the planet imo.
Great modeling work Mike. Engines, rolling stock and scenery are amazing. I especially like the backdrop scenes around 5:44, they look so real. Great work and thanks for sharing your layout.
Mike,
We have all known how well you do scenery,BUT this really amazing buddy !!!!
WELL DONE IN DEED !!
One of the best model train vids I have seen in all my years. Great artwork. Great inspiration. Really enjoyed it! Thanks!
Beautiful, realistic scenery and the equipment weathering is spectacular. Very nice variety of video scene shots. Awesome modeling ............ first class! Thank you for sharing. Mike
Impressively realistic looking. Great job on the entire presentation.
Great scenery and very realistic. Perfect speed on the run byes too. Thanks for sharing. 🚂
Well done. Interesting to have a layout in a different season. One of the best!
Wow! This is the best layout I've seen, thanks for posting
This layout needs to be on "what's neat"
I had this in a playlist and wondered, "how did a railfan video get in here!?" -not complaining!!! Great sound, btw-really great sound!
I find your work as inspiring as I did Allen McClelland’s when I first learned of his V&O, Mike. I don’t think that’s a compliment to give lightly. Thanks for sharing.
Well, that's really nice of you to say. Thanks!. Just so happens I'm in process of reading "the V&O Story" for the 10th time! Allen McClelland is at the top of the list as far as I am concerned. What he did was pioneering. I only wish I could have seen the railroad in person, and that he could have experienced sound on the V&O, like we have today.
I love that book as well and you’re welcome. I look forward to following along more.
Wow.. Love the coal train..Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.. Lance
Awesome scenery! The yard with the loaded pulp cars looks like Brownville Jct!
Incredible as always Mike!! So glad to see updates again!
looks were great and the sound was most excellent
It’s remarkable how an expertly-crafted model railroad transforms into an actual railroad when taken out into the sunlight 🌞🚂
Great to see the Allagash again! Thanks for sharing! Tim Garland
Excellent layout, very very nice work!
Amazing detail!!
Awesome! Would thoroughly enjoy attending an operating session sometime.
Had me fooled for a minute... awesome layout.
That is a great set-up.
Amazing!!! It's look so real!!!
This is some excellent work! Thanks For Sharing!
Always a great episode.
(No more ghost trains!)
Now this is a layout where somebody takes prototypical train speed seriously. My only question is about the grade crossing warning sign at 3:53. It looks as tall as a telephone pole. Do they really stand them up that tall somewhere? Love the whole rest of that scene, esp the dirt road.
Yes, in some places they are made taller,usually in hilly or some curved locations
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing....
Great retro locomotives, especially that alligator (long nose) Lehigh Valley....
The allagash looks as lovely as ever! I do miss the days before Guilford absorbed the Allagash, but it certainly has brought with it a larger assortment of power, and color. In keeping with timeline, this window of color will not last forever, so the cameras better keep rolling while the era lasts. In reality though, I do believe that Mike intends to keep the Allagash within a time frame where the Allagash still retains some identity beyond reporting marks. If the F7s are not already gone from the fleet, Guilford would surely see fit to purge them soon.
Anything Guilford does not belong on such a beautiful layout.
Stunning!
Very good... I especially like the rock work at 8:48 so real...Would like to see more of the layout. Don't "rail fan" in real life and don't like it in modeling - anyway great sights - few as we saw
Mike is back
Outstanding modeling....😁👍👍
Love the locos. I have a bunch of Guilford myself.
The Guilford paint scheme was allright--- the prototype Guilford Railroad was a complete joke.
Very nicely done. There is nothing like seeing a coal train running on a layout. They go hand in hand imho and I find layouts without some type of coal industry lacking. However I was born and raised in coal country so I could be biased to the concept. Nevertheless great work on this layout.
I love this layout!!!!! MORE VIDS PLEASE!!! :)
Really cool! Looks great!
Beautiful scenery and weathering of the power and rolling stock, but why five locomotives to pull 22 hoppers and a caboose?
Mike overweights his cars (~10oz each) so they track really well and it gives you a real sense of working hard to get the cars over the road. It needs that much power to pull 220 oz over the hill.
Great question. The compression factor. Those 22 cars really represent 50 or so. And with the grades on the railroad, you'd need 4 or 5 units to move 50 coal loads. I do weigh cars quite heavily, but in this case it is more trying to represent what a typical New England-bound unit coal train would have for power.
Do you have any issues with hopper cars' trucks with all that weight?
No trouble. Most of my freight cars are weighed to 11-15oz. These hoppers have an added 3oz or so, not all that much.
how do you achieve such a great depth of field in your videos?
Very realistic!
Please come out with another weathering video!!!
It's on the to-do list!
Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine We're all very happy to hear about that and look forward to it! Thank you!
Hmm, seems you get nothing but compliments, let me be a critic. I'd say the.... No, okay, how about the...... well, if you ..... Hmm. Not much. Okay, one thing, probably just me, but maybe the scenes where the snow is kind of stuck in the trees, maybe that isn't quite perfect, maybe some of the snow fell past the trees and closer to the right of way? But well, that isn't necessarily true, we all know you cannot put nature in a box. Great layout, great work. I will be watching for more. I have considered an early or late winter on my tiny switching layout, but we all know how snow can get really dusty if you try to make it permanent. Maybe your patches are the answer for me? But without a lot of those bare trees mixed with evergreens, it won't look as good as yours. I'm modeling Michigan and its mostly city, so I'd have a hard time getting this effect. But with your layout as an example, I might be able to get a decent effect.
Nice train.
I see that from Germany. Its absolutlie incredibel. In Germany are only " Kinderspielzeug" Modeltrain
I want to know what did they make there dead leaves out of on the side of the hill there?
Wow!
The sound quality needs some work.
All Power all the time is it real or is it......
How’s that real?
Can you do a tutorial on snow?
Mike's done 6 hours of how-tos on many of his scenery techniques including snow here: trainmasters.tv/videos/scenery-modeling-melting-snow
I thought that was real
I thought it was real too!
What scale is this model trains
HO scale
Allagash got sucked into the Guildford Black Hole, did it? Stands to reason, I guess . . .
Love it! I could live there!