Will, from the USA here. That looks just fine to this American! No complaints about any part of the track plan at all. I have one of those Kato "steeple cab electric locos" I removed the pantograph and used the holes left in the roof to add airhorns from HO scale locos. One horn facing each way. Then added a short exhaust stack to each diesel hood. (bonnet?) My story? It is a gas-mechanical loco, with a 35- horsepower motor at each end, driving a geared transmission.
I like it a lot. To all those that tell you that you are doing it wrong or should do something different, tell them they are welcome to make their own version. I am willing to be the vast majority don't have any layout built. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the scenery. Cheers!
Mike, I'm sorry to hear not many people are watching. It's really a very attractive and clever tiny layout. Your ideas are always worth hearing and seeing, and can be applied to other situations. Keep it up, and keep smiling mate, and if nothing else it will be nice thinking of your mum every time you get the layout out "to play trains", as another great youtuber says.
These micro layouts are my main focus when it comes to this hobby. I don’t want to run trains on the carpet and the maximum table room I have is 100cm by 60cm. So far I’ve tried creating a temporary layout on a standing desk using the brilliant KATO pocket line series as mentioned a lot on this channel. I’m also using KATO unitrack for practical reasons. Ultimately I would like a micro layout that could be kept in a regular storage box with a lid when not in use. So these episodes on n gauge micro layouts are perfect I feel especially for someone like me who is trying to learn how to do things.
Thank you for your latest ‘Top Box Train’ video series.. Maybe the lack of viewings is due to not many folk riding motorcycles these days? Despite that I have found your videos very informative, giving inspiration to an ageing biker considering transporting a layout on the back of a Herald 125 Classic..
Another cracking layout! People need to grasp the "less is more" concept with micros. Just because you can fill it with track doesn't mean you have to. Breaking the rules? Great! The purpose of these "rule breaking" layouts is to show that the rules aren't set in stone and a rigid format needs to be followed. This is a fun hobby; if you forget that, watch what's going on in the hobby. It's not dying, it's evolving!!!
Great progress! For expositions a tunnel in the station area with the possibility to connect loose tracks could be nice to have trains appear and disappear.
Fantastic update, loved the last vid showing it in the pannier! Here in New Zealand we pretty build it and play trains, some are more specific but I love the idea of freelance modeling. I have a Kato N gauge chassis that has 3D printed bodies and they look fine to me. I did have prob with the Kato turnouts though….they are one radius only, my solution was to go with a single turnout and do a ‘modified’ Inglenook shunt. Works fine and provides some real challenges! Looking forward to the next vid!
Never ceases to amaze me how people like to tell you that you can’t do something 😂 On the other hand, it’s nice to know people from abroad are doing it too as it means it is not an exclusively British disease 😜
Hi Mike, That's a great idea, I built a Z gauge layout in a tankbag for my Triumph a while back, it's a fun way to take a layout about! Is there any reason that your controller couldn't be recessed so that the control knob was flush with the front of the baseboard as it still looks like you''d have room to get your fingers in there to operate it? You could also cut the timber at an angle to get your hand in? Is there any mileage in losing the rail joiners and use some wire droppers underneath to link up on the underside of the layout? You could then use some long nuts and bolts to join the two baseboards together to make them join securely and guarantee that your rails stay lined up, this is assuming you've still got access under there. I know how easily layouts get damaged when carting them around to exhibitions so any protrusions on them are best kept to a minimum I guess. Shame you couldn't make the Sompting exhibition I was looking forward to catching up. I gave my Cruel Sea layout its first outing there. Looking forward to seeing how this little project of yours develops as it's a cracking idea and full of inspiration. Best Regards, Jason.
I like the angled headshunt: allows the end to be hidden by a building fairy easily, and adds interest. I'm struggling for ideas for finishing my "Inglebook", but have at least got my large pop-up warehouses working.
I guess, if you put the side with the head shunt behind the other side in your top box, you could have a carve out in the back socket of the later for the sticking out knob of the first. That way both might fit and the controller could be installed permanently.
Mike, the Metcalf buildings are quite lite weight. I'm currently building the Country Station kit in OO. I completely understand building to fit your type of transport. I have four plus feet of length and two plus feet of width in the back seat of my car. This means I can easily manage a four foot stacked two section layout to take to shows. The trunk will hold my luggage and the fiddle yard.
Looking good and even here you could go mad on details. Backdrop, painting rails, overhead wires, platform amd building. The only problem I see is the joining of the two parts, these joiners won't be sturdy in the long run but easily replaced.
Very nice layout - the buildings certainly make it a great scene. Are you joining the two sections just by fishplates? I have a similar set up and find it a nightmare trying to align, along with the fishplates becoming loose. Can't wait to see the finished layout !
Nice Modelling, what I always admire about you Guys is you can always see in your minds eye what everything is going to look like on completion which when I am doing a change to my layout I can never do, I think I'm just getting old ? ( how is Doug getting along at Uni.) stay safe Colin.
Enjoyable and informative as always. Bit of mucking around, but why don't you inlay a floor into the controller cavity so it slides in and out like a drawer then you could just push it back when travelling. Another question which is a bit off topic, but the truck model in the layout, can you advise who makes them? Thanks Stu
Yes but what period is this set? Where is the cantanery? Where is the driver in the loco? What type of biscuits does the driver eat? Why aren’t you setting it on a specific day at a specific time? Only joking it looks great 😊 always look forward to the BMR videos for a slice of railway modelling reality in the UK lol Most of us just want to run trains and enjoy them 🎉
@@BudgetModelRailways haha lol, my dads favourite example of rivet counting was a layout in a magazine that had a really detailed dry cleaners, someone tried to say that the washing machines in the shop window were too modern…this was OO gauge not O… The mind boggles haha
Would it be possible to have a cutout in the rear battening of the siding board, which the controller knob slits into for transport? You might need to position the controller further along the board if it would hit the corner, but as long as you put the headshunt behind the sidings it would fit in the box. As regards the "rules" of inglenook puzzles, the 5-3-3 version is the standard but there's absolutely no reason you can't have more. It's just a matter of balancing the extra slots with extra wagons if you run in "puzzle" mode (number of wagons should be 1 less than the number of spaces in the shorter sidings and headshunt - any more and it locks up). If you want the option of the standard game, having a crossing or some other "soft" barrier that trains are not allowed to pass would allow you to enforce the game when desired but ignore it for casual shunting. Alternatively, a longer headshunt means you can use bigger engines, which can be even better shunters thanks to extra pickups.
Does anyone have stairs and elevator to cross the tracks? Mass Bay Transit Authority has these, and the across the track bridge becomes quite impressive when elevators (lifts) are involved.
Will, from the USA here. That looks just fine to this American! No complaints about any part of the track plan at all. I have one of those Kato "steeple cab electric locos" I removed the pantograph and used the holes left in the roof to add airhorns from HO scale locos. One horn facing each way. Then added a short exhaust stack to each diesel hood. (bonnet?) My story? It is a gas-mechanical loco, with a 35- horsepower motor at each end, driving a geared transmission.
I like it a lot. To all those that tell you that you are doing it wrong or should do something different, tell them they are welcome to make their own version. I am willing to be the vast majority don't have any layout built. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the scenery. Cheers!
Mike, I'm sorry to hear not many people are watching. It's really a very attractive and clever tiny layout. Your ideas are always worth hearing and seeing, and can be applied to other situations. Keep it up, and keep smiling mate, and if nothing else it will be nice thinking of your mum every time you get the layout out "to play trains", as another great youtuber says.
Thanks
These micro layouts are my main focus when it comes to this hobby. I don’t want to run trains on the carpet and the maximum table room I have is 100cm by 60cm. So far I’ve tried creating a temporary layout on a standing desk using the brilliant KATO pocket line series as mentioned a lot on this channel. I’m also using KATO unitrack for practical reasons. Ultimately I would like a micro layout that could be kept in a regular storage box with a lid when not in use. So these episodes on n gauge micro layouts are perfect I feel especially for someone like me who is trying to learn how to do things.
Glad we could help
Thank you for your latest ‘Top Box Train’ video series.. Maybe the lack of viewings is due to not many folk riding motorcycles these days? Despite that I have found your videos very informative, giving inspiration to an ageing biker considering transporting a layout on the back of a Herald 125 Classic..
Thanks, it should be possible on a Herald, my top box is not that big. Good luck and let me know how you get on
Thanks for the video Mike, coming along nicely, enjoy the show!!😎🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃🇬🇧
Another cracking layout! People need to grasp the "less is more" concept with micros. Just because you can fill it with track doesn't mean you have to. Breaking the rules? Great! The purpose of these "rule breaking" layouts is to show that the rules aren't set in stone and a rigid format needs to be followed. This is a fun hobby; if you forget that, watch what's going on in the hobby. It's not dying, it's evolving!!!
Great progress! For expositions a tunnel in the station area with the possibility to connect loose tracks could be nice to have trains appear and disappear.
Fantastic update, loved the last vid showing it in the pannier! Here in New Zealand we pretty build it and play trains, some are more specific but I love the idea of freelance modeling. I have a Kato N gauge chassis that has 3D printed bodies and they look fine to me. I did have prob with the Kato turnouts though….they are one radius only, my solution was to go with a single turnout and do a ‘modified’ Inglenook shunt. Works fine and provides some real challenges! Looking forward to the next vid!
Giday fellow kiwi from blenheim
@@BruceJohnston-gi5wx giday from Christchurch!
Never ceases to amaze me how people like to tell you that you can’t do something 😂 On the other hand, it’s nice to know people from abroad are doing it too as it means it is not an exclusively British disease 😜
Sadly it appears to be international lol
I'm building my version of a N shunting layout in a 750x200 mm. plastic tub from Hobbycraft UK. Hardest part not expanding it
Well done Mike, seen both videos & it’s fascinating what you have achieved. Good luck with the exhibition👍
Thanks
Looks great with simple back buildings....keep it simple best ideas always..
Great ! I love the buildings, it's the kind of architecture I enjoy seeing any urban landscape in Britain.
Love how this is coming on,great work😊👍
Hi Mike, That's a great idea, I built a Z gauge layout in a tankbag for my Triumph a while back, it's a fun way to take a layout about!
Is there any reason that your controller couldn't be recessed so that the control knob was flush with the front of the baseboard as it still looks like you''d have room to get your fingers in there to operate it? You could also cut the timber at an angle to get your hand in? Is there any mileage in losing the rail joiners and use some wire droppers underneath to link up on the underside of the layout? You could then use some long nuts and bolts to join the two baseboards together to make them join securely and guarantee that your rails stay lined up, this is assuming you've still got access under there. I know how easily layouts get damaged when carting them around to exhibitions so any protrusions on them are best kept to a minimum I guess. Shame you couldn't make the Sompting exhibition I was looking forward to catching up. I gave my Cruel Sea layout its first outing there. Looking forward to seeing how this little project of yours develops as it's a cracking idea and full of inspiration. Best Regards, Jason.
I like the angled headshunt: allows the end to be hidden by a building fairy easily, and adds interest. I'm struggling for ideas for finishing my "Inglebook", but have at least got my large pop-up warehouses working.
I guess, if you put the side with the head shunt behind the other side in your top box, you could have a carve out in the back socket of the later for the sticking out knob of the first. That way both might fit and the controller could be installed permanently.
Thanks i,ll have to crimp them and get some spares there too loose .
Just getting started at 64 yrs 😅.
Good luck have fun
Great job as usual Mike.
Mike, the Metcalf buildings are quite lite weight. I'm currently building the Country Station kit in OO. I completely understand building to fit your type of transport. I have four plus feet of length and two plus feet of width in the back seat of my car. This means I can easily manage a four foot stacked two section layout to take to shows. The trunk will hold my luggage and the fiddle yard.
Awesome update again 👍👍
Bravo from Nova Scotia!
Hello,it's looks better so far with the buildings,with the locos and trucks it is smart.cant wait for the next one.
Thanks
good update on the train layout keep up the good builds and work on the layout thanks lee
I like it!
Looking good and even here you could go mad on details.
Backdrop, painting rails, overhead wires, platform amd building.
The only problem I see is the joining of the two parts, these joiners won't be sturdy in the long run but easily replaced.
Very nice layout - the buildings certainly make it a great scene. Are you joining the two sections just by fishplates? I have a similar set up and find it a nightmare trying to align, along with the fishplates becoming loose.
Can't wait to see the finished layout !
Did you find a solution for a stronger connection than only the fishplates?
Looking good in a very restricted space. You'll do you're own thing as always, but I'd just paint the exposed wood at the front. Cheers
Nice Modelling, what I always admire about you Guys is you can always see in your minds eye what everything is going to look like on completion which when I am doing a change to my layout I can never do, I think I'm just getting old ? ( how is Doug getting along at Uni.) stay safe Colin.
Every design has constraints. That why we have engineers.
Oh, and us Americans 🇺🇸 …. 😢
Timber is so expensive right now I'm having to salvage it from a nearby demolition site.
Interesting concept! Maybe a layout in the back of a trunk of a car?
Enjoyable and informative as always. Bit of mucking around, but why don't you inlay a floor into the controller cavity so it slides in and out like a drawer then you could just push it back when travelling. Another question which is a bit off topic, but the truck model in the layout, can you advise who makes them? Thanks Stu
It's a resin model I found on ebay
Would you be able to use some of the really strong magnets to hold the controller in place instead of screws each time?
Yes but what period is this set?
Where is the cantanery?
Where is the driver in the loco?
What type of biscuits does the driver eat?
Why aren’t you setting it on a specific day at a specific time?
Only joking it looks great 😊 always look forward to the BMR videos for a slice of railway modelling reality in the UK lol
Most of us just want to run trains and enjoy them 🎉
Just need to check what the weather was on the day it's set lol
@@BudgetModelRailways haha lol, my dads favourite example of rivet counting was a layout in a magazine that had a really detailed dry cleaners, someone tried to say that the washing machines in the shop window were too modern…this was OO gauge not O…
The mind boggles haha
Looks good,can you tell me is peco track normally loose fitting ive new track but it separates easily.
Depends on the fishplates, new it's usually pretty tight fitting
Would it be possible to have a cutout in the rear battening of the siding board, which the controller knob slits into for transport? You might need to position the controller further along the board if it would hit the corner, but as long as you put the headshunt behind the sidings it would fit in the box.
As regards the "rules" of inglenook puzzles, the 5-3-3 version is the standard but there's absolutely no reason you can't have more. It's just a matter of balancing the extra slots with extra wagons if you run in "puzzle" mode (number of wagons should be 1 less than the number of spaces in the shorter sidings and headshunt - any more and it locks up). If you want the option of the standard game, having a crossing or some other "soft" barrier that trains are not allowed to pass would allow you to enforce the game when desired but ignore it for casual shunting.
Alternatively, a longer headshunt means you can use bigger engines, which can be even better shunters thanks to extra pickups.
Some of my biggest locos are as you say the best slow runners
Does anyone have stairs and elevator to cross the tracks? Mass Bay Transit Authority has these, and the across the track bridge becomes quite impressive when elevators (lifts) are involved.
Yes quite common in the UK, and on model railways