It's also important to note too, that it's taken me several years of scrimping, saving and sacrifice to get what I have. I wasn't able to get them all at one time.
Hi there, thanks. Should be a total of 120 between the two trains. lol I'm acutally using Bachmann coal hoppers to keep costs down. I have one set of 60 that is stored in 4 boxes and the other set is stacked in to stacks. I know you'd enjoy it, G scale is great.
Hey Joe, it's acutally thanks to the method used by the MTH DCS Protosound board in the engines to control the speed. Each engine has it's own sound and control board, each with it's own optical reader that monitors the engine's speed by reading black and white stripes on a motor's flywheel. You dial in what ScaleMPH you want the engines to go and each board gets the command and actively maintains that rate of speed. In fact makes a LOT of adjustments per second ....
of increasing or decreasing voltage to the motors to keep it running at the rights speed. Despite that it's still super smooth in deceleration/acceleration. So despite the load or variations in motor efficiency etc, each engine is able to maintain a balanced load factor in pulling or pushing such a long train and they all are going at the same speed because each engine is trying to actively maintain that speed. It's very precise and one of the reasons I went with DCS for my sound & control.
It is very rare that someone really has the space to build such huge trains! It looks great. I have to admit I'm a very little bit envious about your space. For me as an indoor g scaler the max number of cars is 30 unfortunatelly... Thanks for sharing!
A 4-12-2? I'm jealous! I want MTH to make one in One Gauge really bad. Because of the type of rail I use I run with 12 gauge outdoor wire for jumpers (in a buss configuration) every 24 ft or so. I honestly never have to mess with it or clean the track. The power supply is a 25amp / 24v DC power supply but even with both of those trains I think they were pulling less than 5 amps.
@PeteM234 Hi Pete. That's the site, yes. I got my SS track from Ridge Road Station, I would imagine they probably still have the best price on it. I can tell you that without question, SS is the way to go, forget brass. You don't get the carbon buildup of crap on your wheels like you do with brass that makes your wheels dirty. Also with the extra humidity, brass will corrode faster. My SS is Aristo Stainless but HR Trains has some REALLY NICE SS rail but it is more expensive.
I would also add that I haven't had a car note in years and just one new car that most don't blink an eye buying at 25k dollars can buy a TON of G scale trains. :)
@qora01m Hi there. Thanks a bunch :) I just checked out some of your videos and you have done an excellent job with your installs and conversions! I tell you that you're actually fortunate that you have the room indoors for that much train as the way my house is I have no way of running indoors so that means I really can't run in the winter so I think you're lucky! 30 cars is still a lot of train : ) You keep up the great work too and thanks for the comment!
Another thing I always wondered, How the engineers supplied equal power to the train. Now they could tell if one engine was slacking and just being pulled.
Assume you mean steam, if they operated in times when they had radio, they probably communicated to coordinate to some degree. Others was likely based on experience of grades and the route. In general when they needed to apply power (even as pushers) they knew they needed to give it all they had.
@ocrailfanner1995 There is no direct connection. See my website for the info on the additional wire I added to the TIU to get better range with the remote. Make sure you keep the TIU sitting horizontal (not mounted vertically) and add that extra antenna wire and you should be good to go.
Hi Boyd, on my website under the DCS Tips and help page I have under the Track/Layout section a diagram drawn up of the basement feeder, ramp and one main line. On the Raymonds Garden Railroad and trainshow displays area under the 2006 year I have a track expansion project 2006 that has better wide angle pics of the layout. My basement is pretty full of trains lol
@PeteM234 Hi Pete, thanks again. As you can see I don't have a fence so adding buildings (something that can walk away with ease) isn't a good idea. They can also add considerable expense and my focus at this point has been engines and rolling stock. Check out my website I havethe rest of my videos posted there. I do have some passenger engines high-balling.. 70SMPH+ (see the American Freedom GS-4 videos).
I am unable to reply to James Mutinda's message but see the Garden Railroad modification page on my website and see the Layout section, it has a writeup on how the bridge was made.
I'd say I make an average living. I save money in other areas to put towards the trains. I drive older cars and fix and maintain them them myself, don't go out to eat very often and generally watch what I spend my money on. Overall G scale isn't that bad compared to other scales. It is more expensive for sure but a one Gauge Triplex or Big Boy can be had for 1000 dollars each. Compare that to say an MTH HO version and you don't have to spend much more to get this much larger version! :)
Do you have a diagram of your outdoor layout? Looks like you would need a room just to store all of the engines and cars. I went the cheap route and collected 71 identical Lionel 9013 hopper cars. They are common and cheap at train shows and ebay. It took me about 3-1/2 years to collect that many. Now I need more temporary panel track to run them outdoors. I have one video with 50 of them in one train.
@microbusss Hi, no they never complain. Everyone I've met really seems to think they're cool. I do keep the volumes turned down normally so as not to disturb them as these things do get loud turned up.
I'm sure MTH will come out with a One Gauge 4-12-2. They've had one in O scale for a long time....and then recently released one in HO scale. So making one in One Gauge will probably be soon. Damn.....25amps? How do you make the jumpers? Do you solder them to the track?
Oh, I'm sure it did. Laying all that track and getting all the rolling stock you have must have taken years. Totally worth it though, as I'm into HO scale :)
I will send you a link to my website so you can see, I have photos and writeups on how I did my layout including the connections. hehe yeah but I only use that much power if I'm running multiple lighted passenger trains. running three 10 car trains can draw quite a bit of power.
I have always wonder why, They never cut the helper engines into the middle of the car run. I would figure it would take a lot of the load off the couplers. Like one engine 3/8th and the last one 6/8th the car load.
From what I understand. The triplexs were a failure. The boiler could not supply enough steam for any great speed or long grade climb. They sure do look good running.
Yes they are interesting to watch run. You are exactly right that the original steam locomotives that were made back in the early 1900s were considered failure as they couldnt keep the boiler pressure up. However the Erie did use the 3 they had in pusher service as they were for years before scrapping. I still love the Triplex design and was why I was so thrilled MTH decided to bring it to One Gauge.
ok do you have a direct connection to the tiu or or is it that anntenna from you mth system that lets it work so well ours always looses the signal please give me some advice
some reason the site did an auto download. I just purchased "G" Big Boy 4014. It never run. It was dead on the rails from day one. I had to pay $75. To return. Received it back 2 months later "TOK". DEAD ON THE RAILS. The first time I worked with MTH tech for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. This time for about 1 hour. I am lucky to find out I live about 20 miles from MTH service center. BUT it is for everything except "G". I talked them into letting me take it there to be tested. I packed everything I used into my car. We set it all up on their bench. Well the engine came to life. Then it actually went spastic. Lights flashed, Smoke and whistle operated by itself, It moved and then died.
Yeah that is terrible. When it comes to these large complicated models, can't emphasize enough how important it is to buy from someone that not only does a thorough check on the model but also knows what they are doing. (I can tell you, most do not) You can see from your experience that expert knowledge is hard to find. If you ever need help in the future let me know.
Problem was that most Hobby shops knew very little about what they sold. OH some knew a lot about something but sold everything. Then there was the problem of stocking things. Try to find what you needed. They had to order out. Well we do the same thing now directly and not have to pay the middle man for just picking up the phone. I really can not blame MTH. I have many great running MTH engines. But they were purchased long ago. Like many manufactures. They let quality slip for profit.
I user to take real model RR coal and dabble it over the plastic coal load to give it a different appearance. A couple of cars I even cut plastic load and gave the car a partial model coal load. But that was only a half dozen cars total.
+Brian Gradwell They are saying mid this year but I dont expect them till July 2017. That said its important to get preorders in now as i expect they will sell out fast. I have them avail for preorder.
Ok Three mallets,Three Big boys,Three Triplexs where's the two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree ...J/K !!!!!! livining next to you would be way up there along with living next to a College Sorority House
As a model the Big Boy is longer. The original real Triplexes were made back around 1915 timeframe so the Triplex was BIG for it's day but not as big as engines that came later like the Big Boy.
Holy jesus, how many coal hoppers do you have?! Edit: Just got to where your Triplexes move out. All...*three* of them. Just exactly how rich are you anyways?!
You don’t have to be rich to own these lol Just very dedicated to your hobby and love for Trains!!! Regular folks like to look at this stuff but would never lay down the cash to own it but us guys with a passion for this stuff the joy we get from it far outweighs the cash you drop on it. Don’t get me wrong not everyone can afford the larger stuff but there is other scales to enjoy that are still expensive (they are not toys) but still within range for most if your willing to part with the bread to own it!!! It’s only money we can’t take it with us get into the hobby and enjoy your investment!!!
Oh I just purchased a 4014 Big Boy "G" from MTH. I purchased their 4004 When they first offered it. Actually I have all MTH "G" steam engines plus 3 GG-1 different paint schemes and 6 PA & PB Santa-Fe red war bonnets. Sorry to use your site to vent my frustrations. But I think MTH is totally ignorant by putting only one coupler on their engines except for the GG-1s
The Dash-8 do have working couplers on both ends. The other engines that have dummy couplers on fronts (like the Big Boy) can be modified to have a functioning coupler.
Ray i'll bet your neighbors love you don't they LOL I'm working on getting a triplex myself!!
Awesome.. A high-steppin' Atlantic with a passenger consist flying by would be a cool addition to the coal drags.. ")
It's also important to note too, that it's taken me several years of scrimping, saving and sacrifice to get what I have. I wasn't able to get them all at one time.
I counted 120 coal cars and 6 engines. Awesome job. Keep the video coming and keep up the good work.
Hi there, thanks. Should be a total of 120 between the two trains. lol I'm acutally using Bachmann coal hoppers to keep costs down. I have one set of 60 that is stored in 4 boxes and the other set is stacked in to stacks. I know you'd enjoy it, G scale is great.
Hey Joe, it's acutally thanks to the method used by the MTH DCS Protosound board in the engines to control the speed. Each engine has it's own sound and control board, each with it's own optical reader that monitors the engine's speed by reading black and white stripes on a motor's flywheel. You dial in what ScaleMPH you want the engines to go and each board gets the command and actively maintains that rate of speed. In fact makes a LOT of adjustments per second ....
of increasing or decreasing voltage to the motors to keep it running at the rights speed. Despite that it's still super smooth in deceleration/acceleration. So despite the load or variations in motor efficiency etc, each engine is able to maintain a balanced load factor in pulling or pushing such a long train and they all are going at the same speed because each engine is trying to actively maintain that speed. It's very precise and one of the reasons I went with DCS for my sound & control.
@rayman4449 Thanks again! I didn't originally plan to take a video of this but once I saw what it looked like I had to grab the camera.
@PeteM234 Thank you again and you're welcome! It's folks like you that make the effort of filming and posting them worth it.
It is very rare that someone really has the space to build such huge trains! It looks great. I have to admit I'm a very little bit envious about your space. For me as an indoor g scaler the max number of cars is 30 unfortunatelly... Thanks for sharing!
LOL I try no to turn the volume up too loud.. ;) Good deal! I think you will really enjoy this model. Excellent running and intriguing to what run.
A 4-12-2? I'm jealous! I want MTH to make one in One Gauge really bad. Because of the type of rail I use I run with 12 gauge outdoor wire for jumpers (in a buss configuration) every 24 ft or so. I honestly never have to mess with it or clean the track. The power supply is a 25amp / 24v DC power supply but even with both of those trains I think they were pulling less than 5 amps.
@PeteM234 Hi Pete. That's the site, yes. I got my SS track from Ridge Road Station, I would imagine they probably still have the best price on it. I can tell you that without question, SS is the way to go, forget brass. You don't get the carbon buildup of crap on your wheels like you do with brass that makes your wheels dirty. Also with the extra humidity, brass will corrode faster. My SS is Aristo Stainless but HR Trains has some REALLY NICE SS rail but it is more expensive.
I would also add that I haven't had a car note in years and just one new car that most don't blink an eye buying at 25k dollars can buy a TON of G scale trains. :)
I love it. Grew up riding the EBT
@qora01m Hi there. Thanks a bunch :) I just checked out some of your videos and you have done an excellent job with your installs and conversions! I tell you that you're actually fortunate that you have the room indoors for that much train as the way my house is I have no way of running indoors so that means I really can't run in the winter so I think you're lucky! 30 cars is still a lot of train : ) You keep up the great work too and thanks for the comment!
They were a little close. I was actually putting them both on the same loop for the heck of it and they both barely fit.
Another thing I always wondered, How the engineers supplied equal power to the train.
Now they could tell if one engine was slacking and just being pulled.
Assume you mean steam, if they operated in times when they had radio, they probably communicated to coordinate to some degree. Others was likely based on experience of grades and the route. In general when they needed to apply power (even as pushers) they knew they needed to give it all they had.
Thanks :) Would love to see an Atlantic in G scale for sure!
@Mousedigits1 Hi, the track and layout is made to withstand the elements. The trains are stored indoors.
@ocrailfanner1995 There is no direct connection. See my website for the info on the additional wire I added to the TIU to get better range with the remote. Make sure you keep the TIU sitting horizontal (not mounted vertically) and add that extra antenna wire and you should be good to go.
Esp if you go to any model train shows near you and get tons of stuff for half or more the normal cost :)
Amazing garden railroad I love it I wish I hade enough money to afford a Lionel/mth steam locomotive.
Hi Boyd, on my website under the DCS Tips and help page I have under the Track/Layout section a diagram drawn up of the basement feeder, ramp and one main line. On the Raymonds Garden Railroad and trainshow displays area under the 2006 year I have a track expansion project 2006 that has better wide angle pics of the layout. My basement is pretty full of trains lol
OK, sorry about the Dad thing. It is great to see a person with disposable $$$ that invested in steam locos. Erie rocked.
@PeteM234 Hi Pete, thanks again. As you can see I don't have a fence so adding buildings (something that can walk away with ease) isn't a good idea. They can also add considerable expense and my focus at this point has been engines and rolling stock. Check out my website I havethe rest of my videos posted there. I do have some passenger engines high-balling.. 70SMPH+ (see the American Freedom GS-4 videos).
Impressive! One question, how did you get all those EBT hoppers?
Hi there, I bought them in two different batches from one or two online retailers which are now closed.
Impressive, thanks for sharing!
Sure thing and glad you enjoyed!
I am unable to reply to James Mutinda's message but see the Garden Railroad modification page on my website and see the Layout section, it has a writeup on how the bridge was made.
Flipping awesome!!!
I'd say I make an average living. I save money in other areas to put towards the trains. I drive older cars and fix and maintain them them myself, don't go out to eat very often and generally watch what I spend my money on. Overall G scale isn't that bad compared to other scales. It is more expensive for sure but a one Gauge Triplex or Big Boy can be had for 1000 dollars each. Compare that to say an MTH HO version and you don't have to spend much more to get this much larger version! :)
Do you have a diagram of your outdoor layout? Looks like you would need a room just to store all of the engines and cars. I went the cheap route and collected 71 identical Lionel 9013 hopper cars. They are common and cheap at train shows and ebay. It took me about 3-1/2 years to collect that many. Now I need more temporary panel track to run them outdoors. I have one video with 50 of them in one train.
@microbusss Hi, no they never complain. Everyone I've met really seems to think they're cool. I do keep the volumes turned down normally so as not to disturb them as these things do get loud turned up.
coool I want a UP 4004 & Neighbors ever complain or do they like it?
I'm sure MTH will come out with a One Gauge 4-12-2. They've had one in O scale for a long time....and then recently released one in HO scale. So making one in One Gauge will probably be soon.
Damn.....25amps? How do you make the jumpers? Do you solder them to the track?
Oh, I'm sure it did. Laying all that track and getting all the rolling stock you have must have taken years.
Totally worth it though, as I'm into HO scale :)
I will send you a link to my website so you can see, I have photos and writeups on how I did my layout including the connections. hehe yeah but I only use that much power if I'm running multiple lighted passenger trains. running three 10 car trains can draw quite a bit of power.
@rayman4449 so there IS volume contol ? neat
UP #4004 is on display in Cheyenne That reason I want one plus Challenger 3977
I have always wonder why, They never cut the helper engines into the middle of the car run.
I would figure it would take a lot of the load off the couplers.
Like one engine 3/8th and the last one 6/8th the car load.
My guess is because it complicated getting the engine out.
You must have a pretty good job to afford stuff like this. What do you do for a living?
That was awesome!
From what I understand. The triplexs were a failure. The boiler could not supply enough steam for any great speed or long grade climb.
They sure do look good running.
Yes they are interesting to watch run. You are exactly right that the original steam locomotives that were made back in the early 1900s were considered failure as they couldnt keep the boiler pressure up. However the Erie did use the 3 they had in pusher service as they were for years before scrapping. I still love the Triplex design and was why I was so thrilled MTH decided to bring it to One Gauge.
Are those East Broad Top hoppers?
I would like to ask you on where one gets the bridges(that is the plastic-like piers) which the hoppers are on...thnx
Thats true. I got my MTH HO 4-12-2 for $513 once tax was done.
How do you power your layout with so much track?
Спасибо!
@nscalefun You counted right and Thanks!
ok do you have a direct connection to the tiu or or is it that anntenna from you mth system that lets it work so well ours always looses the signal please give me some advice
some reason the site did an auto download.
I just purchased "G" Big Boy 4014. It never run. It was dead on the rails from day one. I had to pay $75. To return. Received it back 2 months later "TOK".
DEAD ON THE RAILS. The first time I worked with MTH tech for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. This time for about 1 hour.
I am lucky to find out I live about 20 miles from MTH service center. BUT it is for everything except "G". I talked them into letting me take it there to be tested. I packed everything I used into my car.
We set it all up on their bench. Well the engine came to life. Then it actually went spastic. Lights flashed, Smoke and whistle operated by itself, It moved and then died.
Yeah that is terrible. When it comes to these large complicated models, can't emphasize enough how important it is to buy from someone that not only does a thorough check on the model but also knows what they are doing. (I can tell you, most do not) You can see from your experience that expert knowledge is hard to find. If you ever need help in the future let me know.
Problem was that most Hobby shops knew very little about what they sold. OH some knew a lot about something but sold everything.
Then there was the problem of stocking things. Try to find what you needed. They had to order out. Well we do the same thing now directly and not have to pay the middle man for just picking up the phone.
I really can not blame MTH. I have many great running MTH engines. But they were purchased long ago. Like many manufactures. They let quality slip for profit.
Holly Cr_p. You could supply Michigan City, NIPCO (power generator) for 10 years with that train load.
Are the cars numbered different?
Haha unfortunately they aren't numbered different. I haven't had the time to go through that effort of having to completely repaint all the coal cars.
Just for grins and giggles, How many hoppers did you run or do you have?
The store clerk must have received a huge Christmas bonus for that sale.
I user to take real model RR coal and dabble it over the plastic coal load to give it a different appearance. A couple of cars I even cut plastic load and gave the car a partial model coal load.
But that was only a half dozen cars total.
Wow! Wow! WOW!!!!
How do handle the critters (chipmunks,squirrels,etc)
Alan Sklenar So far in all the time here, have not had them around. So there hasn't been any issue with animals.
Does MTH manufacture the C&O H-8 Allegheny in G scale?
No, they haven't so far.
this is beautiful
how much did one big boy cost?
Hi there, they originally sold for 1000.00. MTH is making another production run and they run 1300.00
+rayman4449 ok thanks for the Info
when will the next run be out?
+Brian Gradwell They are saying mid this year but I dont expect them till July 2017. That said its important to get preorders in now as i expect they will sell out fast. I have them avail for preorder.
Ok thanks
Ok Three mallets,Three Big boys,Three Triplexs where's the two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree ...J/K !!!!!! livining next to you would be way up there along with living
next to a College Sorority House
is that outside, whut happens if it rains?
isn't the Triplexes bigger than the Big Boys?
As a model the Big Boy is longer. The original real Triplexes were made back around 1915 timeframe so the Triplex was BIG for it's day but not as big as engines that came later like the Big Boy.
I wondered about that
thanks
Holy jesus, how many coal hoppers do you have?!
Edit: Just got to where your Triplexes move out. All...*three* of them. Just exactly how rich are you anyways?!
Apparently very very rich! It cost a lot for one!
You don’t have to be rich to own these lol Just very dedicated to your hobby and love for Trains!!! Regular folks like to look at this stuff but would never lay down the cash to own it but us guys with a passion for this stuff the joy we get from it far outweighs the cash you drop on it. Don’t get me wrong not everyone can afford the larger stuff but there is other scales to enjoy that are still expensive (they are not toys) but still within range for most if your willing to part with the bread to own it!!! It’s only money we can’t take it with us get into the hobby and enjoy your investment!!!
what scale is your garden railway ho or G scale
G scale (One Gauge)
Oh I just purchased a 4014 Big Boy "G" from MTH. I purchased their 4004
When they first offered it. Actually I have all MTH "G" steam engines plus 3 GG-1 different paint schemes and 6 PA & PB Santa-Fe red war bonnets.
Sorry to use your site to vent my frustrations. But I think MTH is totally ignorant by putting only one coupler on their engines except for the GG-1s
The Dash-8 do have working couplers on both ends. The other engines that have dummy couplers on fronts (like the Big Boy) can be modified to have a functioning coupler.
They are
cool
😎
Супер,мне очень понравилось,привет с Украины!!!!
That settles it, I'm movin next to you Hoss !!!!!!
DO NOT "keep it down" (volume) !!
*only an idiot would ask that!
LOL >; )
Would you be my Dad?
this is awesome