Norm thanks for taking the time to share this. Of course, I had no idea it ever existed. I'm sure had you continued with it your layout still would be as wonderful as it is now. But clearly, you're a man who knew what he wanted. I'm waiting for the next installment so I can prove to everyone you're actually not a wizard or warlock and a simply a extremely talented human being.
Always take photos of your progress. When you feel like you haven't got much progress you have the proof of what you accomplished. Excellent video Norm of your older plans and progress! The new layout looks incredible...all the way from TM Books Video days!
I completely see the vision you were going for and truly would have been beautiful, however, I really love the current layout also. It gives you opportunities to film in areas that make it seem the train really is on a voyage across the "network"
Norm did you ever get a chance to check out the Plymouth roundhouse and yard before they removed the turntable and roundhouse. I have those fond memories always in my head being all my aunt's,uncles,great grandparents and grandparents lived on Junction 4 blocks from it all. Thats the old C&O line.
@@normstrains if memories serve me i think it was a concrete and it was much like how you have yours to the right of the roundhouse. The roundhouse stall doors faced south/west with the coaling tower toward the southeast of that. That was also a big hub because the east/west C&O lines crossed the north/south C&O lines. Plymouth had 2 stations the one to the east (the gandy dancer) and one to the south (relocated). I saw the end of steam as it changed to diesel. The smell of burning coal is imprinted forever in my memory and it always brings a smile to my face when i smell it.
Absolutely amazing! Such talent to design and build a railroad such as this from the ground up. You documented everything so well, too. I also noticed the old Volkswagen in the garage. Too bad you didn't pan that with the camera while you were at it! :-)
A very nice video and layout. I have plans to expand my own HO scale layout, yet while I'll be primarily modeling the 1940s-50s steam era of the Pennsy, I don't believe my layout will be quite as large as yours.
Great video, thanks for the walk thru. Also loved the shot of the VW bug, what year? I'm rebuilding a '73 Ghia. Old VW's are my first hobby, trains are a close second.
No, not really. While I’ve sold off some of my scratchbuilt models over the years, or built models for pals, I’ve never built anything with the sole purpose of selling. Maybe someday if I could retire. It could be a source of beer 🍺 money I suppose!
Never really left I guess. I built layouts in HO and N scale and then sort of rediscovered O gauge. Not long after that I started getting more and more interested in scale modeling as the makers started producing more scale-oriented products.
@@normstrains The problem I had with O gauge, was A.) The size needed for the layouts, and B.) that third rail in the middle of the tracks. However, unlike my father's Lionels (pre-war tin cars, and a cast zinc steam locomotive, and electronics that are positively lethal ), your engines and rolling stock are freakin' gorgeous, and you have actually observed how the weathering happens. It also occurs to me that there are a ton of 1:48 scale model kits of all sorts of things out there, and I am well aware of makers making "kits" of street cars, to make use of frames and trucks from old small diesels. 3D printing, and a decent 3D software can get you a lot of custom parts.
You are like professional level, with every detail.
This is amazing Norm. Thanks for sharing this history with us. Love hearing your thought process behind everything and I can’t wait for part 2
I love your approach of trying out things rather then spending years on planning. You are an inspiration!
I see your stuff on OGR - very cool! I like to experiment a bit with my approach as it's the best way to learn new things.
@@normstrains Thanks!
Thanks for sharing 👍🤙
That's just awesome work
Thank you Norm
Norm thanks for taking the time to share this. Of course, I had no idea it ever existed. I'm sure had you continued with it your layout still would be as wonderful as it is now. But clearly, you're a man who knew what he wanted. I'm waiting for the next installment so I can prove to everyone you're actually not a wizard or warlock and a simply a extremely talented human being.
Such a beautiful layout! Great job!
Always a treat! Thanks always Norm. 🙏😌
Very nice Norm! Excellent craftsmanship on all levels. Your attention to detail is extraordinary. Hindsight is always 20/20.
Always a great day watching your videos. Appreciate the new series looking back. Stunning indeed! Love your thoughts being shared too.
I do miss the old layout! It was just as good as your current one.
now thats great work
Excellent job! Thanks for the post!!
You do really good work with your layouts
Finally being able to see your layout evolving is sweet bro
Thanks for sharing Norm. I appreciate your work and talent and that you share so much!
Nice layout! Every layout has a should have could have would have. I never once looked at the ceiling 😉
WOW!!! A true work of art!
Excellent video, thank you for taking the time to put it together and post it.
Love seeing the evolution. The funny thing is your earlier efforts are still far better than most other layouts
Always take photos of your progress. When you feel like you haven't got much progress you have the proof of what you accomplished. Excellent video Norm of your older plans and progress! The new layout looks incredible...all the way from TM Books Video days!
Outstanding. Thanks, Bob
Always impressive.
Pretty cool
Thanks for sharing
I completely see the vision you were going for and truly would have been beautiful, however, I really love the current layout also. It gives you opportunities to film in areas that make it seem the train really is on a voyage across the "network"
Awesome!!!
Nice! PRR❤❤. Cool layout. 🎃 Sweet Bug too😃
Norm did you ever get a chance to check out the Plymouth roundhouse and yard before they removed the turntable and roundhouse. I have those fond memories always in my head being all my aunt's,uncles,great grandparents and grandparents lived on Junction 4 blocks from it all. Thats the old C&O line.
That was long gone by the time I was living in Plymouth. Do you know they had a concrete coaling tower there or was it wood toward the end of steam?
@@normstrains if memories serve me i think it was a concrete and it was much like how you have yours to the right of the roundhouse. The roundhouse stall doors faced south/west with the coaling tower toward the southeast of that. That was also a big hub because the east/west C&O lines crossed the north/south C&O lines. Plymouth had 2 stations the one to the east (the gandy dancer) and one to the south (relocated). I saw the end of steam as it changed to diesel. The smell of burning coal is imprinted forever in my memory and it always brings a smile to my face when i smell it.
I grew up in Livonia, and Plymouth was my go-to rail fan spot once I started driving in 1976. I live up in Northern Michigan now (Frankfort).
👍
Like the new update
Nice steam engines.👍
Absolutely amazing! Such talent to design and build a railroad such as this from the ground up. You documented everything so well, too. I also noticed the old Volkswagen in the garage. Too bad you didn't pan that with the camera while you were at it! :-)
That was my old '64!
@@normstrains I like it.
A very nice video and layout. I have plans to expand my own HO scale layout, yet while I'll be primarily modeling the 1940s-50s steam era of the Pennsy, I don't believe my layout will be quite as large as yours.
damn you drive a beetle too!
Aw man, not anymore. Sold it a few years ago. Wish I had another one!
I'd liked to have seen the dogbone version finished.......but I'll give you credit for being brave enogh to tear it down. Thx
Awesome to see how it comes together. As a general design rule, how much space do you leave between the track and wall for your buildings?
This current layout has about 11” clearance from the outer main to the backdrop. The Federal Servo spur gets within ~4” of it.
Great video, thanks for the walk thru. Also loved the shot of the VW bug, what year? I'm rebuilding a '73 Ghia. Old VW's are my first hobby, trains are a close second.
Thanks, that was a ‘64. Kinda miss it, I sold it a few years back.
Is that the Norfolk & Western 611 Loco??? My favorite loco.
Yes, wish I still had it! I still have the 606.
Do you scratch build models to sell or just for your personal use?
No, not really. While I’ve sold off some of my scratchbuilt models over the years, or built models for pals, I’ve never built anything with the sole purpose of selling. Maybe someday if I could retire. It could be a source of beer 🍺 money I suppose!
Great job and thanks so much for sharing ,can you tell me what do you use to make a clean cut on atlas track?
I mostly use those 2” Dremel cutoff wheels, the reinforced ones.
SO, what got you interested in 3 rail, as opposed to other scales?
Never really left I guess. I built layouts in HO and N scale and then sort of rediscovered O gauge. Not long after that I started getting more and more interested in scale modeling as the makers started producing more scale-oriented products.
@@normstrains The problem I had with O gauge, was A.) The size needed for the layouts, and B.) that third rail in the middle of the tracks. However, unlike my father's Lionels (pre-war tin cars, and a cast zinc steam locomotive, and electronics that are positively lethal ), your engines and rolling stock are freakin' gorgeous, and you have actually observed how the weathering happens. It also occurs to me that there are a ton of 1:48 scale model kits of all sorts of things out there, and I am well aware of makers making "kits" of street cars, to make use of frames and trucks from old small diesels. 3D printing, and a decent 3D software can get you a lot of custom parts.
I have to ask, do you still have the beetle? 4:34
No, I sold it a few years ago. It now lives somewhere in Ontario.
@@normstrains Ah I see, well she looked pretty, love the layout, excited to see part 2!
@@Hanksabutt that was a ‘64 Bahama Blue beetle with the original motor. I miss it!
@@normstrains Aw man id miss it too if I had to get rid of it