Layout Update - December 2020: 40 Mile Creek Complete, Searchlight Signals Installed...
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- Опубліковано 19 гру 2020
- Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from our family to yours!
Here's what we've been up to this past month on the layout:
- New rolling stock: Athearn Genesis CP "Re-trucked" ES44AC first revenue trip on the layout, see previous video for review & test.
- 40 Mile Creek Scene complete. Only thing left to do is the trees and shrubs in the background. The girder bridge is installed, track re-layed and ballasted. Static grass done at the same time as the ballast to take advantage of the wet glue.
- Searchlight signals for the Banff west CTC control point installed. Next up will be wiring and getting JMRI Panel Pro up and running. Signal and block detection hardware is all Digitrax.
Thanks for watching!
-Ben - Розваги
Looks awesome , once those signals are lit and working...... it just makes it really pop. Beautiful job on that river scene.
Thank you! Cheers!
Great Bridge scene, looking at the backdrop is....wait, I think I saw a Bigfoot!! 😁👍
😁
Awesome horn in the opening sequence. Layouts looking really good!! Great job!
I agree! Thanks George!
Simply put, Banff looks like Banff, just smaller. Great work!
Thanks!
The river / bridge look great. And it for sure will be neat to have the signals up and running. They look great as well. Merry Christmas.
Thanks, you too!
Always great to see an update from you. I think the level of detail you're achieving is top notch. Have a happy holiday season!
Thank you very much!
excellent model railroad!!! love your backdrops ! your scenery has inspired me to, hopefully over the holidays, start some scenery projects myself.
Thanks!
That creek, bridge and backdrop look amazing!
Thanks!
Wanted to say thank you for mentioning a mister awhile back. Purchased the same one a couple of months ago and it works perfectly and has saved me a lot of time.
Glad to help!
Hi Ben - The 40 Mile Creek bridge and water look excellent as does the final track work with ballasting across the bridge. The signals really put an exclamation mark on the scene. The roll-by over the bridge at the end was awesome ....... very realistic looking! Merry Christmas to you and your family and I hope that 2021 brings you and yours good health and happiness. Mike
Thanks Mike! Same to you and your family!
Really like the bridge and river scene... nice job!
Thank you!
Great progress. Excellent work with the signal. You have more patience and skills then I do!
Thanks Syl!
@@BArailsystem Your welcome, always a pleasure to see what you do. I took a pictures of the dwarf at Banff, pretty amazing how you replicated it. Exactly like the real thing. Happy New Year to and your family.
Thank you for sharing Ben. It is a delight to follow you on your progress. I hope you and your family have a happy and safe Christmas. Really looking forward to the block work on your layout. Stay safe Paul.
Thank you Paul! I really appreciate that. Same to you!
Well done Ben, don't be too hard on yourself about 40 Mile Cr transition, it looks very good. Merry Christmas to you and your family. M
Thanks Michael, all the best to you and your family in the New Year!
Those signals look so awesome on the layout!
Thanks Tyler!
Evening Ben. Hope you and all of your family have had a lovely Christmas 🎄 day with lots of gifts from santa 👍🏻 Always love watch your progress on Banff. It's looking so real a have to take a second look lol 😂 Keep safe over the festive period looking forward to seeing the progress on Banff in 2021 cheers Stevie 😎🇬🇧
Thanks Stevie. All the best to you and your family in the New Year!
Came across this today, wow this is looking epic!
Another subscriber added
Thank you! Much appreciated.
Truly amazing! Merry Christmas. Keep up the great work. Always a treat when one of your videos pops up. Thanks for sharing your work with us.
Thank you! I appreciate that very much.
Fascinating watching your progress. Thanks for the update.
Thanks for watching!
Excellent progress, keep up the good work!
Thanks, will do!
Merry Christmas to you and the family, we look forward to 2021
Thank you, same to you!
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thanks for all the vids over the past year!
Have a great holiday season
Same to you!
Fabulous work Ben, I just love the way the 40 mile creek bridge has turned out. All the best, David.
Many thanks David!
That river crossing scene looks great. I think it’s one of the better blended into background scenes I’ve seen. The grade crossing scene looks really awesome also.
Thanks for sharing and happy Holidays to ya, Cary
Thank you Cary! All the best in the New Year!
Looks great Ben I can't wait to see your signals up and running I run all O scale and have several blocks and control points with working signals the river looks so great and so real. Happy Holidays
Thanks Donald!
Good to know the concept works. Same to you!
Merry Christmas and thanks for another excellent update
Thank you!
The river turned out great ben. Well done
Thanks Peter!
awesome job dude both that bridge and the signals look amazing! I can't wait to see those suckers lit up either. Love that Genesis ES44AC as well, I ordered one myself and am really looking forward to it showing up.
Thanks!
Looking great! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you too!
Same to you
Those Dwarfs are cool, very unique. Good work so far, its coming along very well. I also think the river came out well.
Thank you! Cheers!
That section looks awesome. Very nice work. Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas. Stay safe !!
Thanks!
BDL168, SE8C...I am same as you...learned it all then forgot it. Merry Christmas Ben. Mark
It happens : ) Thanks Mark
One of my favorite model railroads on the internet. Really well done. As to the point where 40-Mile Creek meets the wall, I think it has the appearance of the river flowing over something, perhaps the remnant of some concrete obstruction or even a low-level flow-control device. In any case, that scenic work is excellent. Another thing I really like: No graffiti on the rolling stock! Thanks for sharing the layout, and Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much. All the best to you and your family in the New Year!
Amazing attention to detail!
Thank you! Cheers!
Terrific job awesome 😎 details on those beautiful signals 🤩
Thank you very much!
Merry Christmas to you and your family, and hope that the new year will be good for you.
Same to you!
Merry Christmas from Ingersoll Ont.
Thanks Shane, same to you!
The layout looks awesome, love the Athearn Genesis ES44AC, I'm planning on getting one too in the Burlington Northern fantasy scheme sometime. Happy holidays!
Thanks and that sounds cool!
Awesome progress happy holidays
Thanks Chris, same to you!
Love the progress! Can't wait to see the signal system. I'm thinking of using the same system on my GN layout.
Thank you! It's a proven system, my friend used Digitrax hardware on his Carmat & Kinghorn subdivisions layout and its been working well for years.
Wow looks absolutely beautiful
Thank you! Cheers!
Nice update mate the creek looks great i like the new loco i think it sounds awesome. have a merry christmas and a happy new year and all the best for 2021.
Thanks, you too!
Looks awesome
Thanks!
Looks very nice all
Thanks so much
Looking good. 👍
Thank you! Cheers!
Looks great man, it’s been great to follow this to “completion”, and the photo backdrops are just killer.
As an aide, I’ve had some luck using a filet or cove up from the river to the backdrop and blending up onto the backdrop with paint. It is hard to get resin to apply to the curved up filet, but I’ve used some gloss varnish with good results. As I prefer matte backdrops prints I’ve found it harder to get the gloss finish blend right over the relative simplicity of color.
All the best, thanks for continuing to share and put the work into this. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Thanks Andy. Yes I agree with the matte paper for backdrops. I went with "40 weight" matte which doesn't reflect at all.
As for blending I plan on using some gloss medium to create gentle waves and I'm hoping that's all I have to do.
Ben that whole area is looking great. Merry Christmas to you, keep up the great work. I'll be watching the more your videos because I'm getting ready to install a signaling system on my layout with digitrak so I hope you make a full video and how exactly how you did everything. Happy New Year and hope to see you next video Gary
Thanks Gary! Hopefully you can learn from my mistakes : ) I'll share the progress on the signals as I go and maybe a video or two just on signaling once I get it working and know what I am talking about. All the best to you and your family in the New Year!
Looks great Ben. Merry Christmas and have fun over the holidays. -grant
Thanks Grant! All the best in the New Year!
Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to all
Same to you!
Looking awesome Ben I can’t wait see more your layout I really excited see it all way done someday I am sure come visit your layout bring my soft this so awesome I can’t tell how many times been watching your videos are so beautiful and awesome have great merry Christmas and I sure soon will show mind I am working getting lumber loads more my cars so be while before show you
Thanks Taylor!
@@BArailsystem your welcome Ben
Great job on the bridge scene, Ben. I know you will love having the signals lit and operational. It changed my layout significantly. I know you are using the system you have chosen, but Kevin's system was so easy to install and works flawlessly. Good luck and looking forward to seeing the signals in action.
Thanks Norman!
Nice weathering on the second unit.
Thanks!
Nice job
Thank you! Cheers!
It definitely has that eerie remote feel that Canada has in that area. One day I'll buy a ton of DEET and visit the Banff area.
That's what were going for, experiencing mountain railroading on the CP Laggan sub from the comfort of my basement. No Grizzly bears or mosquitos to deal with.
Top video👍👍👍
Thanks ✌
Thanks for another great video Ben. Here is wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Once you get all this signalling down pat could you do a video that explains the block detection and different components that it takes to drive a signal for those of us have have no idea? It would be a great reference.
Thanks Kevin. Same to you and your family.
Yes I will make a video or two outlining how the signalling works. High level:
1. Layout is wired for block detection using a Digitrax BDL168 and RD2's due to the long runs. Each block is insulated from the next to allow the detection system to detect when current is being drawn. Blocks are set up just like the prototype I am modelling which is CP and CROR rules.
2. The signalling is driven by the block detection and I will be using two Digitrax SE8C's based on the number of signal heads I have. From the SE8Cs the LEDs in the signals are powered by 10 conductor ribbon cable running under the layout to each signal via a Digitrax TMSK terminal mounting kit. My signals are custom built showcase miniatures with 4 wire tri-colour LEDs, common Anode (+).
3. JMRI Panel pro will tie it all together and automate it. (I haven't got to this step yet).
@@BArailsystem Thanks Ben. It is starting to all make sense, thanks to guys like you who take the time to share your knowledge with the rest of us that have lots to learn. These videos are a great resource for anyone about embark on their own layout. I haven’t started mine as I have a move to make first but when I do you can bet I will be revisiting all of your videos.
Nice work on the bridge and river; perhaps some rocks, logs and vegetation (trees and bushes) to help disguise the transition. The railroad cops are doing a good job --- only the caboose(?) got tagged by the graffiti vandals. If this were Los Angeles, you wouldn't be able to discern the original color schemes for all the spray paint.
Thanks, were a long way from LA : )
Looks awesome hey when you're going to remove that seeing read for your signals use it'll alcohol on the air you wanna remove let it sit for couple of minutes come back with a shizzle but it on xacto knife and it comes up really easy I take up track that's what I use on mine and I can remove all the ballast without having to destroy my track and it releases really good
Good to know, thanks!
Nice work man! Looks great! How about a little "rapids" right at the transition? Would really help hide that transition I think
Thanks Matt. Yes I still plan on using gloss medium to make some gentle waves so that should help blend that transition out some more.
COOL!
Thanks!
Where the river meets the wall it kinda looks like a little water fall.
Are you going to put guide rails on the bridge between the main rails? Looks amazing as does all your work.
Stay well. -Wil 👍
Thanks Wil! I totally forgot about the guide rails, I will be putting some on there just like the prototype bridge.
cool layout. interesting aspect on signals i like that tsmk product it seems to make it easy to wire led lights that have no resisters on them like BLMA signals. for my layout, most of e-z track switches are wired to ESU Switch Pilot and work good. ESU is making product called signal pilot and i'll be looking at getting that and i hope they have resisters in the unit so that make it easy for me to hook up few of my BLMA signals i bought long time ago before atlas bought BLMA.
Yeah it saves a lot of time not having to wire in your own resistors. (I would've needed 9 for this control point alone). Also convenient to have the terminal strips to terminate the wires to.
Great video as always! Stay safe and happy holidays! Do you have a video or can you make a video on how to wire signals?
Thank you!
Yes I will make a video or two outlining how the signalling works. High level:
1. Layout is wired for block detection using a Digitrax BDL168 and RD2's due to the long runs. Each block is insulated from the next to allow the detection system to detect when current is being drawn. Blocks are set up just like the prototype I am modelling which is CP and CROR rules.
2. The signalling is driven by the block detection and I will be using two Digitrax SE8C's based on the number of signal heads I have. From the SE8Cs the LEDs in the signals are powered by 10 conductor ribbon cable running under the layout to each signal via a Digitrax TMSK terminal mounting kit. My signals are custom built showcase miniatures with 4 wire tri-colour LEDs, common Anode (+).
3. JMRI Panel pro will tie it all together and automate it. (I haven't got to this step yet).
@@BArailsystem thanks so much
Totally get what you mean about understanding the wiring and then forgetting by the time you get back to it lol.
Can’t remember if you planned to do some gloss medium on the river to simulate some flow or not?
Yep, I actually just re-watched one of my own how to videos last night because I had to make some new loconet cables and had forgotten how I had done it over 2 years ago. The good thing about UA-cam!
Yes I am going to get some of that stuff from Michaels and try to do gentle waves on the surface.
HELLO BEN ITS IS RANDY AND MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR THANKS AND I WILL U UP UPDATE AND JAM 2021 THANKS BEN 1#FAN'S RANDY
Thanks Randy!
Wow.. freakin awesome Ben.. great detail..are you running Digitrax for the whole layout..thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.. Lance
Thanks Lance! Yes the block detection and signalling hardware is all Digitrax. I will be using JMRI for the control software.
Great update. Everything is looks so good.
I recently read somewhere that CP is starting a pilot project where locos will be powered using hydrogen. Have you seen that ?
I did see that, I'm skeptical though. My background is petrochemicals and hydrogen has a real tendency to go BOOM especially in enclosed spaces like say, a locomotive long hood.
@@BArailsystem Agreed. Almost sound like a PR stunt.
AWESOME!!!😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁
Thanks! 😄
Nice looking scene. I’ve been following your signal build, as I’m going the same route as you. (I. E. Scale scenics kits with tricolor SMLEDs). Having said that, when I read the instructions on the SE8C, it seems it doesn’t support the operation of tricolor LED. Do you have any insight? Thanks, Efram.
Thanks Efram. I guess it depends on the interpretation of tricolor SMLEDs. The LEDs I used are four wire, tri-colour RGY common Anode (+). One per signal head. In the SE8C manual it states "Drives as many as 32 signal heads" *"three-LED heads with common anode or common cathode."* Electrically, a tri-colour LED is wired the same way as if it were 3 individual LEDs so I think it will work. I've got problems if it doesn't lol
I wish I could do as good a job on scenery as you have done! I suck a scenery. I’m an electro mechanical guy. Not an artist. ☹️
I suck at scenery too! What I've done is not hard. Work off of pictures, use real sifted dirt and a static grass applicator.
it's like a weight lifted off your back when you can complete a scene, good stuff... @ 13:00, where'd you get that lumber load from???... i've been looking for some realistic unwrapped lumber loads
@Ted Amrein thanks i did buy some the other day... yeah a little pricey but not too too bad... it beats those TERRIBLE plastic one piece loads though, those things are awful for real
I got it second hand, it came with the car (also second hand). It is wood with paper glued to it. Looks to be home made. Sorry I don't have more info for you.
I've been a subscriber to your channel since you started the initial drawings of your layout. It is simply beautiful. I do have one thing I noticed on this video regarding the bridge at 40 mile creek. I noticed that there is no check rails going over the bridge. Is that something you did intentionally?
Thank you so much!
Good catch, I totally forgot! I will be putting some safety rails on there for sure. I've got the measurements from Google Earth. I have some code 55 rail and code 55 joiners that will look awesome.
@@BArailsystem Ben in my Error is it called Echo or 40 mile creek. Wasn’t a 100% sure. I live in Southwestern part of Ontario in Windsor
@@otrrailroad8821 From my research, the town of Banff calls it Echo Creek and CP calls it Forty Mile Creek. So I go with what CP uses.
Is this N scale, or HO Scale?
HO
do not ferget about working anumated crossings to
That's on it's way in the mail : )
Looks great
Thanks!