Hey Norm, I just finished watching your 3 part videos on “Early Construction”. Really enjoyed these progress videos. Especially enjoyed Part 3 with the discussion on building the 350 Ton Coaling Tower & the Round House. I built the 400 ton CT kit by Tichy Trains and it took me a month to build. I spent about 80 hrs doing research, I knew nothing about these beautiful monstrosities. Yours look fantastic! Great job on the Round House. It is a lot of work and many people don't really understand that unless they build one themselves. Beautiful work.
Thank you so much for spending the time to fully show the development and building of the layout from the beginning in this mini-series. Truly still an inspiration every time a video appears on YT.
You’re an amazing Craftsman!!!!! I stumbled on to your site and throughly enjoyed watching and listening to your description of the construction of this magnificent layout!!! Museum Quality!!
You're attention to detail such as weathering is second to none. Not just anybody has that level of creativity. I really appreciate your sharing with us what you do and how you accomplish so much of it so we can imitate it and get the same effect, or at least nearly the same effect. I think patience is a major key and I hear that in what you describe.
Have loved your videos, especially details of your methods, including Krylon khaki, Scenic Expess Adirondack green, Woodland Scenics fine cinders, spackle plus homemade scraping tool for cast concrete, and moving buildings around multiple times. Would love to view more in this vein. I think you have much to offer the rest of us on your methods.
Norm, I want to thank you for sharing the process behind building your beautiful layout with us. I can say that, for me, it has been so inspirational as I attempt to start my own layout. I genuinely appreciate it, from the bottom of my heart.
Hi Norm, it is a pleasure to watch you build such detailed models it is a great inspiration. I like the way you do your modular scenery too, it’s probably the way I’m going to do mine now. Looking forward to more updates, cheers for now Norm, John
I just found your channel and wanted to say your channel, layout, filming and commentary are all very enjoyable. I look forward to learning more from you. Thanks for sharing. Peace!
Norm, thanks for sharing. I’m looking forward to adding the Altoona roundhouse to to layout this fall! Your scenery work is an inspiration. Thanks again.
Just to add a more specific suggestion: I'd love to see a video from you on freight car weathering. Yours is subtle but very effective. I see other videos with random sprayed blotches, or cars that look ready for the scrap yard. Yours supports the scene without grabbing center stage. Please tell us more
Excellent continuation of the process, Norm! When you only see the finished product, it's hard to see how a layout owner got there. I'm sure lots of people will get some excellent ideas from these videos. I routinely open up your videos on my cell when I hear someone say you can't have a realistic three-rail layout to show how wrong they are.
Loved the series, and great work on the coal tower. There are still Michigan Central coaling towers on my run I had between Battle Creek and Chicago. Pretty cool they’re just too inconvenient to take down so they just leave them standing for now.
Norm, do you keep documentation of your work? For reference or repair. I found when I’m into a project I know everything. However a year later it’s all forgotten. So I started to document all my work parts, web sites wiring color codes etc. I don’t know how you can remember something you did years ago. Phenomenal work. Have a great summer .
Brick was Rustoleum 2X flat red primer cleared with matte clear enamel before and after spackling the mortar lines. Roof was flat black heavily dry brushed with light gray.
I will eventually build a roundhouse but have a 2 stall engine house. I want to have a floor similar to your model. Did the flooring come with the cut out for the tracks and work pit or did you have to use a router to do that? Second, I see the exterior has a brick pattern. Is that cut into the MDF? Lastly, will this accommodate a Lionel Big Boy?
The floor is custom cut and configured by Altoona depending on what configuration you order. I got the longest roundhouse he made at the time, my T1 fits no prob.
You know I don’t understand why you didn’t think about incorporating a wye track at the entrance to your round house from both sides of your mains just my own thoughts.
Amazing, few people have the level of skill and attention to detail that you posess. Respect.
The detail on the coaling tower and in the roundhouse is amazing.
Durand's coaling tower is still there! I see it every day! Great job on the coaling tower!
Glad it's still standing. I wonder how long the one in Grand Haven will survive.
Hey Norm, I just finished watching your 3 part videos on “Early Construction”. Really enjoyed these progress videos. Especially enjoyed Part 3 with the discussion on building the 350 Ton Coaling Tower & the Round House. I built the 400 ton CT kit by Tichy Trains and it took me a month to build. I spent about 80 hrs doing research, I knew nothing about these beautiful monstrosities. Yours look fantastic! Great job on the Round House. It is a lot of work and many people don't really understand that unless they build one themselves. Beautiful work.
Thanks! I have a lot of fun doing the research!
Looks nice Norm, enjoyed the walk through the TT & RH engine area. Thanks, Al
Thank you so much for spending the time to fully show the development and building of the layout from the beginning in this mini-series. Truly still an inspiration every time a video appears on YT.
You’re an amazing Craftsman!!!!! I stumbled on to your site and throughly enjoyed watching and listening to your description of the construction of this magnificent layout!!! Museum Quality!!
You're attention to detail such as weathering is second to none. Not just anybody has that level of creativity. I really appreciate your sharing with us what you do and how you accomplish so much of it so we can imitate it and get the same effect, or at least nearly the same effect. I think patience is a major key and I hear that in what you describe.
Hey Norm another great video and that coaling tower is off the hook I don't live far from the one in Grand Haven and you did a really good job
I was just there a couple weekends ago, the photos of the real deal were from that visit.
Have loved your videos, especially details of your methods, including Krylon khaki, Scenic Expess Adirondack green, Woodland Scenics fine cinders, spackle plus homemade scraping tool for cast concrete, and moving buildings around multiple times. Would love to view more in this vein. I think you have much to offer the rest of us on your methods.
Norm, I want to thank you for sharing the process behind building your beautiful layout with us. I can say that, for me, it has been so inspirational as I attempt to start my own layout. I genuinely appreciate it, from the bottom of my heart.
Your Roundhouse is Excellent! Wish my HO Heljan looked as good inside!
👍👌👏 fine work Norm thanks for sharing
love your work, So cool to see how you did it, thanks for taking the time and effort to share past episodes!
Hi Norm, it is a pleasure to watch you build such detailed models it is a great inspiration. I like the way you do your modular scenery too, it’s probably the way I’m going to do mine now. Looking forward to more updates, cheers for now Norm, John
Spectacular!!!! I could spend hours watching and listening to you talk about your layout. Thanks for sharing.
You are an inspiration too All !!
You really have serious Talent your layout is fantastic job well done young man look forward to your other videos in the future.
Great information, I am going to try painting my sub roadbed black I would have never believed the effect it would have under the ground cover.
Really a lot of fun to watch. Love it.
I just found your channel and wanted to say your channel, layout, filming and commentary are all very enjoyable. I look forward to learning more from you. Thanks for sharing. Peace!
Beautiful work!
Norm, thanks for sharing. I’m looking forward to adding the Altoona roundhouse to to layout this fall! Your scenery work is an inspiration. Thanks again.
Just to add a more specific suggestion: I'd love to see a video from you on freight car weathering. Yours is subtle but very effective. I see other videos with random sprayed blotches, or cars that look ready for the scrap yard. Yours supports the scene without grabbing center stage. Please tell us more
Excellent continuation of the process, Norm! When you only see the finished product, it's hard to see how a layout owner got there. I'm sure lots of people will get some excellent ideas from these videos. I routinely open up your videos on my cell when I hear someone say you can't have a realistic three-rail layout to show how wrong they are.
Thanks man!
Loved the series, and great work on the coal tower. There are still Michigan Central coaling towers on my run I had between Battle Creek and Chicago. Pretty cool they’re just too inconvenient to take down so they just leave them standing for now.
Appreciate your sharing step-by-step. Helps me to be more patient
Enjoyed this very much.
Excellent 3 video series, Norm! I loved it!
Amazing coaling tower and roundhouse structures! Thanks for sharing, definitely liking the whole series and subbing!
FANTASTIC!!!
Fantastic modeling 👍🏼
Outstanding....
You do amazing work. Looks incredible.
Oh 1-2-3 blocks. Cool 😎
John Allen, Linn Westcott, Allen McClellan, Howard Zane and Norm Charbonneau!
Ha, no, not me man. You forgot Sellios though!
@@normstrains My error! How could I forget George!
I NEED to see this layout in person.
Superb!
Well done! 👏😌
Such a work of art!
Superb series, Norm!! Great work!!
Lovely.
Nice video!
I bought my dad that same Steelers mug from the football hall of fame YEARS ago.
What detail, impressive!
Just wow
Nice video like it very much.
Awesome!
Excellent!!!
This is lit!
Norm, do you keep documentation of your work? For reference or repair. I found when I’m into a project I know everything. However a year later it’s all forgotten. So I started to document all my work parts, web sites wiring color codes etc. I don’t know how you can remember something you did years ago. Phenomenal work. Have a great summer .
Pictures help but I do have small filing cabinet 🗄 in the shop with notes, manuals, etc.
The roundhouse is absolutely incredible! What was your choice of colour for the brickwork and the roof? This is really enjoyable. Thanks
Brick was Rustoleum 2X flat red primer cleared with matte clear enamel before and after spackling the mortar lines. Roof was flat black heavily dry brushed with light gray.
GREAT stuff Norm....how about a LOCO weathering video??? I have a Q2 that needs to look like yours!!!
Great job Norm. Did you write articles for Garden Railways Magazine beck in the 80’s and 90’s?
Thanks. No, I had articles in OST, CTT, and OGR over the years.
I will eventually build a roundhouse but have a 2 stall engine house. I want to have a floor similar to your model. Did the flooring come with the cut out for the tracks and work pit or did you have to use a router to do that? Second, I see the exterior has a brick pattern. Is that cut into the MDF? Lastly, will this accommodate a Lionel Big Boy?
The floor is custom cut and configured by Altoona depending on what configuration you order. I got the longest roundhouse he made at the time, my T1 fits no prob.
Did you purchase the Scenic Express Green Adirondack blend or Dark Adirondack blend?
The green!
@@normstrains Thx. Love your work. Best I've seen on UA-cam!
Have you ever been on the November open house schedule for PA, NJ, DE, MD?
I'd say I'm a bit too far inland to make the list.
What was the brand of that kv4? Lionel?
Yes
was that a kit or did you make that all yourself?
It is a custom-configured kit.
@@normstrains ok
You know I don’t understand why you didn’t think about incorporating a wye track at the entrance to your round house from both sides of your mains just my own thoughts.
I really couldn’t due to the location of the curves.
🚂:-)
Do you paint your center rail .?
Just gets dusted with grimy black with the rest of rails and ties.