New 8x12 HO Train Layout Build

[@amyreynolds3619]

Ken The NMRA suggested 1x6 framework with 2x2 legs which is bolted to the legs. Remember that you have to get under the layout for the wiring the layout which you drill holes in the framework to run the wires

[@Kens265]

Interesting thanks

[@terryhenderson8405]

Ken,that's was great idea 8x12 layout with the measurement

[@Kens265]

Glad you liked it

[@neilschwerdt3493]

Hi my friend it is Neil schwerdt in west valley city Utah,You are going the right way.
Build your layout to where you can reach it ok.
And do not put in a helix in your layout to .
I'm 63 years old and it,s hard to crawl under the layout too.
My layout is 2 feet wide and I have a loop in the Center that way I can get to it from both sides .
My knees don't work good anymore too.
You are doing a great job on the layout from Neil schwerdt in west valley city ( Utah)😊

[@Kens265]

Cool, thanks!

[@johnsmith-sn8dd]

Really like your style Ken.

[@wgoconnor33]

I’m looking forward to following your build, had had an idea while watching you should have a construction site site with your crew building a structure ( a garage or barn )

[@Kens265]

Yes that would look pretty cool

[@slugbug55]

Back in the 80s my cousin had a huge model train layout that covered the entire basement of his house. You had to crawl under it to get to the furnace etc. Him and his dad would go downstairs after dinner every night sporting their engineers caps and spend hours there. They must have had tens of thousands invested in their hobby.

[@Kens265]

Wow I don’t doubt it

[@robertstewart5685]

Hi Ken , Bob in Minne , my layout is 8x8 in a closet, a duck under, 24 to 30” from wall. Made out of 1” by lumber, made into I joist, with legs from a 2x4 ripped in half, then my dcc layout is a 16” shelf above, put in a pullout shelf for a work desk

[@Kens265]

Wow, that sounds really organized. I like that.

[@richardthomas1566]

I love trains and am an amateur train sat builder/ carpenter . I used spray foam to make hills by putting the foam where I want hills and under ramps then a pice of bed sheet soaked in carpenters glue thrown over it the then sawdust covering the glue the wrinkles and creases look good after painted . The sawdust even looks good as grass on flat areas and painted brown or gray for gravel roads. Lots of good model train builders on u tube with 100s of hours into building a back set but way over the top for me . This takes minutes not ours and it’s just fine for me. Long grade and a tunnel would look great in that corner just use 1/4 paneling or luan cut it to follow the track block it up put the spray foam under it then the sheet soaked in glue

[@Kens265]

Thanks. You can really be insane about model railroading

[@richardthomas1566]

@@Kens265 you can I love watching some of those high end U tube videos you should check out Rod Stuart train set up on u tube. I love trains but if I took the time to do that I would never finish that sawdust and old bed sheet in glue works great . You can leave a space clear for a pond paint it blue pour some clear epoxy over it and it looks great and it gets done .

[@c50truck]

Ken, we're of similar age. I run the larger gauge trains, but built my layouts as you. All 2x constructed. You can walk on them when finished. And they are sturdy when you need to lean on them, or work under them. And I found using 2x4 studs was actually cheaper than 1x4 or even 2x2 in my area. Rod

[@Kens265]

Nice. Sounds rugged. Yes 2x4are less money

[@c50truck]

@@Kens265I might add. That outlet behind the green cloth, bothers me. I suspect that metal box has knock outs. At a minimum, I would have removed the out let, used a bottom knock out, and run a proper Romex to a lower outlet below your table. Than cut the green screen away. I'm not an electrician, but grew up around them. And fabric and electricity do not mix well. Rod

[@fleischmann_rowa_roco_ho]

There is always something exciting about starting a new layout!
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@Kens265]

Isn’t that the truth

[@bobt3374]

Hi Ken. Now that is a nice setup looking forward to next episode. Take care.

[@Kens265]

Thanks

[@petetuck6095]

My layout is N gauge, 7mm between the tracks. Baseboards should be brown, the colour of soil, sand, easier to add scenic colours afterwards, grass looks more natural on a brown base..

[@Kens265]

Thanks

[@Wildwood975]

Ken, would love seeing some projects making some outdoor furniture using only tools most homeowners have. Not everyone has nail guns or even chop saws, only circular saws, hand saws along with drill/drivers. Keep up the good work!

[@Kens265]

Thanks. I know what you mean.

[@jimsgroi6301]

Hello Ken, that’s a great start to an expanding pastime. I have the same size set up, L shaped 2 4x8s and run American Flyer S gauge trains from 40s and 50s with 2 loops on the main level and a point to point trolley, 1 loop on the upper level and a subway that runs about 16” under one of the 4x8s. The table top is 42” high. Much easier on the back when wiring. Enjoy!

[@Kens265]

Well, that sounds like a really nice layout

[@alanb287]

Thank you for the inspiration. I'm going to do this for an S-scale layout.

[@Kens265]

You’re welcome that sounds really fun doing an S scale layout

[@Dakota3988-s7v]

I just love your channel; the overall vibe of your videos is so fun and satisfying to watch. I could watch these videos over and over again, keep up the great content!

[@Kens265]

Thank you so much!!

[@StoneKathryn]

I like the new set-up. It was fun to see Kia doing her "rounds" under the build in your other video! She does really enjoy her closed in space! I like the mention of the board stretcher! That was funny. With the OSB on it does look very large. It looks very nice painted black. I like it with the train running! Thanks for this video Ken!

[@Kens265]

Thanks she is a lot of fun.

[@derekalexander4030]

Hey Ken, that was a great little build. Your dog was very curious about what you were doing to its house. Now the dog has a roof. ROOF ROOF!

[@Kens265]

Haha

[@therealbebos]

That little engine at the end sounded so realistic!

[@Kens265]

Thanks. I had actually recorded a train in town and used the sound from it.

[@70rrsteve51]

This looks like a fun project. I’ll be following along. 👍🏻

[@Kens265]

Thanks I appreciate it

[@stevemcgeachy6953]

Hi Ken, my layout is 15' x 16' with peninsula in the middle and swing bridge to get inside the loop. I am using my basement for this build so it a great man cave for me. Also wanted to use 1 x 4 boards for the benchwork, but x 4 boards were half the price. Go figure. I like watching you build this up.

[@Kens265]

Hey thanks the swing bridge sounds pretty handy.

[@OutOfOrderGarage]

Great fun as always! I’m also subbed to your garage channel

[@Kens265]

Thanks to appreciate it

[@philtucker1224]

Ken if you curve the rearmost track route nearer to the front as it goes around you will be able to reach the derailments a lot easier!

[@Kens265]

Thanks

[@cncpgreatlakesdiv4896]

HI Ken thanks for sharing new sub looking forward to more.😊😊👍👍

[@Kens265]

Thanks for the sub. I appreciate it.

[@wingman8447]

Wow! You’re going to town. Good stuff

[@Kens265]

Haha thanks

[@lmars5933]

Looking forward too the NEW LAYOUT..🐊🌴😎

[@Kens265]

Thanks

[@amyreynolds3619]

My layout is 8x 40 feet and all in the southeast with Southern railway from 1827 to 1982.

[@Kens265]

Oh my head. That’s huge!

[@karl7994]

You are just the fun guy to watch, love your videos

[@Kens265]

Haha thanks

[@fhuber7507]

Ensure you have access to inside any tunnels to deal with trains jumping track in the tunnel. Such a pain having to rip the mountain down to get the train out.

[@fhuber7507]

My layout, many years ago, was basic 4 X 8 sheet of plywood. I've considered doing another, but I think I'll go N guage if I do it.

[@Kens265]

Thanks yes I definitely will

[@kenmabie8029]

Ken here in California. I am about to frame my layout on a 8’ wide mezzanine in my garage. It will be 16’ long, 5’ wide, with a 3’ by 4’ wide ell at the far end. It is HO, with a reproduction of Pajaro Junction' in Watsonville, with a turntable & Roundhouse. There will be some tunnels, mountains, a wood trestle, a little rural town, and a small farm. I learned a lot from your framing technique, and how you discussed it as you went along. Cheers.

[@Kens265]

Wow. That’s really cool. Have fun

[@philtucker1224]

Ken I would put some one dimensional building facades all along the back and bring the rearmost track about three inches near to you.

[@Kens265]

Thanks. Yes the track was to close to the wall

[@abcxyz1797]

Mr. McFeely, speedy delivery!

[@Kens265]

Haha absolutely

[@philtucker1224]

Ken why not buy some ready made building kits to fit along the back of the layout and put some LED lighting in them for night time running. It would look great on film!

[@Kens265]

That would look nice

[@user-fu6pg8ei4v]

Something I am planning on doing is to build a 4’x8’ wood shed. It might be something that you like to show us how to build one. What do you think. A fun project

[@Kens265]

Thanks I’ll look into it

[@rareimpalass1966]

This is going to be awesome!

[@Kens265]

Thanks

[@curtpavone9927]

HI Ken! I've been itching to get my collection out of boxes and onto a board for 50 years. Now that I finally have the space, I went to my tried&true source for all things DIY - UA-cam. As it turns out, I recognized your voice before I realized YOU were the same guy I was watching on how to build a garage, etc during the pandemic. You have a wonderful way of explaining things while conveying an authentic and relaxed "this is totally doable" demeanor - rare characteristics. Are you a teacher? You'd be a memorable one. Btw, thank you for your content. I look forward to seeing more.

[@Kens265]

Wow that’s cool glad you found my railroad channel

[@HartfordWhaler]

Looks great. Look forward to following along.

[@Kens265]

Thanks 👍

[@amyreynolds3619]

22 radius curves are needed for 6 axis locomotives and big steam locomotives.

[@Kens265]

Yes I feel like I need more width for turns

[@Hiazhunter]

Nice layout Ken. I had a guy give me a h.o. layout about a year ago, 2 sheets of 4'x8' set up as an L shape. 6 yrs ago I put up a twin track high shelf in my dining, kitchen & living room. 20'x27' . The Lines are just under a hundred feet each .
50 locomotives & 300 pieces of rolling stock. It keeps me occupied
Happy Rails to you.
🚂🚃🚃🚃

[@Kens265]

Wow. And I was excited with just 2 locomotives

[@howardemery1443]

looks good so far

[@Kens265]

Thanks

[@elleryparsons2433]

Lookin Smashingly good layout.

[@Kens265]

Fun hobby

[@XBOXShawn12thman]

Perfect space for a point to point L shape layout

[@Kens265]

Thanks yes

[@amyreynolds3619]

Also check out model railroader.

[@Kens265]

Cool

[@NEC_Amtrak]

This is great! My favorite YT builder is building a model railroad layout. I have an HO layout build in progress too.

[@Kens265]

Thanks. Very very cool. Hope you’re enjoying it.

[@GY51360]

Very cool Ken. I love trains and film them everyday.

[@Kens265]

Nice thanks for watching

[@robertstewart5685]

Remember Ken you have to reach every area of your layout

[@Kens265]

Right thanks

[@robertswafford5655]

At Christmas I set up an 5x10 layout over the dinning room table.

[@Kens265]

That sounds like fun

[@billmorris2613]

I recently bought a new home and I have the 2nd largest bedroom, 14 X 16 including the closet and vanity, for my Train & Plane room. The vanity will be covered with a piece of plywood and used as my work bench. My HO layout will depict the Texas & Pacific from New Orleans, LA to El Paso, TX during the transition era of the 1950s. It will be a U shape with the long section being 14 X 5 with two 4 x 5 added on each side. The outer dimensions, against the wall, will be 9 x 14 X 9. That will give me 110 square feet for the layout.
Im planning 2 to 3 lift out sections in the 14 X 5 section and one in each of the 4 X 5 sections. Theses will all be scenery like buildings or just open areas like a field or a park. The 14 X 5 section will actually be two 7 X 5 sections joined together. This way the layout will be able to be moved in 4 sections.
The walls will all be painted sky blue. Then add in some clouds. On the New Orleans end I’m planning to have some dark clouds as we have a pretty good bit of thunder storms down here like those passing through right now. The mountains on the El Paso end will also be in two sections with the tops removable to facilitate getting through the door.
I have been collecting T&P Steam and Diesel Locomotives along with about 1/2 of my rolling stock being T & P or MOP. All of the build dates on the cars are 1955 or earlier. Most of the locomotives have factory installed sound. I have a lot of building already built from other layouts and a lot of the material to build the layout. As soon as I get all the boxes unpacked from the move, and the materials used in the remodeling of the house out of the Train & Plane room I can get started.

[@Kens265]

That’s cool

[@neilschwerdt3493]

Hi Ken it,s Neil try to make your turn,s at a 30 inch radius too from Neil again.

[@Kens265]

Thanks yes, I feel the ends need to be a little wider to do that

[@Bigshooter86]

It’s been years since I had me a Ho Train.

[@Kens265]

They seem to be getting popular nowadays

[@mattgriffith332]

Ken, are you still working on your original layout project or have you decided to change it up? Just a curiosity question. Looks amazing wish I had the room for a layout that large. Keep up the awesome work.

[@Kens265]

Yes, I’m still working on the other layout. There will actually be some video of that in next weeks video. Now that I have the room, I wanted to do a bigger layout and maybe learn from my mistakes.

[@randydobson1863]

hello Ken & it's is Randy and i like yours video is cool & Thanks Ken & Friends Randy

[@Kens265]

Hi Randy thanks for watching

[@byronholmes2496]

Good day to all.

[@Kens265]

Good day to you

[@rdyardie]

Your dog was trying to tell you that when you collapse her "cage", it annoys her. 😂

[@Kens265]

Haha

[@robertdknight]

Very nice long layout. Would a small step stool work good enough for you to reach the back? Sure looks cool running the train. Love the Gatorade delivery car. Kaya was looking for a coal car full of Kibbles and Bits.

[@Kens265]

Haha

[@thomasnativo6491]

Looks like the Dog likes Ho scale Trains

[@Kens265]

Haha she does

[@Silent212]

Thinking on making one

[@Kens265]

Nice have fun!

[@clarencewiles963]

Ken you could build layouts for custom designs for customers or maybe kits ??? Just thinking out loud. 😊

[@Kens265]

Cool idea! I don’t think I have enough experience yet though

[@Rickshaw103]

With out Chad and Dan you have to use "Stick" to hold up your work piece (s) you know "stick of wood"...I'll see myself out. looks good though

[@Kens265]

Haha thanks for watching

[@denisebasile3813]

I have a t shaped layout the top of t is 20 ft wide as wide as room 4 ft wide an the bottom of the t is 7by 6 ft 7 long an 6 ft wide I love your videos very helpful I have no one to help keep making videos please thank you

[@Kens265]

Wow that’s big. Thanks for watching

[@lmoline63601]

You need a painter to paint scenery on the wall.

[@Kens265]

Haha yes

[@garyleczynskisr9411]

i have a HO Train Layout in my celler i have all the places i worked at on my Layout used matchboxes and Hotwheels

[@Kens265]

Wow that’s cool

[@maddogminor306]

that was fun.

[@Kens265]

Thanks it really was

[@kennethsears5041]

I like your video

[@Kens265]

Thanks

[@raynall3593]

yes, love the garage builds but this is way better

[@Kens265]

Haha. Glad you like it

[@bobgodi5696]

My layout is HO and ON30 on a 9 ft x 20 ft platform.

[@Kens265]

Wow nice size

[@philtucker1224]

Please don’t use all that rock this time! - far too heavy and you need a good dust free layout to keep the locos running sweetly..(just saying) god bless. 🙏

[@Kens265]

Right I agree

[@earlfreeman93]

Ken they are usually just called Joices.

[@Kens265]

Thanks

[@garrettlayout6598]

Like the new layout

[@Kens265]

Thanks

[@amyreynolds3619]

You need the extra leg on that layout

[@Kens265]

Thanks I actually did put it in

[@josefreck1103]

👏🏻👋👍🤗

[@kenshores9900]

Ken: 2x6? That is quite stout.

[@Kens265]

Haha yes a little overkill

[@huckstaunfiltered8200]

Inherited some of my grandfather's post war Lionel locomotives... Lionel 681 steam engine, Lionel 2344 f3 NYC power unit locomotive, both are for sale if anyone is interested..? (I'm keeping Lionel 2338 Milwaukee Road GP7, I wil never have a train layout, therefore I will just display it)

[@Kens265]

Cool thanks

[@huckstaunfiltered8200]

@@Kens265 You did very nice work sir, thank you for sharing your knowledge. I wish I had the space to do a nice layout (My Grampa would of been proud, I'm sure).

[@arthurhouston3]

Watch video i attached 30 inch max on reach.

[@Kens265]

Ok thanks

[@RobertBOUSKILL]

When your train derails in the corner, how will you get it fixed?

[@Kens265]

I need to create a hole over there

[@johnmanthey6034]

Why the OSB? Why not 2” rigid foam.? Much quieter running for your trains and easier to work with when landscaping. I was thinking maybe you would have incorporated your original layout into this one

[@Kens265]

I haven’t secured the track yet. I may do foam not sure. I still have a lot to do on the older layout that I want to finish. I will be doing both layouts at the same time.

[@elleryparsons2433]

My Layout Is 2 4x8’s L Shape For My Ho And My Wife Does A L Shapes In N Scale ALL N ALL Lookin Good.

[@Kens265]

Nice. I’ve never used N scale

[@elleryparsons2433]

N Scale Can Be Fun But challenging and Is Fun As Well If you go 2 Scales There Will be A Challenge and Balancing Act on top of Two scales What would Look Good or What would Fit in the area you want to put down.

[@garrettlayout6598]

Are you getting rid of the original?

[@Kens265]

No I actually have a video coming out tomorrow doing landscaping on it

[@smorefirewood]

Just where did you learn to carpenter? lol

[@Kens265]

Ha ha. School of hard knocks.

[@customwoodworketc1046]

Mine is 14' 6" x 21' 6"

[@Kens265]

WoW that’s huge

[@elgrec1903]

Tutto questo spazio sprecato per 2 binari😅😅😅

[@Kens265]

Haha yes just experimenting right now

[@randallfawc7501]

BIGGER is better!!!

[@Kens265]

Haha yes

[@jefferykeeper9034]

I would not have used OSB

[@Kens265]

I think the base underneath will support it well