@Chris1985 posted:@Mallard4468 Thanks for watching! I really wanted to title my channel as Chris Trains but it was taken so I used "RBP Trains". RBP was the name of a fictitious production company that my brother and I created as kids.
The link to my YouTube channel is here: RBP Trains
And what are the chances that two young guys named Chris would both have O-gauge railroading channels?
@Chris1985 posted:Thanks @mike g.! I have been following your build and getting ideas from you so don't stop now!
@Tranquil Hollow RR Thank you! When I was designing, I really wanted to be able to move a train anywhere on the layout and to be able to switch directions.
Thanks @Will! I am pretty new to the whole YouTube thing so my gear is limited. I have a tripod/ring light for static shots and I use a gimble for motion shots. I record and edit on my iPhone 12. The POV video I did required my older Sony AVCHD camcorder which did I nice job. As my video hobby grows with the trains, I will probably find myself looking at nicer cameras and recording gear! I agree that the videos are fun to create!
Thanks @Aem7s4lyfe! Appreciate the support. I love the AEMs as well! When my wife was in Grad School, I rode many of them via Amtrak on the weekends to visit her in NYC.
Nice!! I literally grew up with the AEMs. My elementary school sat adjacent to the Northeast Corridor. I lucked out in my 4th grade year because my classroom windows faced the NEC without any obstructions, so I would see the AEMs racing back and forth.
@leapinlarry, truly appreciate the kind words. I am definitely excited to see how the operating tech evolves over the next several years. It is an interesting and exciting time to be in the hobby and I am grateful to be part of the community. I will be sure to share more photos and videos of Dad's layout. He is the person who got me interested in this hobby and continued/ continues to make it exciting.
@Mallard4468 I was thinking the same thing when I was trying to name my channel! 
@Aem7s4lyfe I would have had to repeat 4th grade if I got to watch trains from the window all day! That is awesome!
@Chris1985 Ha ha!! I was tempted to that lol. 
.
Friday night run session! I am also working on more scenery this coming week. Will post here for feedback and tips once my shipment arrives from Woodland Scenics. For now, enjoy some action on the layout.
WOW Chris, I sure like how fun your layout looks to run! Everything looks so simple and flows so nice! Watching your video really makes me want to start over! What are the min curves you are using if you don t mind me asking?
Great looking layout!
JohnA
Thanks @mike g.! I have a bunch of structures coming this week so things are going to get a little more interesting. Not looking forward to more wiring!
Curve radius: O72 Outer Main, O60 Inner Main, Yard has all O72 switches, elevated lines are mostly O36. The switches that connect to the crossover are O72 as well so I can turn all of the engines around in the event that I want to change direction on the outer main line. Some of the turnouts have O36 switches on the inner main for engine/ car storage
I was inspired by your town area and realized mine is missing some life. Working to resolve that!
Thank you @John A!
Really nice layout, enjoy your RR
@Chris1985 posted:Thanks @mike g.! I have a bunch of structures coming this week so things are going to get a little more interesting. Not looking forward to more wiring!
Curve radius: O72 Outer Main, O60 Inner Main, Yard has all O72 switches, elevated lines are mostly O36. The switches that connect to the crossover are O72 as well so I can turn all of the engines around in the event that I want to change direction on the outer main line. Some of the turnouts have O36 switches on the inner main for engine/ car storage
I was inspired by your town area and realized mine is missing some life. Working to resolve that!
Thanks Chris, I reread your table blog this morning and no matter how many times you read it, it is still amazing! We have about the same size room. Mine is 24'x12', that's one of the reasons I like your layout and track plan so much!
Thank you @L.I.TRAIN!
So much ballast...
...this Yard is going to take all night.
Will update again once its done.
Your layout is coming along great. A “cheat” I’ve used is only ballast the aisle side of background tracks. No one (but you) will ever know. The closer your layout is to the viewers height, the better this works. JohnA
@John A great tip! I am going to use this on the tracks back by the fireplace for sure as those do not have multiple viewing angles. I built my benchwork a little lower as I have small children and they love the trains. While this makes things fun, it also exposes more visible areas!
Very nice Chris. A suggestion for the ballast- I have some fastrack on my layout and I ran the ballast up the side of the roadbed. Easy to do, just paint the side with white glue and sprinkle the ballast on. It hides the shiny plastic nicely.
Thanks for the tip @RSJB18! Yours looks great! Once I get through the first application, I will need to go an add to the sides as well. I really like that look in your photo.
Adding buildings!
LOL! Love the Bob Ross!
Words that almost everyone of us has uttered at some point in this hobby after frantically opening a ton of train stuff and piling the discarded boxes around the room - “my wife is gonna kill me” . Too funny. Great work Chris and thanks for sharing your progress.
You know it @Strap Hanger! Always too excited when opening the boxes so I just chuck them to the side only to find a big pile at the end. Thanks again! This scenery stuff requires patience that I lack.
Taking a break from my scenery project to run some trains. Needed this!....and need some sleep.
Chris, wonderful video. But I love how you were able to show off some of your great looking engines and layout at the same time! Outstanding work and sure looks like a lot of fun! Your city/town street looks amazing! Nice work!
Hi Chris,
Just took a look at your first video: Wow! just Wow! Terrific!
Video was crystal clear !
Really loved the water scene under the bridge and the wooden trestles.
So many questions, but if you have a minute, here's just 3:
1. The black and gray bridges...MTH?
2. The wooden cabin...a kit? what brand?
3. What state are you in? I'm in central NC . . .
Congratulations on a wonderful layout!
John E.
Thanks @EB! Glad you enjoyed the video. The videos have become a hobby within the hobby.
For your questions:
1. Yes - all the bridges are MTH
2. The wooden cabin is actually an Ertl Farm toy from my childhood. As much as I wish I could say I built it, I did not.
3. I am in the MD area
Thanks for checking out the layout!
Chris
@mike g., thank you sir! I decided to commit fully to the scenery project on the layout. Just about there and pretty happy with the results thus far. Been learning alot but it has been a fun process.
Keep the videos coming, Chris! They are great quality and very entertaining.
Thanks @Will! Been having a blast making them. Working on some more. Lots of ideas, just need to get organized on my end!
Short slide show of the recent scenery highlights on the layout. Slide show starts at 1:10. The first minute is my typical babbling!
Chris ,
Your videos and layout progress are a pleasure to watch. Keep them coming !
Thanks , Alex
Chris, wonderful video. You doing a great job on both of your new hobbies! I think it's very cool how you share your trains in a video format!
Looks great Chris. You are moving at a record pace by model RR standards. Keep up the good work. 
Bob
You're moving about 100x as fast as I am on your layout, I need you to come here and do some scenery! 
@Alex M Thank you! Been a really fun process.
@mike g. thank you my friend!
@RSJB18 Lot's of late night last week. Was working against a bit of a deadline.
@gunrunnerjohn Deal! Does this mean you will upgrade some of my engines with your sweet electronics? I saw that Challenger upgrade you posted and it was fantastic!
A few folks asked about Dad's layout. I created a new thread to highlight his layout and will post updates there. Enjoy!
Hey Chris!
I see you said youre from Maryland, I am as well. I also new to the Model RR scene. What shows or shops do you go to in our area? I have no idea where to look and go.
Great work and amazing progress. Thanks for sharing.
Jeff
Chris 1985,
Thank you for sharing with us your layout and progress as you have a great looking layout.
David
@stevenemeigh, depending on where you are, I would suggest The Train Depot in Mt Airy, Engine House Hobbies in Gaithersburg or Sidetrack Hobbies near Annapolis. These shops all specialize in O Gauge. Glad you are here!
@mowingman Thank you sir!
@David S appreciate the comment!
@Chris1985 posted:A few folks asked about Dad's layout. I created a new thread to highlight his layout and will post updates there. Enjoy!
Chris.....your Dad's layout is fantastic.......I see he has 1983 Lionel New York Central 20th Century Ltd set.....I do, too. It's a great one to have!
Keep the Video's coming....they are great!
Peter
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