Chris' O-Gauge Layout: RBP Trains

Great layout!!! Thanks for posting! JohnA

nice layout!

Very cool! I especially like the juxtaposition of the PW Warbonnet passenger train with the modern scale car version! Glad you have so much acreage to really show off those beauties!

Chris, I just finished reading your friend's blog.  Really neat benchwork.  Incredibly strong with all that plywood but well thought out.  (not a typical overbuild).  The whole layout it cool.

Nice work.  Great layout plan to. Thanks for sharing.  I bet it's nice to have so much real-estate.

Appreciate all the kind words! My wife is the one to thank for giving me the basement! Thank you all

I was happy when my wife to let me build a 8x5 in the basement but now that I have that I just want to make it bigger lol

@Casper it never ends does it? Haha! I think that is one of the greatest challenges of this hobby, always coming up with new ideas that need more room!

Very nice and clean lines layout. Enjoyable running.

@Chris1985. Very cool!  Love all the action and the bridges. 

I created a POV video of the layout a few weeks back. This gives a little more perspective on the track plan.

We start the journey on the outer main line before the tunnel. We transfer to the inner main to turn the camera around then transfer back to the outer main. We head down the line to make a pass by the engine shed. We continue on and then switch through the Claire rail yard where we change direction again next to the Big Rock Candy Mountain. We then head back to the starting point. Enjoy!

Nicely done video.  

Nice POV video! I liked the time remapping and the music. Good job and nice layout!

@Chris1985, do you have any kind of short circuit protection on your z4000?

Very nice layout and great documentation of the benchwork build.  What size curves are you using on each of the different routes/mainlines?

Impressive layout, and you're making great progress!

@t8afao, thank you very much! Love the Boba Fett quote.

@Keith Crook 020419 appreciate the kind words and thank you!

@Casper I am not using any additional circuit protection aside from the built-in protection on the Z4000 and the fuses in the TIU. The Post War ZW also runs through the TIU.

@JD2035RR, thanks! For curves, I am running O72 on the Purple Line, O60 on the Blue line, and O36 with a few wider curves on the elevated lines.

@gunrunnerjohn, thank you! I have been following your progress from some time and must say had several elements that you helped inspire! Really appreciate the comment.

You're obviously spending way more time getting yours running than I am, it's taking me forever!

Chris, as stated before on another thread I have to say wonderful video and Great layout! I am glad you started your thread to show your wonderful layout!

Thank you as always @mike g.! Been enjoying the conversations in the Layout forums with you and the folks over there. Appreciate the support!

@Chris1985 posted:

Thank you as always @mike g.! Been enjoying the conversations in the Layout forums with you and the folks over there. Appreciate the support!

Chris I will be fallowing here so I don't miss anything! LOL

Chris, well done!

Peter

Thank you @Putnam Division!

A little bit more about the layout and collection here. My awesome crafty wife made me the t-shirt!

I love the Boba Fett quote, too. I also love trains. I wish I could do something like your layout. I do have a simple loop of Fastrack on a shelf in my room, but I'm hoping to add more stuff in the future. Keep it up.

@Dylan the Train Man, my layout all started with a Fastrack loop as well. Sometimes I miss the simplicity and reliability of my original loop! Keep collecting and adding and it will grow over time. There are so many options regardless of physical space. The fun part is working on it and creating as you go. Thanks for the comment!

Chris,

Thank you for sharing all of this, your layout room, benchwork, track plan ,and scenery are beautiful! I always say these are my favorite threads.

Thanks, Alex

@Alex M thank you! I agree that these are my favorite threads. I had read so many of them that it inspired me to finally join in on the fun.

Chris, thanks for the neat little video! I love how simple your layout looks, sometimes I see layouts like yours and just want to tare down mine and start over. Maybe someday ! LOL

Very impressive concept Chris. You have a good eye for operational detail.

Great video.  Just one note - I searched YouTube for "Chris' O-gauge" and found another young guy's channel.  What's the channel name for Chris1985 channel?

Very nice, Chris. I very much enjoyed the video in your first post. Well done! Can I asked what you used to shoot and edit it? Did you use a gimbal for the tracking shots? I assume you used a tripod fro some shots. I just made my first train video and it was a lot of fun.

@Mallard4468 posted:

Great video.  Just one note - I searched YouTube for "Chris' O-gauge" and found another young guy's channel.  What's the channel name for Chris1985 channel?

Click on YouTube in the lower right of one of the videos in this post and it will take you to YouTube where you can watch other videos and subscribe. RBP Trains.

Nice layout and operation.  I will be subscribing to your youtube channel.  Keep up the good work.

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.

@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

Chris 1985, this is amazing, your nice video, your great layout, excellent track work, and your table is excellently crafted. Congratulations on getting into this hobby at a young age, you will see so many new innovations in the next few years as this Hobby is changing with the times, Legacy command, (not real sure about DCS command)  Lionels Voice Control, everything backwards compatibility, the best is yet to come. I will check out your channel. You might show us more pictures of your fathers layout to. Thank you again. Happy Railroading Everyone

@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.

Chris' YouTube Channel (RBP Trains)

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!

Trains With Dad - Danny's Layout

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!

Trains With Dad - Danny's Layout

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

Thanks Peter! Always have a blast running trains on his layout.

Finishing wiring to the structures and signals. Getting there! Layout tour video coming soon.

How do you get away with so little under table wiring?   This is more typical of what I see.

That is some nicely done benchwork!

@gunrunnerjohn I cheated with my switches and did not wire them. I can access them all by hand and manually switch them. I have a few feeder blocks on the North End of the layout that are not shown very well which have more of the look you showed.

Boy, I wondered!  After doing about 70 power drops and 24 switch home runs, not to mention a bunch of extra wiring for siding switching, I was wondering how you got such a clean look!   We spend many hours under there running wires!

Chris I am with gunrunnerjohn, Looks so neat and really no wire! LOL I still have to get backunder my layout and do some rewiring and dressing up!

Great and safe for the daughter to play under the layout!

@gunrunnerjohn, I am with you! If I had wired up my switches, there would be a staggering amount of wires under my layout! We do spend too much time under these tables.

@mike g. The wiring/ dress-up never seems to end!

Layout Overview Part 1 Posted!

Great video Chris, I could watch it all day long! Do you have a link to your Youtube page?

Thanks @mike g.! I meant to include my signature on that post. YouTube Channel link here: Chris' YouTube Channel

@Chris1985 posted:

Thanks @mike g.! I meant to include my signature on that post. YouTube Channel link here: Chris' YouTube Channel

Thanks Chris, you Rock!

Thanks @Mallard4468!

Another entertaining and informative video, Chris. I shows that good video production is just as important as content to keep eyeballs happy. I made my first edited train video this year and it's a lot of fun to shoot and try to make something out of them. ( I don't want to hijack your thread, but I'll send a link if you are interested)

I also saw your hobo reference. Did you watch some Stobe the Hobo?

Thanks @Will! Definitely send a link. That’s what this forum is all about!

Looking forward to seeing your vid.

And yes on the Hobo videos! Stobe and Shoestring are the ones I’ve been watching. I put them on while I am working on the layout, haha!

@Chris1985 I don't see an email address in your profile. Shoot me an email and I'll send it.

Awesome ! so entertaining

Alex

Thanks @Alex M!

Latest video posted on my YouTube channel! Collection Highlight Episode 1: The Black Bonnets

Chris, thanks for another very enjoyable video !

Alex

Chris, what a great idea! Its kind of like a review with out all the detail information. Just showing how the product runs! I could sit and watch all day if the CEO would let me!

Just the right amount of introduction and you let the operation speak for itself: well done and thank you.

Thanks @Alex M!

@mike g. thanks! I am terrified of doing a real product review as the online wolves will come after me for missing details. I like keeping it short, sweet and high level!

@Tranquil Hollow RR, thank you! That is what I was going for so I am glad it came through in the video.

Now onto figuring out how to review power and control on the layout without a 10 minute shot of my transformer....

In the meantime, I made a short Channel Trailer that came out pretty well. Enjoy and Happy St Patricks Day!

Only needed wiring for a DCC walk around layout with hand thrown turnouts.  Drops go directly to the black and white 10 ga. buss :

Total wiring for battery R/C layout with hand thrown turnouts:

Power and Control System Overview Video Posted!

Very cool @Tom Tee!

Hi Chris, I was wondering if you could reach out to me I do not see an email for you. Mine is usmarine6969@gmail.com

I have a few questions about your layout.

Mike

@mike g., just want to verify the email as the one in your message above does not match your profile. Making sure you were not hacked. Glad to connect!

Thanks Chris, I know the one on my profile says something different. I had to change it for notification.  I wasn't getting any. I updated the one in my profile.

Mike

Wow. You should post this to a woodworking forum too

Chris, it's really nice to see your high value video production and excellent narration on the OGR forums. Your layout is amazing and it has me wondering how you managed a code variance to construct a great layout in a really nice room!

Keep up the good work and keep those vids a comin'.

TJ

TomTee,

Seeing your post here has me curious about your bench work. I looks like Seivers with a twist. Can you share you methodology with us?  I plan on something similar.

Earl   

Chris: Your analysis and testing of the new F3 on YouTube is extremely well done. I have been involved with a number of wireless control systems companies and have tested many of their systems. I am intrigued with the Menard's electronic wireless control system approach.

Thanks @BOB WALKER! There has been quite a bit of analysis of the Menards piece here on the forum. I had a blast with that engine and have still been enjoying it. I even took it into my local hobby shop so they could get a closer look. I was interested to see how Menards approached this in a similar way to the Lionchief products. I am curious to see what is next for them in this market.

Chris: I share your interest in Menard's future plans. OAS: Have you experimented with battery power? If so, would like your experience with this format and your opinion as well.

Chris

Real Nice layout. Like the curve  support structure.

As a former engineer, I just could not use the trestles to just support the FastTrack as you did.

This was my issue with using the older Lionel trestles to support old Lionel Track.  My question was: What supports the track from trestle to trestle?; the track itself? Ordinarily, from a trestle to a trestle there would first be some sort of support structure; beams or a truss; then on top of that would be the track. FastTrack like any other track when used above a surface looks more real with a support structure under it. It's tricky to do under curved track.

I guess I could imagine that the material under the FastTrack is some sort of concrete slab that spans the trestles but its much too thin proportionally for the spans.

Alan

It only took a year, but I finally pulled the photos from the benchwork construction process into a video. Enjoy!

Another great video, Chris!  Lawrence did a great job!  All of us wish we had a Lawrence!! 

@Chris1985 posted:

It only took a year, but I finally pulled the photos from the benchwork construction process into a video. Enjoy!

No homasote?  No 2x4s?  No 3/4" decking?  Oh, the humanity!

Well done, and thanks for sharing.  While erring on the side of caution for well-documented reasons, it's not overbuilt.  I particularly like the thoughtful use of 3/4" plywood for the framework - allows for the use of less material without sacrificing strength.  The curved edges are nicely done. 

Chris - that was an enjoyable video, thanks for sharing. I like the track plan and "kid-friendly underside of the layout" planning...I thought I was the only grown man who tries to hide under the layout

I am also a fan of curved benchwork; the curves enable a larger track plan to fit into a room more aesthetically as your video clearly shows. I also had a carpenter-friend help me build my curved sections...without his help I'd likely still be working on it.

@Mallard4468 posted:

No Homasote?  No 2x4s?  No 3/4" decking?  Oh, the humanity!

Well done, and thanks for sharing.  While erring on the side of caution for well-documented reasons, it's not overbuilt.  I particularly like the thoughtful use of 3/4" plywood for the framework - allows for the use of less material without sacrificing strength.  The curved edges are nicely done.

LOL

I agree, the layout is well built, but no wasted material.  I too like curved edges, but admit I am not up to that challenge.

I don't know how this topic has stayed hidden from me for so long. I'll get my eyes watching slowly here to see what I've missed this whole dang time. Chris, I know this is a great topic, I just have to catch up.

Chris, I watched your video with the new bridge in place. That rabbit is dynamite, I mean that bridge is dynamite. Looks great with the Big Boys crossing over.