Do I really want to tear all of this appart?

So...here is the deal. Firstly, someone asked me if I had a track plan recently. I had to say that I didn't because...well..I don't. :)   The first rev of the layout was much smaller. Then, I branched out into another room in my office. THEN, I consolidated the entire thing into the one front space. All of that was done through trail and error track building with the KATO Unitrack. I would build things, try them out, and adjust. LOVED that system. It really worked well with my thinking. However, I didn't think things ALL the way through.


THE TRACKS

So...my tracks are called out in this YouTube video.

I have some still shots of areas as well.

THE PROBLEM

The problem is - as stated in the video - is that I want to tear everything up and re-group, but I HAVE SO MUCH WORK IN ON THIS IT'S REALLY GOING TO HURT!!!!!!! 

I talked to Tom Barbalet from the most excellent MODEL RAIL RADIO (( If you don't listen, you really should. It's a fantastic podcast! And FREE! ))  and he rally blew me away with his statements. He said that I was a great modeler (Wait....WHAT?!? ME?! :::blush:::) and that tearing up a layout to get something that I REALLY wanted doesn't seem like a problem to him because I'd be able o not only handle the rebuild, but I'd be able to make things better.

I was really blown away by these statements. I have HUGE respect for Tom and to hear him say this really filled me with pride and confidence.

But....there's a lot of work done here.....

It's something I'll be doing a lot of thinking about over the next month or so. I'd love feedback if time allows. It's a big choice. But, if I could tighten things up and be happier with the layout, it migh be well worth the effort.

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A Modelers Life Podcast

I - like many of you reading this now - listen to MODEL RAIL RADIO religiously. It's a fantastic podcast. There was a post on the MRR Facebook group recently saying that one of the regulars was starting a new podcast with another regular called A Modelers Life. I finally made time to listen today and have to say that Lionel Strang and Jim Rindt have done a fantastic job with the podcast - an interview style, in-depth look at people in the model railroad hobby.


From the iTunes page:

The first episode focused on Tom Barbalet - the creator of Model Rail Radio himself. The MRR format is grand and kinetic, but Modelers Life and it's single focus is a very cool look at one person and what makes them who they are. Lionel's interview style is simple and free flowing and very conversational which works well in this situation. I felt like I was sitting at a table talking over "an adult beverage" after a fine meal. :)

Lionel and Jim are very personable and have a playful nature that I loved.

The only (very minor) downside I had was the sound mix. Like many other podcasts with two speakers, they've broken the audio into one person per ear and that's a pet peeve of mine I plan on following up with Lionel on in the near future. However, that' a small item when you think about the potential there is for some fantastic interviews with dedicated modelers in the future.

WELL worth a listen even if you're just slightly interested in the hobby of model railroading or have an interest in what makes people tick. Check it out!

Rios Tam Interview

Hong Kong resident and model railroader Rios Tam was nice enough to meet with me via WebEx to talk trains. I was meeting very early and Rios was meeting late in the day, so please forgive my sleepy tone at times. I really needed to be on my second cup of coffee instead of my first. :)

Rios has been into the hobby for a relatively short time, but he and his girlfriend have made some major progress on their main layout - the third for them.

I've put together some supporting graphics to go along with the audio portion, but I've also included a simple version of the audio file in case you would like to listen via iPhone, iPod or other MP3 players.    The MP3 can be found here.

There are also additional links that Rios provided below.

http://www.youtube.com/user/riostam

http://rios.co/

http://instagram.com/riostam#

Enjoy!

Little Display Layout

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/rioswing_staticlayout1_02.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/rioswing_staticlayout1_08.jpg

Links : http://rios.in/KWpoxj

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/rioswing_staticlayout_2_07.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/rioswing_staticlayout_2_13.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/rioswing_static2_fishing_04.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/rioswing_static2_fishing_02.jpg

Links : http://rios.in/LEv8Bg

First Mini Layout with KATO CV1 + Tomix Bus Running system

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/rioswing_katocv1_3_06.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/rioswing_katocv1_3_03.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/rioswing_katocv1_3_02.jpg

Second Mini Layout with Tomix R150 + Tomix Bus Running system

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/rioswing_citylayout_027.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/rioswing_citylayout_036.jpg

Links : http://rios.in/YjdAf4

Z Scale Display layout

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/rioswing_zscale_922_03.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/rioswing_zscale_922_06.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/rioswing_zscale_922_17.jpg

Links : http://rios.in/ZUfGXy

My Main Layout Track Plan

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/200x100_3.jpg

DIY Optical Fiber Railroad Cross

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/rioswing_diy_crossing_03.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/rioswing_diy_crossing_05.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/rioswing_diy_crossing_09.jpg

Links : http://rios.in/Q0JpsX

DIY Wooden Bridge

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/rioswing_diy_woodenbridge_01.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/rioswing_diy_woodenbridge_02.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/rioswing_diy_woodenbridge_08.jpg

Links : http://rios.in/WYJ0pD

Layout Overhead Lighting System

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/rioswing_biglayout_lighting_01.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/rioswing_biglayout_lighting_02.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/rioswing_kato_taki1000-35000_04-494x329.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/rioswing_biglayout_lighting_03.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/rioswing_biglayout_lighting_04.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/rioswing_biglayout_lighting_06.jpg

Links : http://rios.in/WD2ZJ7

Layout Cover System

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/rioswing_biglayout_antidust_01.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/rioswing_biglayout_antidust_04.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/rioswing_biglayout_antidust_02.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/rioswing_biglayout_antidust_05.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/rioswing_biglayout_antidust_06.jpg

Links : http://rios.in/WVrQYU

Buildings LED lighting System

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/rioswing_layout_ledwire_01.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/rioswing_layout_ledwire_02.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/rioswing_layout_ledwire_04.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/rioswing_layout_ledwire_05.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/rioswing_layout_ledwire_09.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/rioswing_biglayout_jul_24.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/rioswing_biglayout_jul_25.jpg

Links : http://rios.in/XNTlGS

Layout Backdrop

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/rioswing_static_layout2_car_11.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/rioswing_static2_fishing_02.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/rioswing_modeltrain_background_01.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/rioswing_modeltrain_background_02.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/rioswing_modeltrain_background_07.jpg

Links : http://rios.in/TW2908

DIY Optical Fiber Signal Light

Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiKYC5oNo30

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/rioswing_diy_trafficlight_01.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/rioswing_diy_zeon_char_train_11.jpg

Links : http://rios.in/134EMCM

Modular Layout 1

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/rioswing_snowlayout1_08.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/rioswing_snowlayout1_38.jpg

Links : http://rios.in/15A1h3h , http://rios.in/13ESHNr

Modular Layout 2

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/rioswing_modularlayout_floatice_01.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/rioswing_modularlayout_floatice_16.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/rioswing_modularlayout_floatice_20.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/rioswing_modularlayout_floatice2_02.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/rioswing_modularlayout_floatice2_03.jpg

Link : http://rios.in/13JuJ3A , http://rios.in/1cxcFlL

Method on Storing the Modular Layout

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/rioswing_modularlayout_floatice2_24.jpg

Display CD Rack Layout

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/rioswing_ho_display_03.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/rioswing_ho_display_04.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/rioswing_ho_display_11.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/rioswing_4lines_display_01.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/rioswing_4lines_display_14.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/rioswing_4lines_display_16.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/rioswing_4lines_display_19.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/rioswing_4lines_display_23.jpg

Link : http://rios.in/1fFiRLb , http://rios.in/19tY7lZ

Dust preventing system for the CD Rack

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/rioswing_4lines_display_23.jpg

http://rios.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/rioswing_4lines_display_24.jpg

Using Transparent Plastic sheet and fixed with a Strong Magnet.

Sept 1 Layout Update

I'm starting to figure things out on the layout. It's amazing how I can have so much more space, but it's still not the space that I thought it was going to be.



I have my track and my stuff is coming together, but I lost track of what I was doing for a moment. Tom Barbalet of the Model Rail Radio podcast had a great point once. There's something about having the actual track and laying out the actual track to get a sense of things. It's a great process, but I have purchased to much track. I know that now. I have some excess track going now, but have what I need to complete my little circuit.

Harbor area switching and the area for the water (under my hand)

I got a loop going in the Soyokaze section and I was happy with it overall, but - while cleaning dishes - I remembered what the purpose of the switches was originally. I wanted to have the harbor section be a little action area for some light operations. Basically, switching on a super small level. It'll be fun, I think. 

My assistant, Miss T   :)

After speaking with my assistant, I reset the switches and got things rolling the way they were meant to be. I'm happy about the way things are looking so far.






I rolled in some elevation in the area between Soyokaze and the Harbor area. This took care of the feeling I had that there needed to be some elevation between the water and the main village. The harbor will occupy the area beyond the white foam. The green foam will have more of the temple area laid in. I need to level set the track and work the foam so the track lays in more. I plan to build up support walls and the like. Based on what I did last time, I think that cutting and shaping the foam will work well for this.

 All in all, it's an interesting process. I've been rather busy with life and work of late, so things crawl along on the layout. I feel that this will be the case for years and years. I've accepted that fact and I totally see that this is a hobby, is meant for relaxing and not stressing and I have my eye on the things in life that really need my attention right now - Family. However, when time allows, I dabble. :)

In other news, I have my little shelf project that I'm trying things out on and that's coming along nicely so far. Last night I managed to apply a layer of Water Effects. I'll see how things worked out when I get home tonight. I hope that the Water Effects will help mask some of my mysterious water cracks. We'll see after it gets a little paint.

Also, if time allows, I'll be working the clay portion of the project to create the street area. I'm rather excited about it, but I'm still looking for something that will help with the patterns I'm hoping to get into the clay for the street and brick. I was going to do the whole street in bricks, but seeing as I'm in N scale, I'm not sure I want to spend the time doing the WHOLE street in bricks that are this size -- . So, I may do a few sections of brick highlights instead. I also plan to try out the gutter idea I had. I'd love to get this gutter look between the street and buildings!

ONWARD!

((    NOTE: It took me 4 days to complete this blog post. :)   ))

T Scale

I was participating the latest MODEL RAIL RADIO on June 2nd (hmph...I really need to order that t-shirt and represent!) and someone asked me about T scale and if I had checked it out. Someone else had asked me before and I had written it down, but had not checked it out. I finally got around to it and I had some thoughts about it.






Small. MAN, is this small! heheheh  1:450  In a way, it's fun and allows for someone without a lot of space - like myself - to have a mini empire with lots of buildings and trains running without the hit space wise. This appeals to me and I have to say that I did give thought to getting some of this going on my desk at work. :)  However the size of the trains give it that "too fast" feel when you see them running.

The videos I've seen make the trains look like bugs or mice zipping around at a speed that doesn't look "real" - a personal nit of mine. I like to see the trains running at speed and slowly sweeping through the tiny landscape, not scurrying around.

The fact that you can pack a LOT into a small space is cool for the building lover side of me. I think a small layout scene with a building cityscape in this scale would be a lot of fun. The size might allow for some rather cool scenic views. I've even thought about the addition of T scale into my future N scale large layout placed into the background to add to the scene depth - a far off area of the city with the use of a sort of forced perspective. This has been done very effectively in the past with HO and N.





A fun little part of the model rail world for sure.

Another MODEL RAIL Radio podcast

Well, I made it on to another MODEL RAIL RADIO podcast! I wish I had more time in my day to be a part of these fantastic podcasts - they are a lot of fun.

The basic breakdown is somewhat simple. You contact the SKYPE call host (Usually Tom Barbalet) and he adds you to the meet up. You are able to participate in the chat portion of the show from that point. That's usually a lively spot full of content and links to check out.
Then, if you have something to add to the podcast, you can request to be added to the call. The format of the calls are rather loose and free flowing, so the information moves quickly and there are usually multiple sections and conversations that take place during the show. There are marathon sessions for the show as well - some ending up to be around 5 hours!


iTunes link to the show - http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/model-rail-radio/id335536272#

If you're interested in hearing my ramblings, they hit at around the 25 minute and 56 minute marks. I talk about my Old Town section a bit as well as planning and pieces. 


I was also on show #44 :)   Around the 2hr 49 minute mark.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/model-rail-radio-44-layout/id335536272?i=97351107 


Being on the show is always comfortable. Newcomers are usually greeted in the chat and made to feel welcome. On my first venture into the show space, I said hello and was immediately welcomed and brought into the conversation.

There are other model railroading podcasts out there, but the style and flow of MODEL RAIL RADIO is perfect for me and my commute. The free form style and numerous guests ensure that each show is PACKED with information.

Check out their website as well - 
http://www.modelrailradio.com/

And there is also an active space on FACEBOOK - 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/367613092344/



This podcast is a must for model rail fans.



<>

My Appearance on MODEL RAIL RADIO!

Whew! I think I sounded like I knew what I was talking about, thank goodness.
With the exception of saying "whatnot" FAR too many times, I dig how this went! :)

Model Rail Radio is not only packed with amazing content, but the participants and hosts are friendly and knowledgeable. It's a wondrous show with something for everyone.

http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#44

It's a REALLY long show this time. I'm at the 2:49:00 mark and manage to go on for 40 minutes or so. Check out the whole show, however!

See More

Model Rail Radio #44: Layout Planning and Figures and Bears! Oh My! [September 10, 2011]

www.modelrailradio.com

An Internet Radio Show about the Model Railroad Hobby

Model Rail Radio

MODEL RAIL RADIO
http://www.modelrailradio.com/

A must hear model rail podcast!

Not only do they put out a fantastic podcast (available on iTunes), but they also tape the shows live with some audience participation elements via chat. You can listen to the live show and chat with fellow hobby enthusiasts about the show and the hobby. The flow is fantastic and some of the shows are three hours long and packed with a significant amount of valuable information.

Content ranges from chat about what people have been doing at home hobby wise to detailed discussions on train tech, details and work flows.

This show fuels my love for model trains even when I might not have time to actually sit and work on my projects.

Check it out for sure! They are a friendly group of experienced hobbyists.

From the site:

About the Host Tom Barbalet has been a podcaster since 2006. His interest in model trains comes from childhood when he was give a Lima "The Overland" train set in Australia in the late 1980s. In 1999, when Tom first moved to the US having spent nearly four months flying continuously he vowed not to take an airplane for an entire year. Through this time Tom travelled between US and Canadian cities by train traveling coast to coast by different Amtrack routes.

Tom has travelled by train throughout Australia, the US, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Malaysia and Thailand.

Moving back to the US in 2005, Tom was re-introduced to model trains by a coworker and began planning a model railroad layout. He started building benchwork in early 2009 and laying track mid 2009.

Interviewed on Podcast411 (the inside the actors studio for podcasters) in 2007, Tom stated that it was astonishing the lack of model railroad podcasts. With a proven record building a community with freely available, always accessible podcasts without paid subscription or advertising, Tom saw the need for a similar style of podcast being available to the model railroading community. The live internet radio format meant anyone could contribute and the format was actively decided by the listeners.