Video Building the 3 x 7 Red Oak N scale model railroad part 7

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Video Building the 3 x 7 Red Oak N scale model railroad part 7

This video was great! I really wish that the project layout video blogs were longer and that there were more videos in the series. It would also be terrific if you had more How-to content in the video blogs.

wished you did a video on operating the layout.

great job boys!! it looks fantastic

Great series Neil and staff. Will we ever see the backside of that layout where the trains are staged? There is one shot in the video that shows one of those GP20’s sitting very close to the turnout with an approaching train…scary scene. Thanks.

I didn’t see it in this video but the April magazine article shows weathering a Great Northern live stock car that was painted Big Sky Blue. The trouble is that this color wasn’t used until 1967 which is years after the date of this layout (early 1960s). The car should have been red.
After derailing the live stock car, how about a roster of the other cars used on the layout and an operating session or two?

Guys, Wow what a great small layout you built. I am from Iowa and remember the lazy summer days along the CB&Q. Fantastic.

Vast improvement from episode one; just wish it were longer. See you guys were unable to find any N scale cow pasture Frisbees however.

I am sorry but this video was a waste of time. All you did was say what you accomplished not how you did it. Just running trains around doesn’t show how to operate the layout. What about the staging area? Thats half the layout. Could have just removed it and had a roundy-round with more scenery.

I like the MR videos, but I have to say the choice of background music often makes me feel a million years old. How about something a bit more contemporary?

Great series guys! Your attention to detail and workmanship inspire all of us to get back to that “monster” in the basement. Watching and listening to you two discuss all the contributions made by various staff makes me so jealous as my HO Eagle Pass & Moose Creek fictional layout is a one man extravaganza. Sigh!
I have just one question: after all is done and articles published, what happens to the layout? Do you donate it to a children’s hospital or big people retirement complex, break them up, or what?
Thanks again.

I thought this was one of the nicest project layouts MR has done. A nice track plan and a great overall look. Like others, however, I was surprised that you did not at least do basic scenery on the back side staging area - I personally would have done a midwestern town and yard scene to complement the rural side.

I am pleased with the music choice and in keeping the theme throughout the project. Now you need a shot of the layout and everyone that participated in it. Keep up the good work. Looks like the Winston Salem & Southern is going to be another great project…hum which one to build? Mickey in VA

Although I’m not too fond of roundy-round layouts (even while building one myself in British design of the early 1950’s), I do like the solution shown on disguising the entries through the backdrop.
I do on the other hand second the motions on showing more of the how-to in these videos in stead of just, where-are-we-now. I guess you left these scenes out to persuade the viewers (and subscribers to the magazine) into subscribing to the MR Plus videos. Well, there’s a nogo for me. There are plenty videos available for free on Youtube, showing the how-to of e.g. applying static grass. I can’t imagine many people will be willing to pay for similar content, just because it’s produced by Kalmbach and the associated publications.

Are the turnouts on the back side automated? with which turnout machines? and how did this fit in the small space below the layout?

Jean-Luc, I would doubt the turnouts are automated. Remember, the layout is meant to be used in such ways as just sitting on a card table, which is why they put in the wiring trough, so there would be nothing on the underside which could get damaged when moving the layout. As most popular switch machines are mounted on the underside, putting them in would defeat the whole point of the layout.

You mention some of the background detail you were putting in but you did not show the close up features once they were in place and how they accomplished threir tasks in their capacities.

I appreciate that all the project layouts highlight different techniques/scales/era/railroad lines. l was wondering if you would ever considered a project layout that incorporates a helix? Possibly a multi-level layout with “scenes” (possibly using construction methods similar to those used in the Olympia Logging layout.

How long is each of the cars on the Sliver Streak?