Quote from: trainman203 on March 06, 2026, 08:20:06 PMUntil I see an actual track plan of the Sioux town layout with dimensions, I'll never believe that layout is a 4 x 8.  The perspectives in looking at distance views on that layout are just too long. I am a retired architect with some art training too, and I believe I can speak with some authority about this.  At 8:24 is one of several overall views that cannot possibly be on a 4 x 8 surface.

He has used Atlas Snap Switches and some very sharp flex track curves. That said, I was able to duplicate the track plan in Anyrail with 18 inch radius curves. expanding it to 4 1/2 x 9 allowed the use of Atlas 4s. This railroad could not be built with EZ track in 4x8 because of the difference in geometry between the Atlas and Bachmann switches.

This would be a non sound GP38-2 right? SOundtraxx will be of no help here.

The lights shouldn't have been flickering on a DCC locomotive. The light function my have burned out.


The usual default reset is CV8 at a value of 8 but this doesn't apply to all decoders.

The manual and list of CV's are available on the Soundtraxx website under "factory installed decoders."

The only trouble with downsizing for me is that, in HO scale, I have well over 50 locomotives and probably five or 600 freight cars, I lost count a long time ago.  Everything was very carefully curated and chosen to represent between 1935 and 1948, several locomotives have heavy custom detailing that I went to a lot of trouble to get.  Sweeping that much stuff out of the door in one swell foop is pretty much nigh unto impossible.  Plus, I'm very attached to a lot of it since so much of it represents what I saw in my youth.

 Not only that, I'm in line to inherit a large collection from a local guy who is several years older than me wants to leave it to me.  That's probably another 20 diesel locomotives and at least 300 and more freight cars. Plus a bunch of passenger stuff that I'm not interested in. Fortunately, my friend and his business partner run a traveling LHS at Train shows and I believe we can methodically dispose of some of the stuff there, especially the diesels and the passenger equipment.

That's a very interesting video (U-tube).  I counted 11, and if you count the passenger station and maintenance yard 13 industries.  There are more industries on this layout, but I only wanted the number that was serviced by the railroad.  I'm not going to critique this layout, although it's definitely detailed.

As for a loop, I am still wanting to keep a main line either around the edge of the layout or maybe make a dog-bone for the main.   In trying to use the number 4, 5, or 6 switches will be challenging if I keep a main in the layout.

The real issue is my imagination, the ideas in my head that, by all accounts, must be limited to the space that the layout can support or space available to me.  When your ideas are larger than the space you have, that's what takes the fun out and/or creates the stress in this hobby.  This is what I'm running into.  I'm not trying to recreate a real place, but I am working to create a realistic imaginary one.   

Quote"...whatever you add to your layout has to make sense."

In that regard, I'm right there, creating that realistic layout.  But my mind wants more, and space to have that "more" stops my creative desires.  I can stay true to the era that have created, it's just that in order to envision that imaginary era I dream of, I need more space.

Quote"...The rule of thumb for me is less is more."

This just boggles my mind.  Makes me think that in order to create space I should move to "N" scale. ...Not happening.  I will definitely give this a lot more thought in the coming days.

Quote...the easy quick answer to this question is, the right number of industries on any layout is the kind that allows some room for scenery of any kind around them."

I wholeheartedly agree, and that scenery needs to have parking for the employees, roads for access of trucks and cars to the industry (this is what you don't see in the U-tube video).  That's one of the main things I like about Sheldon's layout, it has that scenery and access.  I'm not too keen on using buildings as a backdrop.  Mainly because that back edge of the layout I expect to have a main line, and I actually don't have any cut in half or facade buildings.   

Quote"The best that the layout this size can handle is probably two engines and maybe 10 or 12 cars."

My existing 4 x 8 (not the new one in this discussion) can handle 5 engines, and if you add in the museum 7.  I'll have to actually count the number of cars on that section of the 4 x8 since I do have one portion of elevated track (like in the U-tube video) where additional cars could be stored. 

Quote...the branch line actually branches off the oval and climbs above the mainline to a town?"

Coming off the existing 4x8 the track does elevate toward the new section.  I'm considering putting in a Helix but it would not be a circle helix.  More of a mountainous rise going from the first 4x8 then to the new 4x8 that would maybe hold a double deck above the new 4x8 but would be a 2 x 8 ft section.  Trying to place that 2x8 ft section I would prefer not attaching it to the house walls.  This would create some extra space, but the main industry on the 4 x8 would be constrained, I believe.

Quote...keep the oval because everyone at some point just feels like mindlessly watching a train run."

Same here, that's probably why I still want a mainline on this new section of 4x8.  Like my grandma use to say "folks love to watch fish in a fish bowel go round and round." Trains are like fish in a fish bowl.

Downsizing!  I can't imagine what that would be like.  My brain is constantly trying to up-size.  There is one way not to downsize, but I call it "rightsize-sizing", and that is to move from HO to N scale.  You won't lose that virtual acreage.  I myself can't see moving to N scale due to my eyes are not what they use to be.  HO doesn't cause the eye strain.  Lastly, I envy you being able to have a 50 ft long layout, the best I can accommodate is 20 ft.

waiting for back orders, so i started to add people and vehicles to the layout. As well i added fire hydrants. I am also working on my main street, adding weeds and dirt between the buildings. i also took a knife and made cuts all over the concrete and to make 6 foot squares. Will fill them with a black wash to give details. or a powder then a lite wash may be better.

Until I see an actual track plan of the Sioux town layout with dimensions, I'll never believe that layout is a 4 x 8.  The perspectives in looking at distance views on that layout are just too long. I am a retired architect with some art training too, and I believe I can speak with some authority about this.  At 8:24 is one of several overall views that cannot possibly be on a 4 x 8 surface.

I hold a very unpopular view of embracing layout concepts with a lot of empty negative space. I want to make it clear that it's just me speaking, but an overcrowded layout like that is not what I would do.  There's no telling how many industries are on that layout but man, I feel claustrophobia setting in just looking at that layout. Not meaning to diminish those who enjoy such a layout, including its builder who certainly is very happy with his layout.

Have you considered a refinement of that basic plan, where the branchline actually branches off the oval and climbs above the mainline to a town? The area under the town could hold a small two track staging yard so you could have an eastbound and a westbound train laying over there. The visible side of the mainline would be the interchange with the branch, with cars spotted there for pickup by the mainline trains. The town area would make a good stub ended terminal, like many shortlines had, and due to its elevation over the mainline you'd get alot more precious space for industries.

Make sure the wire pickups from the engine make good contact with the pads on the trucks. Sometimes the engine may rock from side to side a bit, and you may lose electrical contact. If you are adept at soldering, attach them for a more permanent connection. I am not adept but my hobby shop (Engine House Services) in Green Bay is. They used short pieces of flexible wire from the engine to the trucks. It's a tight fit. Other than that, no major issues.
Mark B.

Hello People,

I have two replacement trucks for my Shay locomotive but have not. Is this just a straight forward remove and replace or are there hints that I should know?

Thank you.