ho layout aerial tour-Cal. Zephyr

[randoloph1]

Very nice layout.

Must have been modeling for a few years

Nice read on your layout..Thanks

[spinsandneedles]

Keep up the good work. It looks like there are a lot of nice details. I'd like to see a video of the buildings.

[BNforever2009]

nice layout-i'm working on a future home layout--HO scale

[cubspiano]

Sir, would have happen to have either the Aerotrain or the Burlington Zephyr from Con-Cor? Is so, would you be willing to make a video showing them running?

[davidh545]

Sorry, I don't have either one of those trains.

[cubspiano]

This is a beautiful layout! You did such a great job of capturing the classiness of the 50's domeliners. Im a young collector at 19, but I hope one day to have a setup like this! I also hope the hobby is still around...

[davidh545]

Thanks for the comment. It's going to take young guys like you to keep the hobby alive and carry on the history. Don't wait too long to get started.

[disneyparkfreak]

Veary nice. I'll be starting one here soon. Any tips would be great thx!

[jon070294]

what size is that layout?

[davidh545]

The main layout is 13 feet long and 8 feet at one end and 5 feet at the other end.

[embankmentlb]

My favorites are the videos describing the history of each Chicago to West Coast streamliner.

Do you have a procedure for reversing/servicing the passenger trains for the next cross-country run? I would be interested in seeing that process. Again, Super nice set up!

[davidh545]

I suppose you have seen my 'new addition' video with the west coast yard. To reverse(or restage)the trains I just back them up from one yard to the other bypassing the layout. I didn't show this on the videos because it is a slow process and of course I have a derailment here and there. Long passenger trains aren't easy to back up especially on my tight curves. Thanks for the comment.

[embankmentlb]

Thank you mush for posting your layout on the web. I really think it is great! I have seen bigger layouts & more detailed layouts but yours has a great quality that is hard to describe. A vintage look, Home made & personal. Anyway, It's super! Please post more!

[davidh545]

Thanks for the nice comment. Have you seen all 18 of my videos? I've just about run out of ideas for new ones.

[7777777rlt]

This is great!!! What scale is it?

[davidh545]

This is HO scale. Thanks for the comment.

[mhps9583]

great !i'm just sad not better learnd english at school .i understand nothing .big hello from south France

[JacobAndrewCastro]

I love your layout sir, you are the kind of railroaders I look up too for ideas. Thank you so much for uploading this video!

[nscalemodeler24]

i like your daylight better lol you see it when the zepher comes back into the yard

[redins7248]

Im soooooooooo jealous of your zephyr!!! and your layout is aint half bad either!!!

[redins7248]

Minus the IS

[Cameronm55]

How long did it take you to build this layout? It's really great and thanks for posting it.

[davidh545]

I've had parts of this layout for 20 years and have moved it 3 times. It took about 2 years to get into this setup. Thanks

[modeltrains123]

How many trains can you run at once?

[davidh545]

Four trains independently and 5 if I run 2 on the same track. Watch my other videos "train layout tour part 1 and 2.

[modeltrains123]

What is the red train at the beginning of the video?

P.S. Very cool layout!

[davidh545]

It is the "GOLDEN STATE LIMITED". It ran from Chicago to Los Angels through New Mexico and Arizona. It was owned by the Rock Island and Southern Pacific. It only had the red and silver color for a few years inthe early 1950's then it went to all silver with a red stripe.

[modeltrains123]

Thanks!  :>

[modeltrains123]

you r awesome, i am building a model layout right now.

[michaelmohrmann]

Hi Dave, that was quite a show you put on there. I was also wondering if there were other ariel views of your layout. And what's more, you've also provided me with some inspiration for my own N scale model railroad project. Thanks bud.

[davidh545]

Thanks. Will be putting a new aerial video on in about a month. I'm adding some new things.

[michaelmohrmann]

Okie dokie, I'm looking forward to seeing it. :)

[huskyjerk]

For a layout that uses a town as a backdrop, this is a very nice looking and very realistic layout. Lots of layouts use the wrong scale of scenery, like cars and buildings, and it makes for an awkward looking layout. But this layout seems to pay a lot of attention to proper scale and so it looks really nice. Good job on building this layout!

[davidh545]

Thanks. Making some changes and adding on a little. Will be putting on a new video in about a month.

[MikeDelic14]

you have a very nice layout, i hope mine is as good as yours when i'm done!

[davidh545]

Yours is looking good. You have alot of space to do some neat things.

[huskyjerk]

HO or N guage?

[davidh545]

It is HO.

[Dogball24]

how much did you spend on this one??

[JAKEWV2]

it's great!

[badassfrontier]

Beautiful job...thanks for sharing with us.I hope mine and my little boys setup looks this nice.

[johnniebgoode]

Love it. Love the town, and that farm scene. I'm envious of all those switches.

[wesolint]

A very creative design! You get alot of running in a compact area.. nice job! I like your vids, a joy to watch all those passenger trains and informative too. Thanks for sharing.

[STEELTruck99]

Do u have any trains you don't want plz.

[thetrainman407]

DUDE YOU PACKED THOSE LINES IN TIGHT! great video, youve got my subscription!

[Rachmaninov08]

This is definitely the most innovative use of space I've ever seen in a layout. I'm impressed.

[davidh545]

Thanks, it's such a simple track plan but gives so many different operational possibilites.

[m3slack]

dude this is sweet do u live in the uk as imlooking for some todesign and create a kik ass of all kik ass layouts like this the budget i dnt have 1

[conductorbill]

nice layout, you've certainly fit a lot of stuff into a small amount of room..... very nice.

[JeremiahTrane]

Thats one packed yard...

[buggiecar]

best layout ever seen

[davidh545]

Thanks for the nice comment.

[makaveli7dt]

wicked layout dude holly stuff awsome

[CanadianPacific2007]

Great Layout!

Now i just wish I had the time and the money to build something like that instead of my 6 car, loop track.

[astidd5041]

David, thanks for the info

( Y )

BOOBS

LOL

[astidd5041]

david i checked track joints there fine do u think it has any thing to do with the tunnle?

the tunnel covers half the curve

[davidh545]

I really don't know. I guess you will have to get inside the tunnel somehow and see.

[astidd5041]

david can you help me?  I have a passanger train with 3 cars 1 ft long and every time they go round the bend into the tunnel the derail

[davidh545]

It could be several things. 12" cars need at least 18' radius curves. See if the cars touch each other at the ends on the curve. I suppose you have checked the track joints. Just take 2 cars and push them real slow with your hand and you should be able to see the problem.

[thomasfreightliner]

I like your train layout. How long did it take you to build the whole thing?

[davidh545]

Just about a year but alot of the buildings and scenery items I had from an old layout. I like your school bus interest. If you own one you could build a train layout in it.

[michaelmohrmann]

Thanks David, for the fine tour of your layout. It's given me ideas and inspiration for my own model railroad project.

[magicalfingers33]

what scale do you sugjest for model railroading

[davidh545]

HO scale is the most popular but if you don't have much space then the smaller N scale is good.

[magicalfingers33]

thankyou sir that is a superb layout

[KHearse87]

Damn, I'm jealous. I just dustesd off my old trains and am building up a basic 4'x8' with 2 individual loops and a frieght yard. Hopefully I'll get a vid up soon.

[davidh545]

Good to see young guys interested in the hobby. If you have enough room try to build a stub yard along a wall for a couple of passenger trains. It won't take up too much room and adds alot of operation possibilities. Good luck.

[learner9]

well thats not that bad!!!! I might make a model and put it on youtube!!!lol!!!!!

how much time does it usually take to build a good quality model?

[learner9]

So it is as expensive as I want it? How much was your model? (all of them individiually)

[davidh545]

Most of my trains I bought 20 years ago when they cost less. Today passenger cars are $15 to $40 depending on the quality. Engines are $25 to $100. The best place to buy stuff is at model railroad swap meets.

[learner9]

I have all of the trains and tracks but I need to know how much the scenery like trees people and buildings are and the table or base too!

[davidh545]

These things very widely in price range. The table is just wood from the lumber yard. Go to a hobby shop and get some train magazines. Buildings in kit form range from $10 to $50.

[learner9]

Hey I have a huge box of old ho trains in my attic and I want to make a model like yours. One of my questions is how do you keep the electricity going all of the way through the tracks without it losing the connection? Another question is how much would I have to pay to have a good quality model?

[davidh545]

Boy, I could write a book answering those questions. I suggest you go to hobby shop and buy a book or magazine on how to get started in model railroading. It is a great hobby and will bring years of enjoyment.

[davidh545]

When you lay the track you to be careful and space them the right distance apart. Always checking with 2 or 3 of your longest cars that they don't touch.

[antagonis]

Gay with too many sharp curves...

[davidh545]

When you only have a small room there isn't much else you can do.

[antagonis]

But don't the passenger cars scrape each other when passing by?

[MonsterRailroad]

Your layout design is very good too. The scenry is not bad at all. There is alot of action. Thats all good

[MonsterRailroad]

You have tight curves with all those long ass passenger cars. I think you should move from passenger to freight. Also stop collecting O scale trains too and just stick to HO. Seriously though Do you see how the passenger cars overhang from the track alot? Does not look realistic or good. freight cars is the way to go.

[davidh545]

When I was a kid I rode on alot of these trains. Sitting in the dome cars are memories I'll never forget. These trains of the 1950's are kind of my passion but I just don't have a larger space. I saw your layout and looks real nice.

[pwhite73]

Cool video and good detail as well as overall layout design! My layout is kinda small with some 18" radius curves, and yet I get 59' Superliners on it! As long as it works and it fits what you want, who cares how prototypical it looks! Gotta go with what you got and make the best of it! Right?!!

[davidh545]

Your layout looks great. would like to see more and the superliners running

[pwhite73]

Totally that's my next project!! I want to add a video of my Amtrak since I have customized it to replicate the Coast Starlight in phase III!!! Just going to add the final decals and dullcoat to my custom Pacific Parlour car and the Transition Sleeper (Crew Sleeper) and it will be ready to roll!! But I'm going to try to add a video of my current AMT#14 tonight!! Take a look when it finally shows up!

Also, I need to make a correction to my earlier post, their 85 foot cars! Thanks!!

[SirSmasher]

all he would have to do is put weights on them