HO Train layout: Update #1- A few additions! 3-25-09

[walkerbelle]

Howdy Zebinator, tis' the oldman again from west Texas, lol. The roads look real good partner. I didn't catch what they looked like prior (maybe another video) to the redo but, these roads in this video look pretty realistic to me! I have the exact same gas station model however, my model is a Standard gas station. They must make different versions of it? Big Al is one Hell of an artist with this model railroading stuff isn't he??? You got a fine (real nice) looking layout my friend!!!

[Zebinator]

@walkerbelle HA! Hi Walker! Heck I've modified these roads even further since this video. I bought the Exxon lighted signs off of ebay a while back. There are different ones like Shell and such. My gas station came with the Standard gas logo as well but I figured I could add more detail with this sign instead. Glad you like my layout, it's been alot of fun building it. Far from done though LOL!

[curraheewolf]

Looking good! I like the white tanks beside the quonset hut. Will you please tell me more about that, it's purpose, etc...? Plus, your roads look fine. Happy railroading!! Gary Barnett

Watertown, NY

[Zebinator]

@curraheewolf Thanks! Those tanks are for gas and the "hut" is actually a fuel/gas transfer station. Maybe sometime in the future I can get a closer view of it so folks can see that. It's a pretty nice kit from Walthers. The roads have been weathered more appropriately since this video was done too. You can see that in some of my more recent videos. Thanks for watching!

[justingonewild]

wut did you use for the road?

[Zebinator]

@justingonewild I used Woodland Scenics Smooth-It. Works really good. I've also used plaster of paris too, works about the same but dries a little faster. Smooth-it is probably a safer route so you can shape, form and alter the road in case of mistakes.

[WarrenPace]

Your roads look awesome.

[Zebinator]

Thanks! I actually changed the coloring more after this video was done. I have another video that shows it. Check it out and see what you think.

[LeeBCS]

oh I was thinking that was your loco

[1258train]

Nice locomotives! I have some similar to yours.

[Guilford88panam]

nice roads! nice layout and locos too!

[NorfolkWestern34]

look sweet!

[trainOholic]

1 thing that would make it better if the roads were a bit wider but still i am so jealous of your layout

[Zebinator]

Thanks man! Yeah I had thought about widening them but I got so far into the detailing that I figured it would do. Plus I thought "heck it's an old town so the roads could be narrower". Glad you like it, it's a work in progress!

[trainOholic]

that was fast

ya i guess your right about it being older i like the gas station though

[Zebinator]

I need to do another update vid, I've improved the roads SIGNIFICANTLY.  Added a few more things as well.

[trainOholic]

i like the way you have some of the things you had set up on your layout what dcc system do you use?

[Zebinator]

Right now I'm using MRC Prodigy Advanced but I'm going to switch over to Digitrax or NCE. Either is really good. MRC has compatibility issues with other decoders.

[trainOholic]

ya im gonna end up fitting all my trains with Digitrax and get a Digitrax decoder controller

still they way it look in your video you can tell there are some problems

[Zebinator]

Actually when I taped this and ran that train there were no problems with the system at the time. The biggest compatability problem I have with MRC system and Digitrax decoders is when using the sound, it cuts out every now and then and then it restarts automatically (which is a good thing) but I'm sure it's the MRC not transmitting signals properly.

[trainOholic]

id check to see if the wiring to the tracks in set up correctly and make sure all the decoders and in securely but thats just me...lol :-)

[nfsfreak88]

@Zebinator i am only 14.... but i bought digitrax and i LOVE it... has no bugs and runs my locos very smoothly.

[andersonjjj333]

straight to the favorites;)

[ballparkfrank10]

how do u make the roads? would u be able to tell me?

[Zebinator]

For the roads I have on this layout thus far, I used Woodland Scenics road system. It's the smooth-it they sell plus black paint. However, I've repainted my roads even since this video. I need to do another one. Smooth it works very well.

[ballparkfrank10]

cool! thganks!

[ohiosouthern]

Nice job, it just looks like the hole town was just re paved, cna u show us more videos of the trains running and stuff, please

[guitar446]

the road needs to be a little more gary tone to it but over all good work

[Zebinator]

Ok cool, I was kind of thinking that as well. It's a little lighter than it looks on the vid but I think it needs more as well.