The foam scenery base has been cut and roadbed and track are well underway in this installment of the Red Oak video series. MR Video Plus producer David Popp will also discuss the Peco code 55 track and turnouts that he used on the project layout. Associate editor Cody Grivno describes the progress he’s made on the layout’s staging yard, while associate editor Steve Otte continues to work on structures for the Midwestern scenes.
Building the 3 x 7 N scale Red Oak model railroad part 3
By Angela Cotey | January 19, 2015
| Last updated on November 23, 2020
Foam board, track, and structures for the Model Railroader staff's N scale project layout
To Phil Keyes from Vermont: Since I favor the easy cleanup of water-based paints, even on wood structures, I always use a TON of interior bracing in my wood kits. Some of 'em, you could stand on. (Well, almost. π )
Steve Otte mentioned he was using water based paint on his structures; will he paint the inside of the structures to offeset any warping, or is the reinforcing pieces enough; and what brand of waterbased paint is he using?
It is good to follow a project in the pages of Model Railroader as well as in MR Video Plus. What a fascinating time we live in to get the benefits of reading and watching procedures in action.
You guys are doing a great job on the Red Oak project and I'm enjoying the series immensely. One thing that I ask you to do is paint the glad hands on the MT couplers on the GP20s black. It makes it look so much better. Thanks and keep up the good work.
As per my previous posts I think the only way the branch line staging would work is for small units of 3 or less going in. You could reverse the train by moving the the engine to the other side by switching and alternate cab or hood forward to come back out. Just seems its silly to show a picture of a long consist going in when it can't fit.
Neal;
I noticed that the background music is from the forties,which before your time.
Don,
The frog is powered from the switch points with no additional wiring required. There are detailed wiring instructions included with every Peco Code55 switch. I have used the Peco Code 55 for 20 years and have not had any electrical contact problems. I have also used them with DCC. David Popp had a nice series a few years ago on laying and wiring Peco Code 55 force layout. I will see if I can find the video or text on this site.
Tonkphilip
Robert Carlson! Funny, but super important yeah! Though I'm not sure I'd change any layout I make… Just make a new one! π
Wow! Yes like James, I think I'm going to be making a switch from Atlas to Peco due to the strength… Plus I think it's just more prototypical looking! The sleepers they have available for under rail joiners is revolutionary! Anyways, can't wait to see this once the track is all laid out!
I've been interested in doing more track planning using Peco products, after watching the Red Oak layout being built, I will soon start adding Peco tracks and turnouts to my plan. Thanks Model Railroad for the information!
I would also like to see more discussion about using and wiring the Peco code 55 turnouts. I just did it and think I did it the hard way.
Just love those Peco spring switches. Is there any way to modify an Atlas switch to operate as a spring switch? Are there any videos out there that show such a conversion?
Sorry Cody, I forgot to mention you as well ! Nice job your'e doing on this new project, looking forward to the next episode. MR project layouts are a great series and very enjoyable to watch, full of tips and tricks here and there which we can all apply to our layout building at some point in time π
Great progress.
Have sometimes found that painting both sides of wood or paper with water based paints will reduce the amount of warpage. Or paint with oil based paints and eliminate the problem all together.
Would have liked to see the Peco Code 55 Track and turnouts laid and wired as I'm just about to do that. I'm wondering the best way to wire the turnouts assuming I keep it all manual (so can't power the frog through a switch).
Another great project railroad. However, it has been quite a while since MR had a Traction project railroad. These days there is a lot more streetcar and interurban models available since the Brandywine and O'Dell Traction project days. A small Traction Project layout should be considered. Think about it.
Great segment guys, glad to see so many staff working together on this layout. The benefits of constructing on a foam slab are beginning to show on this layout at N scale since the 2" or 1-1/2" foam represents such a significant change in elevation for the ground surfaces. Great ideas, thanks.
You can use the HO Peco PL-10 turnout motors to power their N scale turnouts.
Also it's probably better to use solvent based rather than water based paint for
laser cut wood kits. This eliminates any warping.
Nice work David, Neil and Steve, the attention to detail is a big inspiration to us all. MR Video Pus is my only video subscription, you don't need anything else !! Just gets better and better, this series and everything on MR Video Plus, it's all great, i'm joined for life ! π
MR Magazine and MR Video Plus are a wealth of information on layout building, excellent quality all round. The subscription is worth every single penny. To you all at MR, thank-you. You are a huge inspiration to our hobby. Nigel Village :-)?
This layout is really inspriring – I like it so much!
I am a little surprised that you use the Peco turnouts without any modification to ensure electrical contact to the switch points and frog. Can you really trust that the points will keep clean for a long time?
Why are you using electofrog switches?. I was lead to believe insulfrog turnouts were preferred with fDCC. Regards
Looking great guys! I've built kits, scratch built and kitbashed probably close to 150-160 structures or so, but always in plastic. I recently have gotten a laser cut wood structure like Steve was just talking about. Anyone have suggestions on what the best glue to use? Thanks!
Love this series
Why hasn't a reversing feature been built into the Red Oak layout? It looks possible to add two turnouts in the parallel staging tracks while making advantageous use of a single DCC auto reversing circuit to avoid using the HOG (Hand of God) to occasionally turn engines, cabooses, and other rolling stock. More operational possibilities could be developed.