In this special episode, hosts David Popp and Bryson Sleppy take a moment to address a few questions from viewers like you! As the work on the HO scale East Troy Industrial Park (ETIP) project layout has forged ahead rapidly, we’ve certainly appreciated the wide assortment of inquires you’ve submitted in the Comments field. Keep’em coming! As always, the crew will do their best to respond to all viewers… if not in the Comments field of relevant episodes, you might also see responses in extra videos like this; on the 24/7 Trains.com Workshop Webcam; during livestreams such as Midday Modeler; or even in the recently rebooted Trains.com series, Cody’s Office. Thanks for tuning in!
Be sure to keep up with the construction progress by linking into the Trains.com Workshop Webcam (available 24/7), and the full series of helpful, instructional videos rolling out every month until the effort concludes. Even then, the fun will continue in frequent Trains.com articles/updates and Model Railroader print features, beginning with the January 2026 issue. You won’t want to miss the Expert Tips and Techniques the crew will share with you along the way, as they have a bit of fun bringing the ETIP into fruition!
I am enjoying the series a lot. The tips on laying flexible track will come in handy. A question, track for many of the layouts today are laid on a foam top, directly or on a roadbed on the foam. You are using track nails into the plywood to hold the track, especially on curves, but with only caulk be enough to hold the curves on foam since track nails won’t work?
David, It is nice to see some buildings from the previous MR&T making a comeback. That raises an interesting question. Do you folks have any thing left from the original MR&T layout that was at original site on 7th in Milwaukee? I’ve been an MR subscriber since 1982 and remember when you made that move out to Waukesha.
Looking ahead – Choices I’d like to see.
1, Track selection of Micro-Engineering Code 83 and #6 turnouts. Other brand selections for special needs, e.g., curved turnouts or crossings.
2. A WiFi oriented DCC system using WiFi throttles or apps on mobile phones. For example, a Digitrax DCS52 plus one LNWI.
3. Remote manual turnout control from knobs on the fascia. All turnout frogs powered. No reaching in to throw turnouts.
4. Feeders wired to EVERY piece of rail. No depending on rail joiners to carry current – even if soldered.
5. An easement flow on every curve for smoother rolling stock operation.
Since you are usually running a month or two ahead before an episode is shown, some choices have already been made, like track brand, but I hope this does encourage some thought as the project moves forward.
Keep them coming MR Staff can’t wait until the layout is done.
I’m really liking this new series. Has a nice feel of what you did with the WSSB and also harks back to the KR&D series in MR. With the idea of some overhead in the future, it could be interesting to see what could be done with interchangeable buildings to backdate the layout to a 1920s/1930s era steam or interurban version of the MR&T. Kind of sets up all sorts of hypotheticals of what steam would the MR&T run? Or what if the MR&T began life as an interurban electric freight railroad like the Piedmont & Northern?
Can’t wait to see more.
Is there somewhere I can refer to that shows load rating for the L-Girder system? I am hoping to use this to create a peninsula that will extend out 11 feet from a wall and I want to have a minimum of legs supporting it.
Nice touch on the plastics plant trackage – the occasional misaligned ties. But is that as true with modern industries and today’s heavy and large cars? Current spurs also tend to be cleaner with minimum or no trash and better ballasted.
Also noticed that you appear to have used some cork switch blocks rather than cutting cork to fit.