2-Rail Home Layouts - How Many Really Exist?

Just yesterday I found that video on Rob Helm’s layout on YouTube. Wow, great layout. I love the paint scheme of those Clinchfield locomotives.

@Hudson J1e posted:

Just yesterday I found that video on Rob Helm’s layout on YouTube. Wow, great layout. I love the paint scheme of those Clinchfield locomotives.

Rob’s an excellent modeler. If I’m not mistaken, most of those Clinchfield locomotives were custom painted. They’re mostly Atlas but a few are MTH.

Quick update on my layout, I'm still framing out my basement but have approximately 60% remaining so took a break from that this weekend to begin installing a hand laid #10RH code 125 turnout on a module I had brought along from my previous home. At this point I'm only plating/spiking rails sufficient to secure them properly as I will likely need to make adjustments when I permanently mount the modules to the walls. The photos are in sequence of tearing out, prepping and gluing the ties and installing the stock rail, and the last image is of the lower level location of the turnout on my very crude track diagram. I'll post more photos as I get it operational.

2/22 Edit

I got a little more completed on the turnout this afternoon after work. I have most of the rail cut and fitted with the Right O Way castings. I just need to finish soldering feeder wires, ballasting, spiking and installing the Tortoise to have it operational.

3/1 Update

Feeder wires soldered to all rail sections except curved stock rail. Powered it up and tested this morning and it works exceptionally well. I just need to finish soldering curved stock rail feeder wire, installing heel blocks, rail braces, remaining tie plates and spikes and paint.

John

Here’s an update on mine:

Jim @MainLine Steam, I just saw this thread for the first time today.  I will have to go back later and look over the previous 8 pages.  When I was still modeling in HO, I met a Pittsburgh O scale 2-rail modeler, Larry Kline.  That was at least 20 years ago, and sadly I learned he passed on a few years ago.  I was admiring his 2-rail cars and diorama at a show.  He was a very friendly fellow as I recall, and encouraged me to try O scale 2-rail.  He said he had a sizable layout in his home.  I would have liked to have seen his layout.  I told him I would only have room for a small switching layout, which I am sure he said there was nothing wrong with that.  I tried the On30 route on my HO track, but wanted to model some mainline running.  Finally, I went with O 3-rail a dozen years ago.

I have been aware of Ryan's 2-rail layout for some time, especially since we both like Western Maryland.  I will look forward to catching up on this thread.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Jim @MainLine Steam, I just saw this thread for the first time today.  I will have to go back later and look over the previous 8 pages.  When I was still modeling in HO, I met a Pittsburgh O scale 2-rail modeler, Larry Kline.  That was at least 20 years ago, and sadly I learned he passed on a few years ago.  I was admiring his 2-rail cars and diorama at a show.  He was a very friendly fellow as I recall, and encouraged me to try O scale 2-rail.  He said he had a sizable layout in his home.  I would have liked to have seen his layout.  I told him I would only have room for a small switching layout, which of I am sure he said there was nothing wrong with that.  I tried the On30 route on my HO track, but wanted to model some mainline running.  Finally, I went with O 3-rail a dozen years ago.

I have been aware of Ryan's 2-rail layout for some time, especially since we both like Western Maryland.  I will look forward to catching up on this thread.

Thanks Mark for the reply, I am glad you found this thread.  When I originally posted I had No Idea how many fantastic O Scale (2R) Model Railroads there were.  Ryan has some great videos to watch!

I am very grateful to all that have posted and have turned this into such a useful thread.  Keep the posts coming!  Thanks again.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Jim @MainLine Steam, I just saw this thread for the first time today.  I will have to go back later and look over the previous 8 pages.  When I was still modeling in HO, I met a Pittsburgh O scale 2-rail modeler, Larry Kline.  That was at least 20 years ago, and sadly I learned he passed on a few years ago.  I was admiring his 2-rail cars and diorama at a show.  He was a very friendly fellow as I recall, and encouraged me to try O scale 2-rail.  He said he had a sizable layout in his home.  I would have liked to have seen his layout.  I told him I would only have room for a small switching layout, which I am sure he said there was nothing wrong with that.  I tried the On30 route on my HO track, but wanted to model some mainline running.  Finally, I went with O 3-rail a dozen years ago.

I have been aware of Ryan's 2-rail layout for some time, especially since we both like Western Maryland.  I will look forward to catching up on this thread.

Mark, I never personally knew Larry, but I have several friends who did and rave about what a great guy he was. There’s an older video on YouTube of an operating session on his layout. I’ll see if I can find it and will post it here.

@MainLine Steam posted:

Thanks Mark for the reply, I am glad you found this thread.  When I originally posted I had No Idea how many fantastic O Scale (2R) Model Railroads there were.  Ryan has some great videos to watch!

I am very grateful to all that have posted and have turned this into such a useful thread.  Keep the posts coming!  Thanks again.

Thanks for starting this thread! There’s several more I’ll be getting video of in the coming months and will share.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Jim @MainLine Steam, I just saw this thread for the first time today.  I will have to go back later and look over the previous 8 pages.  When I was still modeling in HO, I met a Pittsburgh O scale 2-rail modeler, Larry Kline.  That was at least 20 years ago, and sadly I learned he passed on a few years ago.  I was admiring his 2-rail cars and diorama at a show.  He was a very friendly fellow as I recall, and encouraged me to try O scale 2-rail.  He said he had a sizable layout in his home.  I would have liked to have seen his layout.  I told him I would only have room for a small switching layout, which I am sure he said there was nothing wrong with that.  I tried the On30 route on my HO track, but wanted to model some mainline running.  Finally, I went with O 3-rail a dozen years ago.

I have been aware of Ryan's 2-rail layout for some time, especially since we both like Western Maryland.  I will look forward to catching up on this thread.

Here it is:

Ryan, last night I watched the video on your layout. All I can say is WOW! What a great layout you have! Your scenery and track work is excellent! I would love to see it person some day. I will watch the video on Larry's later on today. Thank you very much for promoting the 2 rail side of the hobby! You are a great ambassador for 2 rail.

@ryanexpresstrains posted:

Here it is:

Thank you, Ryan!  Yes, that’s Larry in the opening scene in the red plaid shirt.  His layout certainly was nice.

I have seen your wonderful layout before and will have to look for some more videos.

@Hudson J1e posted:

Ryan, last night I watched the video on your layout. All I can say is WOW! What a great layout you have! Your scenery and track work is excellent! I would love to see it person some day. I will watch the video on Larry's later on today. Thank you very much for promoting the 2 rail side of the hobby! You are a great ambassador for 2 rail.

Thank you for the kind words, Phil! I really appreciate it and the support. I'm having a blast, and I enjoy promoting our great hobby.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Thank you, Ryan!  Yes, that’s Larry in the opening scene in the red plaid shirt.  His layout certainly was nice.

I have seen your wonderful layout before and will have to look for some more videos.

Thank you, Mark! There's several others on my YT channel, although I'm bad about posting updates! I enjoy following along with your layout build and projects as well. We're keeping the WM alive!

Ryan,

This is exactly what I asked for and WOW did you come thru!  A fantastic RR!

Thank you so much.

Ed

@ryanexpresstrains posted:

Here’s an update on mine:

Excellent layout and presentation, Ryan!

John

@Ed Kelly posted:

Ryan,

This is exactly what I asked for and WOW did you come thru!  A fantastic RR!

Thank you so much.

Ed

Thank you, Ed, so much! I really appreciate the kind words and feedback. I'm having a blast!

@jgtrh62 posted:

Excellent layout and presentation, Ryan!

John

Thank you John! I really appreciate it!

Here's a couple movies of my CNR  Eastbound train # 4  passing  through  ' Box Canyon '  on the  approach to Golden,  a fueling and divisional point on the layout.   The crew will  rest and return home on  # 3 in the very early hours of the morning.    

One nice thing about having a centrally located home layout is that interesting people with cool models come to visit. The attached pictures are from last Sunday.  If you are attending the 2024 March Meet, the Rockford O Scalers will be open Thursday night, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.  Please see the March Meet layout tour page for times and the address.  If you can't come then, we can generally accommodate visits at other times.  See the "Rockford O Scalers" facebook page for contact information, pictures and videos.

Here' s a few views of progress on my ''Pacific & Great  Western ' O ' Scale Division''.  Scenes seem to be modified almost every year as building progresses.   We are situated along the south side of a lake, north of the city of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.   I have included a wide view showing the city, along with scenery shots of my version of the Rogers Pass, the lake country at Clanwilliam and the bustling little railroad divisional  community of Golden.  Also, I thought it would be interesting to include some Narrow Gauge incorporated into everything, as I caught the ''bug'' on a 4 week tour on my way down to see Master Modeler Lorell Joiner and his amazing creation.  I will include photos of the roundhouse facilities as this scene progresses.    

Fantastic!

The logging truck in the 5th photo is what we used to see around here all the time back in the '70s-'80s...with those big logs, too!

Mark in Oregon

@myles posted:

Here' s a few views of progress on my ''Pacific & Great  Western ' O ' Scale Division''.  Scenes seem to be modified almost every year as building progresses.   We are situated along the south side of a lake, north of the city of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.   I have included a wide view showing the city, along with scenery shots of my version of the Rogers Pass, the lake country at Clanwilliam and the bustling little railroad divisional  community of Golden.  Also, I thought it would be interesting to include some Narrow Gauge incorporated into everything, as I caught the ''bug'' on a 4 week tour on my way down to see Master Modeler Lorell Joiner and his amazing creation.  I will include photos of the roundhouse facilities as this scene progresses.   

Great pictures of a fantastic layout!  Thanks for posting.

Thank you Mark and Jim , I love this hobby for the fun and creativity.    Here's a couple more shots of the log truck.    The simi tractor is manufactured by  'New Ray', a die cast toy company.   They make 3 different models with plastic trailers.   These were quite inexpensive, around the 10 to 12 dollar range .   Check the diecast companies and compare photos as the distributors name may have changed.   The log trailer I made up from brass square shapes comparing size to photos of prototypes.   The main 'I' beam is just a large plastruct girder.   I soldered the brass together then glued them to the center beam with ACC.    Adding the air line and electrical cable brought everything together.   The logs are fir tree branches with some of the bark scraped up.   Don't forget to glue some ''ground up'' cedar colored dust and finer  wood scraps to the top of the main beam.   Also remember,   mtys have as much character as loads !

Thanks for the info regarding that truck: you've done a really wonderful job on everything... 

Mark in Oregon

@myles You have a fantastic layout! The way the scenes blend together and the way they mate up to the backdrops makes it very realistic. Thanks for sharing the pictures and please post the roundhouse facilities pics when you are ready.

@myles posted:

Thank you Mark and Jim , I love this hobby for the fun and creativity.    Here's a couple more shots of the log truck.    The simi tractor is manufactured by  'New Ray', a die cast toy company.   They make 3 different models with plastic trailers.   These were quite inexpensive, around the 10 to 12 dollar range .   Check the diecast companies and compare photos as the distributors name may have changed.   The log trailer I made up from brass square shapes comparing size to photos of prototypes.   The main 'I' beam is just a large plastruct girder.   I soldered the brass together then glued them to the center beam with ACC.    Adding the air line and electrical cable brought everything together.   The logs are fir tree branches with some of the bark scraped up.   Don't forget to glue some ''ground up'' cedar colored dust and finer  wood scraps to the top of the main beam.   Also remember,   mtys have as much character as loads !

Thanks for info on Log Trailer.  Much of my career was spent working with Paper Mills.

Must be the late 1970's, judging by prices.  I remember being upset when McDonald's hamburgers jumped from 10 to 15 cents (think they might have been 12 cents for a few months to somewhat ease the transition).

Thanks. No problem guys, glad to pass on the information if it can help anyone out there on similar projects.   As for those 'sale' prices on the burgers and gas Jim, ....   management informs me that, ...'since the space time continuum has frozen downstairs here, there's very little chance we'll see any price jumps in ANY near future !'   Guess that's modeling.    And for Phil,... I had a walk around the shop facilities and although not complete just yet,  I will include these photos of its present progress. When completed , I should end up with 32 - 33 stalls.   Most of which will be enclosed.   The roofing on the ''back ends '' of the roundhouse will have a clear plastic covering to allow operators and visitors a chance to see inside.   The  diesel facilities will currently remain at their originally planned location, 'North' of the roundhouse.   And I'd better get going on that area as well, as I keep adding more to the diesel fleet !   The ' 5632 ' is awaiting it's 5 inch ''candy cane'' cab face and nose stripes before being placed into service.   Hope this gives an idea of what's progressing in this area.    

@myles posted:

Thanks. No problem guys, glad to pass on the information if it can help anyone out there on similar projects.   As for those 'sale' prices on the burgers and gas Jim, ....   management informs me that, ...'since the space time continuum has frozen downstairs here, there's very little chance we'll see any price jumps in ANY near future !'   Guess that's modeling.    

And for Phil,... I had a walk around the shop facilities and although not complete just yet,  I will include these photos of its present progress. When completed , I should end up with 32 - 33 stalls.   Most of which will be enclosed.   The roofing on the ''back ends '' of the roundhouse will have a clear plastic covering to allow operators and visitors a chance to see inside.   

 

Great idea to put a clear roof on the roundhouse.  No use hiding those beautiful engines.

I like the Space Time Continuum comment!  I have thought about it a lot, and decided a layout is the best "Time Machine" I am capable of creating.  The Delorean I converted didn't "take-off" like in the Movie.  Just got chased by Mall Security Vehicle.  LOL

Excellent modeling, Myles!  Everything looks great!!

Thanks for the pictures Myles. Your engine facilities looks great! I love the scratch built roundhouse.

Thanks Mark, Jim and Phil, glad you like the scenes.   Phil commented earlier about 'scenes to backdrops'.   It is a challenge, but I try to make everything blend and tie together as best as I can with the space provided due to large radius curves.  The photo below is my version of the Rogers Pass 'Cannaught Tunnel' , a scene transition located under the stairwell. To put things into perspective, I only had room to compress this area into 1 foot wide to also allow for human passage and include a wide sweeping curve just beyond , ( watch your head clearance) .   This area required the scenery to take a vertical stance!     But tunnels from one scene ''partition''  to another do work.   Concealing them I sometimes use a little common  trick with highway overpasses in those locations.   I've included a photo showing the 'commuter stop' of Eagle Pass connecting the outskirts to the city.   The roundhouse walls are a combination of 'foam core' and a 3 window wall casting from an old Korber kit of the Lionel Factory.    I made a rubber mold of one wall and cast it in a  2  part  ''plastic resin'' by Alumilite.   Their moto,  liquid to plastic in minutes, stands to hold its meaning.   Any bridge girders seen are courtesy of a similar made casting  offered through  Micro Mark.   The turntable bridge side are the same casting .    Finally, I need to ask Jim, the Delorean you spoke of, are we talking the  '' 1/43 model produced or a Prototype in a garage  ? ''  

@myles posted:

Thanks Mark, Jim and Phil, glad you like the scenes.   Phil commented earlier about 'scenes to backdrops'.   It is a challenge, but I try to make everything blend and tie together as best as I can with the space provided due to large radius curves.  The photo below is my version of the Rogers Pass 'Cannaught Tunnel' , a scene transition located under the stairwell. To put things into perspective, I only had room to compress this area into 1 foot wide to also allow for human passage and include a wide sweeping curve just beyond , ( watch your head clearance) .   This area required the scenery to take a vertical stance!     But tunnels from one scene ''partition''  to another do work.   Concealing them I sometimes use a little common  trick with highway overpasses in those locations.   I've included a photo showing the 'commuter stop' of Eagle Pass connecting the outskirts to the city.   The roundhouse walls are a combination of 'foam core' and a 3 window wall casting from an old Korber kit of the Lionel Factory.    I made a rubber mold of one wall and cast it in a  2  part  ''plastic resin'' by Alumilite.   Their moto,  liquid to plastic in minutes, stands to hold its meaning.   Any bridge girders seen are courtesy of a similar made casting  offered through  Micro Mark.   The turntable bridge side are the same casting .    Finally, I need to ask Jim, the Delorean you spoke of, are we talking the  '' 1/43 model produced or a Prototype in a garage  ? ''  

Really great modeling and lots of sound advice for planning a layout, thank you Myles.

The Delorean (fictitious) reference to the Movie "Back to the Future" was just my warped sense of humor.

Don't want to take this topic "off track", I am going to start another topic to fully answer.

Ran some steam this weekend.   Here’s a couple views of a Westbound Extra .  First passing through Golden at the eastend refuelling point.  Then, after a brief stop lifting Westbound traffic, we catch the train from a high point above the valley as it enters the Eastend of the Cannaught Tunnel  on its way to the cloud covered “rainy” location of Roger's Pass.  

Myles, that is some impressive scenery work, but have to ask.  In that second video, is that the end of a turnout style derail visible on the left?  If so, the ravine is a sure way to make sure you wont block the main.  I envision the whole coupled train going over the side like an anchor chain when dropping anchor.

Myles, I love it! Your scenery work is some of the best I have ever seen! I like how you use the smoke too. Most 2 rail guys don't like smoke but I do (in moderation). For some reason certain smoke smells remind of the time when I first got back into the hobby and I had the joy of watching trains go around different layouts.

In response to CALNNC and Phil.  I did have a turnout located once just coming out of  the Connaught Tunnel East Portal location seen in the video.   It allowed for an extended siding length to my location of Clanwilliam.  But it started giving me so much grief that I removed the rails and ended up leaving the “points” in place.  (Too difficult to get at as the scenery was built after the track was laid .  (A mistake on my part. )   The actual siding now starts about 6 feet from that location.  The switch points are spiked so they’ll never move.                       In regards to Phil’s inquiry about the smoke in the first video, I don’t usually run the locos equipped with smoke units in operation either, but I thought I’d see how it would look with this newer phone.  ( I packed in my antique BlackBerry Passport as I was getting too many inferior comments from the locals).  However , I am pleased with the picture quality of the replacement.  But you are right, certain fragrances do bring back memories for me as well or drives the cats upstairs !  

@myles Who made that engine with the smoke? I can see it is a Pacific but can't tell who made it. MTH Maybe? since I don't know of anyone else who makes 2 rail engines that smoke.

Hi Phil, the black CPR pacific in the video was a brass locomotive release by Weaver Models.   They actually made quite a few American and Canadian class locomotives in both 2 and 3 rail .   They did a bang up job on them all.   Problem was they only did “so many “ of each release over the years Weaver operated till retirement.

Myles, thank you for the information. I didn't know the Weaver 2 rail models had smoke. That's what threw me off. Last year I found a 2 rail conventional Weaver Pacific (L&N) at York for only $350. Even without the benefit of electronics she runs really nice.

Myles, that is a beautiful, smooth running CP engine.  The scenery and trains are beautiful!