Also, what part of Florida? I'm looking to do the same exact thing. I was born and raised there. I have been in the midwest for over 18 years.
Jay C posted:Hey Bud,
You bet, we'll be there. We're coming in by train and may rent a car. It really depends on the weather. Not real excited about driving around Chicago if snowing or icy.
Jay
I think Chris might be referring to the O Scale National in August in Rockville,MD!
https://groups.io/g/proto48/to...cky,,,20,2,0,6033758
Simon
world class!!!!
Thanks again, guys.
Railthunder, It is an MTH J with MTH smoke unit. I'm moving to Ponte Vedra Beach which is 30 minutes due east of Jacksonville. There is a hoity toity part of Ponte Vedra but I'm not there.
Simon and Jay,
Yes, I was referring to the 0 Scale National Convention in DC in August. http://2018oscalenational.com
There is a Proto 48 layout which I think will be on the tour. The guy is not on the forums as far as I know. He might be on the P48 forum though. The layout is upwards of 40'x70' and really is amazing. When I first saw it, it was jawdropping. Western Maryland and all nice stuff, Bultmann Challengers, Potomacs, Overland H9's
christopher N&W posted:Thanks again, guys.
Railthunder, It is an MTH J with MTH smoke unit. I'm moving to Ponte Vedra Beach which is 30 minutes due east of Jacksonville. There is a hoity toity part of Ponte Vedra but I'm not there.
Simon and Jay,
Yes, I was referring to the 0 Scale National Convention in DC in August. http://2018oscalenational.com
There is a Proto 48 layout which I think will be on the tour. The guy is not on the forums as far as I know. He might be on the P48 forum though. The layout is upwards of 40'x70' and really is amazing. When I first saw it, it was jawdropping. Western Maryland and all nice stuff, Bultmann Challengers, Potomacs, Overland H9's
that would be Pat Mitchell's layout in Finksburg Maryland
Fantastic work, I've always digged your mountains and trees!
What's the narrowest width of one of those background mountains?
Great work Chris.
Really nice layout! 
jpv in France
Thanks Slugger, Matt and JPV.
Slugger,
Some of the Mountain backdrops get down to 1" deep. Some parts are just 1/8" deep in some places.
Sorry I have not been more attentive here. Work has become very busy. When I get a chance I'll post some images of the least deep scenery to show you.
Atanz,
There are framing squares to give some support on some cantilevered areas and other places. It is so a I don't need to use a riser which would hinder access to the trains.
Chris, thanks for the clarification. I don't see us getting to the National this year. Wish we could but it's just too far away and thus too expensive. Shoot, the March Meet costs me $2500. Gotta sell a bunch of frogs to cover that!
Jay
Unless you had tiny scale fish swimming up moving water......
I'm not sure how this could look any more realistic!!!
Hot Water posted:WOW!!!!! Unbelievable, a 2-Rail O SCALE layout with sound, smoke AND spectacular SCENERY.
outstanding work! thanks for sharing.
Great pics, this is one of the things I will miss if O scale trains fails to find a buyer. I saved any article that included your layout.
Thank you so much for sharing these videos. Absolutely fantastic.
Regards,
Jerry
A very good-looking portrayal of the J in model form that you really have to look twice to see it's not old footage of the 'real' 604!
Beautiful work Chris
Hi Chris,
I wish you the best on your move to Florida. Your move will be a big loss for the DC crowd.
Regarding that N&W J by MTH as shown in your posted videos; did you do any modifications to it? Change out the pilot truck wheelsets for larger diameter wheelsets?
The engine and tender appears to be close coupled and looks prototypical. Did you adjust the distance between them?
Are you running the engine in conventional DC power or are you using MTH's DCS command system to run the train?
Steve
I can tell you that when Chris was building his benchwork, it was impossible to fine a square in any of the local hardware stores.
Thanks guys. The videos were enjoyable to make and share.
Wes, you probably would have needed to go to Virginia to get a square.
Steam Guy posted:Regarding that N&W J by MTH as shown in your posted videos; did you do any modifications to it? Change out the pilot truck wheelsets for larger diameter wheelsets?
The engine and tender appears to be close coupled and looks prototypical. Did you adjust the distance between them?
Are you running the engine in conventional DC power or are you using MTH's DCS command system to run the train?
Steve
Steve,
The pilot wheels on the new MTH 2 rail engines come with larger pilot wheels.
I forgot that I did use a closer MTH drawbar. I had to file down the plate to make it work.
I am using MTH DCC stock electronics on this engine.
You'll have to get in touch the next time you are in the area.
Chris,
You do realize that it is only a matter of time before Florida and consequently your layout will be under water. You may want to rethink the move! 
