Yes, trains can be very therapeutic. Sorry for your loss.
Tom
@luvindemtrains posted:First and foremost, I want to extend my condolences for your loss. I know that the last several months hasn't been easy. Thank you for still showcasing your layout and the additions you have added to it. I'm sure in many ways it has been therapeutic as this hobby can be for many of us. Your videos are always fun and your enthusiasm always shows. The Atlantic looks like a good model. Look forward to your layout updates.
Dave
Dave, thank you for your condolences. It has been a very difficult year. I lost my mom last August. Within the same year I've started my new layout, spent more on trains than the previous 5, and doubled my Youtube subscribers. So yeah, model trains have helped me cope with losses in way that was constructive, not destructive. Sharing the hobby with you guys and getting positive feedback has been especially helpful. Although neither of my parents saw my new layout under construction they both enjoyed watching my videos. My mom warmly recalled that her Dad was a Conductor on the Texas & Pacific. My Dad recalled taking the train to build P51's in California and to law school in Denver. They were both supportive of my hobby. They also helped me realize that there isn't always a tomorrow and to "Carpe Diem". Last night I started removing and boxing the trains on my layout in advance of reconfiguring for extension. I plan to have benchwork done by July, running by August.
Just got caught up on your thread......Wonderful videos, and your explanations are very helpful! Thanks for sharing and keep it up!!
Mike
Awesome!
That plan looks great, Ken! Congratulations on being able to expand the dimensions!
Very cool. You will have some space to store rolling stock, do a bit of yard switching, and run longer trains. Looking forward to the next updates to the layout. I've been enjoying your videos.
That is going to be a masterpiece. Can’t wait to see your downtown. Need a hoosegow haha. Harper’s Ferry is a cool place with a cool history, I like it!
@William 1 posted:That is going to be a masterpiece. Can’t wait to see your downtown. Need a hoosegow haha. Harper’s Ferry is a cool place with a cool history, I like it!
Ok, Hoosegow? Will check out next time I visit Harpers Ferry. Town will look better than on my previous layout. Its and extra challenge to try to model actual locations in O. All backdrops are made from photos I took in the area. Planning to include the Shenandoah sub trestle. Hopefully I'll do it justice....
That is the coolest layout I have seen, I love the concept as I’ve said, the track plan is amazing as shown by how many trains you can run at once, how fun is that! but man, the way you used the backdrop behind the bridge to really make that scene, that took vision and you nailed it. Crazy good modeling.
I had a contract to build a layout for a town that was renovating their original train depot. It was a sweet deal, I was going to try and replicate the town as it was when the station was in operation so I did some research. Besides a church with a big steeple that still stands, one note was about the hoosegow in town. The front was the post office and the jail was in the back. So I guess I still want to build that model haha.
Awesome layout, going to be amazing with the expansion. Keep going!
Well done! 
My Lionel Legacy #1309 2-6-6-2 arrived before I could start my Cumberland Western Maryland extension. But just in time for Fathers Day. Check out my video comparing it to an older TMCC C&O model. Are the additional Legacy features worth the $1k price difference? I think so since now I have a model of an engine that I can ride behind in Cumberland, MD.
A fantastic engine, Ken! It's a great Father's Day present. I like that Fireball logo on the WM #1309 and caboose. Legacy is a great control system. I have the #990 Set/Cab-2, and I love it. Plus, I've got the Base-3 on its way pretty soon. Will you be getting the Base-3, too? That would allow you to get all the features out of your Legacy WM #1309 and other Legacy locos.
Excellent engine, Ken! Congratulations!
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Ken, congratulations on getting started on the next phase of your layout!!
Rock On! Love your layout, keep going!
Will there be another video update soon??
Achieved my goal of completing table framing last weekend. Next I'll get the backdrop masonite painted and mounted, then decking. Hopefully will be running by end of August. Also, I'm less than 20 subscribers from 1000 on my YouTube channel. I really appreciate the support from you guys and ladies.
Great work. Thanks for documenting and sharing the details. Looking forward to more.
What a great and historic layout you’ve designed Ken, thanks for the update.
Gene
I think I'm only subscribed on my own channel but not my model railroad's channel. I'll definitely subscribe! I can't wait to see what you come up with by the end of August
Coming along nicely Ken. Thanks for sharing!
Nice work, Ken! Cumberland is certainly a great place to model.
One of the thresholds in O scale layouts is O-72. In designing my Harpers Ferry II layout one goal was to be able to run larger steam engines that required minimum O-72 curves. I also wanted to model some real places on the B&O line along the Potomac River. Its been a challenge to meet both goals within the approximately 28x12 foot unfinished basement room. When I built phase 1 (simple dogbone) I could run O-72 around the outer loop. But when I folded and twisted the dogbone to form the Cumberland extension, the outer loop needed to become O-81 (original plan had 0-63 nested inside of O-72). That ate up an additional 10" of 30" isle space. So I'll have to turn sideways to access the far reaches of the layout but that still beats a duck under. Up side is that the larger loop provides more space for a yard and scenery in Cumberland.
Bought backdrop masonite and OSB decking last weekend. Installed backdrops and loosely positioned decking. Currently I'm laying out track on the extension decking so I know where to trim decking. Still need to paint backdrop blue (this weekend). I'm happy with my progress and I should meet my goal of running by the end of August. I may need to visit Cumberland so I can take some panorama pics to turn into backdrops. (open to alternative image source suggestions). Only 7 or so subscriptions from 1000 on my Youtube channel (so if you are reading this and not a subscriber, I'd greatly appreciate your free support).
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I think you're going to be pleased with going 0-81 in the scheme of things. Small and medium locomotives will look great going through there!
Congrats on almost 1000 subs!
@BillYo414 posted:I think you're going to be pleased with going 0-81 in the scheme of things. Small and medium locomotives will look great going through there!
Congrats on almost 1000 subs!
I agree. I've already noticed how much more prototypical my Pacifics and Northerns look on O-72+ curves though their min radius is O-54. I think we all hope to one day have a layout that is 'visitor' worthy. My layout room is literally a rats nest. Perhaps once I have done some scenery and install facias I'll feel comfortable showing off layout. The bottleneck isles will likely limit how far visitors may venture into layout. But I'll not have an issue and will now create even better videos with more camera angles. Once track is tested and secure, scenery can begin in earnest. Thats when the scenes will come alive.
I feel your pain. I also have a disaster area in front of the layout but it takes time I suppose.
The bottlenecks can be tricky but I've been to layouts with similar setups and it was something you didn't notice unless you tried to sneak through at the same time as someone else.
This is awesome, well done!
The new work looks great, Ken!
Painted extension backgrounds and celebrated 1k subs on YouTube.
I've now have the outer loop running for testing. Waiting on some additional track to finish the inner loop. The extension now makes for a nice long mainline. Takes about 4 minutes for a train to make it all the way around loop. Grade separated crossing at back of layout will be a dramatic scene and will be another river bridge crossing. Now the hard work begins.... adding scenery.
Awesome!
4 minutes for a lap? That is really awesome! You'll definitely be able to convey some distance with a lap time like that.
That looks great, Ken!
@BillYo414 posted:4 minutes for a lap? That is really awesome! You'll definitely be able to convey some distance with a lap time like that.
Yeah, I can comfortably run a short freight (10 or so cars) + two passenger trains (4-5 each) on the same loop with a bit of space between trains. There will be a passing siding along the full length of the Cumberland straightaway. So I'll be able to switch a passenger train into the siding, stop at the station while the freight passes by. Best part now is sitting in the middle of all of this action. Ordering a swivel shop stool to help keep it all in view.
@Mark Boyce posted:That looks great, Ken!
Hey Mark, do you know of anybody that could/has take(n) some Panorama pics from the WM station in Cumberland. I need high resolution Cumberland pictures that I can turn into backdrops for my extension background.
Ken, I believe I have, but will have to think about where. Maybe in some of the WM Historical Society information I have. I will get back to you.
Kent, it’s amazing and coming along wonderfully. Keep trucking!
Mike
Got a great deal on a Lionel Rockville bridge. Perfect fit on my Potomac river crossing. Here's just a hint. Full unboxing vid and review soon.
