The Metaline Falls Railroad (MFR) is a proto-freelanced model railroad based on the Pend Oreille Valley Railroad located in northern Idaho and north eastern Washington State. For the very latest on the layout, please visit my YouTube channel and follow along with my Instagram account and Facebook Group.
Youtube User "Boomer Dioramas" has a whole host of really fantastic videos showing off the fun that can be had with a very limited amount of space. His modeling and insights must not be missed!
Additionally, a good friend in the hobby who has shared a TON of information with me concerning the POVA over the years has shared a really great video with us showing off his own efforts at modeling the little railroad along the Pend Orelle. Check out the rest of his videos on the day-to-day operations of his dairy farm as well! Fascinating stuff!
People seem to really respond to any video that I put out showing trains running on the layout. (probably because it is proof that I am ACTUALLY making forward progress, slow though it may be.)
So I decided to put out a video of just trains. This first one is a learning experience, but one of the more enjoyable videos I've produced so far, so be ready for many more in the future!
DJ from DJ's Trains has a video up where he shows off some of the key features of short line railroading that make it an ideal subject for model railroaders. Check out this video along with the many more videos he has where he shares his experience as a conductor on a 1:1 scale railroad.
Posting this one here mostly for posterity as I'll be building no less than TWO swing gates on my layout in the near future. That said, all of Stephen Bennett's layout progress videos are very in-depth and informative. (which I appreciate greatly) Go check them out!
The Seaboard Central is one of my favorite layouts to be found on Youtube and a beautiful example of what can be done in a small space. This video is a tour of the layout in it's current, stunning state. Check it out!
I've never really been a fan of club layouts. It's not that there is anything wrong with them, they just aren't for me personally. I've heard plenty of complaints about the politics surrounding a club layout and I just don't have the energy to deal with that kind of thing. Plus I'm way too particular in my modeling standards and I would never be satisfied putting a ton of energy and money into something that looked like it was designed by committee and built by some well-meaning people who's artistic skills may be a bit lacking.
That said, if my local club layout looked like this one... Well, that might be a different story altogether!
I've been watching a lot of layout progress videos on YouTube recently. One thing I've noticed is that most of the best railroads are in spaces that have been designed for the layout and finished with appropriate walls, ceilings, lighting and electrical work. I'm a big believer in the idea that the space a model railroad exists in is nearly as important as the modeling itself. If the floor is cold, the walls are bare and not insulated, the ceiling is exposed and there are sewage pipes, ductwork, and wiring running everywhere it takes away from the overall effect and is frankly, an unpleasant place to spend many hours in running trains or carving scenery.
That's why I really appreciate the video updates of YouTube user BArailsystem. He's been working on his layout room for over an year-and-a-half now and is only just getting to the point where he can really run trains. In that time however, he has created an exceptional space for his model railroad. I've throughly enjoyed his series of layout updates for this absolute monster of a railraod. I've spent the weekend binging on his videos and they are great so make sure you check out his past videos to see just how far the space has come.
Youtuber aurthorhouston3 brings us another update to the BNSF Fall River Division. This railroad keeps getting better and better and these videos are what inspired me to include a just a little bit of "big time" mainline railroading to my new layout.
The Grimes Line by James McNab was one of the most beautiful representations of modern model railroading and a huge inspiration for me as I work to design my new layout.. Sadly, The Grimes Line is now gone, but the videos live on!
Of all they youtube videos I've watched over the years, this four-part series on operating model railroads by Chris Lyon and Mike Hamer has done the best job of introducing the concepts of operations to those of us who know little about how a model railroad should operate. I found their videos to be invaluable when designing my own little layout. Here's part one, but be sure to check out the other videos in this series as well.
Today's video is a lengthy three-parter. Youtube user arthurhouston3 has brought us videos of a lot of really good railroads over the years and in my eyes, this is one of the truly great ones; The BNSF Fall River Division.
These videos are a few years old by now, so I can only image the layout looks even more outstanding than this now!
The Virginia Midland Railroad is a fantastic little railroad that I've been following the development of for many years now. Shannon gives us regular video updates on it's development so although I'm only going to post one video here, I highly encourage everyone to check out his massive list of videos available on his channel. I've learned so much and gotten so much inspiration from his work!
Every fan of small switching layouts is familiar with Lance Mindheim. His East Spur layout was a huge inspiration for me as I began to get excited about the idea of building my own small switching layout. Youtube user brickbuilder711 (who incidentally, like me, shares a passion for LEGO) brings us a fantastic look at Lance's famous Downtown Spur.
Gonna try something new to keep this blog a bit more active and keep my head in the game. I'll be posting inspiring videos that really get me excited to get back to the workbench.
Up first, a stunning scene by Youtube user NRS800 that shows how much realistic action can be packed into a small space. I really dig how detailed this scene is without ever looking crowded. Every model has room to breath and the resulting realism is beautiful because of it.
