Steve looking great. I've found the very best track cleaner is a simple Nickel! That's right 5 cent piece, rubbing it over the rails do it best, just turn off the power🥴. Now for those thar are wondering what Umutaiiym. Is a metal found in meteorite it light and very strong use in satalights. Thanks for sharing Jack
Well, it's only been an hour or so, but I gotta tell you - that nickel thing is the hot ticket. I spent about a hour running it back and forth on the rails, and pressing it in. As of this moment, I am running my favorite train at a slow speed, and not a blinking headlight. The train is quiet and seems to be running effortlessly. We'll see how long the "cleaning" lasts, but for now what you suggested is the real hot ticket. Thank you so much and rail-on my friend!
I really dig that scrap metal processor. An idea I have for an additional piece, load type, etc. is maybe they process and smelt that unobtanium back into big ingots or metal coils.
Steve, how about an operating session. It would be interesting to see how it all fits together. How you operate the railroad as a railroad. Just a thought.
Steve; Please don't go away. Your way of sharing your experience is so good, for all of us "regular guys". Consider this instead. Once a month or so have an IMRR update showing progress, etc. You have so much more to do on your railroad and we want to see it as it grows. You have all the basic part done, but now comes the super detailing to do, to create that "it's a real railroad" look. You have several thousand trees, bushes, and detailed ground cover to install, people, more structures and so on. We don't need to see the how to stuff, and if we do the are 100+ videos to watch, unless it is something totally new. ;-)
Hi Robert! I guess my video wasn't too clear. I'm still going to be working on projects and making videos. Just not planning to show anything more on the layout. I'll be back soon my friend :)
Steve, I think I might be speaking for a lot of us, but when we watch you, yes we learn a bit here and there, but I don't feel like you have to show us something new and different each time. We just enjoy the process. We like to watch you make the scene come to life. Yep, it might be the 8th hill you've "sowed" grass on, it might be the 100th tree you've "planted", it might be the 10th building you've weathered, might be the 13th rail line you've laid, might be the 7th river you made flow or the 9th lake you "dug", well you get what I'm saying, we just enjoy watching you do the scene. On the other hand, being a content creator myself and after doing a livestream on Friday nights EVERY week for 2 and a half years now not to mention all the music videos I had to make in order to make it happen, it does become a long haul. Sometimes I know you just want to have fun with the trains and not worry about camera angles, lighting, focus, and what all goes into the video not to mention then there's the editing. So all I'm say is simply this, we just enjoy watching you make the scenes come to life, whatever and whenever you wish to share them with us. Doesn't necessarily have to be new and different techniques etc. I just want to say thanks for bringing us along for the ride!!
Hey Steve! Always loved your videos. Do not think we are only here to learn something new, sometimes I just want to see a guy running his trains! It's amazing to see how a layout comes together and I am just here to relax and watch something interestring. Please do not feel like you have to teach us something new every video. Looking at updates and just things building up is so great fun. Best wishes for the future!
You have a gift of making your scribes feel good about their layouts. We are not all capable of museum quality results so we get to enjoy the REGULAR GUY results which are cool. I know for me when I get frustrated working on the layout, I just watch one of your old vids. Nothing better than a laugh to get you going again. Like the one where you cleaned out your tool box at the old house. Yeah, your layout maybe 80% done but like the rest of us, you find something cool you will find a place for it. I for one love the creek and the sign. About the dirt you got of the rails, a lot of that could be from your rolling stock. Hell brother followed you this far, looking forward to what is next.
Steve .... I love all the videos you've made over the last few years. I've downloaded all of them and I watch them on my breaks at work (air traffic control). You are an incredible "gift" to the hobby, and particularly to N-scale modelers. You're so entertaining, and what I like the most is your unapologetic demonstrations of how things don't always turn out the way we planned, but we re-focus and start over. I am forever grateful for the wealth of information you've shared and hope to see you again soon. Merci beaucoup !
I have really enjoyed your “Regular Guy” approach. To see you mess up, tear it up, and star over to make it the way you want it, Because it’s your railroad was awesome!!
Steve.... sad to see the railroad focus come to an end. Excited to see what's next. I just want to say thank you for all your videos, I've been watching you for about a year and a half now since I first got involved into model railroading and you've taught me so much, and I look forward to putting everything down into a layout. I want to thank you for being so candid, so open, and just a regular guy, thank you so much for all your inspiration. Rail on my friend🤜
Steve, it’s sad news to hear about the show. You will be missed! With regards to your Digitrax decoder problem, Digitrax decoders turn off BEMF when the locomotive is in a consist (so they don’t fight each other). If you set CV 57 to 102, the BEMF will be on when consisted.
Your honesty is unmatched about making the content Steve. I'd rather have fewer high quality videos than a whole pile of nonsense. Great stuff as always.
Going to miss your IMRR videos as I have picked up some very useful tips and ideas. But fully understand this choice, a hobby should never feel like work.
A model railroad is never finished, Steve. Yours is no exception. As you continue to work on the layout - the topics create themselves. All those industries you showed us... As you mentioned, there are no signs. Maybe that's an episode. Maybe create your own custom sign decals for each industry and print them up. Then, mount them and weather them. Those are all episodes. So I'm not counting you out yet.
Man Im so bummed out, cant get over it. Just keep giving us once a month updates on the layout. A 15 minute video. Inlcuding myself - you are the "Favorite Model Railroad Channel" for SO MANY of us. Dont leave us hanging
Damn, just getting back into the hobby, found a channel I actually liked & could follow and you rip it all away . . . . . :-) Awesome work on your layout.
your videos gave me the balls to pull the trigger on doing my train table thank you for that and all the killer knowledge Your Sir are the MR.WIZARD of trains.....
Steve, thanks for all the education, ideas and inspiration you have provided over the years with your videos. I will miss all of what you bring to this channels but especially your enthusiasm. I hope and pray all your videos will stay out here for future reference and reminders. Best of luck in your future endeavors and rock on my friend!
A shrubbery? Yes, one not too tall, with a three level effect.... Been a great ride. Thanks for all you've done for the hobby Steve. Enjoy the layout! M
Food for thought, Steve. Some of us come here to watch you work/run your layout because we don't have one of our own. It doesn't always have to be about learning something new. A lot of times it's just enjoying the hobby from afar and simply hanging out, virtually. I enjoy your vids and hope to see more in the future.
Thanks so much for that encouragement. We'll see what happens in the future. For now, I have other modeling projects I want to devote my time to. Thanks again!
Agreed, I didn't necessarily come for the techniques. I came for the journey of one man building his model railroad empire. Watchin someone build their model railroad gives inspiration to me and many other people. I would love to see what's next.
Just finished it, bummed out man. I never cared if I saw something previously done, done again. Its all about the progress, and the community. As you've slowed down making videos the past year, its been a real bummer. Knowing there are none coming to look forward to - bummer.
There will be more videos as time allows. They just won't necessarily be about my layout. Got other projects I want to work on that I'll share. Thanks!
I used the same NO-OX-ID A-Special on my layout as you. The reason your track got dirty right away is: the NO-OX is slightly tacky. So it pulls off all the accumulated dirt off your rolling stock wheels and onto the rails. You simply wipe the rails with you pads and after a few running sessions the track will stop getting dirty. Rail oxidation will continue as the weeks go bye, so simply wipe the rails lightly every 6 weeks or so. I run my N scale about three times a week, and I didn't have to clean my layout for a year. Then I stripped the old NO-OX from the rails and recoated everything again. Ron's Trains and Things is a You Tube channel and he has a video about this fantastic product as well. He only cleans once a year too.
Digitrax decoders have two separate settings for back EMF: single-unit, and consisted. By default, EMF is turned off when consisted, which is what we're seeing here in your demo. (Digitrax buries the details deep in the technical manual. Why?) I set CV57 in my Digitrax engines to 68, and they take hills just fine when consisted.
Steve, I think your right about sensing, but not speed from the aspect of pure speed, but more so from electrical load draw. You will also notice that the TCS decoders will use that same bit of technology to adjust the sounds coming out to give you a higher RPM motor sound when pulling a heavy load even on 0% grade. I replaced all mine a couple of years ago when I rebuilt all my that average about 22 years old with new lights because I wanted to improve the sound quality. Thanks for putting together a nice video.
thank you for your vids, its good to see the "everyday modler" vs all those who are trying to overcomplecate the process .. enjoy your trains, and take care
It's not you, it's me :) Thanks Jason. I'll still be putting up videos here and there. Just not ones of my building my layout. Thanks for being a part of, my friend.
I’ve only been watching you for a little over a year. Most of the stuff I’ve watched you do will be stuff that I’ll never have the room to do. You certainly made it interesting, informative and most of all, ENTERTAINING! THANK YOU STEVE!
Interesting comparison. I have been out of it for a while but more than a decade ago I converted many of the Bachmann Thomas and friends locomotives to DCC with TCS decoders. They never skipped a beat and the locos still run silky smooth to this day ( Daughter is almost five and loves trains so I have an excuse to dust off the collection and get back into the hobby.)
Steve, the layout looks great. Yes, I am happy that I have been with you all these years. You and the first lady take care of your selves, be safe and rail on.
Hi Steve, I am brand new to railroading, and have been really enjoying your videos. I just put in an orange grove the Steve Brown way. I am making progress. Mostly making a mess. But I am enthusiastic and overwhelmed.
I use Oxguard not no-ox id. It's mostly the same. If you didn't get it to work you did it wrong. I don't run but maybe once a month and haven't cleaned my track in 18 months since putting the Oxguard on. You have to get the track completely clean where no black at all is coming off the rails, also you have to clean the wheels on your locomotives until there is no black on them then coat them, and you must go a step farther and clean all your freight car wheels but it won't work if they are plastic wheels, you have to have all metal wheels that you clean then coat with the Oxguard. Brand new wheels need to be cleaned and coated before adding the to the layout. Just a small amount works but don't get to little. Wipe on with your finger and get up any small globs on sides of the rails. If you do all of this the Oxguard will work flawlessly. The man I learned this from hasn't cleaned his rail in atleast 6 years and does not run trains that much. Don't let this video stop you from trying Oxguard or no-ox id. I use Oxguard that comes in a tube not in a tub like the no-ox id. You can find it at Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse in the electrical department around where the wire strippers are located. Try it before you decide it's not worth it.
Hi Steve, this is Jim Atherton congratulations it is a great thing that year downsizing so that you can have more fun with your Hobby instead of being a work, and a chore sometimes have wrestled wanting to add more but I know one I don’t can’t afford the cost. I only wear one Social Security and I am unable to really work bring an extra money to spend on railroad and I don’t have the talent to really build the right size structures that are supposed to support the railroads I have I have HO in my living room and I have and then upstairs and spare room You, Steve, you’re downsizing, has encouraged me to keep my Hobby small and not to be pressured by the people that have larger layouts Thank you
Hey Steve, been watching since day one! But I must say it has taken a toll on you. Looks like you lost a tooth but gained some hair. I have been running trains for 40 years and RUNNING The trains is what its all about. Enjoy the layout thanks for the fun.
Hi Steve, it was great to come along for the journey. I have learned a lot and still learning, enjoy the regular guy way of doing things. The bell icon is still set. Stay safe and well. Rail on my friend... Robert
Awesome to see your layout coming together and it looks almost complete! You have come a long way in such a short amount of time! Keep up the great work on your layout and hopefully there will be more videos to come. The Schitts creek scene turned out great!!
Steve since you stopped pandering to youtube your crafting and layout have really improved I love how your trees are not all cookie cutter that creek bed looks amazing. Your industries are more of what would be there. some people put industries that just don't go just to have them I really love that you have several places to take each type of car. As far as videos people just want something to kill time and pass time every video doesn't have to be a learning lesson as I have figured out watching other youtubers sometimes people just want to hear hello how are you? I am doing ok too here's a couple things I have changed or thought about doing.. To be honest my favorite thing is when you do something by accident and get excited and wound up about it lol. Thank you for keeping us informed and showing you don't have to do what others do or spend millions for everything, but certain quality things will make things much better. God Bless and thanks again.
Steve, the description made me happy because I thought you were ditching RU-vid, I understand not doing the same thing for 5 years, and I hope to see ya soon
Thank you Steve. You have inspired and resolved many ideas for my layout. Now all I have to do is continue and implement them! 🙂. But, my plan is 7 years, so plenty of time. Thanks again Steve. Peter Australia
Everything has an end and it usually is the start for a new beginning of sorts. I'm been model railroading for more than 60 years since I was 8 and I just turned 70 July 1st. I have done very much as you in building and rebuilding model railroads. I've built 18 different HO standard gauge railroads in 4 different states in the first 50 years in the Hobby ( The Regular Guy Way) . Then when Blackstone came out with the HOn3 Trains I tore out an 23ft. x 36ft. Basement HO standard gauge RR and filled 4, 18 foot dumpsters with everything but the structures Trains and and 6400 plus Hand made Trees I don't like most store bought Trees . I'm am now building The Rio Grande Southern in Hon3 or a part of it wow there a lot of wood bridges I spent 8 months just building BRIDGES Now for the past 5 years I have been watching your videos and have gotten some great inspiration just viewing you and a few others on RU-vid doing your thing as a "Regular Guy" Model Railroader and your show has been great. So I will continue to look for what you come up with next and want to say Thank you for helping to keep model railroading fun and and doing it with Class, Good luck in what ever you do next and know many of us in the world of Model Trains are sorry to see you go for now. Take Care. Dan Kelley Now in Virginia state #5 and RR #19.
Steve, I have enjoyed your videos over the years. From the rebuild of your logging camp to now and you are the one that got me back into model railroading and inspired me to make my own videos, I hope to see some more of your videos on the layout as you get some stuff done ( updates as to how things look). You have been great my friend and I hope to see more, David - F & B Railroad.
I've enjoyed your videos alot, and simply you made them fun and simple! And yes, their's a limit on how to video's but still keep us updated on your video's we all get tips trick's and ideas on what others do. And now you can have fun in adding interests to YOUR LAYOUT...
Steve, Very enjoyable video. Your videos are what this hobby is all about. Having fun and not taking the hobby to seriously. If a scene didn’t come out well, try rebuilding it again. Frank
Steve, Do enjoy your way of showing your railroad. Have learned some stuff and been entertained. Am looking forward to what the future brings. I've adopted your philosophy of how my railroad looks and operates...it's my world! I'll be watching you.
Steve I have put atf on my n scale track once about a year and a half ago and have never cleaned it again. You only put on a end of a tooth pick an I put it in about four places around the layout which is three trains running on separate tracks. If you put any more than that the wheels will slip and you will pick up dirt and turn it into gunk. Then you will be scrubbing your tracks. It will put such a thin film on the tracks you can’t see it or feel it but trust me it works great. And running them 3-4 times a week keeps everything clean and running smoothly. I really enjoy your videos keep up the great work. Your layout looks great. Otto
Hi ya Steve. I’m very happy for you. Watching you build up and tear down, whether it was due to a move or just the frustration of a layout that just didn’t work for you, was a little unsettling at times. So…continue to enjoy your layout. It obvious you do. Please say hi to Cyndi. Enjoy yourself. See ya down the line.
Thanks Steve always loved your vibe... keep modelling railways (railroads) don't disappear, check back in from time to time I will keep an eye out for you 👏
I personally find that N Scale with DCC is more sensitive to electrical issues with clean track and wipers than just leaving them DC. My issue with DCC for N scale is no keep alive and with sound, it's a big deal. I had a new 4014 golden spike edition Tsunami 2 fancy shmancy.. it had horrible electrical pickup, clean track or not. When it hit a bad spot the decoder reset and so did the sound, sometimes being stuck with the whistle blowing. Previous 4014 was DC only and it ran like a dream.
Parting is such sweet sorrow! Not really! - I hope you at least give us occasional "Layout Tour" videos as you detail scenes, add people, etc... I really love the way that Creek looks and would like to hear more about how you made the 'water' --- I haven't decided what technique I want to use for my planned stream/river, and yours looks GREAT! I also would like to hear how you made that Billboard. It doesn't have to be a full blown demonstration video, but they both look so professional, I'd prefer to start in the basic direction you followed rather than just 'pick a technique' and see how it comes out (if that makes sense). Thank you so much for all your inspiration. Please keep us updated as your layout scenes get detailed!
I volunteer at a museum as part of the model train maintenance crew. They have N, HO and O scale layouts. They get a lot of running and definitely still need lots of track and wheel cleaning.
Running DCS52, UR93, and UT6D. I have both DT and TCS running together smooth. No big deal if you don't mind spending an hour per locomotive messing with programming. My layout is one year old with no cleaning. Although my MicroTrains plastic wheels are gradually increasing diameter.
Thanks Steve. Like others have said very enjoyable and always interesting. I will look forward to whatever and whenever you share again. Maybe we will meet I person at the pcr convention later this year and I can thank you in person for the inspirations you have provided to me and many others. Happy 4th too.
This video in itself was a nice update on what you have been doing! I'm sure it took a lot of time to make video and take away some of your actual rail hobby. It has always been nice to see how a "regular" guy worked things out. At least make time to show use as you have completed an area of your layout. Because of train video I now have an N Gauge train that makes a loop around my big coffee table, and I'm 74 years young. Thanks for all your past interesting video.👍
Thanks Steve, I have enjoyed every episode and taken note of what you've done as I ended up pulling apart my entire 8 year old layout in the process of "fixing" it. MKII will use many of your "tips" and I'm sad to see the end of your series. I'm a South African N-Scale railroader... Cheers!
Man you will be missed Steve Your N scale knowledge and the fun and the excitement you put into your adventures will definitely be missed please let us know what's new with you and the layout
Just got to say thanks. Have enjoyed your videos again and again. Will say subscribed for your future videos. You have enriched my railway experience and enjoyment of this hobby. Thanks again.
Dude been watching about a year catching up at my own pace but love your videos. I'm new at the hobby loved it for ever but started late due to fear you have inspired me to just go for it. Although I'm bummed your slowing down your video I understand time to just play. Maybe a video should be you just having fun and watching no teaching. Thanks for all that you have showed us. Play on brother !!!
Hers an idea for your plastic manufacturer. Poly bags. When I worked for BNSF we would deliver hoppers full of plastic pellets. Those poly bags are used in just about everything. Especially for packaging models. Really enjoyed all videos, and hope to see much more. Basically the way I see it is like this. You just tell it like it is. No preaching, no bragging about skills or abilities. Thanks.
