Mark's Grand Valley Plus. More layout details and slideshow. 

Thanks. Really appreciate you comments. That is exactly what I was shooting for, the ability to do both.

Thanks. In all honesty I think I saw or heard of that somewhere else a while back. I just can't remember where in order to give credit where credit is due.

Thank you. I figure if I'm going to do the work might as well have fun with it.

Thanks. Hope you liked it.

Thanks Dan. Hope to have a new update soon.

Thanks Daryl. Glad you enjoyed. I'll have a new video soon showing me putting together a couple of different sets of rolling stock from the yard area and then bringing them out onto the main layout.

Thanks Ben. Hope to add more video as I go along.

Glad you liked it!

Thanks Steve. Appreciate it.

@@markswiatly9613 😃

Thanks Don. Worth it though in the long run.

If you are only going to run one train on just the original Grand Valley Layout you can get away with just one terminal track. When I first set up just the base layout I was running two locomotives using the same controller that I see came with your Echo Valley kit. This should be sufficient. I only had some minor problems using the EZ track. For the most part you can use the same size pieces that are on the layout that comes with the instructions. The crossings and the switches, I think, are slightly different in length than the Atlas set. I got around this by buying Bachmann's Connector Assortment. It comes with 2 each of 3/4", 1", 1-1/4", 1-1/2" and 2" sections of track. I would suggest just putting all of the track together and get it to fit as closely as possible to the layout on the base boards. Don't worry about the risers and inclines/declines yet. Then plug in the train and run it to make sure it runs smoothly, just be ready to lift up the track at the one section where it goes underneath. This is what I did and made any adjustments as necessary for a smooth run. Once you are happy with it then note anywhere where it might deviate from the original layout by marking with a marker. Take the track apart in large sections and set them off to the side. Now you can start placing the risers and inclines/declines according to the baseboards and any changes you might have had to make. Again this is what I did and my trains run pretty smoothly. Good luck. I love the idea of a wild west town and would like to see how you did that at some point. Let me know if you need anything else.

@@markswiatly9613 Thanks for the great reply. As I haven't bought anymore track yet, I wonder if I am better off just getting the Atlas track pack. What is your opinion?

@@davidreese4772 David if you feel more comfortable getting the Atlas track then go ahead. Nothing wrong with Atlas track, plus you get the roadbed you need with the Grand Valley Layout. My last layout 25-30 years ago was done using Atlas track and it worked just fine. I went with the Bachmann, because like you I had already purchased one of Bachmann's ready to run kits. Plus on top of that I was able to score for free a lot of straight track and 18" - 30 degree curved track from someone who no longer wanted to build a layout. So all I really needed to purchase were the turnouts and some other special track. That's why I went with it and it worked out well. What really matters is what you will be the most comfortable with. Good luck.

David, when I purchased them, it said they were HO scale on the packaging. I really didn't go and measure them to double check. So I relied on the manufacturer.

Thanks. I appreciate the comments and feedback. The reason I didn't paint the walls blue is I would like to add some backdrop scenery someday. I just feel it would be best to do that after I get done with the bigger messes. As you can tell I still have to scenic the expansion area yet, which is next on my list of things to do.

Thanks for the interest in the layout. The main layout is 5 feet x 9 feet edge to edge. The extension to the left is 2 feet x 6 feet and the extension and the other extension attached to the first one is also 2 feet by 6 feet. All in all the entire layout is 11 feet wide by 9 feet deep. That includes the empty space inside of the "U" where I run things from.

Rob just found that I never replied to this post. Sorry about that. I think I answered these question in a different post to you.

@@markswiatly9613 Hi Mark yeah we already covered it. Looks so cool nice work.

Glad you are loving the kit. I have posted the plan in a Dropbox folder that you can access. Note that it is done in AnyRail 6 and you will need the licensed version to open it because of the amount of track being used. It will not open in the free version. Here is the Dropbox link: www.dropbox.com/sh/4bn7525eico7sqs/AACLtFZs5lsvnhjToHYYvYEKa?dl=0

@@markswiatly9613 thank you so much! Keep up the good work and if you in or around dfw let me know and I’ll be happy to help model with you

Duane. I actually have 10 other videos on my page about my layout in various stages. Check them out for more information of what I did. The main layout is 5' x 9'. The Grand Valley portion lies within the inner 4' x 8' portion of that. The outer track is in the additional 6" around all 4 sides. The outer track is what leads into and out of the staging area and includes a loop around the staging/switching area. Those 2 modules are 2' x 4' each and then later I added on the part that allowed me to complete the loop in the staging area. That section is 1-1/2' x 3-1/2'. All in all the entire layout takes up an 11' x 9' corner of my basement. I wish I had more room honestly. Hope you get a chance to see the other videos and enjoy them and maybe spur you on to keep going.

@@markswiatly9613 Thanks for update, I have a 4' X 8' across the back of my upside down U-shape layout. My biggest problem is I have an 8' X 401/2" on one side and same on other side. Just gotta figure it out. Thanks again.

David, the switches that come with the Atlas track pack are manual switches. You can purchase remote switch machines to upgrade them. However, they are just controlled by a small slide and push button mechanism, they are not DCC enabled. Even then you need a source of power for that to work. The EZ Command Controller does not have an auxiliary port for powering accessories. You would need to see if you can find something for that. For my switches I just used the AC Accessory port from an older DC controller that I had laying around. You can still find these online. If you want them to be controlled via DCC through your EZ Command Controller there are many options available for doing that. An easy one would have been using EZ-Track. Bachmann sells DCC controlled EZ-Track turnouts. They are easy to setup with the EZ Command Controller. However, I have to warn you that they are not cheap. Actually nothing about DCC is cheap.

Hi Mark. Thanks again for the detailed explanation. As I said, I know nothing about any of this. I think I will stick to manual switching for now. Could you advise me if the 28mm table top buildings will look too big in an ho scale town, there are more options for Western buildings if I use them. Thanks again for your advice. Am watching all your vids for ideas 💡

David, not sure what 28mm table top buildings are. I'm from the US and everything I know is in inches/feet. HO scale is 1/87. 1 inch HO scale = 87 inches real life (7.25 feet). Since 28mm = 1.102 inches, that would be 7.99 feet. That translates to 2435mm in real life, if that helps. On my layout my 1 story buildings measure anywhere from 1 inch to 1.25 inches. That translates to 24.4mm to 31.75mm. So it sounds like you might be OK if those buildings are only 1 story. I just can't say with 100% certainty. Looking forward to see pictures/video some day.

@@markswiatly9613look at JMRI, also does Bachmann have a USB port? If not switch to Sprog2 DCC.

@@davidreese4772get a HO scale ruler to check buildings or just go with appearance.

Rob. I used Bachmann's nickel-silver EZ-track on my layout. Here is a link to the track plans using that track. This track plan uses AnyRail 6 track planning software. www.dropbox.com/sh/4bn7525eico7sqs/AACLtFZs5lsvnhjToHYYvYEKa?dl=0 Thanks for the interest. Let me know if you have anymore questions.

@@markswiatly9613 Hi Mark, Yes I have more questions. I currently have my bench work in 4x8 and I put 5x9 3/4” sandeply on top with 2” of foam board. Can you reach everywhere to do scenery if I use the 5x9 or should I cut it down. Ty for your wiring too… I have the NCE power cab and was wondering if I should run a trunk line like you did. I think I should do that first. Any recommendations I appreciate. I really like the 3 trains you have running. I have Kato unitrack as that’s what they said to use at my hobby store for DCC setup. So I’m using it ✌️.

@@robgarcia1377 Rob. Kato track is a good choice. I don't know all of the sizes they carry so you might have to improvise a little bit. They have good contact between them and that matters a lot. I used EZ-track because I had some left from an old layout and then scored a bunch more for free. I really only had to purchase my turnouts and some shorter pieces. 5 x 9 is what my main layout is. I can reach the middle fairly well. Especially in the early stages before I built the mountain area. Now I use a little step stool if I need to work on any of that area but that is rare now. Before I started I went to our dinning room table and leaned over with a pencil and placed it down to see how far I could comfortably reach before I decided that 5 foot wide would work for me. Also I have my layout a little lower then most people would generally have theirs. My table top is only 31 inches high. I put 1' x 6''s every 12 inches in my frame on the 5 foot side and then covered that with 1/8' masonite and then 2" foam. It worked out well for me. Before I ran my buss line, I had the 5 x 9 section of my layout running 2 locomotives just fine with the NCE power cab. But I knew I was going to expand and so I added the buss line and drops to play it safe. I now have 7 DCC locomotives for my layout. I have run as many as 5 of them at one time. I can run 2 inside on the Grand Valley Plus section. 2 more on the outer loop that goes all the way around and circles the yard area, and then a switcher in the yard. So if you think you might ever expand the layout I certainly would suggest adding a buss line and some drops now before you get into the finish work of the layout. It would just be easier to do now. In a week or 2 I should have a new video ready to post. I made some MAJOR changes to the yard area and did a lot of scenery work as well. I'm excited to share what I've done. If you subscribed to my channel you should get an email when I post it. Thanks for watching.

@@markswiatly9613 Hi Mark, regarding your wiring the trunk line. You used 14gauge stranded for main and 18 gauge for feeder lines. Does the main feeder just go into the NCE connection panel?

@@robgarcia1377 Rob. Yes that is correct. There should be a small connector with 2 screws to attach the wires to, then that just plugs into the back of the panel.

That's an excellent idea. I think I'll try to do one this weekend and get it posted. I've always just shown the trains after they get on the main. Love the video cleaning up Donner pass. Thanks.