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In this MRVP Exclusive Layout Visit, subscribers will get to view James McNab’s Iowa Interstate Grimes Line HO scale layout. James so deftly modeled a modern-era regional railroad that emphasizes prototypical switching and crew procedures, including running at slow scale speeds, locking/unlocking switch stands, opening/closing industry gates, and many other tasks that actual IAIS crews would have to complete.
Why do your trains move so slow?
To clarify, the IAIS Grimes Line layout featured in this video was dismantled in February 2018. A new layout based on the IAIS Hills Industrial Spur is under construction in its place. You can follow along with episodes of The Hills Line with James McNab, exclusively here on MRVP.
The Grimes Line is one of the best IAIS layouts there is, hands down! Glad to see it back up and functioning after the water pipe issue; was afraid it was gone for good. Would love to see it one day.Awesome layout!
James, very impressed by your layout and attention to detail!
I first heard about The Grimes Line on The Model Railway Show podcast. I was hooked. It’s a superb example of modern prototype modelling. I love the way his extra work activities extend the operation of the line realistically without appearing like “busy work”.
It’s neat too, he incorporates many aspects of modern shoreline railroading like long shove moves or the way we cross a road. I also like that while there’s a lot of work the operator isn’t so busy that they’re denied a chance enjoying watching the train as it goes about it’s work. Too often we’re so busy just trying to keep up with the pace of the ops session we stop seeing the models which is a pity since often that was our original reason.
Thanks for the video. I’m sure I’ll be watching this over and again just because it’s such a wonderful layout.
Chris
Thanks Paul. Hopefully I can share plans for my next venture sometime soon.
Shame about the circumstances that led to the Grimes Line’s demise, James. It was a well-conceived, superbly done model railroad. I hope your next project gives you as much and more satisfaction.
No helix on the Grimes Line. I think you have me confused with someone else.
Op sessions run around 90 minutes, longer if there’s work for Millard Lumber. The Grimes Line can accommodate two operators (Engineer and Conductor). However the layout can be quickly restaged for another team to run. The most I’ve ever had in our basement was five, where we ran three sessions back-to-back so that everyone had a chance to operate.
You have shown videos your layout that went to a helix but not the helix it self. Would you be willing to show how to make a helix? I would greatly appreciate it
James; Great layout. Excellent desription of how it works and your detail. How long are your Ops Sessions and how many operators do you normally have?
I’m sure you could use coupler springs on the axle points to achieve similar results in HO scale. Using centering springs was fast, cheap, and easy to accomplish what I needed.
The shove move is protected by the conductor riding on the rear car. My friend and fellow IAIS modeler Scott Thornton has developed a way to have his conductor figures ride on cars as needed. I’m hoping to adopt a similar approach for the Grimes Line.
In N scale Micro-Trains makes a col spring to add to the end of an axle in the sideframe. How would something like that work in Half Oversize scale? Like the photo backdrops. But Question; where was somebody watching the shove from lead end? Does railroad use a shove platform? Or a guy with a radio in the lead car? Here is a idea, figure with a radio and a pin (ouch) in his back and a small hole above the end platform on each car. Don’t forget to have one hand on the railing.
Excellent layout! Thanks for the tip about adding a spring inside car wheels, I’ll be trying this on my switching layout. Great video!
Wow James, that was a fantastic layout tour. Your use of photo backdrops really makes your layout seem realistic. That coupled with prototype operations, great weathering and actual rail served customers made me feel like I was watching the real railroad in action. Thanks for sharing!
Great layout, lots of good operational tips, and a fantastic video production. A great deal can be learned from this presentation.
Very nicely done layout tour. Lots of ‘whys’ described. Lots of this is how to operate it. All good stuff. Thanks
Fantastic video of an exceptional layout. Many good ideas i hope to take advantage of.
Great layout. It was great to see LSRC 10215 as I live right in the heart of Lake State’s route.
James,
Fantastic layout and operations realism.
I am now going to lower my operations speed for switching and at least add end of train markers to the operations rules.
This is an excellent example of modeling a real railroad in HO scale. He has done an outstanding job. Numerous acts of prototype operations have been installed for even more realism. GREAT JOB
I give this layout ***** Like the unlocking of the switches and D-rail, puts a lot of prototype operations to this layout !! Would like to see how the locks work under the layout, if posable.
Excellent video gives me some ideas I can use on the Staten Island West thanks Jsmes and MRVP!
This is an excellent layout. I am working on building a small branch of the FEC in 1955, and this has given me lots of ideas, and the confidence to know I can build an operationally interesting layout in a small space with just a few switches. Many thanks James!!
Speed limit is 10 mph (GCOR 6.28 – Movement on other than main track). Op sessions are usually solo, but I can accommodate multiple visitors in multiple sessions easily since the railroad can be restaged in a matter of moments. They generally last 90 minutes.