In this video journal Model Railroader associate editor Cody Grivno describes how he painted the track on the HO scale Virginian Ry. Managing editor David Popp also describes the wiring for the 4 x 8 foot model railroad.
Building the HO scale Virginian Ry. part 10
By Angela Cotey | February 19, 2012
| Last updated on November 23, 2020
Get an overview of wiring the model railroad and tips for painting model train track
I didn't see how you actually installed the risers. Can you tell me where I can watch that?
I don't know what others think but the banjo music is killing me. I can live with it during the opening which I normally skip over. In this episode it was so loud when David was under the layout explaining the wiring that I had a hard time hearing him and focusing on what he was saying.
Jumping ahead… (I'm bad about that! LOL!) I was wondering if Cody uses a technique I have found that simplifies removal of paint after airbrushing track railroad tie brown. I use 3-in-1 oil on a Q-Tip to lightly coat the top of the rails before painting. This makes for easy removal of paint from the electrical contact points on the rail head. Wiping them with an old wash cloth dipped in paint remover, followed by a bright-boy track cleaner. A real time saver!
great vidios Dave . You say you're useing curved section track in some places . Are you running feeders to each one ?
I love this video series. I hope we see videos with more advanced projects. Nice work to the MRR team and David Popp as he opens his garage to all his viewers.
So David I see you have the curved bridge in. Did the one on back order come in or did you change things and make one?
Great series of videos but please cut the background "music" when you are talking. It's distracting and makes it hard to hear you.
I think that by necessity most of the MR project layouts are 4X8 or some other variation of "island" style portable tables because they have to move them around. Sure would like to see them do a manageable around the "walls" spare bedroom plan though.
Wiring my purely DCC layout using Kato unitrack entirely. Used red/black for main bus and going to use those suitcase connectors for sure. Seem so much easier. My biggest headache is the reversing loop for which I have bought an auto-reversing decoder at the LHS. Trying to determine best placement for it.
im just starting out in dcc n scale would like to find instruction on wiring turnouts and acc. like turntable lights and block signals ect
thanks for the tip on using two wires one of which was RED for live wire and the other for ground
I just love this video series I have learned alot. I love the idea of the suitcases to connect all of the wiring. The tool I see for the connections is it expensive and where can you get it. Good to see Cody there for a monment I thought you were on your own David. Please keep up with the great vedio updates and the articals are fantastic. This is your best layout so far!!!!
This series is very helpful for an old boy who is getting back into the hobby since he was a youngster in the early '60s. DCC – who knew?!
Thank you!
Jim
Another great video. Keep them coming. I am in the process of building this layout and would love to hear and/or see pictures from others that are building this. I started a thread over in the "Layouts and layout building" forum named "The Virginian Build Thread". Let's use this thread to document our progress.
It's a nice little layout with a lot of possibilities. I like hearing David Popp explain the wireing, BUT, could you all drop the corny banjo music? Or, at least turn it down. I could barely hear David's explanation over the music. Otherwise, all is coming along quite nicely,
Can't wait to see what they use to clean the rails with after painting the track? Paper towels? Old socks? Acetone? Also heard that CRC 2-26 is a good way to keep rails clean, but not to use a bright boy as it will leave tiny scratches in the rails.
Good job David and Cody!
A signature of David Popp's video work (am I giving credit to the right person?) is a tasty music track. Is he a possibly 5-string man when not building a layout?
Hi, the juicer is dcc only.
This is a great way to introduce and encourage those who may – be interested in getting into model railroading. I myself am still looking to start my benchwork/layout and the Virginian is an excellent starting point. A module that is easily expandable as the $$ becomes available.
Good job and can't wait to see the finished product!
How is it that the tallest person ends up under the layout doing the wiring? Great series guys keep it up!
I find these little viginettes quite informatve and hlpful.
Thanks again for a fine magazine
Like many in the hobby, I have both DCC and DC motive power. i would love to see MR show how to wire a layout that can be toggled between DC and DCC.
I have to characterize this as a "plate of spaghetti" layout plan, providing you comb the spaghetti first… Seriously, it sure makes use of nearly every square inch of space on that 4 x 8…
For Karl from KY: Check out eBay, several listings there. WalMart sells em in small lots in their automotive section. Or Google "3M suitcase connectors" for a gazillion links to suppliers.
Nice little layout coming together. With just 5 switches wouldn't it be easier of use to just put in manual switches rather than an electrical ez frog board necessitating going to the hand controler and going thru the commands to do a track switching. I have 19 switches on my 36 x 80 n scale layout and have found that an inline bank of hand electrical switches works better for me as it it quicker to do the functions. Just my own preference.