In this episode, Gerry wraps up work on his model train layout and encourages everyone to start watching Spaces to Places.
Getting to know Gerry Leone
Back on Track host Gerry Leone is just as clever as he is comedic! But even better, he’s a masterful model railroader who’s knowledgeable in numerous areas of the hobby. In his MR Video Plus/Trains.com series Off the Rails, audiences enjoyed learning many of the helpful tips and techniques he used to assemble various layouts over the years. Exclusive Trains.com video highlights much of his previous Bona Vista Railroad HO scale layout, and even examines specific details of his scenery construction in his Spaces to Places series.
With so many of Gerry’s talents at hand, we wouldn’t want any of them to go to waste! You can be sure to find him lending assistance in the construction of several other Trains.com projects, including work on the O scale (1:48) Olympia Logging Co., the HO scale (1:87) Winston-Salem Southbound, and even the N scale (1:160) Canadian Canyons.
If you’re looking to find some of the tools and supplies Gerry uses in his path to modeling success, look no further than KalmbachHobbyStore.com. There, you’ll be able to further examine and directly purchase products he and other notable model railroaders frequently reference in Trains.com videos!
Loved the series, thank you for sharing your talents and wit!
I know you have been at the modeling a lot longer than I have, hence the reason that your layout had great planning before you started. Mine is pretty much the exact opposite.
Got out of the house and into the garage on a suggestion from my wife to clean out the garage. Well I did clean it out and even left enough room for her car to still be able to park in the garage. My train room became a bit more condensed than I wanted but probably just as well. Put up a wall and insulation for a 12X26′ room. Put in outlets as I figured I might need. Then the second project was overhead lights. 13 lights in the ceiling over the proposed track layout. Now I really need a valance to hide them. Do have them all on a dimmer which helps.
Growing up in SW Kansas I needed to have that as part of my layout, which has been mostly from memories. Hopewell is about gone now, but I remember it when there could have been possibly 25 people living there. now maybe 3-4. Before putting up any track, I first painted the SW Kansas scenery on the south & east end of the room. And have lived in Coloroad since 1966, so have mountains on the north & west walls. Then laid the track. Which had several changes over time.
William (Bill) Shepard
Gerry, thanks for all you do to enrich the hobby. You’re talented, generous, and funny, which is a great combination. I appreciate you sharing your ideas and techniques. It’s inspiring!
Wonderful tour! I grew up in Smithtown, on Long Island.
Gerry: If you are thinking the top valance looks too thick, an experiment might be to leave the top 4 inches black, but paint the lower portion the sky blue color of the backdrop. That might help the appearance to match the other fascia.
I’m a soooo sad, to see the end. (lol) Hope and look forward to seeing more from you and your layout.
Chris D.
Chris — thanks for the sentiment. But you already CAN see more of my layout (and me). If you go to the Trains.com homepage — the main page — look up at the top of the screen for the tabs. Click on “trains.com video” and you’ll get to the new, improved video page. Scroll down to “Current Video series” and you’ll see “Spaces to Places.” They’ve already posted Episode 2, so you’d better catch up!
Wonderful wrap-up video to give us an overview and tour of what it bean as and now as it reaches towards completion. It is never finished!
Couple small questions.
1] So each level is its own return continuous loop? I like that idea.
2] I noted a skewer with a small flashlight attached near the beginning of the video at Meadowvale yard. Okay – explain the newest tool.
3] you mentioned an 18″ climb within the helix? What grade did that work out to? I am sure you stated it in another video but I’m being lazy and asking here!
4] Finally, I am not familiar with “canopy glue”. Could you explain that in another series likely on the various tips and tricks you use to build?
Really looking forward to the next Turning spaces into places series.
Now go relax and run some trains.
Andrew — Answers to your questions:
1) The layout is a loop-to-loop. The lower deck has one of the return loops, the train travels around the lower deck, goes up the helix, travels around the upper deck and gets to the second return loop. The decks are connected by the helix, they’re not independent of each other.
2) The skewer and flashlight is an ancient trick in model railroading. The skewer is used to uncouple cars, and the penlight makes it easier to see the couplerrs.
3) I’m gonna be lazy and give you the answer: watch Episode 1 of “Back on Track.” You’ll see all sorts of different answers based on radius, clearance, and grade.
4) Canopy glue is the brand name of a type of white glue which gets tacky quickly and dries clear. It’s so-named because the model airplane guys use it to glue canopies to their planes. It’s not a solvent so it doesn’t mar the plastic and will peel right off.
And speaking of “never finished,” tune in to “Spaces to Places” for some deep dives on scenery techniques.
If you’re looking for tips and tricks, watch my “Off the Rails” series here on Trains.com. There are only 53 episodes with about 200 tips, tricks, tools, and techniques. 🙂
I have been kind of waiting for a step by step about building the turntable. Something I need to replace an older and smaller one on my layout. I’m sure there will be looks back at various phases of the construction as time goes on. Sure enjoy watching all your series. Learn a lot along the way!
Bill
Gerry, I have looked forward to each of your Back on Track installments and really enjoyed them all. Your planning and thought process has been inspiring. I can’t wait for your continuation of Turning Spaces into Places on the BV5. Keep up the good work!
Nice tour Gerry! I actually saw one of the cars I sent you. Now I’m almost as famous as you. I really like the track plan. Great work and very good information provided. What’s up with the white ties? I knew you used Fast Tracks Turnouts and crossings, but there is more white (Wood) Ties that I don’t understand. Did you try hand laying track? Anyway I like what you’ve done and think you’ve done a gra=eat job!!!