What are the future of Model Railroad Hobby Shows in 2021? The Amherst Hobby Show has decided to move to a virtual format this year. Please join me on Sunday Night, Jan 10th at 8pm for a live conversation with the Show Director of the Amherst Hobby Show, John Sacerdote regarding their plans for the January 30-31, 2021 Virtual Show. 

One year ago I undertook a big expansion project detailed here:  https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/38428    Now IRR management has negotiated another expansion area adjacent to the current yard. In other words, the desk and futon found a new home in another room. This frees up almost the entire 24’ wall which is currently used only by a 90 deg corner turn module and a narrow 5 track yard. So it’s expansion track planning time again!

Thanks everyone for the comments and helpful information.  For the second test (4th build) I was going to try and use a Serv-O-Link chain to eliminate the four spur gears and hopefully get rid of that grinding noise.  I had tried the chain drive on a Westside Models Heisler with some success but in the end I used a design that inspired this shay drive. 

I've been working on designing a new layout that I will build in the next couple years. I decided that my current thrown together 4x8 wasn't going to meet my needs, both operationally and aesthetically. Here is what I've come to so far:

https://northcountrytrains.wordpress.com/2021/01/08/were-getting-closer-closing-in-on-the-final-trackplan-for-my-new-layout/

This video is the first in a serie, where we´re building a beginners style Model Railroad from start to end in only 18 days. The layout measures 1.5 x 2.5m (5 x 8ft) and can therefore be built in most bed- and living rooms.

Trains to Bingham came through Bingham Junction (Midvale) then to Bingham canyon byway of the Bingham and Camp Floyd Railroad 1873. Smelters here processed ores from the mines.

A while ago, I was looking for a DCC controlled switch machine for my garden railroad.  My switches are hand built with some Micro Engineering G scale turnout kits.  The switches were originally built with hand throws for moving the points and activating a micro-switch for powering the frog.  These have served for many years but do need periodic maintenance because of the outdoor environment here in Iowa.  Winters can be hard on trackwork.

A while ago there was a discussion of under layout storage.  This is my solution for under my HO layout.  They are designed to hold magazines on the bottom in file boxes that can be purchased at Staples and other office supply stores as well as homemade magazine file boxes.  Equipment is stored on the top shelf in computer motherboard boxes or the typical rolling stock storage boxes available from several suppliers.  

All storage in my basement is on wheels for easy cleaning and the usual under layout maintenance.

I am planning some big things for 2021 and this required a rebuild of my Live Streaming and Video Recording Workbench Space. This is the setup that I came up with for my 2021 goals. 

I have received the tower lights for both of the yards on my layout. They came with separate resistors that need to be soldered to each light. Does it matter which of the two wires  (assuming one is a positive lead and one a negative) the resistor is soldered to? Once done, I plan on sliding shrink tubing over the resistor to prevent damage.