Modeling the MN&S Railroad

EDIT: When I added the photo the YouTube link disappeared:

https://youtu.be/vT4M7WApPuU

Last week I cleaned up the the layout room and made the layout look a bit "pretty" for the local NMRA meeting, so I shot this before last week before the guys came around on Sunday.

here is a link to the latest layout update

https://youtu.be/LmPk9CoipQo

and below are photos of Chris and Alistair helping (leading) with the construction of the framework for the spirals and for the Hi Line loop.

I need a number 5Y switch for the next area I'm building.

I have never built a switch without a Fast Tracks fixture, as I only need one # 5Y I figured I have nothing to loose giving it a try.

So using a printout from the Fast Tracks website glued to a piece of 3mm MDF and a standard fixture for soldering the frog I built the switch in a couple of hours this afternoon.

Part 2 of Building Fast Tracks Bullfrog Turnout control.

Building Fast Tacks Bullfrog Turnout control - Part 2 - final assembly Just putting the finishing touches on the Bullfrog (almost). As you...

I decided to build one of the Fast Tracks Bull Frog Turnout control, as I have had a 5 pack sitting around for at least 10 years and now I'm getting close to needing to use them.

Building a Fast Tracks Bullfrog Turnout control - Part 1 first look and dry run In this video I fumble thought test fitting the parts and working h...

Today I laid the very first track on the layout, this is the World Wide spur. I have the other section with the switches for World Wide and the Masonic Team Track on the work bench so I can lay the track on it as well, I can them permantly install them.

One glich I found was all the switches I have built in the past are code 70 and I'm laying this part of the layout in code 83 so for the first time in many years I'm building switches again.

Update 6/6/2026 - Backdrops - very delayed because I couldn't get it uploaded to Facebook so its on my YouTube channel

Update 6/6/2026 - Backdrops - very delayed because I couldn't get it uploaded to Facebook Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Finally part one of Monday's update, its on YouTube sorry.

Monday 8/6/2026. Update part 1. I couldn't get this onto the page, so its here. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.