Model Train Media | JamesWillmus | Activity

JamesWillmus posted a new activity comment

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 05:53:17 +0200

I remember seeing this when the Great Train Show came to Minneapolis about a decade ago, and that was shortly after seeing it on Carl’s old website. This is the layout that really made micro layouts click for me. Now, even as I build larger layouts, those same design principles come into play in order to save space where possible.

In reply to - micro_model_railway posted an update in the group Micro Model Railways

Some more shots of my old Wingett’s Recycling layout.

JamesWillmus shared a post in the group Dakota Modeler's Group

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:44:02 +0100

Check out this HO scale modular layout!

JamesWillmus posted an update

3 weeks ago

HO Scale

Last weekend I was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for the DSED's annual train show. This year it was in a new venue, the Sioux Falls Convention Center. The 28x32 foot train layout is packed with amazing details and was a main attraction at the event. Rich Holzapfel gives a...

JamesWillmus posted a new activity comment

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:41:24 +0100

@Aaron Thanks! I’m hoping to give an update this summer after the Rocky Mountain Region convention in Rapid City is done. Then I can refocus on trackwork and getting my locomotives rebuilt.

In reply to - JamesWillmus posted an update in the group Dakota Modeler’s Group

I see that there are some new members trickling in! Welcome to the Dakota Modelers Group corner of modeltrainmedia.com! I’m starting to build […]

JamesWillmus posted an update: Last weekend I was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for […]

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:38:45 +0100

Last weekend I was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for the DSED’s annual train show. This year it was in a new venue, the Sioux Falls Convention Center. The 28×32 foot train layout is packed with amazing details and was a main attraction at the event. Rich Holzapfel gives a your of the layout and that is followed up with a couple dozen clips…

JamesWillmus posted an update in the group DIY and Digital Model Railroad Club: In preparation for the Rocky Mountain Region's […]

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 03:42:05 +0100

In preparation for the Rocky Mountain Region’s NMRA convention in Rapid City, South Dakota this May, a lot of us in the area have been busy this winter with projects. One project of mine has been the rebuilding of our club’s N scale layout. The poor thing had fallen into disrepair and it had to be cut down from 4×24 feet to 4×16 feet to fit…

JamesWillmus posted an update in the group Dakota Modeler’s Group: Hi everyone!One goal for 2026 is to start coming here to […]

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 03:37:34 +0100

Hi everyone!

One goal for 2026 is to start coming here to MTM more often, especially when we get new content up on the Youtube channel and (eventually) the website. Anyway, myself and Ryan Janis, a club member at the Black Hills Railway Society, have been building trees for our 4×16 foot N scale layout depicting eastern South Dakota.

Here’s a…

JamesWillmus posted a new activity comment

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 19:02:57 +0100

I’ll be happy to test out. I’ve got Androids, an iPhone, and a tablet laying around so I can test on several devices. (old phones make for great backup DCC throttles)

In reply to - Modeltrainmedia posted an update

Behind the scenes, I’ve been working hard every single day on something big for our model train community 👀

A brand-new Model Train Media app is in development, and the first […]

JamesWillmus posted a new activity comment

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 19:00:21 +0100

@zak98 You’re more than welcome to share your models here, Zak! GN and NP were both important railroads in the upper Midwest.

In reply to - JamesWillmus posted an update in the group Dakota Modeler’s Group

I see that there are some new members trickling in! Welcome to the Dakota Modelers Group corner of modeltrainmedia.com! I’m starting to build […]

JamesWillmus posted a new activity comment

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 20:07:45 +0200

@casey-jones
Thank you!

In reply to - JamesWillmus posted an update in the group Dakota Modeler’s Group

I see that there are some new members trickling in! Welcome to the Dakota Modelers Group corner of modeltrainmedia.com! I’m starting to build […]

JamesWillmus posted an update in the group Dakota Modeler’s Group: I see that there are some new members trickling in! […]

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 16:39:59 +0200

I see that there are some new members trickling in! Welcome to the Dakota Modelers Group corner of modeltrainmedia.com! I’m starting to build up some content that I hope people will enjoy including projects in collaboration with other modelers in the local area and those who are interested in modeling railroads of the upper…

JamesWillmus posted a new activity comment

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 16:33:38 +0200

Welcome! My home layout is an 8×12 sectional in HOn3 which represents the Black Hills and Fort Pierre Railroad in western South Dakota around 1900. Like others said, it would be cool to see pictures as you make progress!

In reply to - Dlf posted an update Building a ho layout 14×5 with two main tracks along with 4 yard tracks for storage and other uses. I’ll be using NCE dcc which i have been using for some years.

Been in the hobby for […]

JamesWillmus posted a new activity comment

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 16:32:02 +0200

I love seeing how Lego can be used so realistically.

In reply to - BrickTrainDepot posted an update

A BNSF manifest winds its way through the treacherous curves of Montana, hugging the river that is next to the tracks.

JamesWillmus posted a new activity comment

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 02:28:04 +0200

Indeed, MTM is a great idea! Kinda like a next generation forum or chatroom.

In reply to - MartyG posted an update in the group DIY and Digital Model Railroad Club

Thanks Jimmy for sharing this site, loking forward to interacting with other model railroaders.

JamesWillmus posted an update in the group Dakota Modeler’s Group: First of all, welcome! I wanted to create a list […]

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 02:14:23 +0200

First of all, welcome! I wanted to create a list of questions you may likely have about this group so go ahead and scroll through this. Feel free to message me with questions. For suggestions, additions, or corrections go ahead an put it in a comment.

1. What is Dakota Modeler’s Group?

Dakota Modeler’s Group was started in early 2025 by…