Building a Live Steam Backyard Railroad: Episode 5

Hey Friends!

Welcome back to Fox Island Railroad! Excited to be out working on the new 7.5" gauge // 3" scale (1/4 Scale) groundline railroad!! In this video, we’re working on laying the first 100ft of track from an unloading spur to a brand new Enginehouse for Dulce #5! This footage was filmed primarily in November/December 2023, however work has continued steadily on the 7.5" gauge line since then.

I'm very excited to announce that we'll finally be getting on a bit of an upload schedule here for the end of 2024, and we'll have new videos on the Channel the first Friday of every month (with serious potential for an unscheduled extra Halloween Special)!! Definitely a few super fun videos coming down the line: Dulce's arrival to FIRX, Visit to Kentucky Railway Museum, and an extended track work episode featuring our buddy Colt Stewart of Mountainview Machine Co!

If you'd like to see more behind the scenes footage from the shop, be sure to follow along on instagram @FoxIslandRailroadCo for daily updates. You can also follow @LiveSteamNation to see photos of scale live steam equipment submitted by owners and rail fans all over the country.

Thanks again for tuning in! Always feel free to drop a Like or Comment to let me know what you think & what you'd like to see more of!

Link to Episode One:

Episode Two:

Episode 3:

Episode 4:

Cheers, See you down the line!
-Jimmy

**I do not claim ownership of any of the music used in this particular video. Background music sourced exclusively from YouTube Audio Library.

00:00 Intro
00:37 Shop Cat Gracie
00:51 Start of the 7.5” ga
01:20 Ground Work
02:54 Free Railroad Ties!
03:47 Dulce Virtual Hydro
04:19 Engine Shed Build!!
05:44 Safety Inspector Sadie
05:56 Corrugated Roofing
06:20 Doors (fail)
06:45 Final Prep
07:27 Dulce 5 comes home!
07:43 Lean-To Extension
07:57 Outtro

[davidtaylor]

Your enthusiasm for the hobby and energy in getting stuff done is incredible!

[PatrickKCompton]

What a beautiful engine! Very sorry to hear about your dad. He is still with you watching your railroad grow.

[johnlipsey]

Nice work! We are going to be neighbors in the near future. I am in the process of moving to 46 acres in north Mississippi. I will be starting a YouTube channel by the name of my future railroad, the Ripley & Great Southern. I’m glad that you are putting down some 7.5” track. I’m planning on getting some down by the end of February. Life is a wonderful gift from God. I’m glad that you are enjoying it with trains!

[MatthewRawls-Allen]

I do like Dulce’s cab green paint, I’m so used to La Quinta’s black. Great to see her running! Look forward to your next video!

[centraljerseyconrailinnsca]

Glad your producing content again. I Enjoy watching your journey. Look forward to the next video!

[tcttvradio]

I just lost my father, im thinking of starting a youtube channel with his little ho trains but I dont have any budget to do it. We had a 5 and quarter inch gauge when i was a kid and I ended up working on a steam ship for 6 years as a stoker/boilerman and Dad drove the coal truck so we got to work on full size steam 30 years ago. I have driven a couple full size steam locos too when i was a boilerman. Im 49 now. Be great to chat.

[RMphy]

Beautiful locomotive, you have accomplished something I wish to aspire to one day.

[GraysonForney]

This has been a dream for me scince i was a very little kid im 13 now and i want to build one youve been very inspiring to me to kick my dreams into high gear. I apoligize for the passing of your father.

[NeilHyndman]

How do I get your life? This is my dream life - including the dog! I've wanted to put a train in the backyard my entire life. I enjoyed every minute of this video - well done (video and train)!