2021 layout - Phase 1: building the mainlines - Märklin analogue - M-Track

In this episode, I am finally starting to lay some track. I am installing the mainlines and performing a few function and clearance tests.
I hope you enjoy the video.
If you want to look at the track plan, it is available online for IOS/macOS users using the following methods:
- RailModeller Pro/Express users on macOS: browse community layouts, filter by the Märklin H0 M tag, the layout is called "sit back and watch longer trains".
- IOS/IPADOS users (iphone/ipad): download the free "Train Layouts" app from the Apple App Store (apps.apple.com/gb/app/train-l..., filter by H0 scale and look for "sit back and watch longer trains".
For other users, I have shared picture files in JPG or PSD format here:
drive.google.com/drive/folder...
I upload changes regularly at the moment.
Feel free to like, share, subscribe or leave a comment.
Channel email: [e-mail]
Subscription: / @the3rdrail
All trademarks used in this video are the property of their respective owners and used solely for description purposes.
#trainlayout #marklin #vintage #mtrack #mgleis #analog #tmrguk
Marklin, Spielbahn , Märklin, Märklin H0, Märklin H0 model Railway, Märklin Bahn, Märklin Anlage, Märklin M Gleis, Märklin M-track, Märklin Modellbahn, Märklin Vintage, Model Railway, Märklin Retro, Märklin Nostalgie, Märklin Tinplate , Märklin Layout, Märklin running video, Modelleisenbahn, Modellbahn, M Gleis, M Track, Diecast, running session, M-Gleis, Nostalgie Bahn, Spur H0, alte Spielbahn, Märklin Trains, alte Märklin Bahn, nostalgieanlage, marklin automatik, marklin automation, Marklin Teppichbahn, Marklin floor layout, Marklin carpet layout m-gleis , voie M #mobaanalog märklin trains

[@CM-he8ni]

Fascinating as always! Love seeing the long trains,comforting we all have hiccups! Can't wait for the next episode 😀😀👍👍

[@The3rdRail]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@philippedanjou5390]

This video is very interesting. I see good progress is being made and usual difficulties are being overcome. Looking forward to next phases.

[@The3rdRail]

Thank you!

[@seddy69]

thank-you for the KZbin video. i am about to start on a layout here in New Zealand. all your tips are good

[@The3rdRail]

Thanks Gary. Glad you are finding this useful. Take care.

[@kurtamstutz5348]

Great video! It's nice to see a bit of troubleshooting since we all know that when building a layout there are always issues that must be resolved. Good idea not to edit these mistakes out of the final video to demonstrate some real issues that arise. Looking forward to seeing the next phase.

[@The3rdRail]

Thanks Kurt. Nothing is ever plain sailing with old track. Glad you liked it.

[@derbundesbahnandre8357]

Super Video. LG Andre. 😀😀👍👍🙋‍♂️🙋‍♂️🙋‍♂️

[@The3rdRail]

Danke! Glad you liked it!

[@ETA555]

Great video

[@The3rdRail]

More like this one on the way... If you subscribe, you will see them as they are uploaded :) Thanks for the compliment, glad you liked it.

[@ETA555]

@@The3rdRail build some Märklin M-track/M-gleis in my basement. Of course i subscribe great content 👍

[@tewuiakminiaturenh0]

sehr schön, der Neuanfang ist gemacht👍👍👍, Gruß Kai

[@The3rdRail]

Danke!

[@philippedanjou5390]

I have a technical question. With such long loops of track, how are you going to maintain sufficient levels of power throughout the circuits ? I find that with old M track there are drops in power levels when trains reach sections far away from the feeder. Thanks. Philippe.

[@The3rdRail]

HI, I have installed feeder tracks so that any piece of track is within 2 metres of any of them. If you look at the plan I uploaded, they are marked as "power". Take care.

[@philippedanjou5390]

@@The3rdRail thanks a lot. Take care too ! The " british" variant of Covid is very bad, better stay home building your layout.

[@thierrysanspoux59]

Excellent tres belle vidéo,je desire aussi refaire un reseau en voie M

[@The3rdRail]

Merci beaucoup!

[@bruceclark394]

Hi. Bruce from NZ again. Question; When building the metal ramp using the older style pillars, where done you find a chart that gives the makeup of each pillar to get the gradient correct. The Marklin books I have only give details for the new pillars for the plastic ramps. Very much appreciate your help.

[@The3rdRail]

see my other answer...

[@renetamesromano8257]

Hello. Your videos help me a lot, because I am new to the world of the electric train. In your network how many rails with electric current have you used?

[@The3rdRail]

Hi, If you download the plan linked in the description, all the power feeds are marked with the word "power". Watch the phase 2, episode for an explanation of why I did it this way :) Take care and thanks for the compliment, I am glad this is helping someone.

[@renetamesromano8257]

@@The3rdRail you use 3 transformers?

[@The3rdRail]

At a minimum on this layout: 2x driving transformers for the mainline and industry area/roundhouse, 2X lighting for accessories.

[@nikoisaias]

Very helpful video Thank you much. What are the overall dimensions of the layout?

[@The3rdRail]

🙏 -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2fYiHR9bLCGncUsi=m_6MxEioRpIL1BpG&t=548

[@nikoisaias]

Thanks for the immediate answer. @@The3rdRail

[@The3rdRail]

no problem, enjoy!

[@JaspervanStijn]

Hi! I love the video as it gives me practical insight as how to start actually building the layout. However planning a layout is a whole other can of worms which is causing me some grief. I recently acquired 2 sets of track with sort of random assortment of track which I have catalogued. So I know what I have. However now I need to think of some sort of track which makes use of most of these components I own which is a pain even with track planning software. "Why won't this fit?" or "How the **** can I fit this part?!" are some of the things that get muttered a lot. Do you perhaps have any tips regarding this creative proces for a person that isn't particularly creative? Layout planning seems to be a pain in the rear. Regards from the Netherlands.

[@The3rdRail]

Glad you liked the video. Regarding planning, it is always more difficult to try and build something based on an inventory. I would forget about what you have, and simply play around with various options in software to familiarise yourself with the track geometry. A good exercise is to take an existing simple trackplan and transpose it in software, then try and change/extend it. The old märklin Gleisplanbücher have quite a few options as well as plentry of information about the geometry. I would start small with something free standing that you can assemble with little effort, so you can get a feel for tolerances and how track fits, as well as gain some experience with the behaviour of the rolling stock on the track with certain configurations. You can then use this knowlege to try and be a bit more ambitious and repeat the experiment with a more complex set-up.You'll find that the process will take care of the "why wont this fit" questions... There is an example of extension of an existing plan on the channel, in the "layout 2023" playlist, and a classic for the M-Track system "the mystery of the 5207 crossing" (watch part 2)...

[@JaspervanStijn]

@@The3rdRail Thanks for your kind reply. I shall take those suggestions to heart. I've seen the Mystery of the 5207 but this is a subtle situation. My issues are quite more fundamental. Which switches/turnouts connect to which other types of pieces and so forth. I guess it all has to do with experience with the track but that experience has been laying dormant for about 30 ish years and actually causes confusion. I shall keep watching your videos to improve my knowledge. Thanks again!

[@The3rdRail]

@@JaspervanStijn Then I would strongly recommend you get a copy of the 0700 Gleisplanbuch, you'll find examples of the combinations in the geometry section at the beginning. It is easy to find online as pdf.

[@bruceclark394]

Hi again. Think I answered my own question. The pieces appear to be the same thickness. Do you just substitute the numbers of the old and new. Do you attach the first piece to the layout baseboard. This is fun learning to build my first large M Track layout. Bruce.

[@The3rdRail]

Brown and grey pillar elements are sized differently. I chose brown because I had quite a few elements already and liked the look, but it is quite limiting. The pillars are quite large, so can take up valuable space on the baseboard and easily get in the way of intersecting track. Best to use a track planning software package with a good M-track library containing pillar element outlines you can place on your plan. The brown system only offers one option really: basically you go up by 6mm every 18cm until you have reached the desired height. You have to use a green base plate for the first section of the incline, to avoid a kink at the beginning and end of the slope. So from 0 to 18cm, you'll go up by 3mm, from 18cm onwards, by 6mm/section. That gives a 2.99% incline if I remember well. The dimensions for the brown pillar elements are listed in the pre 1970s catalogues.

[@bruceclark394]

@@The3rdRail Thanks so much for your reply. Can understand now. Do you screw the base of the pillar down, glue the pillar pieces together for stability and glue or secure the ramp sections to the top of the pillar to prevent movement or leave everything separate. I’m worried that if I bump the large baseboard the ramps will all move. I assume the metal ramps only catered for one radius of curve. Thanks again. Bruce

[@The3rdRail]

You can screw the baseplates down. The pillar elements are stable without anything, so it is really up to your circumstances to use glue. On my layout, eveything is free standing (no screw, no glue), nothing moves much when I bump into the layout. If you are thinking of using the metal system, the brown pillars are getting quite pricey these days, so glue might not be the best thing on an appreciating asset 😉Be careful when shopping, a lot of what is for sale is warped and barely usable... I had to hunt for a long time to find mine...

[@barrisroom3]

hello sir can you buy still that diesel i like it and i have the big old red diesel db v 200060 that is so cool that littel one

[@The3rdRail]

They are easy to find online. Look for model number 3064 or 3065, both analogue.