Breaking the Record Breaking Layout - Making Tracks at Model World Live!

Hello Everyone,
Today Lawrie got invited to attend Model World Live, and have a drive of Making Tracks, the Longest Portable Model Railway in the world.
Just what could go wrong?
A massive thank you to the people behind the layout for inviting Lawrie down, and you can see part of the layout on display in Chester Cathedral between 29th July and 3rd September.
To all the wonderful layouts and displays we didn't get to cover, we're sorry - there was just too much to see!
Keep an our out for Model World Live next year! www.keymodelworld.com/modelwo...
A video featuring:
Lawrie - Presenter, getting stressed over model trains,
Charles - Cameraman, just despairing of Lawrie,
Lucy - Cameraman, grabbing extra shots.
A video edited by Lawrie
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[@TheAverageDutchman]

Your anxiety was understandable and entertaining. To me Mr. Waterman sounded more amused than annoyed though. I don't think he took it all that badly 😂

[@lmm]

I don't think I was the worst!

[@adamcrane3571]

Hello ​@@lmm Are you taking part to ipswitch to Felixstowe In your fire engine Sunday the 5th of May 2024

[@DaveFenton]

One of the best videos covering Pete’s layout! Lawrie, your insight whilst driving was both entertaining and informative. I thought you conveyed both the stress and difficulty brilliantly. People who expect to just press go fall into a group that have yet to try it. They can’t possibly understand the load on the couplings or the weight of a 7 meter train on the slow line. Thank you for your “fresh eyes” perspective. Some points if I may: 1) The slow lines are the most difficult to operate, 2) You picked the most difficult train and 3) you drove it up and down an incline and around a bend, all at the same time, with the “overseer” in attendance. We have badges for those who survived a good shouting at. Add in a bonus that you paid attention and went back for the bits that fell off too. After a few hours operating you tend to just get on with it. You appear to have had a few minutes and did really well. I would encourage you to get stuck in with another session or two later in the year. Congratulations, your baptism is complete. Hope to see you again.

[@IsaacDaBoatSloth]

lawrie sounding like the train announcer not the narrator

[@MarchWestJunctionTMD]

That was funny 😂 thank for sharing. Can’t believe how much I was in your footage. I was the guy in glasses at the introduction and then not long after filming you filming me as I walked past filming the layout 😂😂😂 Thanks for sharing Andy

[@forrestrobin2712]

I wouldn’t worry Lawrie, the other operators were clearly having issues too. As for Pete Waterman, well he’s like Zaphod Beeblebrox (ok apart from the fact he only has one head and two arms 😂) : "he’s just this guy y’know"

[@NZHazard]

Lawrie, i fully understand your terror and suffering. After completing a re-wiring of my clubs layout for DCC, we introduced 2 types of running sessions, one where you needed a tablet to enter a new section (with as many as 8 operators running on the layout, with sharing the two mainlines so we had to have people to actually to speak to each other, with some services running opposing to others. And, another session, where in order to move from one section to another, you had to ring a traffic controller (TC) who would provide a verbal warrant from x to y location. Downside to that was that many people forgot to call the TC prior to moving and would cause chaos, and only ever had two collisions, thought the amount near misses could be rather dramatic. Being the editor for the newsletter, it allowed me to have a good amount of fun to add.

[@richieixtar5849]

What could go wrong indeed. A valiant effort Sir and good to see you overcame your discombobulation regarding your initial meeting with Pete. btw we have just completed 50 miles of working railway in a virtual world. No not Minecraft ... lol and we think we probably qualify for some sort of award too :)

[@chazzyb8660]

Lawrie, this may be one of our best ever episodes. Thank you so much for really giving a true idea of the extraordinary scale of the Making Tracks layout, and despite your trepidation at meeting Pete Waterman, one I don't think he was as mean as you thought at your first encounter, merely trying to advise you (more "foolish boy"), and second I think your driving skills were pretty impressive considering that you were completely new to such an experience. And also you did the tour of other layouts really well, giving Charles a real chance to explore the scenery as you gave a really intelligent commentary on them, and fun to see you joing in again. But yes, we could have done with more of the Chinese one! Wonderful stuff.

[@user-uk2jx8ku5n]

Best video so far featuring the making tracks layout..🎉🎉🎉

[@lmm]

Thank you very much!

[@lordraven1991]

What's really amazing to me is the fact that they are running the trains at relatively high speeds the whole way around. I've seen people run trains on really big layouts, and even on small ones, and they always seem to either derail or hit spots where they just lose power or something else goes wrong. Here they are running fast passenger service at 100 smph or more, running massive freight trains, or just running the line. This is outstanding just how precise they've built the whole layout to operator that smoothly where their only problem now is the failure of the couplings due to just the sheer weight they are pulling.

[@chris11119]

As someone from across the channel, it is quite intereting to hear TT being called "the new gauge". But nevertheless, it's always great seeing people having fun.

[@lmm]

It's new to Hornby. Despite doing it before when they were Triang. But you mustn't speak of that. It's new. Never done before. Etc etc.

[@MatecaCorp]

Looks like those container wagons were severely underweight. I don’t know how those derailments could have been avoidable. I know all too well how anxiety inducing running trains on a big layout is lol

[@lmm]

They were really heavy! So much that they were having to glue the couplings in as the were pulling out of the NEM sockets

[@MatecaCorp]

@@lmm That’s wild! I’m surprised they didn’t derail more

[@adamcrane1436]

Hello ​@@lmm

[@EwanMarshall]

agreed, but the slipped freight and the spad, time to pee in a cup.

[@chrishead2604]

A brilliant insight into driving the trains on a layout this size! It was highly entertaining, and I couldn't help laughing at your commentary about how you found it. I was fortunate enough to be on 3 driving shifts over the weekend, and I can echo the concentration levels we needed to hand trains around the layout between the 4 of us operators (4 operators per track, thus 16 people controlling trains at any one time!). I was the person who was wondering where the 4th tablet for our line was ... and found it in your hands! (do you recall??) ... I'm one of the drivers in green jackets you had to negotiate - we were just discussing our "plan of action" for our driving shift at the time, as you were there before the show opened on Sunday morning. You see me again later wandering up and down behind you as you are talking to Pete. I would very much echo Dave Fenton's comments too, yes, the slow lines can take more concentration, and can be tricky. Although you suggest you were quite stressed at times, hopefully overall you enjoyed the experience!

[@fishw]

What I keep seeing from this is Mr Waterman is a bad omen for you, haha

[@Arjay1127]

I have to admit, I'm envious that you got to run on that layout, Lawrie!

[@nickb.1095]

For a layout of this size, they should be using Kadees, lol. Them tension locks suck

[@bentullett6068]

Or hunt magnetic couplings

[@lmm]

Apparently couplings had been a real issue

[@Kettleman1.0]

That is so much my dream model railway, i would love to have the space for this

[@solarusthelonghaulerrailfa3226]

Well it wouldn’t be a LMM video if something didn’t happen 😊👍

[@lmm]

That's true. Maybe one day I'll be competent

[@TigerTailsTV]

@@lmm Maybe, but where would the fun in that be? ;)

[@DubloAirfix]

That was brilliant. I felt your pain! Makes me want to make a much longer layout!

[@trevorbax9379]

I always thought model railways to be a relaxing pleasure now l am not so sure.Well done sir.

[@Mr_wally]

I was fortunate enough to drive one at Chester cathedral

[@Midsussexrailway]

Half of this is just down the fact that tensions locks are not and never have been any good. Notice how the perfect trains looked to run on Kadees? There's a reason people like me choose to run them. (I also understand it isn't your train to modify) I run Kadees on the ends of sets and bachmann DMUs (a european style tension lock) this gives me ultimate flexibility with my fixed sets. I enjoy tinkering etc. It would be lovely to have Kadees on everything but that gets Extremely pricey at today's prices. I think you're the kinda guy that could produce a great series on couplings. Really enjoyed this to watch!

[@CheshireLines]

Hi, we have tried every type of coupling available and as bad as they are, hook and loop are the best of the bunch. It's the length and weight of the trains on Making Tracks that is the issue - with kadees they simply slip under one another under the weight of the train especially on the gradient. We had a few trains on kadees but after their performance issues we have replaced them and gone back to hook and loop. We are going to try and design a new type of coupling based on our experiences with this layout ! Chris

[@Midsussexrailway]

@@CheshireLines try Bachmann DMU, can take tight corners and never had any issues. They are a form of tension lock and i use them from carriage-carriage. Just Kadees on the loco ends :)

[@tripwire3992]

I bought the Avanti pride train and it looks great going round the track

[@adamquirke6024]

meh, think it looks gawdy

[@LawrenceRobbins]

It was lovely to meet you and assist with the rerailing. I did 2.5 hours of driving on the down fast later - Lawrence MRC

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid of a cool layout thanks four the good vid of the best layout thanks lee

[@Taggart00]

How long till you take the record from them?

[@DMCRailways]

Oh wow, that looked like great fun and an awesome show. Nerve biting I'm sure, but still awesome fun. And ooo, I'm glad that the little LMM army is selling well. I'm going to be seeing about some in N gauge.

[@IndianaNorthWestern]

I had an absolute tragedy at a model railroad club in front of some Model Railroader Magazine people. Was sending a 120 car container train as fast as I could safely run it down the main, and it passed over some points that would allow trains to go to the other track, and some of the cars decided to flail around and side swipe a train on the other track. 30 cars derailed on my train, 20 on the other, snapped couplers, some were stuck open because the impact jammed them open, and the engine at the rear kept pushing stuff off making it worse. I don't think they put anything in that month's magazine about it, but I know they noticed because one of the guys said "wow, the layout is so realistic even a derailment looks real" Since then I don't run stuff when there's big things like that happening. To be fair, I haven't been back since, I was that embarrassed lol. So I think having a train uncouple and another stall and derail as you try and keep it going is a LOT better than having a gargantuan tragedy that puts what happened in Ohio laat year to shame.

[@sawyerawr5783]

been there done that: at my first run at the first model railroad club I'd ever joined, my big, powerful engine and consist that I'd gone over with a fine tooth comb before I came (genuinely went and grabbed everything I KNEW worked), decided they were going to accordion across the main and the adjacent one...just as one of the older heads came barreling in. That was interesting...but thankfully the guy was a good sport about it!

[@mikepocock575]

Cracking video wow what a layout,nice to know they done a piece on Tring cutting and Nothchurch tunnel.

[@adamcrane6306]

Hello Lawrie's Mechanical Marvels

[@lmm]

Hi

[@COBO2]

15:37 calamity 😂

[@bentullett6068]

It was a amazing model railway to view. But on the Saturday when I was there it did have some issues with electrics and trains deciding to de-rail. Other than that it was an amazing layout. The rest of Key model world show was amazing as well and somehow I was well entertained by the RC truck/digger guys. The RC boats on display were from my Uncles boating club and some were his boats he made.

[@2760ade]

What a fantastic video, loved it! And you got an interview with the great man himself so obviously no hard feelings re your lack of prowess!😂

[@trevorbax9379]

Wonderful eccentric British achievement made me smile thank you.

[@WorldOfNothin]

It's funny hearing him talk about running full length trains on that layout with like 30 cars and I'm over here in the US wanting to see a 150 car train running on that layout lol The size difference on how long a train would be in US versus other countries is pretty crazy.

[@A-Lovely-Bit-of-Kit]

Great video Lawrie, and an interesting new perspective on the Making Tracks layout. What an achievement that has been! Still to catch up with your modular layout project, but will take a look soon.

[@lmm]

Our modular was nothing as exciting as this!

[@A-Lovely-Bit-of-Kit]

@@lmm I'm sure a worthwhile project none the less. Do you think anyone will try to take the record away from the Rail Nuts? It seems like a massive target to beat.

[@AtreiusLux]

That laugh at 51:40 🤣

[@Madonsteamrailways]

As a layout, it’s a very impressive piece of work. It isn’t quite a work of art, but it’s certainly making an impression on me!!

[@jazzdub4958]

As good as and enjoyable DTG Tran Sim World games are in recreating the sense of operating your loco in 3D mode, nothing apart from real world locos will ever beat the model railway world of achieving scale, scope, creating and building your network. Sky's the limit if the pockets are deep enough to fulfil that ambition. Great layouts and modern tech.

[@johnson_street_IEMD]

It should have a DB90 on the Malcolm train ..

[@trainswithnickyt]

I wonder if this is an example of just because you can build something, doesn't mean you should. Whilst I have no doubt that with enough time and testing, they would have been able to run without issues, this is a colossal thing to erect and dismantle.

[@lmm]

It is a massive undertaking

[@coffeecatrailway]

At what point do you draw the line between model & tourist railway?

[@KerbalRocketry]

love seeing pride trains on model layouts, both for the obvious, but also just the same way it's neat to see any train I've spotted is just wayy more easily spotted compared to reading numbers off cab sides

[@TRENISCALA1.87]

Molto bello, complimenti. 👍

[@lmm]

Thank you very much!

[@VintageRenewed]

That is one layout I would love to run my bigboy with its excursion train on

[@markjames1713]

awesome also i really would like to see someone do something on that scale but in t guage just because you could get a stupid amount of scale mileage of scenery out of it LOOKS LIKE IT WAS A BIT OF FUN TO OPERATE TOO LOL

[@billpierce2719]

Love the Z21 system

[@lmm]

It seems to have a lot of applications

[@Taggart00]

Did you sing cooking sand to Pete Waterman in order to get signed?

[@bentullett6068]

Lol it would be a number one hit.

[@lmm]

Damn, should have tried

[@meggiesteam1983]

Are there going to be more LMM models made?

[@Madonsteamrailways]

I would imagine they’re using the Hornby Bluetooth HM7000 control system if they’re using iPads to control the trains!!

[@CheshireLines]

Hi, we use the Z21 system.

[@chrishead2604]

Nope, it's actually the Roco Z21 system controlling it. It has a wireless hub networked to the system box (there are several boosters on this layout) and the tablets link to this wireless hub.

[@sawyerawr5783]

as the old truism goes: Model trains will behave, until the moment somebody is watching!

[@COBO2]

Is that Annie or Clarabel?

[@WISDOMDUCK69]

Did you see donegal dad

[@WinterroSP]

I wonder how my 1956 Jouef 9201 would do on this layout. I got it from my uncle who gave it to me at my tenth birthday and have loved it ever since. it’s a more rare variant with all wheel drive and pickup. It also has a top speed of 10 mph. Which is very fast for a locomotive in Ho scale. (*Which is 870mp/h in Ho scale) Since every layout is just too small for it, I would love to see it move at speed on a layout like that.

[@lmm]

It might struggle with the points, the tollenrences are much more fine these days

[@WinterroSP]

@@lmm you’d be surprised how thin the flanges actually are, I don’t think that would be a problem.

[@duckman5642]

Any figures?

[@davidmooney2706]

Should have been given a Thomas train...... (a short one)

[@SDE1994]

as someone who has operated a large layout that wasnt ready yet and shouldnt have gone out to shows, this layout looks like a pig to operate and should be de bugged before showing it and one thing about Pete is that he doesnt like being seen as the pop star guy while at model shows, he just wants to be one of us

[@patriciomontero3896]

Amí me gustaría tener esos trenes en mi casa aquí en Curicó Maule Chile

[@maiyo8518]

I saw a real train in the building

[@saschakruschwitz8674]

You MUST see miniatur wunderland hamburg

[@lmm]

It's on my list of places to go to!

[@Taggart00]

All your problems wouldn't have happened if you used classic hornby locos

[@lmm]

Excatly - or Lima

[@patrickspeaight9154]

Well done, in your position trying to gain the attention.ntionh of those , who natter, must be true nerve raking. Well done

[@ryanlawrence1764]

Ayo why didn he mention trucks and trailers when making things 😢

[@LeePorte]

Waterman is an arse, so don't feel bad about upsetting him

[@LNER985]

No, he isn't.

[@unionofsouthafricasuperfan6333]

What have we learned in this hour long LMM vidio Dont trust lawrie with model trains Specifically cos 1. He may cause havoc and 2 he might try and steal said railway.

[@Sohave]

0:30 Holy crap they launched a model of Avanti Wests odeous pandering express, i did not know. As much as I disagree with the real thing, it is a part of history and its model is quit a souvenir from our crazy time in history.

[@adambirchall70]

Quit the channel as it's a advert for a commercial company. Bye

[@lmm]

So is every video at a heritage railway...

[@user-cn4rg2bs4p]

Well done lawrie. caroline

[@adamcrane6306]

Hello Lawrie's Mechanical Marvels