CCMR Train Talk #1: Four Small Layout Features That Work

[@matt_anita-janeadventures]

This is one of those layouts that just got everything right. Simply amazing considering its size.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you, that's very kind!

[@RonMontagueSWRR]

I still think this is the coolest layout. It's functional and well though out.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Ron that's very kind. Even if the real thought was done after the initial build, I was glad it turned out well.

[@TravelinginMiniature]

Your comments on view blocks is spot on. It creates the illusion that the layout is bigger than it is by breaking up the amount of layout you can see at one time. One way to increase the illusion is to increase the layout height.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Absolutely agree re: height. Especially effective with shelf layouts where depth is controlled and reach access is easy even closer to eye level. The 3x7 against a wall complicates things a bit due to the reach requirement, and I probably will do a shelf format for layout #2. In the meantime, I will probably boost it up about a foot once I've got more of the layout's rear completed.

[@TravelinginMiniature]

@@ChicagoCrossingRR I model in 1/24 scale indoor model railway. And I have my layout at eye level because I wanted the buildings and hills to tower over the viewer like in real life. While I enjoy model railroads at table height, eye level does achieve the effect I wanted. But your right, the reach in considerations are an important factor (mine is 30" deep).

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

@@TravelinginMiniature thanks, good to know!

[@RailFan61]

Great use of a smaller layout. Looks fantastic!

[@ChrisStaller1964]

The design language of this layout, from the angle industry, vs head on to the front of the layout, to the way trains weave in and out of scenery is amazing. Very very well done!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you Chris!

[@dannyjones3840]

Damn for a first layout- you knocked it outta the park! Scenery, weathering, such attention to detail. It's gorgeous!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

It only took 8 years! 😄 thanks Danny.

[@markrabenold]

This may be (as you stated) your "first layout", but based on the design elements you've used, the quality of your scenery applications, and the professional and entertaining video you've created, I'm guessing you're either an artist, a photographer, or someone who works in a design-oriented type of profession. I wish all model railroad videos were as interesting and enjoyable to watch as your video was. I also enjoyed your calming and educational narration style. Thanks very much for sharing your creativity with other rail enthusiasts like myself!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Hi Mark, I'm actually a scientist though I do enjoy photography. Thanks for the kind note and glad you enjoyed the video!

[@TheGra1959]

This has got to be one of the most interesting, useful and thought-provoking model railway videos I've seen here on yt. Should be a must see for anyone at the layout planning stage.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks for the kind words!!

[@4x7layout]

Good points. I also concluded my tiny layout must be a series of small dioramas. Lots of "bowl of spaghetti" track from above, but view blocks make the difference. More than one visitor commented, "there's a lot going on here," once they looked around for a while. Beautiful work!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Jim. I can see from your videos that you've done a nice job of tucking the track away and into scenes quite organically!

[@mikepavelich8823]

Great video! Not only can’t I believe this layout is N scale, but that it’s also your first attempt! Really like how you’ve captured the essence of Chicago. I plan on modeling CNW and Metra too…looking forward to Train Talk 2!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Mike - FWIW the layout is almost eight years old, so there's been a LOT of time to perfect and revise. Other than the trackwork, I'd say less than 30% of the layout is as it was four years ago (I made a video on the sort of then and now if you're interested - it's a great lesson in how we can get better over time at our craft). Even the wiring underneath has been extensively revised and updated!

[@kahunatiki6498]

I’m a huge fan of your layout as you know. Chicago Crossing is Great Model Railroad!(stealing a bit from MR) Fantastic video that shows the depth and breadth of what can be done with a small Nscale layout. Thanks for the continued inspiration you provide to us all! Have a good week! Scott

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

@@kahunatiki6498 Thanks Scott - BTW I was watching a video of some South Shore trains and saw the prototype of that white two-story building you kitbashed - awesome job recreating it on your layout!

[@kahunatiki6498]

@@ChicagoCrossingRR Thank you!

[@douglasboyle9297]

There is something in this video clip which draws my attention and holds it to the end. You have done a wonderful job of putting together a functioning layout in a small space. In short I loved it. Looking forward to the next video.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Glad you enjoyed the video and the layout Douglas!

[@LeeFKoch]

I love all the attention to detail, from weathering/ageing buildings and rolling stock, to lighting and landscaping, even the trains running at scale speed.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Lee. Scale speed running is really critical to the enjoyment I get from the layout. Clean and well-laid track are everything in this business.

[@chicagolandrailroader]

There's something to be said about how some people say "trains shouldn't be everywhere on a layout" but you have trains everywhere and it works, because this is Chicago!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks! Totally true - in its industrial heyday there were tracks everywhere in Chicago, particularly where I'm modeling. There is sort of a kernel of truth to the 'trains everywhere on a layout' saw. Given the size of CCMR, I rarely run more than 1-2 trains at any given time, and rarely have more than a couple of occupied sidings if they don't have an industry with an internal loading bay. Most of the time, I just run one train. It can get crowded quickly and without sidings or enough crossovers, it's easy for one train to foul the tracks for another (more about that in Episode 2 of TT).

[@chicagolandrailroader]

​@@ChicagoCrossingRRagreed

[@michaelsvestka8040]

What a nice layout! When, at the beginning of the video, the builder / narrator said that it was 7' x 3', I thought "I wonder what the guy did or will do with it . . . ?" I had no idea how he could pack so much into a small space without making it look unrealistically busy, but the use of the river (the sheet piling along the far side is SO realistic!) and buildings gave opportunities for surprise after surprise as trains would appear and disappear around curves and from behind buildings and scenery--again, without looking unrealistically "busy". Also, the weathering on the rolling stock and the buildings, especially along the river, looks very well done and realistic. This looks to be a VERY nice, fun layout that can provide loads of model railroading pleasure. Great work! Thank you for sharing your VERY NICE, realistic, well-done layout!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

@@michaelsvestka8040 It's absolutely possible to have a small layout and still create the illusion of space without it appearing as a flat oval. I'll admit that only a fraction of what works about this layout went in as a clear intent to make turn out the way it did, but mostly just keeping a keen eye on how it looked, and playing over and over with how structures were arranged along the track and other scenic elements like the river. It's absolutely a fun layout to operate, and frankly even more fun just to continue refining and detailing. The sheet pilings you mention are 3D printed, with a mix of brush and airbrush painting to achieve the 'layered' effects of corrosion and other deposits. Thank you for watching!

[@Vaderd2k926]

Just love your layout. It has a high degree of what I call nooks and crannies. Tracks heading off at odd angles to mysterious destinations which are obscured by those strategically placed buildings. Even your main line is unpredictable. As I’ve commented before that scrap yard is a favorite of mine and don’t get me started on that bridge spanning the main feature of your layout, the Chicago river which neatly bisects it all. So well done and the only layout I follow that actually looks finished. Can’t say enough. Kudos.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks, definitely appreciate it! It's still a work in progress but I do enjoy going downstairs to something that looks more or less complete, which was a big draw toward having a small layout. I'd burn out otherwise and never get it done, particularly given how long it's taken to get this far.

[@pacificcoastminiatures]

Love this track plan! And the details and scenes are amazing! I'm trying to do the same with my N scale layout - basically having a collection of dioramas with their own unique stories.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you! Looking at your layout you definitely have a lot of scenic opportunities and that looks like a ton of fun to operate. Stuff like the brewery or that new industrial area you have could be a fun starting point to drill down and add details, wherever you have a 'signature' scene that your eye gets drawn to is a great spot to start.

[@pacificcoastminiatures]

@@ChicagoCrossingRR Thanks for checking out my layout! Yes, I have a lot of potential - hard part is deciding what to tackle next because I want to work on all of it 😁

[@railwayjade]

You have shown me that not everything that looks like a spaghetti bowl is bad! Very impressive!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

It's all about how the track is incorporated into the scenery and how much of it you see at a time.

[@baldypalmsrailroad]

What a great layout. From the intricate details of your scenery to the weathering of your rollingstock what a fine job for a beginner well done 🙌🚂👍

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Ron - very much appreciated!

[@bebopcats]

When I first saw the track plan I thought that there is far too much track. However you did a masterful job of using view blocks to divide the layout in to scenes and hide the track. The river in the middle of your layout looks great and also helps to define scenes. Your scenery work and attention to detail is better than some of the club layouts I have seen on KZbin. Incredible layout!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks much! I'd agree, sometimes I'm surprised by how much track is actually on there and the naked plan does teeter on the edge of being a spaghetti bowl. One aspect that minimizes the visual footprint of the track is that just about all of it outside the mainline is pretty heavily blended into the scenery, with minimal ballasting and plenty of dirt and weeds both alongside and between the rails, just as would be in real life. Having it all up on ballasted roadbed would make the track seem more visually obtrusive.

[@GG1man]

I believe you have created as real to life layout as can be made. I like your statement about the trains appearing and disappearing. Having grown up in Philadelphia, it was rare to see an entire train at one time. Not until I took a road trip across the states many years ago, was I able to see an entire train, locomotive to caboose all at one viewing. So your layout accurately depicts railroading in an urban environment.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks David, one of my absolute favorite layouts is Bill Denton's Kingsbury Branch, which has a lot of urban feel and trains navigating canyons of Chicago buildings. I feel like I saw that layout as a kid. I still go back to photos of it all the time for inspiration.

[@bambostarla6259]

I recently layed out track on a 8x3.5 board for my first (proper) 00/ho scale layout. I am so glad I made it asymetric! It really gives that visual that makes it so much more interesting than a loop layout

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Helps a lot, I agree!

[@allenkotlan3606]

Love the obscured views of the scenic and trains.tjis is exactly what I'm attempting to build in my train room.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

That's great to hear, I think it's really helpful in cases like this where the oval needs to get broken up, and I also like the odd foreground view block for shelf layouts.

[@ducatifriedrich2910]

What he said: "This is one of those layouts that just got everything right. Simply amazing considering its size." Never saw a better one at this size.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Wow, thank you!!

[@jmbergstrom2103]

Very interesting. Thanks for this. Nice to see and good inspiration.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you!!

[@emmes699]

Hi there, I follow your Layout since a few month, it is a really nice little Layout. I am in the same situation, i did not have enough space. So your Layout is one of my favorite. i like the branch line with the scrap yard. Thanks for sharing your Layout with us. Meickel ( A German Guy )

[@bradgray8064]

Awesome layout and detail. One of the very few American train builds I like.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you Brad!

[@frankk.5233]

A very nice model system. I really like the harbor in the middle of the complex and the associated lifting bridges. Greetings from Germany.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you! The bridges really add to the industrial feel of the area.

[@collinsullivan1517]

Beautiful and creative little layout. Very nicely done!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Collin!

[@StevesTrains]

Still love your layout. Especially since I grew up in Oak Lawn on the southwest side (but was a Cubs fan).

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Ha, thanks Steve, really appreciate it. I grew up in the burbs as well, folks grew up in Midlothian and in the city proper, family is divided however between Cubs and Sox :)

[@corwin81]

I grew up in either Gresham or Auburn depending upon the lines, and Matteson. Sox here

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

@@corwin81 pretty well southwest, yeah. I think that's where it starts getting close to farmland again, or at least forests.

[@mechan2535]

can i just say this has to be the best N gauge layout ive seen. that branch is beautifull the way it hugs the river to get access to the industrys. i started my own N gauge layout and man im struggling to design where scenery goes etc and how to make it work operations wise. wish i could have your brain and thought process to design it haha. but yea man what a layout bloody fantastic :D:D

[@angelschneider_s]

Sometimes it's easier to fill a small layout with room than it is to fill a large room with layout. Well done!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

True that!

[@turnleftman]

Really good example of a small layout. I like the idea of the main oval not being completely symmetrical, it really does add a lot

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you, happy new year!

[@nigelbilsby3826]

I have found that most layouts are static and not alive, this feels like it evolved and alive, well done!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Nigel - glad you picked up on that, the 'evolution' part is a major factor for me. The benefit of having a small layout for a long time is the capacity to go back to a and continue to improve it as skills and abilities improve.

[@DNRailworks]

Thanks for this video, i needed to see this for my layout, while i have a very large layout, your technique that you show is exactly what mine is missing! Great job!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Glad this was useful! Cheers!

[@Bigfoot-ju9ws]

EPICALLY COOL! Thanks for the video....

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

You're welcome, glad you enjoyed!

[@johnredfernjr8363]

Well done. The details and layout are amazingly realistic. I could only hope to create a layout as well done as yours. Please continue to post your work on YT as it is an inspiration to many of us model railroad fans. Thanks

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks John for the encouragement!

[@anthonymoscatello4854]

I’m a long time model railroader and have viewed tons of layouts in magazines and you tube over the years and I must say that yours is one of the best I’ve seen. Kudos to you.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Anthony - really appreciate that. It’s been a series of happy accidents and a lot of revision.

[@johnkoziol6073]

Geez, I thought I was HO scale. Beautifully done.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks John, cheers!

[@markh.6687]

All four features are indeed 'on point', and do exactly what you wanted them to do. CCMR is a great collection of points of interest, selective compression modeling, and using natural barriers like large buildings to create view blocks so you can't see everything at once.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you Mark!

[@williammcghee863]

Your first layout? I'm curious 🤔 What do you do for work, for life, your other hobbies besides model railroading? If I were to use my imagination to describe you, perhaps you are a graphic artist or a studio designer of some kind. What really impressed me is your sense of harmonic balance. Your layout just seems so well-proportioned, but not distractingly surreal. Perhaps you had been designing this layout for many years, in the back of your mind. Your commentary describing what you've built reminds me of an architect describing his vision of a village-in-a-city he has designed, or of a visionary planner of what could be, trying to sell his design to a potential developer. I can feel the pride of what you have designed, the joy that this layout brings you, without the arrogance of someone who knows that what he has built is really, really good.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Hi William, thanks for writing and glad you enjoyed. I don't have any formal art training. By trade I'm a scientist and part of the leadership of a hematology division at a major research institution out in the mountain west. I did spend a lot of my time in college reading about architecture and photographing buildings (photography is a hobby, as is music). The layout is really a few happy accidents I suppose. The track plan isn't mine - it's just from the internet long ago, but it sort of intuitively 'looked right' and with a couple of modifications I felt it fit the visual balance and narrative of what I wanted at the time. As I worked on it, I spent a lot of time arranging and rearranging buildings to also get the right feel and composition (again, just things looking right, no formalized golden ratios or anything). It's funny, a lot of friends of mine who are artists and musicians also often work intuitively, it's usually afterward where they (or more often others) can identify a coherent intention or idea that animates the work. I think Chicago Crossing has been the same sort of intuitive evolution over a long time - where I've gotten better, the layout has gotten better as a continuing reflection of progress and improvement.

[@davidcaruzzo5894]

Mate, you have really sparked my interest in model railways again . Keep watching this video. Like shunting and thought the fiddle yard could be done as an inglenook shunting puzzle so you can then work the industries on the layout. 🦘

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

That's great David! I've considered extending the yard and creating sort of a shelf-style switching operation within it.

[@robertpetit57]

You said that you are a "beginner" Well, I think that you nailed it pretty darn good! As a native of the Chicago area, I like what you have done. Great Metra and other Commuter trains! Amtrak trains. I'll be watching your channel for sure!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you Robert, appreciate the kind words and thank you for supporting the channel!

[@davidcaruzzo5894]

Great concept and diorama. Scale speed running, and shunting ops, breaking up a scene to confuse the eye makes this layout special, watching from Queensland - Australia 🦘 👍

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks David, glad you enjoyed! Loved seeing trains in Australia when I visited - the motive power is such an interesting mix. All the EMD stuff makes me feel right at home.

[@simonetaormina7080]

I must say , you must be into art. For a first layout it’s absolutely beautiful. Great job

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

I'm a scientist by trade, so I can't claim any art training but a couple of decades working at the lab bench maybe helped favor a sort of mindset that translates to models. Probably just patience over anything. It's taken years of revising and improving buildings, scenery, etc. to get to this point, and I still have a long way to go. I follow folks like Boomer Dioramas for inspiration.

[@ffjsb]

Your detail makes it look like it's HO scale. Incredible, and the weathering is perfect too.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you! Lots of new stuff happening these days on the layout.

[@ffjsb]

@@ChicagoCrossingRR You've inspired me to build a new 2x4 this winter.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

@@ffjsb awesome! Have fun and please do share what you build!

[@ptownblazer]

Just found the channel yesterday, the layout looks great.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you Paul!

[@Rogsie-p6l]

Super layout. I model British practice but a lot of these lessons are universal. There’s a lot to learn here. Very impressed.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

thank you, cheers!

[@Quince828]

So well done and thoughtfully laid out. Your scenery is excellent. There’s no boring repetition on the layout.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you!!

[@j2themac778]

Nicely done, lots of gritty industrial scenery and train action in a small layout. I like how you describe it as a series of dioramas with the trains moving through them. Looks bigger than it actually is.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you!! It's really a helpful way to organize the scenery and relieve the problem of selective compression at the same time.

[@RailfanDownunder]

Superb .... My own layout 'Sandy Creek' will probably be my last at 65 years of age ..... the third and smallest of the 'Sandy Creek' series and the first where I am actually doing scenery etc. I do like what you're doing.....😊

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Much appreciated! I've been to Australia, doing scenery to replicate that environment seems like a fascinating activity.

[@sandysmithvideos228]

Nobody I have seen does pavement in N scale as well as you do! The weathered cars and structures look great. The unweathered stuff really jumps out when it is next to the weathered pieces. I can see this plan and your use of visual misdirection to make a superb island/stand alone layout. Your concept of dioramas stitched together by track would really help out new modelers in a T track kind of way.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you! Concrete and roads have always been sort of a challenge (I also use four different approaches for 'making' it depending on setting) so I've never really felt any mastery of the subject, but glad it comes across well and really appreciate the feedback!

[@BlackcloudRailways]

Nice design, the squashed oval and the winding branch really cram a lot in without it looking artificially crowded.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

I think breaking up patterns is key. Thank you!

[@HeikoMilchsack]

Is an awesome layout, it gives me a lot of idea’s for my new layout 👏👏👏👏 Thanx for sharing🤗

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

You bet!

[@billfusionenterprise]

love the idea of diorama and being connected, makes a more practical approach

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Bill, at some point I just figured there's no way to model it all, let alone to address the unrealities of selective compression. Making it a series of scenes just sort of relieves those tensions.

[@hubertmantz1516]

What an amazing layout! Love it!!😊

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Hubert!

[@daphetidroberto797]

Your layout is superb! AS others have said, it is hard to believe it is N-scale. I was not sure until I saw one turnout. Even the couplers looked great. The river is perfect. Well done!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks, really appreciate it!

[@subsailor1445]

Very impressive and very informative.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks!

[@Spur1Denmark]

Videos like these are a great source of inspiration for one's own layout projects, so thank you for uploading. I can see my method of development has similarities with yours in that the layout did not have a pre-researched real life counterpart, but is more of an attempt to fit in what would work and make it fun to operate. That last detail is the most important if you really like running the trains, as opposed to or as well as building the layout. Regards from Denmark!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Glad to see I'm not the only one in that boat! I do enjoy the operations on this layout although oddly enough I seem to rarely do so - the channel and its associated production takes up much of my train time!

[@carlvitko1355]

I could sit and watch your layout all day and never get tired of it. 😊😊

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Ha, me too! :) Thanks Carl, always glad you enjoy it.

[@MattTheLizard]

Wow, great layout and video. You are awesome. Good inspiration for my O-27 layout on a door.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Matt, really appreciate it!

[@michaelcudby787]

Oh well done sir.Ticks all my boxes including the well done weathering of the freight cars.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you Michael. I've started a railcar weathering series on the channel if you're interested!

[@ScottTaipaleRail]

Definitely good use of that branch line. Reminds me of several I film!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Scott - I believe it, Ohio isn't that far off, and that bridge you filmed on the Lake State Railway looks strikingly close to the one the branch uses on my layout.

[@AlvisHerren]

This is wonderful! Love seeing the trains run and your excellent scenery

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Alvis!

[@IrishModelRailway]

Great layout. Great video- very interesting and thought-provoking. M

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you Michael and glad you enjoyed! Was poking around your channel, beautiful detail and weathering work! Subscribed!

[@isaiahfurrow7414]

Awesome layout, this video gives some great insight into how to make a space just work, plenty going on while not looking like a bowl of spaghetti... Great stuff!!! Cheers

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Isaiah - have a great new year!

[@tedfisk1211]

Very good detail and it provides a lot of inspiration.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you Ted!

[@joakiminnala2264]

Thanks for a nice movie. Great tips. Very well made and well thought out layout with nice details. I have a similar layout myself and your thoughts fit very well.🙂

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Joakim!

[@trainglen22]

Super impressed with the layout. Didn't realize that it was N scale as it is so detailed.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Glen!

[@TouchoftheBrushModelWeathering]

Geez your first layout??? I can't wait to see layout #10!! Excellent work!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

I'll be six feet under by that time 😂

[@fredolka8552]

I model in HO scale and have been dabbling in N on a 2x3 layout . Your layout makes me want to build one bigger ! The track plan is great . The scenery is really nice along with all the unused and redundant track is a nice touch . It shows a passage of time ! Great work ! Thank you for an enjoyable layout and great videos

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

You’re welcome Fred 😀. Glad you’ve enjoyed. 2x3 isn’t bad, you can go deep on a layout that size. My next will be a shelf format to keep size manageable.

[@melkitson]

Very very impressive. You have given me lots of ideas to try on my constantly unfinished layout.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Right there with you - my layout is close to eight years old and isn't really done!

[@andrewpalm2103]

This is an excellent layout! And even better, it is your first. It sure looks like Chicago to me. Your comments are spot on and I'll be subscribing to get notices of more videos from you. Cheers from Wisconsin!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Andrew! Really appreciate it!

[@HRA27]

Absolutely fabulous!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you!

[@davidlindfield]

What a beautiful and well thought out layout, very well explained too.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks David!

[@garyjackson1218]

Good job. I enjoyed the tour through the tunnels. Dorothy says hi.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Gary - appreciate it, hello back to Dorothy.

[@greeneyedggirl]

Great video, excellent points, and one of my favorite layouts! Keep up the great work! Thank you so much!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Samantha!

[@ShawnsTrains265]

Excellent video and excellent layout. You're dead on each point. I look forward to watching more of your videos.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you Shawn!

[@austinmace4883]

Very well done- I'm in the process of planning a layout that will look vastly different and more rural but was able to take inspiration from this on how a branch line can add so much more to operations. At max I'll probably have 3-4 friends over for a laid back operating session and love what a branch line can add outside of mainline operations. It breaks things up nicely and can give everyone something to do.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Austin - one thing I've since realized is useful is a siding/small yard or a couple of crossovers (if you've got a 2-track main) at the convergence with the branch that allows mainline traffic to move around traffic coming off the branch and allows your switcher to be able to run around if the branch itself doesn't have a runaround area. It'll be really helpful for having multiple operators, since the mainline won't get fouled (or at least traffic can be diverted rather than stopped). I may add some crossovers on mine at the back as there's no room for a siding.

[@DanWindibank]

This is wonderful! I’m from the UK but my fiancée is from Chicago so I’ve enjoyed my times seeing the railroads out there. I’ve had it in my head to put together a Chicago layout sometime as my first and this has sort of sealed that determination for me! Any tips would be greatly appreciated, but I’m definitely going to check out even more of your videos!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Dan - Depending on what you want to model about Chicago and how much space you have, I always advocate for the industrial branches in the city, or even just one industry and neighborhood. I'm not a fan of trying to model the Loop, etc (the Museum of Science and Industry is the only place with enough space to do downtown justice). Good luck!

[@EchoFiveLima]

If you're not aware of it, your videos have a wonderful ASMR quality. Also, nice layout!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Hadn't occurred to me, but I suppose anyone who grew up enjoying the models on Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood probably would enjoy this stuff too.

[@williamclemens4882]

I'm impressed with your weathering. Very well done.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you William!

[@gregp1621]

Thanks for sharing your beautiful layout. I've looked at a lot of track plans but this is truly a unique concept -- I'm inspired!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Greg, glad it offers some ideas!

[@othmarbrunner9639]

Beautiful layout much more enjoyable than these huge layouts on which 80 percent of the tracks are not being utilized well done

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Othmar. In my case, the constraints of available space helped keep things from becoming a spaghetti bowl of a basement empire. I suppose our layouts reflect what we individually value in the hobby.

[@stewarttrains98]

Great looking layout for the space and they way it's laid out. Great work. Thanks

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@mic-drop-74]

The Metra passenger cars with the old Illinois Central brown color brings back memories of the early 90's.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Yeah that was kind of a fun livery, looks nice on the models too.

[@robertomui333]

Very nice Layout!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Roberto!

[@maxheadroom7687]

What a fantastic layout! Your skills are amazing, I have been struggling to create an interesting layout in a small space and this layout will be an inspiration my friend! All the best from Australia.👍🇦🇺🇬🇧🙏Max. Subbed!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Max - cheers and hope this helps!

[@richardbedard1245]

I've seen many small layouts. The problem I have with is that you can stand anywhere and see all of it! That's not the case with yours. I like the way you divided the scene when you installed the river. You do have a busy layout, but a very interesting one. PS: I really like the aging on your boxcars. At 78, my layout is on my "bucket list!" I have to finish my cabin first, then write another book!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks much - railcar weathering has been a fun hobby within a hobby, though some of the cars you see in the video actually just come that way now, and look at least as good as anything the best of us can do.

[@TheyMakeItLikeThat]

It’s incredible how much you fit into such a small area. My first layout was 3.5’ x 7.5’ Very well done

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you! That extra half foot each side would kill me for trying to reach since my layout's against the wall :)

[@brianvalley5223]

I like the extra details. What a great layout.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you Brian!

[@jeffreyconnors8782]

This is so amazing and I hope to someday have a railroad that feels similar to yours!!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you Jeffrey. At least for me it was a long haul (8 yrs). My philosophy has been to just settle in and work with what's there rather than expand, expand expand. Your mileage may vary on how you want to put your railroad together, I find a lot of gratification in the deep dive.

[@klbertin]

Very nice job on all of this layout

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you, and hope all's going well with your layout expansion!

[@madbrad6282]

Really nice looking layout. The quality shows.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Brad!

[@TobiBrinkman]

really great small layout

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

thanks Tobi!

[@greatnorthernrailwaytother4711]

Great looking layout, great explanation and very interesting video. Thanks Peter.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Appreciate the feedback Peter. Your models are phenomenal by the way. I spent a little time in Australia and didn't get to spend enough of it by the tracks. Loved the Y class kitbash.

[@greatnorthernrailwaytother4711]

@@ChicagoCrossingRR Thankyou too.

[@tomryan943]

Great layout, and a lot of features in a small space! I had to watch the video again to grasp all the features you included! I guess N scale has greatly improved since I started collecting. What are the actual dimensions of the space?? Maybe I can see what it looks like in HO scale. Can't wait for the next episode!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Hi Tom, the layout itself is 7' by 3', in a room about 8' by 12'. Given the dimensions I'm not sure it's an ideal layout for HO particularly as the 3' depth challenges my reach in the corners. You'd have to place it in the center of a room for HO, most likely.

[@walterego126]

That's a beautiful layout. Congratulations.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you Walter!

[@fritzrue]

Great video with helpful tips I was not aware of. Thank You!

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Happy to help!

[@B2Pproduction]

Wonderful video and useful tips regardless of the size of a layout.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you!

[@B2Pproduction]

@@ChicagoCrossingRR an absolute pleasure, it was a wonderful watch

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

@@B2Pproduction thank you!

[@charleswalsh9895]

Excellent layout. Gives me a lot of ideas. Thanks

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Glad this was helpful Charles, thanks for stopping by and commenting.

[@johnd9031]

Beautiful layout.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thank you John!

[@rayduda7297]

Great description, great modeling & great cohesiveness.

[@ChicagoCrossingRR]

Thanks Ray!