How not to build a layout (at the age of 75)

[@dvhsr]

No derailments, so I call that a major WIN! Scenery can hide whatever imperfections you perceive. I think you did a great job.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@vincentdellipaoli5719]

I wish I had all that space for my layout. As long as you can get to all areas of the layout,I don’t see anything wrong. Love to see the progress. Good luck.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@steve20015]

What’s the lesson here? Hard work, imagination, hard work, vision, hard work, determination-did I mention hard work and watching role models build their dream is a lesson that perhaps one day I will build my dream. Thanks for sharing and giving us something to shoot for.

[@mmrcsa]

thank you and good luck

[@mmrcsa]

I have amended the title (slightly) and that leads me the points I should have seriously considered before starting the construction of the layout. 1. Consider your age 2. Big is not better!!! 3. Plan the layout in what you want 4. Before starting, create a plan and decide how the construction phase will develop. 5. Legs? Permanent? Or wheeled? Height? Brace after form work completed. 6. Will you use threaded rods or ribs, or both. Decide where they go and how they fit. 7. If possible, print out the design 1:1 that can be laid on the form work. 8. Speaking of the form work, pick the right type of construction, size of timber, and what the layout will support. 9. Get your head totally around the levels of the layout, which is 00, the form work or the sheet. (had lot’s of problems with that in making a decision and sticking to it. 10. If you feel you will have problems with helixes, research all details on different types of constructions. 11 And the golden rule, measure twice, cut once. There were some more rules, but having senior moments, I can’t think of them. These are all the points I should have taken into consideration before I began, and the main one should have been planning the order of construction. That’s why I titled it How not to build a layout, and I definitely did not want the title to be click bait. I will now try to answer all your comments as best as I can.

[@BON60_B1LL90]

That was really nice to watch, you put some seriously hard work into that construction and I hope you enjoy doing the aesthetics! Great work

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@_steffinwolf_]

That was a fun ride!

[@davidcurtis5398]

But what did it teach me about how not to build a layout??

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@mmrcsa]

@@davidcurtis5398 See my comment above

[@nedmerrill5705]

I wish you no troubles with dirty track. Benchwork and track integrity look impressive. Your double-slips worked flawlessly.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you. Bench work could have been better, but at the moment it is holding👍 I am totally surprised how well they work, knowing how temperamental the Märklin double slips can be

[@MilkDrinker218]

God what an impressive layout. Everything after that track laying is just a formality. I hope to one day have the time, space, energy, motivation, and knowledge to create something even nearly as impressive as this. I wish you dry rails and smooth running.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you, but please read the points in my latest comments, things I should have done to make the journey more pleasant

[@danielkeene3852]

That looks like a ton of work and planning went into that layout. I'd love to have enough room in build something even half the size of your layout. The fact the locomotive ran smooth with no power hiccups and there wasn't a single derailment means it's well planned, well built, and well maintained. Good job on functionality. Now just start piecing in the scenery and you'll be set.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you, but in actual fact I should have planned more and not been so greedy in trying to fill the whole area, at my age there are certain things that you can't do like you used😂😂. The system is Märklin three rail and their double slips are known to be temperamental, so I feel I was lucky. And again many thanks on your praise.

[@Rtzee]

I hope you have no Atlas diamonds to work and yard to classify. Thanks for the entertrainment! And good luck!!

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you everyone for your comments, I plan to answer all questions and try to give a more detailed explanation of the title😅😅 I have been on the clock to get the man cave and layout ready for 8th December, for our Chrissy show and only just now realised how many of you have commented. By Monday everything will be back to normal (I hope) and I'll begin explanations. Many thanks👍👍👍👍👍

[@marktaylor9975]

I’d say this is a win. I did enjoy the little sun-kink in there.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you, id certainly ended up being a win, as the club members were pleasantly surprised that it worked as well as it did.

[@wanndanneisenbahn]

This is a great start. I would love to see more as you go along. As well as changes you make to address your concerns. We are building and rebuilding ourselves. Great videos!

[@wanndanneisenbahn]

And just today those darn double slips. They just randomly vibrate and change direction.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you, will try to keep up to date

[@klimekt]

How is your loco able to go thru switches thrown the other way without derailing or causing a short? What kinda black magic is this?

[@SimRacin14]

Think its Marklin track, which is kinda like O gauge three rail, you can do reverse loops with no problem. I've never used Marklin stuff though.

[@mmrcsa]

Märklin points are spring loaded, and the Märklin system is a three rail AC, there is no third rail, just studs.

[@cncpgreatlakesdiv4896]

looks good to me thanks for sharing ..😊😊👍👍

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@stevehollenbach4313]

Fun ride… however, if we’re to look for imperfections… it’s rather late in the game to fix most of them but here I go. First, the most difficult fix is layout-wide and that’s foundation. If there’s any humidity or if your scenery is water based (plaster, Sculpt-a-mold, paper machete) all that unsupported plywood will eventually warp giving you fits ten years from now. Second I’d the sudden entry into curves, it’s also widespread but fixable. Third, is my own humble opinion…too much track and very little running in open spaces. You’ve managed to fit lots of scale miles into one room and it is commendable as to how long you keep a train running before returning to the starting point. My own style is to have some miles in between. As for operating through closed turnouts, no black magic if you run heavy cars and spring loaded points. However you choose to build your home layout, or anyone else… at the end of the day it’s your railroad. My opinions are just those of a stranger who has not put the effort into this particular layout. My advice is to protect that plywood from moisture and possibly back it with some oak strips where possible. Ease into the curves… wherever the camera saw a sudden move rework the curve into a more gradual departure from tangent. Once it’s built rows of trees or buildings can go a long way to setting up visual separation of scenes. There’s two cents worth… or not! Thanks, Steve

[@mmrcsa]

Many thanks. Agree on the points and match the list of points I made in my latest comments. There will be a rework, even though it was a 'F Bomb' build🤣😂🤣😂I did enjoy it and I was pleasantly surprised how much my club mates liked it.

[@Quintesson05]

Aside from Houston-grade freeway *AWESOMENESS* on rails, I don't see anything that I call wrong.

[@mmrcsa]

Totally agree on the freeway statement, reworks are in order and thank you.

[@lynnmccurdythehdmmrc2561]

HOLY COW, this makes my 9' x 12' Bent Dog Bone layout look very puny. I'm 75 also. But then, Mine is almost all scenery, 1900's era. Very well done, thanks for sharing.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@paulaj2829]

I would say that you are doing a brilliant job at your age.. never give up because you can only enjoy this life once?? & what better way is to be doing that than living though your childhood all over again with ideas you have now but also wish you had in your younger days.. Great thing you are doing & lets see more in the near future.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you, and I'll keep choofing along until I run out of coal😆🤣😂

[@msomething3579]

Amazing, all track tested and working so it's going to be fun. However,... I would fear some of those longer stretches of unsupported plywood are going to sag a bit in the future. Knowing it's probably not convenient to add more supports some narrow stringers could be added under the longer sections. Think "I-Beams" but just strips of 1/2 ply 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide and it will never develop a sway.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you, and you are totally correct. Now that I know what I should have know, some rework will occur

[@msomething3579]

@@mmrcsa I was not sure about expressing my observation, but the more I thought about it I'd hate to see that nice of trackwork have problems down the road. Like most all things in life a good foundation is needed for success. Enjoy, that layout is going to be an amazing amount of fun,..

[@johnclapperton5556]

don't see what was wrong with it.

[@mmrcsa]

Please read my latest comments of the points I should have followed

[@larryjanson4011]

speed like a lionel set. interesting turnout layouts in a couple spots. but yes, i too wish i had that much room to work with.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you. The speed is what our club calls a 'Scalextric Run'😂😂

[@everettthepetractionguy4222]

If I had your layout, I'd be the happiest man on the planet! What I want to know is how you managed to get the flex tracks so darn straight?!!! 😕🤔 I'm really impressed, despite the perceived errors you didn't mention. Happy model railroading!!! 🚂

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you. Hate to tell you this, but there is no flex track😃😃 The track is Märkiln C track and it is sectional. Please read my latest comment on the points I should have followed

[@McBurnside6380]

Well, now I want a full list of the "don'ts". It's not fair for you to bait those of us that aren't model railroad hobbyists or folks just getting into the hobby looking to avoid mistakes. Thanks for being a curmudgeon.

[@mmrcsa]

Any time😂😂If you read my latest comments, I have placed a list of things I should have followed👍

[@robertlasher7461]

Now that was an incredible and very intricate layout and I saw nothing wrong with it, actually I really wish that I had my own house with a large dry basement and the money in which to build something simple as this. I'd like to see what it looks like after all of the scenery has been added.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you. Only reason I can afford the layout was the years of collecting and finally being able to retire at a rate that I could continue with my hobby👍👍👍

[@majormuckup373]

Great layout and use of fiddle yard at a the lower level. Look forward to the next video up date

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@ABAB-nn5sb]

Looks great, smooth running for now but lots of switches on main line. Can't wait for the scenery build. But i think you will have lots of access issues that will manifest when you build scenery; which is why i have kept my bench work mostly shallow.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you and you have very good points that's why there is rework in the future

[@johnkozlowski8782]

I like that layout

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you, but could have done a lot better with the base

[@johnkozlowski8782]

@ you did a great job building your layout.

[@eols2190]

Only problem I see is that section with several parallel lines that are hidden under a large section of plywood. Difficult to clean or access.

[@mmrcsa]

Luckily with Märklin C track (three rail stud system AC) the only cleaning you need is to run trains regularly. And the parallel lines are called Schattenbanhof - shadow stations.

[@michaelsullivan3581]

There are a lot of things to do, modify and strengthen, but with time and patience they can be done. Easements need to be used at all places where straight track enters curves. That can and should be done. To me there is one big situation to be dealt with first. About 75% of the track is "under ground". A basic of building layouts is that buried or inaccessible track should be completely avoided, or, at least, minimized. Hard to reach track is where derailments will most likely occur. "Murphy's Law". Thanks for sharing and good luck! It is a great thing that you have started. Keep at it!

[@mef2101]

I noticed a ton of turnouts hidden in what I assume are tunnels or in hard to access places. Still, you flew the train through all the switches, and around all those curves with a derailment... unless that was take number 40 or so. 😊

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you. The original design was copied from a company called Brima. All that was shown was visible track, you had to figure out what happened after the tunnels. also I had to convert the design to the track I use, Märklin C track. But I totally agree

[@ralphchristianson]

It is a lot of work you have done and it runs nicely. The rest of your life to do the scenery and this layouts are never done I am told, your good for a long time

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@dodo1opps]

Ah, Warp Speed. Would love to see this when you start scenicing

[@mmrcsa]

If you mean the speed of the loco taking the video, our club calls that a Scalextric run🤣🤣

[@AirwolfCrazy]

I am not sure what your overall vision for this layout is but what i saw looks good and well built.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@rbingraham]

Not sure why this is not how to build a layout? Sure it's a bit of a spaghetti bowl track plan and yes, the train was going quite fast but everyone should build the kind of layout they want to build. One that they will enjoy building and enjoy running. Good luck with the rest of your build. I can see a lot of fun potential. Not everyone wants a point to point, switching layout that requires 10 people to run it. 🙂

[@mmrcsa]

😄😆😂Thank you, you have made real valid points

[@TimsBitsnPieces]

I think it is awesome.. I would love to see the layout plan...

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you. I can't attach the plan here (so I believe), but if you search facebook Brima, a German company that makes layouts for customers all over the world and you also search anlaga910 you should be able to see the plan

[@mmrcsa]

Try this link, hopefully it will work kzbin.info?event=comments&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2lkRVp5WGtta19qcDVaeUtCU1gzazhPdmlTQXxBQ3Jtc0trS1FBWkhkeVdUd3RPaF96Ykc2UkxVajVXcktPa0FOYjhkU0hWYlpDOXUxU0xwWnY3VkVJX2VaTUczU1JXLXB5WGt1OXlZMUtnRms1ZTZwb2pmUTdCY2xOMC1TWGRBb0JfczhqWDVsbnFwZE5VeVpJVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto%2F%3Ffbid%3D980511526238465%26set%3Da.864870207802598%26__cft__%5B0%5D%3DAZVvCP37QBJ5RiE6EVgH6sdD96hys_QkCWe-xBg4d-y-fFLjuzMByLr9aCGibZVlUOCmfH37udG9IcoUyc3eV90O5AC2xlIH9fh7ZQVHDtEM13IXLtZMlMAkaM4iF1XvajRHuwyKISrrzoBW6hRmAUZOLlT9CLZZ9Y5mtP6CNwlyaBkr4Eb2Fs-4N8DLfumYyqk%26__tn__%3DEH-R

[@acsxfan1]

Easements on the curves would eliminate the jerkiness ..

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you, another problem I should have thought of

[@tomcallahan7677]

I am very impressed

[@brucekellett2269]

I would like to see the track plan drawing. Great layout if you just want to run trains.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you. Here's the link to the fb page of Brima showing the layout. I had to do a mirror image so that it would squeeze into the space I had facebook.com/photo/?fbid=980511526238465&set=a.864870207802598&__cft__[0]=AZVvCP37QBJ5RiE6EVgH6sdD96hys_QkCWe-xBg4d-y-fFLjuzMByLr9aCGibZVlUOCmfH37udG9IcoUyc3eV90O5AC2xlIH9fh7ZQVHDtEM13IXLtZMlMAkaM4iF1XvajRHuwyKISrrzoBW6hRmAUZOLlT9CLZZ9Y5mtP6CNwlyaBkr4Eb2Fs-4N8DLfumYyqk&__tn__=EH-R Good luck with the link

[@bncsystemsshortline]

Haha the best model railroad click bait ever!!!!! Got me to sub! Please make Layout Update videos! Awesome Layout!

[@mmrcsa]

Didn't mean for it to be click bait, but thanks and will try

[@bncsystemsshortline]

Yea I know! I really like your layout! What don't you like about the layout? @mmrcsa

[@mmrcsa]

Also, my apologise, it was never meant to be 'click bait'. If that's they way you thought it was , sorry.

[@jonmccormick6805]

Nice ride. The only two problems that stand out to me are you are there and I am here, in the States. Also, I'm running 'N' gauge. Merry Christmas!

[@mmrcsa]

Thanks and a ho ho ho to you☃⛄

[@RichardKroboth]

Nice work but there sure is a lot of track hidden underneath other bench work and trackage. Would have to hate trying to fix any issues or try to rerail a train that’s gone off the rails. However the track work looks pretty solid. Good luck with the rest of the project.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you. That's the price you pay for having shadow stations

[@RobertRussell99]

OMG 😲 😱 can I run my trains looking outstanding work

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@JaimeLopez-z2i]

The only thing I would suggest is take out those 3 way switches. I’ve had nothing but problems whenever I use them. Switched all mine to normal two way switches.

[@mmrcsa]

True, they can be a nuisance, but I think I will persevere👍

[@alannewman85]

Looks fantastic to me!!!

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@QRCoal]

Fantastic. That is a very long single run without heading over the same track twice.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@dannyhonn973]

Been with a club for years. Easements mandatory. NO 3 way switches. Putting a 3way at end of curve ....NO! Fine if youre curving same way, but to suddenly go the other way is asking for trouble. Keep hidden track to minimum...took two of us to take out city scene over a helix to get in to clean and rerail

[@mmrcsa]

Couldn't agree more, but you gotta do all those at least once in your life, but not so late🤣😂🤣😂

[@blainedunlap4242]

That was as perfect a run as I've seen live. Lines are straight. Curves Even. Smooth movement through turnouts. If that doesn't meet your standards, come do my track, the women and the track around here are held to lower standards.

[@mmrcsa]

😄😄😆😆Thank you

[@cprtrain]

Well done.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@robby062]

Great job on that! I am totally jealous.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@UBME2]

Nice trackwork. Needs more bracing on the benchwork is all.

[@mmrcsa]

See my points in my latest comments, and totally agree

[@UBME2]

@@mmrcsa It really operates well though and the bracing can be done. :)

[@dimad3823]

Around 300+ metres of rails ✅ Big room✅ Have time for managing✅ Wanna be on your place, but I still not finished our baby program. Hope I will be there after ~10 years

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you and good luck

[@jhe001]

I love it. Wish I had it.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@philgrainger9627]

All I would say is that it could do with more goods yards. 🙂

[@mmrcsa]

Yup, agree. Will be in the rework

[@christopherpeay3750]

I think it's awesome.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@timmbentley1983]

That was awesome!

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@BaronKreger]

Sweet ride thanks.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@blainehouser4354]

Amazing!

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@jameshill7065]

What's the problem 🤔?

[@mmrcsa]

Please read my pointed list on my latest comments

[@davidcurtis5398]

How not to build a layout??????? What the hell did this teach me at all?? It is a lot of nice bench work and track, but what did it teach me???

[@mmrcsa]

Please read my latest comments where I have tried to list the points I should have followed before starting construction

[@WaltANelsonPHD]

To fund this project he raised equity capital in an IPO. He borrowed the rest from the Fed.

[@consco3667]

Wow! Nice

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@Dirk_T_13]

Run through switch at 1:24? Nice video :)

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@finksworld]

Nice!

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@nolaspeaker5656]

Its a nice display layout. But the operational potential is kinda limited to just running trains, which is what the Germans like to do, i guess.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you. Totally correct, but changes will be made to try and incorporate a bit of shunting.

[@MosriteCharlie]

Amazing run. !t Took a lot of imagineering.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you, and quite a bit of guessing😄😄

[@paulflak2823]

I did not see anything bad about what you have done. Running a camera equipped train on the track is a good idea to find any issues.

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you. Too true, and now knowing what I should have known before I started, reworks will take place.

[@TheNorthwestWind]

we all go through that

[@mmrcsa]

You're not kidding, but do we learn from it?😃😃

[@TheNorthwestWind]

@@mmrcsa a lot!

[@johnlibra7734]

Nice layout!

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@stevedrake360]

What's wrong with the layout? Seems fine to me.

[@mmrcsa]

Please see my list of points I should have adhered to in my comments, and thank you

[@WVS-KFD]

Nice!

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@raymondleggs5508]

Tolle Anlage! 🤣🤣

[@mmrcsa]

Danke schön. Above ground design is from Brima and it was Rocoline, so I had to convert to C track and work out what would happen inside the tunnels

[@raymondleggs5508]

I don't see the problem.

[@mmrcsa]

Wow, thank you. Good thing you weren't at my neighbours place, as I'm sure that he got finally bored with all the F bombs I was continuously dropping🤣🤣🤣

[@jefferykeeper9034]

Get rid of the 3 way switches

[@mmrcsa]

True, they can be a nuisance, but I think I will persevere👍

[@michaelhband]

👍👍👍❤❤❤🚂🚂🚂

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@JRNagel]

Very impressive.

[@davidcurtis5398]

But what did it teach me?? It was supposed to give enlightenment about how not to build a layout!!!

[@mmrcsa]

@@davidcurtis5398 Again see my comment above

[@mmrcsa]

Thank you

[@riogrande5761]

I agree with others, why the "how not to build a layout" comment - and no reason why. There is plenty of room in the comment sections. Make it happen.

[@mmrcsa]

Yup, you're right, but I put myself under pressure to get it all in working order for our club's Chrissy show, and so didn't real have all that much time to fill in all the details. and the only reason I put it on youtube is cos I couldn't message it to my mate who wanted to see it.

[@PurplePrickProduction]

Excellently done wrong!

[@mmrcsa]

😂😆😄😂 Thank you

[@pomme4moi]

Click bait.

[@mmrcsa]

Sorry you feel that way, it wasn't intened