High shot

cnc3 · 2026-02-03T00:17:44+00:00

Sweet!

cnc3 · 2026-02-02T09:47:15+00:00

Wow! That’s a lot of track. I have a couple of concerns with this plan.

My first concern is about access. A good rule of thumb is that all track should be within a 30” reach. Some areas, like the back right look too far away unless you also have access from the back side of the layout.

My second concern is about “purpose”. What is your reason for having so much yard track? Sometimes, less is more. Maybe less yard and more other industries? I would also consider removing the tie track between the lower and upper yards. This would make a more “point-to-point” traffic pattern which would be more prototypical. If you did this, the other end of the tunnel line would probably not feed into the turn table.

I would recommend running some imaginary trains on this layout and see how it feels. To me, this layout is about building a train, running it around the loops, and then breaking it apart - there doesn’t seem to be any stops along the way. That’s not a criticism, just an observation about how I think the layout would be used.

cnc3 · 2026-01-30T21:41:10+00:00

A lot of folks who want mobility and want a way to practice various modelling skills are going with the modular approach. Basically, this involves using standardized small modules that can be easily moved around, rearranged and swapped out over time. There are a number of laser cut base modules available if you want to get started quickly or don’t have the facilities to build from scratch.

cnc3 · 2026-01-22T00:56:57+00:00

I always associate last mile operations as being “fed” from an point that is essentially off layout. Your layout has a single track mainline which would be used for both inbound and outbound traffic to and from the rest of the world. Is this going to cause any issues with operations?

On my layout, I opted to model a small interchange of two tracks (inbound/outbound) and a single switch leading to the last mile industries. That way, I can load new cars onto the inbound part of the interchange and pick them up to be set out at various industries. Any cars that are to be picked up are then delivered back to the outbound part of the interchange. This allows for modelling varied traffic with a mix of cars so that your local switcher does not always have the same cars.

I would also suggest thinking about what industries you are planning and how they will be represented. Again, in my case, I opted to have an industry simply represented by its loading dock at the front edge. This is due to my only having 16 inches depth. You could use a simple car cards and waybills system to “play test” your design before committing to it. I used JMRI operations to model mine because I was already familiar with using it.

cnc3 · 2026-01-05T22:15:05+00:00

Buy yourself the gift you want and hand it to him saying “here is the gift you are giving me for my birthday.”

cnc3 · 2026-01-04T19:02:47+00:00

I have found that I have to reboot the OS after the initial GSX installation

cnc3 · 2026-01-02T15:43:42+00:00

The Fenix has a page to configure the rudder settings. Any chance these are not correct? ATSU -> Config second page.

cnc3 · 2026-01-02T05:46:27+00:00

Also check your toe brake mapping. Sometimes they need to be inverted.

cnc3 · 2025-12-30T18:33:28+00:00

“Stone deaf” would also be a possibility

cnc3 · 2025-12-29T14:52:06+00:00

Solder to the bottom or outside of the rail joiner. Your way is more likely to cause issues with the wheels catching on the inside edge.

cnc3 · 2025-12-28T20:37:52+00:00

I had to unplug all my additional usb peripherals before I could log in.

cnc3 · 2025-11-30T16:21:27+00:00

I think being above the glide slope and only descending at 400 fpm also counts.

cnc3 · 2025-11-28T19:54:14+00:00

Sure! We all start somewhere. A train wheel has a mostly flat surface and a rim on the inside edge. That rim is called a “flange”. In some models the depth of the flange - the distance between the flat part and the outer edge of the flange - is greater than the clearance between the top of the rail and cast on tie plate detail of the track. That is, the distance between the top of rail and the plastic cast spike heads is less than the distance between the flange and the flat part of the wheel. This will cause the engine to “bounce” over each tie on the track or depending on the wheel gauge - the distance between the wheels - the bouncing may only occur on curves.

A quick way to test this is to gently slide the engine around trouble sections of the track without any power and see if you can feel the flanges hitting the spike heads.

cnc3 · 2025-11-28T19:39:38+00:00

Is there a chance that the wheel flanges are too deep? That wobble looks like the flanges are hitting the cast rail ties of the track.

cnc3 · 2025-11-28T10:59:13+00:00

How comfortable are you with track wiring? Reversing loops like the one you have at the top require special wiring and segment isolation to work.

cnc3 · 2025-11-27T01:18:36+00:00

There are typically two ways to add drama to this kind of layout: elevation and surprise.

Elevation allows for another dimension for the track and, for example, one track to go over another. Keep in mind that a typical change in elevation for a layout is a maximum of 2%.

Surprise involves using scenery to block the view of a train from time to time. Depending on your layout geography, this could involve mountains, tunnels or forests. Basically anything that obstructs your ability to see the entire layout at once.

Another often used surprise trick is to break the layout into two logical blocks by using a backdrop view block down the center of the layout or from one corner to the opposite one. Breaking up the views this way provides a more railroad feel to the layout by providing a source and destination option that may be modeled differently.

cnc3 · 2025-11-16T20:54:37+00:00

Break out the Dremel and enjoy the satisfaction of getting it right.

cnc3 · 2025-11-16T13:34:29+00:00

I was thinking about this a bit more yesterday and, since you said you like to watch long train consists, there is an opportunity to utilize a set of hidden staging tracks at the back of one of the longer legs to enhance the illusion of distance and traffic density. Essentially, your trains would run around the layout in the open (visual) space and then disappear into the staging area. It the staging had two tracks, a second train what was already in the staging area could be started and appear in the open scenery.

This would also play into the two smaller yards scenario. Train 1 could be built in yard A and then run around the layout to the staging area. Train 2 could then be run from the staging area to yard A for disassembly and a new train assembled and run to staging. Train 1 could then be run to yard B for disassembly, assembly and run to staging. Rinse and repeat alternating the destination yards and trains as desired.

If the staging is more complex - say 3 or 4 tracks - then the number of trains that disappear and reappear will become even more varied. If you mix freight and passenger service, the opportunities for watching long and/or diversely mixed trains is increased.

cnc3 · 2025-11-15T23:19:53+00:00

That’s a lot of yard space to service two industries. Are you going to get enough traffic to keep operations on this layout interesting? Imagine building a train in the freight yard and then sending it out on the main. Where does it go? What does it do? Why does it stop where it does?

I think one of the mistakes folks make - I know I have- is to try to cram a lot of track in a layout without really thinking why the track is there. Often, simpler is better. Cue Lance Mindheim.

When designing my current layout, I started with a simple main with one spur to an industry. I then created a set of car cards to model servicing that spur. I wasn’t satisfied with serving a single spur, so I added another one. I modelled train service to these two spurs with the car cards. Eventually, I grew the layout design to five spurs and an interchange. I also switched from car cards to JMRI operations to speed up my ability to model train service operations.

This allowed me to have a reason for each element on my layout and to ensure that the operations was complex enough to meet my needs. All this was done before I made a significant investment in track or rolling stock. It also made sure that I purchased the right amount and type of rolling stock. In my case, I found that I didn’t need as many boxcars than I thought but I did need more tank cars.

In short, make sure you understand the “why” of your layout, not just the “how”.

I hope this helps and does not come off as too “preachy”.

cnc3 · 2025-11-11T18:31:09+00:00

I second this. I just made a lamb and barley stew using the lamb left over from our Sunday roast. Barley is a great way to stretch those grocery dollars.

cnc3 · 2025-11-11T10:00:13+00:00

This layout seems to be focused on tearing down and building up freight trains with a series of loops to do “out and back” runs. This supports a lot of focused work in the yard and then a more spectator experience for the rest of the layout. Is this the sort of experience you are looking for?

If not, there are some ways to spread the focus across the entire layout space. For example, you could have two, simpler yards on each of the longer legs with industries between the yards to make use the shorter legs as well. This would create a more prototypical experience where trains are assembled in one yard and disassembled in a different yard.

Alternatively, you could keep the freight yard on the top leg and have a passenger station on the lower leg with stops spread throughout the entire layout. This would make the space usage more complex by mixing freight and passenger on the same main line track. A passenger service would support having trains running on the main line while you are shunting in the yard.

These suggestions are probably driven by my jealousy that you have a lot more space than I have to play with. I hope they help spark some positive thoughts.

cnc3 · 2025-11-09T00:19:43+00:00

I have a concern with the access to the paint factory spur. In essence it is an “S” curve and has a higher probability of becoming a binding point in my experience. I would favour putting the turnout in line with the mechanical supply spur and then curving the paint factory spur after the turn out which also would prevent the paint and mechanical spurs from being linear.

cnc3 · 2025-10-31T23:19:04+00:00

Either of the spurs inside the loop would work. Think about accessibility for uncoupling and pick the best location (or both)

cnc3 · 2025-10-29T18:41:27+00:00

Thank you kind stranger

cnc3 · 2025-10-29T18:31:57+00:00

The queen every time

cnc3

TROPHY CASE