Creating a model railroad layout that represents a real life environment, and in such a small space is an amazing example of storytelling. This layout, should be an inspiration to anyone who wants to build a model railroad, but doesn’t have a lot of space. I am blown away by the attention to detail, the use of trackage, and weathering, which is very realistic. Bravo on a project well executed.
Thanks David - appreciate the feedback. Small layouts (or shelf layouts where overall surface space is efficiently used) are great ways to really get into the details.
It’s sure is. I have little space and was set on an HO scale layout till I seen this video. I so want to model a combination of the Chicago’s Metro and freight railroad.
I modelled in N scale back in 1974. I am so impressed in the new N scale equipment. you layout is lovely and the weathering on your cars is outstanding. I crossed over to On3 Narrow Gauge way back in 1983. Well done, I like what you have accomplished in a relatively small space.
Hi Keith - likewise I'm amazed by how N scale has matured since its early iteration. My first N-scale stuff was also from that era (I was just a little kid). The narrow gauge stuff never ceases to impress me. I feel like the folks who head down that route tend to be really mature modelers who know what they want and do a great job with all sorts of challenges.
This layout never ceases to amaze me. Amazing that this is N scale. Well detailed without being so detailed it looks cluttered. I've seen that on many layouts. Too much detailing and super detailing can very quickly become overkill and ruin a scene. Eric , you got it just right! Damn maybe I should start working on mine lol
Hi Peter - thanks for the kind words. I really enjoy the process of making everything look as it does in the 'real' world, it's part of the fun for me, and a lot of the challenge. Most of my channel's focus is on those elements rather than 'big builds' though that'll probably change up as I hit some scratchbuild projects in the near future.
Pass the awards,please"To the artists doing spectacular art to capture big city in density, green spaces and lived in grime well done.,,! Beautiful work.
Really cool stuff, I love the weathering and other detailing to really set the age and time period of your layout. It's so satisfying to see so much visual identity and story telling packed in here, especially for its modest size.
I really enjoyed this tour. Your attention to detail is beyond reproach. I especially liked the night vision aspect of the tour. Somehow the lighting and detail takes the "toyness" out of the picture. Keep up the good work.
The more i see of your layout the more mesmerized i am,I'm always seeing something i didn't previously. You are the master at detail and capturing the industrial grittiness of our city sir!
I only recently started following your channel and very much enjoy watching. Being an N scaler, I am always on the lookout for good content, and to be honest, your channel provides a great deal of inspiration for me. About half of my layout is urban, and I find the attention to detail you bring amazing, and somewhat rare in our scale. Thank you for this tour, and have a prosperous new year.
Thank you for sharing and for supporting the channel! I agree it's been more challenging in this scale to do the sort of finescale modeling we see in HO for instance, with all the advances in laser etching and 3D printing maybe this will change. In the meantime, modeling a pile of garbage flowing out of a dumpster still represents a 2024 new years resolution for me.
Great job! My father worked for Finkl from the 70’s till early 90’s. I remember seeing the Milwaukee MP15AC’s switch out the gons. I can still remember the smells. Keep up the great work. New subscriber!
Hey thanks Greg for sharing the family connection and the memories. Pretty rare nowadays for anyone to work somewhere for 20 years or so. I would have loved to see the old Milwaukee Road stuff in operation, by the time I was visiting Finkl it was being switched by CN or something, prior to the Chicago Terminal days. I do remember that smell though!!! Thank you for supporting the channel!
Your layout is well thought out. Most guys with a smaller layout put too much track in there space, yours would be fun to not only rail fan but switching also. I am sure when you get visitors the layout tells the story. You have packed in a lot of fun but it is not cluttered. I enjoyed the tour.
Thank you Will, appreciate your perspective and wisdom as always (and I totally agree - easy to turn these door-size things into spaghetti bowls). I really like the concept you describe about the layout telling the story, I don't always think about that in a concrete way but it makes sense. These are visual art projects, and whether a viewer intuitively 'gets it' and connects with what they see on some level is a useful metric.
What a lovely tour. Your layout really is inspirational. It is the details that give it so much character and realism. I was delighted to see the night time shots. There are some very good and very cheap lighted motor cars available from the Chinese markets. They look stunning and could make a useful addition if you could bear to have some foreign cars on your layout. Their BMW replicas are pretty recognisable.
Thanks Mel! I've seen those LED-lighted cars on the market and they do look great at 'night' (I have a bunch of the non-lighted versions from that manufacturer on the layout). I'll very likely be putting some in next time I do a wiring pass on the layout!
This was an unexpected find.verry well done i am from chicago.my father in law worked for bridgeport metals and my brother in law worked for the GT belt line.i moved to NV years ago and now i am doing my lay out.little bigger but you have some verry good ideas! Thank you!
Thanks for writing in Richard. Funny when you run into viewers who know people who worked at some of the real industries represented here on the layout. I've had that happen a few times! My family has deep roots in Bridgeport, my father graduated high school with Richard Daley. Glad you're enjoying model railroading and thank you for stopping by!
Dude, Your weathering is amazing ! Even on the containers looks incredible. OMG ! Even the CFD (Chicago Fire Department) Engine No 47 has the correct paint scheme for the city !! You have captured the true essence of Chicago. My ONLY complaint is that the Chicago River is not green enough ...LOL. From a rail fan and former Darien (area) suburban Firefighter...
Thanks Jeff and yep were it St. Paddy's that river would be like radioactive green! The engine is an athearn model and you're right that they got the paint scheme just right. The only mods I'd need to make to it to match prototype are to remove the light bar and add the correct beacons, and then add tray on the front bumper where they added a hose and inlet for a hydrant connection - just that little something that really would make it CFD!
Thanks for supporting the channel! Really love the variety of trains and layouts on your channel - I've always wanted to run some European stuff, especially in N!
I love layouts that capture a time and place without needing to be exact scale replicas. Really nice job. I used to ride the Metra for many years and saw a lot of these locations change over time. Lived not too far from Finkl Steel for a while around the time it was razed.
I've really enjoyed working to capture the essence even if I can't build the 'real' thing - always glad it shows through! Good thing you don't live by Finkl now (the new location down south), I think it was a couple of years back a slag explosion at the plant set a couple of nearby houses on fire.
I said this when I first subscribed to your channel, but this review made me want to comment once more. You have done a great job of capturing the look and feel of Chicago in N scale and should be very happy and proud. Happy New Year and Cheers from Wisconsin!
Wow , what an absolutely amazing display. The amount of detail and thought put into this is mind boggling, I don't even want to think about the countless hours you must have put into this beautiful display, the detail on everything is so lifelike and the lighting is absolutely amazing. I have no idea why your channel popped up in my feed but I sure am glad it did. I have subbed as I can't wait to see what else you do to this incredible build. Cheers from Australia
Thanks Wayne - glad you stumbled on the video and enjoyed it. The layout is about 8 years old, so as you can guess it's a lot of time placed into a 3x7 footprint. I'm pretty much the type that prefers to just settle in with a layout and work it over the long haul. Cheers and much appreciated for your support of the channel!
Beautiful layout very well done it is amazing how much railroading you can put into a small area It looks so much more realistic than many large layouts that have too many tracks and industries that are rarely utilized
Thanks Othmar, it's easy to have a spaghetti bowl on a layout. Much more track than what is on there would definitely spoil the layout. Keeping track hidden from view at any one angle also helps, the buildings and trees can provide a decent view block that keeps things interesting.
Absolutely love it as soon as I move into my house I plan on doing a n scale layout just can’t beat the detail and how small it is compared to like o or g scale.
Thanks Andrew and congrats on the move. N scale is becoming increasingly better suited as an excellent compromise between size and ability to operate trains and incorporate details. My best running locos can crawl along just as well as an HO, all in a quarter of the space. The coupling/uncoupling is still a bit of a pain though.
Thank you for reaching out Bill - and thanks for building an incredible layout. It's been a lot of fun studying the Kingsbury. I first saw the layout back in the 90s and it stuck with me ever since.
Wow, great layout. I just came across your channel from one of my subscribers and I'm really impressed with your attention to detail. I relate to the area since I commuted to downtown from the western subs for years. I've only been working on mine for the last year but don't see me ever getting to your prototypical level. Great job and very nice video presentation....
Thanks much! This has taken years so it's a long gradual process in some cases. Regardless, everyone's model railroads are different based on what they enjoy, doing this sort of deep dive isn't and need not be a goal for everyone. Just enjoy your trains!!!
Your layout just came up in my you tube feed. What impressed me most it it is N gauge. I will be starting bench work on my new HO layout soon. It will be freelance. I'm planning on a large waterfront scene. I will sub to your channel.
Thanks Paul - it's a lot of fun on a small layout like this to jump into some deep details. Thanks for supporting the channel and looking forward to hearing more about your layout - hope you share your build!!
I am working on a Z-scale layout of Boston, MA in the late 1960's. It will include the Fort Point channel area. The Chicago River represents it well. I see lots of inspiration in your layout. Great work.
There is exactly one thing that I don't like that much about your layout and that is, it' s a loop rather than a point to point arrangement. But that's of course just a matter of taste. Everything else? Boom - I'm just blown away by all these tiny details you put in and the various recreations of prototype buildings and scenes! Absolutely breathtaking work! Naturally I had to subscribe! Best regards from a tiny N scale switching layout under construction!
The loop was also a bit of a 'practicality' matter with respect to running Metra service. That element just works better aesthetically and functionally as a continuous run than as a point to point, but the branch line and stub yard allow the essence of point-to-point and last-mile operation within the world of the layout. The real challenge that emerged was how best to obscure as much of the loop as possible from any given viewpoint so that it doesn't come across as an obvious and predictable oval. With all that in mind, I really enjoy the shelf format. I'm not a prolific layout builder but I conceptualize the next layout to be a shelf style modeled on the industrial shortline trackage on Chicago's Goose Island.
@@ChicagoCrossingRR many thanks for your quick reply! I fully get the prcticality matter in respect to the Metra. And you really did very well in hiding the oval. I am very much looking forward to your next layout updates 👍
I love your use of the space and attention to detail! You've done it in such a way that the scenes feel really big even though they're all so compact! I'm also in awe of the weathering on cars and buildings. Simply fantastic-your project will be an inspiration for my own layout hopes. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Amir. Granted the camera always seems to add a few acres, but I think the way the elements play together does help to give every diorama its own viewing angle and sense of unique, non-overlapping surroundings. Most people who visit the layout in person are shocked by how tiny it is in reality.
You have built a really lovely layout, top work. It would be good to maybe have some videos focusing on each industry (or pairs like the scrap steel and steel mill industries), unless they already exist?
Thank you! I was looking at your video of the Conrail SD35 and recognized that Penn Central boxcar, I have the same model (though I 're-homed' it to Conrail with some patching). Love that jade green color (I also love Conrail blue).
Greetings from across the pond in the UK. I'm really enjoying the way the layout is developing, and continue to be amazed at how much you've managed to cram into such a small space yet still make it believable, with a real sense of place. Can I recommend you check out my compatriot Michael with his N scale layout "Chandwell"?There are many parallels between what the two of you are doing. Although I model in 4mm scale myself (OO) south of England, I love what you 2mm guys manage to do in the smaller scale.
I’d spent most of my time going to small shows and DJ sets further west in Bucktown before it got all played out. I’d thought of making a 3D printed version of The Empty Bottle or Double Door as an homage.
Thanks for the new tour. Your videography is as top notch as the layout, detailed & informative. What's the min radius if I may ask? Do long cars handle it well? BTW, you were robbed on the digital & DIY site, you should've won layout of the year!
Ha thanks Steve, appreciate the kind words. Happy new year to you as well! The tight curve at the upper right I think is 9.75" and as a minimum radius curve can pose some problems if I lash cars with truck-mounted couplers behind an SD-40, which in model form has quite a swing outward and is known to pull cars off the track. I never checked whether my model RR ever made it as a finalist or anything, but I was excited to see Will's layout voted #1, he's been a big supporter of the channel :)
A really beautiful layout, your attention to detail amazing. I'm in the planning stages of a 3'x6' layout and you have given me some good ideas and planning tips. What turnouts and switch motors are you using?
I had to take a double take. At 6:56 I noticed a Yellow trailer. That’s a nice touch. I was with Yellow freight until they closed down July 30th last year.
Thanks for sharing Richard. I saw a lot of those around Chicago, so when Athern made a model of these I made sure to get a couple Yellow trailers onto the layout!
@@ChicagoCrossingRR Yellow had several terminals around the Chicago area. They also ran to a lot of UP and BNSF rail yards. The Chicago rails were used to expedite freight to Harrisburg, Portland, and Bloomington.
@@richardclayton7170 that would make sense! Thanks for sharing, always great to have some more understanding of why I saw these things when I lived in the city!
Very nice details, keep going. Some of the cars really stuck out to me.Maybe detail or upgrade them. Love your layout design and a lot of the n scale detail. It can be hard or really expensive to make it look good.
Thanks Jason, much appreciated! Are you referring to the rolling stock (cars)? I'd say about 40% of my railcar fleet has been hand-weathered, you can always tell the new ones (locos have gotten very little attention) for that matter.
Another great video showing a beautiful layout... well done! What do you use for uncoupling? I'm going to do a small portable layout to see ifnI could go down to N for my permanent layout, current plans are for HO scale, but N would fit better if i can handle the smaller scale. Cheers and Happy New Year
Thanks Isaiah - I use a bamboo skewer to uncouple cars. I will say that uncoupling N scale cars is a trickier affair than HO, and will sometimes derail one of the two cars, particularly if they're underweight.
@ChicagoCrossingRR , please let me know ifnyiud be willing to correspond with me via email or messenger, and bounce some ideas back and forth, and maybe critique my plan... if you're up for it I'll get my email address to you. Thanks again for the inspiration!
Hi Chicago Crossing Model Railroad, Very nice Small N Scale layout. Years ago (mid to late 1980's) I hauled steel beams out of US Steel South Chicago works. I believe the two load out locations were 79th and 83rd street. The details you've added really do give your layout a Chicago feel, very nicely done. I'm a limited space modeler and currently my layout is a 24" x 80" Hollow Core door layout. I'm currently modeling a fictitious branch line that serves a small town set in a rural valley. If I missed this bit of info in the video, I apologize, but is your layout DC or DCC? And are you using the Walthers Just Plug for your lighting? Cheers, Rich S.
Hi Rich, thanks for sharing! My layout is DCC. I use a hybrid that incorporates justplug and 3rd party LEDs (Atlas, eBay, Evan Designs) and power busses for streetlights or buildings, particularly for custom signs/building lights, etc. check out my layout update here for more detail: ua-cam.com/video/nddTSxKSPmQ/v-deo.htmlfeature=shared
Hi Philip, stuff like stop/railroad crossing signs are Blair line items. All the Chicago-specific street signs (Ada Av, 95th St) were homemade based on city specs for their sign dimensions, formats and fonts, and then printing them out.
Eric the tour was outstanding! Wonderful history and additional insights into your inspirations for this great model railroad. Happy New Year and thank you for sharing your layout with such professional videos. Lots of hard work! Have a great week. Scott
Once the track is laid it got sprayed with hull red to create the 'rust' effect. Nowadays I'm going back and weathering ties with an airbrush to create variation.
Creating a model railroad layout that represents a real life environment, and in such a small space is an amazing example of storytelling. This layout, should be an inspiration to anyone who wants to build a model railroad, but doesn’t have a lot of space. I am blown away by the attention to detail, the use of trackage, and weathering, which is very realistic. Bravo on a project well executed.
Thanks David - appreciate the feedback. Small layouts (or shelf layouts where overall surface space is efficiently used) are great ways to really get into the details.
It’s sure is. I have little space and was set on an HO scale layout till I seen this video. I so want to model a combination of the Chicago’s Metro and freight railroad.
@@dalemadison2368 should be a fun project Dale!
It is definitely an inspiration especially to someone like me who have lived in Chicago all my life a always loved the train and industrial areas@
I did that river boat tour in Chicago, and it was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Your layout certainly matches up to real life
Thank you!!
This has got to be one of the best N scale layouts I've seen yet! I love the track plan too.
Thanks Harold!
I modelled in N scale back in 1974. I am so impressed in the new N scale equipment. you layout is lovely and the weathering on your cars is outstanding.
I crossed over to On3 Narrow Gauge way back in 1983.
Well done, I like what you have accomplished in a relatively small space.
Hi Keith - likewise I'm amazed by how N scale has matured since its early iteration. My first N-scale stuff was also from that era (I was just a little kid). The narrow gauge stuff never ceases to impress me. I feel like the folks who head down that route tend to be really mature modelers who know what they want and do a great job with all sorts of challenges.
That tire in the puddle... what a great detail.
Outstanding layout!
Thanks, that was one of my favorite scenes!
An amazing amount of detail for an N gauge layout with such a small footprint. Job well done !
Much appreciated Neal, thanks!
Just absolutely mesmerized by the era detail and how you pulled everything together. What an awesome accomplishment.
Thank you!!
This layout never ceases to amaze me. Amazing that this is N scale. Well detailed without being so detailed it looks cluttered. I've seen that on many layouts. Too much detailing and super detailing can very quickly become overkill and ruin a scene. Eric , you got it just right! Damn maybe I should start working on mine lol
That’s insane modeling, especially in n scale. Well done!
Thanks Ethan!
Outstanding! at 11:43 you can almost see a feral cat running beside the shipping containers in the glow from street light!
totally. 💯❤
Looks like I'll need to add one of those!😆
Excellent layout tour. I'm really inspired by the level of detail and the overall functioning. Thanks for sharing 👍🏾.
Sure thing Ron, thanks for watching and supporting the channel!
This is a fantastic layout. I can’t stand pristine layouts and this one captures the reality perfectly. ❤
Hi Peter - thanks for the kind words. I really enjoy the process of making everything look as it does in the 'real' world, it's part of the fun for me, and a lot of the challenge. Most of my channel's focus is on those elements rather than 'big builds' though that'll probably change up as I hit some scratchbuild projects in the near future.
Pass the awards,please"To the artists doing spectacular art to capture big city in density, green spaces and lived in grime well done.,,! Beautiful work.
Thanks Allen!! Much appreciated!
Really cool stuff, I love the weathering and other detailing to really set the age and time period of your layout. It's so satisfying to see so much visual identity and story telling packed in here, especially for its modest size.
Thank you! Small/shelf layouts can be a great way to really drill down and create some interesting scenes.
I really enjoyed this tour. Your attention to detail is beyond reproach. I especially liked the night vision aspect of the tour. Somehow the lighting and detail takes the "toyness" out of the picture. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Jim! I agree - good lighting adds a really nice dimension to the models.
So much railroad in such a compact space, without feeling crowded. Love it, man!
Thank you! Have a great new year, love seeing what you can do with weathering and detailing in O scale - great channel!!
Wow!!! The detail! The story being told! It's like watching a movie that you wished would never end... Subscribed 😁
Really appreciate the kind words, thank you for supporting the channel!
The more i see of your layout the more mesmerized i am,I'm always seeing something i didn't previously. You are the master at detail and capturing the industrial grittiness of our city sir!
Thanks Carl - you’ve been one of the OG supporters of this channel, really appreciate your comments and continued interest. Cheers sir!
Awesome little layout, really captures the essence of Chicago.
Thanks Don! Always happy when the location comes across clearly to people who aren't me!
I only recently started following your channel and very much enjoy watching. Being an N scaler, I am always on the lookout for good content, and to be honest, your channel provides a great deal of inspiration for me. About half of my layout is urban, and I find the attention to detail you bring amazing, and somewhat rare in our scale. Thank you for this tour, and have a prosperous new year.
Thank you for sharing and for supporting the channel! I agree it's been more challenging in this scale to do the sort of finescale modeling we see in HO for instance, with all the advances in laser etching and 3D printing maybe this will change. In the meantime, modeling a pile of garbage flowing out of a dumpster still represents a 2024 new years resolution for me.
I keep watching this video because it always inspires me
Glad to hear, thanks for reaching out Charles!
Very nice work! I had to remind myself that you said "N Scale". I'm doing an industrial area on my HO layout and you have provided several ideas.
Thanks Gary, glad the layout offers some ideas. I love what can be done in HO.
Utterly mesmerising, thankyou.
Thanks Nick, glad you enjoyed. Cheers!
Great job! My father worked for Finkl from the 70’s till early 90’s. I remember seeing the Milwaukee MP15AC’s switch out the gons. I can still remember the smells.
Keep up the great work. New subscriber!
Hey thanks Greg for sharing the family connection and the memories. Pretty rare nowadays for anyone to work somewhere for 20 years or so. I would have loved to see the old Milwaukee Road stuff in operation, by the time I was visiting Finkl it was being switched by CN or something, prior to the Chicago Terminal days. I do remember that smell though!!! Thank you for supporting the channel!
Your layout is well thought out. Most guys with a smaller layout put too much track in there space, yours would be fun to not only rail fan but switching also. I am sure when you get visitors the layout tells the story. You have packed in a lot of fun but it is not cluttered. I enjoyed the tour.
Thank you Will, appreciate your perspective and wisdom as always (and I totally agree - easy to turn these door-size things into spaghetti bowls). I really like the concept you describe about the layout telling the story, I don't always think about that in a concrete way but it makes sense. These are visual art projects, and whether a viewer intuitively 'gets it' and connects with what they see on some level is a useful metric.
That is one great looking layout.....Nicely done
Thank you!!
This is a very creative and artistic success. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Harold, appreciate your comments and support!
Great layout! Superb job! 😮🔝👏 Greetings from Italy!
Thank you Gio!
Incredible layout you have.
Thanks David!
Just amazing. I wish I had the talent. But I'll settle for enjoying your skill.
Thanks much! It's been quite a few years of trial and error on my part, and still a long ways to go to reallly get 'expert' at this stuff.
A wonderful work of art ... thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome Gene, Cheers!
Excellent. Well done layout and well done presentation.
Thanks Jim, cheers!
Amazing work and creativity bro. ❤️☺️🇦🇺👍
Much appreciated, and thank you for supporting the layout and channel!
Very nicely done! Thank you for sharing!
You bet James, thank you for supporting the channel!
Beautiful layout. Well done.
Thank you Jim!
What a lovely tour. Your layout really is inspirational. It is the details that give it so much character and realism. I was delighted to see the night time shots. There are some very good and very cheap lighted motor cars available from the Chinese markets. They look stunning and could make a useful addition if you could bear to have some foreign cars on your layout. Their BMW replicas are pretty recognisable.
Thanks Mel! I've seen those LED-lighted cars on the market and they do look great at 'night' (I have a bunch of the non-lighted versions from that manufacturer on the layout). I'll very likely be putting some in next time I do a wiring pass on the layout!
Nicely done,,thanks for sharing..😊
You're welcome Frank, glad you enjoyed!
Magnificent unbelievable detail!
Thanks John!
This was an unexpected find.verry well done i am from chicago.my father in law worked for bridgeport metals and my brother in law worked for the GT belt line.i moved to NV years ago and now i am doing my lay out.little bigger but you have some verry good ideas! Thank you!
Thanks for writing in Richard. Funny when you run into viewers who know people who worked at some of the real industries represented here on the layout. I've had that happen a few times! My family has deep roots in Bridgeport, my father graduated high school with Richard Daley. Glad you're enjoying model railroading and thank you for stopping by!
This is an amazing layout. It's seriously impressive the level of detail and operations you've been able to fit in while makin it look realistic
Thanks Matt - I think that's all a benefit of a smaller layout, more time to focus on the small stuff that matters!
What a great little layout! Definitely captures the feel of Chicago! Thanks for sharing it with us!
You bet! Glad you enjoyed!
Dude, Your weathering is amazing ! Even on the containers looks incredible. OMG ! Even the CFD (Chicago Fire Department) Engine No 47 has the correct paint scheme for the city !! You have captured the true essence of Chicago.
My ONLY complaint is that the Chicago River is not green enough ...LOL.
From a rail fan and former Darien (area) suburban Firefighter...
Thanks Jeff and yep were it St. Paddy's that river would be like radioactive green! The engine is an athearn model and you're right that they got the paint scheme just right. The only mods I'd need to make to it to match prototype are to remove the light bar and add the correct beacons, and then add tray on the front bumper where they added a hose and inlet for a hydrant connection - just that little something that really would make it CFD!
Great video as always! I really love all the details. Gives me a lot of ideas for my own layout.
Thanks and cheers! I must say your layout is already incredibly well developed so I've been paying quite a bit of attention to it in turn.
Excellent details. I lived in Milwaukee in the late 90s and early 2000s and can definitely feel those Rust Belt, old industrial urban vibes.
Thanks Jon - I've always liked Milwaukee. Happy new year to you!
Fabulous layout... you could keep busy on it all day without getting bored. Would be a great layout for dad and kids or grandpa and grandkids.
It’s a lot of fun for sure. Granted I spend most of the time working on it rather than operating it!
Happy 2024! The layout details are outstanding. Looking forward to the new year of projects.
Thank you, have a great new year!!
Damn good job on the layout, but you left me speechless on the video, really nice job.........
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!!
Wonderful tour of a wonderful model railroad, I really aspire to this level of modelling! Thanks so much for posting
Thanks for supporting the channel! Really love the variety of trains and layouts on your channel - I've always wanted to run some European stuff, especially in N!
I love layouts that capture a time and place without needing to be exact scale replicas. Really nice job. I used to ride the Metra for many years and saw a lot of these locations change over time. Lived not too far from Finkl Steel for a while around the time it was razed.
I've really enjoyed working to capture the essence even if I can't build the 'real' thing - always glad it shows through! Good thing you don't live by Finkl now (the new location down south), I think it was a couple of years back a slag explosion at the plant set a couple of nearby houses on fire.
Such amazing detail for N scale. Very impressive. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Everett!
I said this when I first subscribed to your channel, but this review made me want to comment once more. You have done a great job of capturing the look and feel of Chicago in N scale and should be very happy and proud. Happy New Year and Cheers from Wisconsin!
Thanks Andrew, happy new year to you and yours!
One word - “Magnificent”
Thank you!
Wow , what an absolutely amazing display. The amount of detail and thought put into this is mind boggling, I don't even want to think about the countless hours you must have put into this beautiful display, the detail on everything is so lifelike and the lighting is absolutely amazing. I have no idea why your channel popped up in my feed but I sure am glad it did. I have subbed as I can't wait to see what else you do to this incredible build.
Cheers from Australia
Thanks Wayne - glad you stumbled on the video and enjoyed it. The layout is about 8 years old, so as you can guess it's a lot of time placed into a 3x7 footprint. I'm pretty much the type that prefers to just settle in with a layout and work it over the long haul. Cheers and much appreciated for your support of the channel!
I love this layout. So much going on in a small space.
Thanks David!
Absolutely amazing. I wish I had this skill and talent.
I appreciate the kind note - it's a journey to get to where I am with the models, and quite a bit yet to learn.
Beautiful layout very well done it is amazing how much railroading you can put into a small area
It looks so much more realistic than many large layouts that have too many tracks and industries that are rarely utilized
Thanks Othmar, it's easy to have a spaghetti bowl on a layout. Much more track than what is on there would definitely spoil the layout. Keeping track hidden from view at any one angle also helps, the buildings and trees can provide a decent view block that keeps things interesting.
This layout is top notch. The more I look at it the more I love it.
Your graffiti is great too! Keep it up, brother
Thank you, glad you’ve enjoyed!!
Absolutely beatiful layout
Thanks JB!
Absolutely love it as soon as I move into my house I plan on doing a n scale layout just can’t beat the detail and how small it is compared to like o or g scale.
Thanks Andrew and congrats on the move. N scale is becoming increasingly better suited as an excellent compromise between size and ability to operate trains and incorporate details. My best running locos can crawl along just as well as an HO, all in a quarter of the space. The coupling/uncoupling is still a bit of a pain though.
Great layout. Nice to see others modeling urban industrial areas. Also thanks for the shout out!
Thank you for reaching out Bill - and thanks for building an incredible layout. It's been a lot of fun studying the Kingsbury. I first saw the layout back in the 90s and it stuck with me ever since.
Very nice tour! Looking forward to some of the new details (and I also need to catch up on the older videos)
Thanks Joel, much to come and thank you for supporting the channel - happy new year to you!
Very impressive!
Thank you Olivia!
WOW! This is a wondaful layout! Most impressive. My hats off to you and your modeling talent. :)
Thanks Sean, cheers!
Wow, great layout. I just came across your channel from one of my subscribers and I'm really impressed with your attention to detail. I relate to the area since I commuted to downtown from the western subs for years. I've only been working on mine for the last year but don't see me ever getting to your prototypical level. Great job and very nice video presentation....
Thanks much! This has taken years so it's a long gradual process in some cases. Regardless, everyone's model railroads are different based on what they enjoy, doing this sort of deep dive isn't and need not be a goal for everyone. Just enjoy your trains!!!
Definitely a study in separating scenes on a small layout. This could be difficult in HO scale, but you've managed it very well in N.
Thank you Thomas!
WOW!!! Totally amazing.
Thanks Chris!
Your layout just came up in my you tube feed. What impressed me most it it is N gauge. I will be starting bench work on my new HO layout soon. It will be freelance. I'm planning on a large waterfront scene. I will sub to your channel.
Thanks Paul - it's a lot of fun on a small layout like this to jump into some deep details. Thanks for supporting the channel and looking forward to hearing more about your layout - hope you share your build!!
Awesome detail & realism in such a small layout! NICE! Can't imagine how much time it took to do all that, especially all the little details! :-)
Thanks Scott! It’s taken 8 years 😅😵
Impeccable detail, outstanding job...
Thank you Ted, Cheers!
Great modelling! Really enjoyed the update.
Thank you, happy new year!
I am working on a Z-scale layout of Boston, MA in the late 1960's. It will include the Fort Point channel area. The Chicago River represents it well. I see lots of inspiration in your layout. Great work.
Thank you James! Good luck on your layout - I've always wanted to get into Z scale!
simply beautiful ❤❤ Happy New Year!
Thank you, and happy new year to you too!!
There is exactly one thing that I don't like that much about your layout and that is, it' s a loop rather than a point to point arrangement. But that's of course just a matter of taste. Everything else? Boom - I'm just blown away by all these tiny details you put in and the various recreations of prototype buildings and scenes! Absolutely breathtaking work! Naturally I had to subscribe! Best regards from a tiny N scale switching layout under construction!
The loop was also a bit of a 'practicality' matter with respect to running Metra service. That element just works better aesthetically and functionally as a continuous run than as a point to point, but the branch line and stub yard allow the essence of point-to-point and last-mile operation within the world of the layout. The real challenge that emerged was how best to obscure as much of the loop as possible from any given viewpoint so that it doesn't come across as an obvious and predictable oval. With all that in mind, I really enjoy the shelf format. I'm not a prolific layout builder but I conceptualize the next layout to be a shelf style modeled on the industrial shortline trackage on Chicago's Goose Island.
@@ChicagoCrossingRR many thanks for your quick reply! I fully get the prcticality matter in respect to the Metra. And you really did very well in hiding the oval. I am very much looking forward to your next layout updates 👍
I love your use of the space and attention to detail! You've done it in such a way that the scenes feel really big even though they're all so compact! I'm also in awe of the weathering on cars and buildings. Simply fantastic-your project will be an inspiration for my own layout hopes. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Amir. Granted the camera always seems to add a few acres, but I think the way the elements play together does help to give every diorama its own viewing angle and sense of unique, non-overlapping surroundings. Most people who visit the layout in person are shocked by how tiny it is in reality.
Beautiful work, thanks for sharing!
You're welcome, thanks for supporting the channel!
Awsome Layout. Your weathered box cars look great. South side of Chicago. Looking for Bad Bad Leroy Brown.
Thanks much! When I get tired of the railroad I usually switch to weathering the stuff that runs on it!
🚂🇧🇷👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Wow!! Your layout really is inspirational!!
Congratulation your job!
Obrigado! Eu realmente gostei disso!
This is a fabulous layout - love it.
Thank you Tom!
This is a fantastic layout!
Thank you! Good luck on the Z layout I saw on your channel - also loved watching US rolling stock run on a European layout, that was a blast!
@@ChicagoCrossingRR Thank you, much appreciated 🤝
You have built a really lovely layout, top work. It would be good to maybe have some videos focusing on each industry (or pairs like the scrap steel and steel mill industries), unless they already exist?
Thanks! I’ve not yet made many operations videos. I’ve been watching a bunch to assess how to keep them timely, interesting and informative 😁
Really great layout.
Thank you Bill!
Simply amazing 👏 👍🙌👌
Thank you! Cheers!
WoW,,,,,
Fantastic job.....
Thank you Randy!
Really enjoy the chanel and videos what great layout I'm n scale modeler as well
Thank you! I was looking at your video of the Conrail SD35 and recognized that Penn Central boxcar, I have the same model (though I 're-homed' it to Conrail with some patching). Love that jade green color (I also love Conrail blue).
Greetings from across the pond in the UK. I'm really enjoying the way the layout is developing, and continue to be amazed at how much you've managed to cram into such a small space yet still make it believable, with a real sense of place.
Can I recommend you check out my compatriot Michael with his N scale layout "Chandwell"?There are many parallels between what the two of you are doing. Although I model in 4mm scale myself (OO) south of England, I love what you 2mm guys manage to do in the smaller scale.
Thanks Adrian for the kind words and for the heads up on the Chandwell layout. I’ll be sure to have a look!!
I think I went to some raves in that area. If you only had the old Marble Factory, 1111 W Division that would be a definite yes.
I’d spent most of my time going to small shows and DJ sets further west in Bucktown before it got all played out. I’d thought of making a 3D printed version of The Empty Bottle or Double Door as an homage.
Looks great!
Thank you, really appreciate it!
Thanks for the new tour. Your videography is as top notch as the layout, detailed & informative. What's the min radius if I may ask? Do long cars handle it well? BTW, you were robbed on the digital & DIY site, you should've won layout of the year!
Ha thanks Steve, appreciate the kind words. Happy new year to you as well! The tight curve at the upper right I think is 9.75" and as a minimum radius curve can pose some problems if I lash cars with truck-mounted couplers behind an SD-40, which in model form has quite a swing outward and is known to pull cars off the track. I never checked whether my model RR ever made it as a finalist or anything, but I was excited to see Will's layout voted #1, he's been a big supporter of the channel :)
Thank you!
You're welcome Royce!
A really beautiful layout, your attention to detail amazing. I'm in the planning stages of a 3'x6' layout and you have given me some good ideas and planning tips.
What turnouts and switch motors are you using?
Thanks Rob, glad this was helpful. Peco #6 and basic Atlas solenoids for switches. Maybe will shift over to tortoises at some point.
I had to take a double take. At 6:56 I noticed a Yellow trailer. That’s a nice touch. I was with Yellow freight until they closed down July 30th last year.
Thanks for sharing Richard. I saw a lot of those around Chicago, so when Athern made a model of these I made sure to get a couple Yellow trailers onto the layout!
@@ChicagoCrossingRR Yellow had several terminals around the Chicago area. They also ran to a lot of UP and BNSF rail yards. The Chicago rails were used to expedite freight to Harrisburg, Portland, and Bloomington.
@@richardclayton7170 that would explain it. I used to see a lot of those trucks around McCook, maybe was a terminal there...
@@ChicagoCrossingRR I believe either Holland or YRC, both Yellow companies, had a terminal around the area.
@@richardclayton7170 that would make sense! Thanks for sharing, always great to have some more understanding of why I saw these things when I lived in the city!
It is really cool, made with warm and attention to details. Are you use some transparent removable cover to prevent layout from harm and dust?
Thanks! I don’t have a cover for it. The layout does get some dust but a vacuum takes care of it.
Very nice details, keep going. Some of the cars really stuck out to me.Maybe detail or upgrade them. Love your layout design and a lot of the n scale detail. It can be hard or really expensive to make it look good.
Thanks Jason, much appreciated! Are you referring to the rolling stock (cars)? I'd say about 40% of my railcar fleet has been hand-weathered, you can always tell the new ones (locos have gotten very little attention) for that matter.
Beautiful
Thanks Affendi!
Another great video showing a beautiful layout... well done!
What do you use for uncoupling? I'm going to do a small portable layout to see ifnI could go down to N for my permanent layout, current plans are for HO scale, but N would fit better if i can handle the smaller scale.
Cheers and Happy New Year
Thanks Isaiah - I use a bamboo skewer to uncouple cars. I will say that uncoupling N scale cars is a trickier affair than HO, and will sometimes derail one of the two cars, particularly if they're underweight.
@ChicagoCrossingRR , please let me know ifnyiud be willing to correspond with me via email or messenger, and bounce some ideas back and forth, and maybe critique my plan... if you're up for it I'll get my email address to you.
Thanks again for the inspiration!
Hi Chicago Crossing Model Railroad, Very nice Small N Scale layout. Years ago (mid to late 1980's) I hauled steel beams out of US Steel South Chicago works. I believe the two load out locations were 79th and 83rd street. The details you've added really do give your layout a Chicago feel, very nicely done. I'm a limited space modeler and currently my layout is a 24" x 80" Hollow Core door layout. I'm currently modeling a fictitious branch line that serves a small town set in a rural valley. If I missed this bit of info in the video, I apologize, but is your layout DC or DCC? And are you using the Walthers Just Plug for your lighting? Cheers, Rich S.
Hi Rich, thanks for sharing! My layout is DCC. I use a hybrid that incorporates justplug and 3rd party LEDs (Atlas, eBay, Evan Designs) and power busses for streetlights or buildings, particularly for custom signs/building lights, etc. check out my layout update here for more detail: ua-cam.com/video/nddTSxKSPmQ/v-deo.htmlfeature=shared
amazing 👍🍀💯
Thanks Othmar!
Thanks for the tour. Where did you source your street signs?
Hi Philip, stuff like stop/railroad crossing signs are Blair line items. All the Chicago-specific street signs (Ada Av, 95th St) were homemade based on city specs for their sign dimensions, formats and fonts, and then printing them out.
Eric the tour was outstanding! Wonderful history and additional insights into your inspirations for this great model railroad.
Happy New Year and thank you for sharing your layout with such professional videos. Lots of hard work!
Have a great week.
Scott
@@kahunatiki6498 Thank you Scott! Thanks for all the support!
Care to share how you weather your track? It's fantastic.
Once the track is laid it got sprayed with hull red to create the 'rust' effect. Nowadays I'm going back and weathering ties with an airbrush to create variation.
Love this.
Thank you, cheers and happy new year!