I feel that a layout is never finished. At any time you can get a new idea of how to improve an area, how to change things around, etc. If you get bored with it, that is a different question. Very glad to hear the CCMR is still going to be around!

Many times my wife has asked me, “What did you do today?” I would laugh and tell her: “You could come down and look but you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference” I retired 21 years ago and tore down my layout and started over because I finally had the time to build what I really wanted. I filled my 22’x13’ foot room in about 11 years and then proceeded to cut a hole in the wall and filled another room equal in size to the first one. I cut another hole in a wall and added a 4’x8’ addition. I love the creativity involved in the hobby. Last I looked I still have a bunch of track left so…… One last thing. As your resident White Sox fan I think a detail you could add somewhere is a tombstone with the Sox logo on it. This season is a disaster

Hello Eric, I completely agree with your analogy. Thanks, Terry

All the small details make this a great railroad

A shelf layout or switching layout could be exciting! It would be a nice extension of what you already have. Thanks for sharing!

As a simple observer I 100% agree with your assessment. Part of what I love about your layout is that it's not about the trains, it's a neighbourhood, beautifully modelled that happens to have trains in it... and more importantly: trains running at sensible speeds! I could imagine that at some point you could have the area evolve, like in real life, where you demolish an existing building over time, and replace it with something else. So to make the work part of the story-telling. Basically playing sim-city, but then physically. Then you move away from a static model that is getting more and more detailed to a more living site. Different mindset but I could imagine someone taking that approach. I wrote this before, and will say it again... amazing work.

i agree about social media for model railroaders, we do have a pretty decent community and other than a couple of boobs that try to ruin it - it's a very supportive and insightful group. i like that a problem can be posted in a video and people will jump to offer suggestions and that expands the hobby's interest and knowledge. since you've taken a 'slow and go' approach, have you considered building the shelf layout above in a modular fashion? If you purchased say T-trak modules and slowly detailed and laid out each one before going onto the next and then eventually the whole thing would come together. You'll have CCMR to run if you get the itch to turn the trains on but you'll also have a place to fiddle with the fine details. If you could work in a small helix to connect CCMR to the shelf layout your operational potential greatly expands and that might also alleviate the need to revise any trackwork on CCMR which seems like it could be a disaster to the delicate details around it - not to mention the likelihood of slight track misalignment that would drive you nuts for the rest of the layout's existence. Glad to see you're not taking CCMR apart, however. that would be an absolute shame because it is a beautiful layout!

Eric, I love your videos. To do what you have already done in N scale is incredible. A hobby is a hobby and it should reduce stress from day to day work. And with that said being a hobby, work it how you want it. I am not from Chicago but have been there a lot. My Chicago friends who are not even modelers say you capture it. I feel the same, as you can almost smell that area when looking at yours. The rusty metal, polluted water, oil, grease, garbage piled up outside cans. When I look at a layout and I think of smells those are outstanding. Keep it fun and stress free, but for sure keep it up.

Excellent layout great design realistic detail great work

Hi Éric, that 3 story brick 13:07 building with missing exterior walls is georgous with roof vegetation and roof trees growing We can´t tell if it´s under renovation or demolition. With that see through, just a bit inside, so much possibilities with crane bringing or removing materials, machines etc. Covered, smashed or intact windows, it can turn in an endless project, and at the same time an easy one goofs forgiving. I love those kinds of building with story telling behind. Complete, partially demolished or sometimes just the historically facade remaining with structural beams add on to keep it standing while being rejuvanated in a new construction project. Happy 4th of july celebration.

Eric, first thing, so glad to hear you do not plan to dismantle the CCMR. It is just too good to take apart. I would suggest you incorporate it in your shelf track plan and use it with a minimum of adjustment. Build your modules so when the time is right blend them together. That way you can still run trains and your ( new layout is seamless) has the best of both worlds just running ops when you want and have a rail fan portion imbedded in the layout. My CSL caboose soon will start the weathering stage. I will keep you posted

The more I watch, the more I do... The more I realize I'm not alone😊

AS we say at GmbH, we are not building toys, but we are also not building collectables. Just play with your train collection and have FUN with it. A layout is "completed" when you do not have fun with it anymore. Your layout looks awesome, even by European standards, and with 2 curved switches would also operate extremely nicely. Layouts are not meant (only) for display and scenery, but for operations: this is the reason why most Europeean layouts have stations as the main focus of the layout.

Greetings from UK. Fantastic layout, so much detail crammed in, love it!

I appreciate the content whenever you can put it out. Keep it coming!!

In the last week I've fallen down the rabbit hole of N scale model railroading. A week ago I was convinced I don't have the resources or space to even try. If you can't build a gigantic dream basement layout why bother right? I am now determined to build a 2x4 layout as a test bed to learn the necessary skills. Content like this is absolutely inspirational. Something I read yesterday said, "focus less on your track layout, and more on what story you want your railroad to tell." I feel like you have captured that. Chicago Crossing tells a story and it only becomes more rich/vivid the more details there are. I'd love to see some videos on how these scratch-made buildings are created.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the CCMR and model railroading in general. You’re asking a lot of the same questions I’m asking myself.

So, I watched this video a few days ago and have been trying to think of the words I wanted to leave here. Firstly, don't fall into the trap of feeling like you have to have 'production schedule' or video schedule for KZfaq. This happens to so many creators and it only ever leads to burnout (I'm a prime example). Make the videos *you* want to make when *you* want to make them. The people who truly enjoy your content will be here when the video drops and that's all that matters. Secondly, as far as your layout being "done" and the idea of building a new layout goes, I say take the knowledge and experience you've garnered from this layout to build the next one. Whether it's a diorama layout or a full blown shelf layout, I'm all for gaining experience and improving techniques on a new project. I loved your reference to A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte in your previous video, so imagine if Seurat just kept working on that one painting forever. Would it continue to improve? Or would he have been better using that experience to create more art? I think that's what you were describing at least lol. Point is, use your skills and mistakes learned here to make another work of art. I've spent the last 3 years working on my Cross Harbor layout and I'm ready to scrap it. Not because it's bad, but I made a lot of mistakes that I want to correct on the next one. And I learned a lot about scratch building that I'd like to incorporate as well. I'll still be modelling the same prototype, but I want to do it better this time! (also I want to start a video series on the process) Lastly, do what feels right and disregard all the comments here lol. I think a lot of us would love to follow you as you raise the bar in the N Scale fine scale modeling world and personally I'd love to see you make use of code 55 or even code 40 track (dare I say XD).

I'm in the process of building my small layout plus a switching layout and I'm in the same philosophical spot as you. I ripped up and redid the tracks several times and now its scenery and structures and building up the details to match what I envision and what is practical/looks right. Thanks for your inspiration

Your work is excellent. Thank you.

Howdy Eric. In response to your growth from 20 subscribers to now, what I truly appreciate from your channel is your incredible work, your concise and clear explanations of techniques and reasons, the down to earth yet professional production of your vids, and of very high importance is to see what you've done in a 3x7 area as I'm working a HCD sized layout. I agree with an earlier comment about the future of CCMR, maybe consider incorporating the shelf to CCMR? I've been curious as to what radiuses are amongst your smallest. Have a great rest of the weekend Eric and thank you. 🙂

Another great topic. It's never finished for me. I'm constantly looking for new ideas and improvements

Great layout. Awesome scenes.

It's worth looking at the works of the late Iain Rice who produced many exquisite small layouts (and produced plans for many more) of both US and UK prototypes. His UK models were primarily P4 scale (finescale 4mm/ft with scale track, rather than OO which uses HO track). He produced some superb works of art, a number of which are still on the exhibition circuit. Inkerman Street was a goods yard built as a Model Railway Journal project and is a prime example of a model in which the trains are almost secondary to the scene itself - they give it purpose but it works even when they aren't there.

I think having a second layout focused on switching operations is a great idea. And keeping your first layout to go back to just when you feel like it is also sound thinking. My 1x6 HO switching layout is also starting to reach a plateau in its development, so I'm trying my hand at a small diorama to explore newer (to me) scenic techniques and to provide a platform for rolling stock photography. (My horde still has many unbuilt boxcar kits for my 1962 era that I want to build and weather.) I look forward to seeing the development of a Goose Island layout. I've watched a number of videos on that operation. Cheers from Wisconsin!

Even with much to do on my "big" layout, I have started an Inglenook on a bracket-less shelf just so I can buy an eight sided dice and repurpose some 40' boxcars. I'm looking to be able to take the layout out of the basement to sunlight for photography and switching activities on the patio. I could see a tidy shelf layout above the CCMR with the inaccessible portions above the CCMR. Always great content, Thanks Eric.

Good topic and some good thoughts. People all use different motivations, so every model railroader has a different approach to building, rebuilding, restarting, etc. Personally, I like building the models. Yes, I hope to overcome my wiring deficiencies and be able to operate trains and do switching, but the real joy is in building and painting and doing scenery. One of my personal considerations is the old Grim Reaper. I wonder if I would have time to start over, so I keep modifying the layout that I still have in construction. You sound young enough that this shouldn't be a big concern for you. You seem to have an artistic bent, so you have to decide, "Am I making art to please myself, or do I want to get appreciation from the people in the gallery?". I am quite influenced by other modelers but in the end I decide if the layout is pleasing ME. I really enjoy watching the episodes of Chicago Crossing, and I have already learned from you. I understand about a busy life. I had a 450year career in technical support to surgery, so my schedule was full and chaotic, plus I have a family. The models are my escape from reality. I hope you are able to balance career, home, family and other activites and still have time to enjoy the crazy hobby of model railroading. Thanks for putting out the stuff that you do.

One can argue a layout is done when the creator decides to do no more work on it. Whether they tear it up and start over, or run trains on what they built, the layout is done. And perfect can very well be "the enemy of the good" where one fiddles so much they wreck a good overall layout. A Goose Island Module ("GIM") would be a far better idea than tearing up the CCMR (I'm very, very glad you won't tear it up or sell it; there are many fine scenes/views/sights/work on the layout). You can take what you learned from the CCMR and scratch your "Goose Island itch" while keeping the CCMR running until you merge the two with a bit of trackage. While you spoke of the CCMR being reminiscent of the North Side of Chicago, you've so captured the grittiness of the steel mills, vertical lift bridges, and the old-school manufacturing, storage depots, etc. (did I see a grain elevator mimicking perhaps the old Cargil facility off Torrence Avenue, or the Port District off of I-94?) of the Southeast Side (South Deering/Irondale/East Side/Roseland) neighborhoods that your layout is truly art to those of us who have seen those scenes firsthand. They had their own stark beauty for those who could see it.

This is a awesome layout. Um a um as the world keeps moving so does our model world. Yes your layout is very very well detailed. I think that your model railroad is just the right size. Not so big that you feel so overwhelmed. Or worse it does not reach the level that you have achieved. Oh by the way. They are not impirfections. As a famous artist always said. It is a happy mistake that can be fixed. You are in control of your world. The railroad will show you where the train will go. Where the cars go.and the little people that live in your world. They come and they go. They get on the trains to get to work . Do their job. The world is what you are trying to express. As simple or as complex as you want it. But making it your own and that you will not get board of your effort. Be satisfied of what you have accomplished. And what you want in the future without destroying what all your efforts you have used to achieve your current status. I like it and it stays with you. Awesome sauce. The thing with having the layout that you have completed. Is it really completed. Or have you got to grow beyond it. John Allen once said. A model railroad is not truly finished. Time changes everything. It controls the layout effects. Enjoy the hobby. Oh by the way. It is not a matter of where the train is going. What really matters is. Deciding to get on and starting a new adventure. ( Polar Express).

I love the concept of railroad talk. I left a comment on your last segment. I will be 70 in November, so I'll never really finish my layout. I'm about to start the bench work on my new freelance layout. I have been making paper plans for almost a year. I spend a lot of time on buildings, rolling stock and vehicles. Once the bench work comes together, I'll have a lot of stuff ready. I look at a layout the way a war gamer looks at the gaming table. I want the freedom to be able to generate any scenario that you would encounter in real life. Could you start a new project and be able run trains from the layout you have now to the new project? Use the new project as an extension.

Eric, Glad you are thinking ahead, but keeping CCMR. I have been so influenced by CCMR, I am learning a lot from you. Fact is it took several videos for me to realize, this was N scale, not HO, then I was really amazed. I have never lived in the Chicago area, only briefly visited a couple times. I am a Carman for the Union Pacific, Railroad family, based in Oregon. My goal is a HO Chicago area in 1964, based layout, with lots of interchange, but primarily The Milwaukee Road. I had a random encounter with a Milwaukee Road Bay Window Caboose in Portland, in 1975. I was hooked on The Milwaukee Road, from then on, then came Bill Denton's Kingsbury branch, and the rest is history. I grew up in the cabs of Switch Engines, so I like your thoughts on going forward a lot. There was a comment that suggested you work CCMR into the future plans. That could maybe work, connect off the stub yard behind the bakery. You layout is very special, glad you are keeping it.

Absolutely wonderful. Good to see you on again.

As long as it holds your interest, is as long as you will keep it. I’ve done enough of them, and that’s always the deciding factor, ask my wife, she can’t figure it out, I was one of them, build, change, tear down, start over guys, the last one, had pretty much everything on my wishlist , but I finally stepped back and looked at it, it was too much, and it had turned into the spaghetti bowl, that I was trying to avoid, about that time, I was seeing the shelf layout’s and really weighed the options,( here’s a tip, if you have to duck under your layout to get into it to operate, don’t put your workbench on the outside of it) I did have a lift out, and a swing gate, but ended up going solid bench work because of track work, finally had enough and downsized? To a 2 ft wide shelf, I model in ho, around 3 walls, 26 by 12 by 12, which could have been half that size, but I always think I have to use it all, just the way I’m wired, I guess, but I’m into it a couple years, finally got the track layed out the way I want it, ( slow process, I’ll operate for a while and make adjustments, think I moved every building twice, to get a good flow of traffic/ operation, I’m a switching guy, ) but now I’m seeing the scenes and how you can immerse yourself in a foot by a foot, now this looks huge! So as long as it holds your interest, it’s never done! There’s always something that hits you and you want to add it to the scene, and on another note, I’ve been on a kick with the British layouts on you tube, their scenery is amazing! Along with yours! Well that’s enough, and don’t forget model railroading is fun!

A very insightful video. Thank you. I think I live in fear of ‘finishing’ the layout, because every layout I’ve ever called ‘done’ has met its demise shortly thereafter. I think that’s one of the reasons I expanded the trackplan to include the British section. Now that that section is essentially complete, I’m left with a very finite amount of work left to do. So, like you, I’m now considering another layout. It might be a switching layout, or perhaps a tabletop arrangement, but it’s looming out there. As far as the tunnels go, I tend to use them to hide unrealistic curves. That, and they add that disappearing, reappearing aspect as well. In the end, it’s what you’re pleased with that matters most. I think Chicago Crossings is a wonderful layout and certainly a work of art but I understand the itch to start a new page. I’m excited to see where you end up going. Brooklyn

A very interesting assessment. I have a relatively large basement layout that started as a way to occupy myself during the early days of COVID lockdowns. It has grown into a 75% completed layout and like you I occasionally ponder where to from here, I am considering building a module or two to some standard such as Freemo linking via a spur to my existing layout. This may give 5h3 option to attend some group displays in the future. Regards Peter from Downunder (Australia).

Great video

Yes the shelf in that room is ideal! Starting a new "switching section" that could be included in a shelf layout would be great. I really appreciate your details and videos.

Well said! I find too that creating scenes and improving existing scenes is more satisfying than actually operating my trains - might also be because my track needs a bit of work to make it more reliable. I'm also considering building a switching layout for my office. Maybe a section of Shinkansen line in Japan. But like you, I also have a full time highly demanding job and often in the evening I just don't have the energy anymore to do any modelling.

Time, space and money dictate layout size for most of us, you have built a nice looking and running Railroad that fit your purpose for now, and it also works perfectly for just railfanning too!! I love seeing different size layouts and scales, from yours and Boomers Diorama to bigger layouts like Tim Garlands Seaboard Central and Daryl Kruse's massive UP layout and also Norms Trains who models in O scale, when the Train bug bites there is no cure!!! I myself was bit at 5 years old with a ride on a NYC SW7 switcher in Anderson Indiana and Ive been a diehard Conrail fan since 76!!! Keep doing what your doing and I'll keep watching Eric!!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

It's kind of like the U.S. Constitution, as a living document. The CCRM railroad has multiple things that change in real life. For instants ....The Dog eating that slice of Pizza. ....finally!! (I miss Chicago Pizza so much) Moving vehicles around. Painting more graffiti on the sides of.....Everything. Facts of life in Chicago (all cities) is gang's come and go. gang art will always be there. Not sure if the work crews can move, but hey, why not. Once you get into "The Operations" of the layout and come up with car movements and Amtrak blocking everything, I think that it will become more fun and relaxing for you. And, I hope that you don't remove the Bridge/hill project.

If you're looking for validation on that question, you answered it yourself. When you've gone as far as your abilities can take you, and or, mama says you're done....you're done😂. And don't beat yourself up over the tunnel, who doesn't want one on thier layout...know what i mean, say no more😂😂besides, it has viaduct vibes to it, & you've earned your artistic license.

Thanks again for all the great thoughts and whether you know or not "ideas" . I guess I didn't know you were living in Denver . I grew up in Colorado Springs . And I have mentioned to you , I lived for a short time int he Northbrook/ Highland Park area . So I have lived in quite a few states over my younger years . Your talent is way beyond my capabilities , but I will keep trying to make my layout better . Your layout is wonderful . Thanks for your content in this video .

Eric, I've been following your videos for a while now. I love the "feel" of the layout and how much you have gotten out of such a small layout footprint. Thanks for putting it out there to inspire the rest of us! There's lots of interesting thoughts in the video and I can relate to some of them, having burned out in a way too big layout build. As you say yourself there's still stuff to improve on the Chicago Crossing but maybe that improvement is better done when building something new. Just a few comments that jumped to mind while listening to your video: - I've been loking into the mini/micro layout idea as well. I highly recommend James Hilton's channel for inspiration. - If building new please consider code 40 track. One thing that always gives away N-scale is the track and code 40 looks significantly better - at least on non-mainline tracks. - Uniformity of detail levels and "fineness" in the scenes is at least as important as the amount of details. - That tunnel works because it is in a corner and out of general sightlines. But a corner of an elevated freeway would hide the curve just as well. ;-)

You said it best it art it's like a painting will you destroy a painting that you finish no you won't I feel the way about model railroad that how I feel about my layout it's my art 2nd people complain about money why would throw away money like that I just take my time an as you say it's art keep the layout

Maybe you can always add more or change things or improve them but your layout looks great as it is now everywhere :-)

I’d love to see a video on how you weather your track

Maybe Its time to think about doing T-TRAK there are clubs everywhere.

Hi Eric, Will you be attending the N-Scale Enthusiast Convention this year in Bethlehem? If yes, hopefully we can talk trains and as they say "put a face to a name". As for when is a layout done, I agree with you 100%, the layout is not done, we are done with the layout. I may have mentioned this before, but I think the majority of Model Railroaders are either, builders or operators. I know a few guys who are builders and have zero interest in prototype operations, so for them when the railroad reaches the 95% mark, their interests begins to wane and not long after that point, the saws come out and goodbye layout. Which within a short period of time, a new layout is started. On the other end of the spectrum, the operators I know, I have been operating on the same layout for years, but over that period of time, they've made track plan changes to improve operation. Only a couple have completely removed the original layout and started over, manly because there were just too many issues with the original layout, so it was more of a learning experience and those mistakes are improved upon and corrected in the next operation based layout. Now Eric, for your specific question, my advise is stop focusing on the end. Model Railroading is meant to be a "Lifetime" hobby. Stop worrying about if I start a new layout, will I ever get it finished. Now I think it's wise to build your around the wall shelf layout in sections, but don't put a timeline on when you think it needs to be completed. Just my personal opinion but I think too many folks get burned out in the hobby because they think they should have a layout constructed in x amount of time and when it appears they are not going to meet that deadline, they start working on the layout like a second job. This leads to layout burnout. A very good friend of mine has the traditional basement layout, but he built it in sections. The entire layout was built for prototype operations, but he didn't need to have the entire layout finished to operate the layout. Having one section up and running, kept the mojo going to build the next section. He's now been operating on that same layout for 46 years. But I think what keeps the interest going is, he's not a lone wolf operator and it's the crews that keep coming back have added to the longevity of the layout. My own 24" x 80" Hollow Core Door layout has been in existence now for 20 years. The track work is still the same as when it was first spiked down 20 years ago, but the operating scheme has changed over that time. But one thing that I found fun, was when a friend stopped by to run the local on my layout. It was neat to see someone else running the local and it was satisfying my idea actually worked with someone else at the controls. If you have a few model railroad friends nearby, I suggest you invite them over to just do a little switching on your layout, at that point you'll see your layout in a entirely new light. In closing, I very much enjoy your videos, thank you for uploading them and I look forward to more on your CCMR and possible a new Goose Island layout. Kind Regards, Rich S.

One thing on ever model railroad I've ever seen - the cars/trucks and particularly parking lots just don't quite look "right" - I think it is weathering

Is there more room to just add on?

If anything add to what you have don't destroy it add to it

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/prx4mZh3mqy-d5s.htmlsi=raXEadBLyfC7eKOl Happy sunday Eric. I offer you a nice relaxation time with that video. It started like all layouts, then became a museum open to public. Ain´t too big with 1,271 miles of HO track. 120 locomotives and 1 560 railcars. If you ask yourself to expand just a little bit your 3 X 7 empire. Smart overhead "rolling bridge" for maintenance. Sub titles in english available Enjoy, you deserve it😊

Scale and date. Is the layout stop for ever august 3rd 1972 ? Or is it the seventies ? Or today minus 12 years (april 20th 2012) ? Just that point of time will dictate research time and modeling accordingly. The second one is more vague. The Beach Boys or Saturday night fever ? The third one implies that you follow new trends as they appeared. What if you model Conrail ? CR is gone. Repaint locos ? Old ones get scrapped. CN SD40 are no more. Your downtown streets cars must be replaced to. Money and work. Scale is funny also. The smaller the more intricate details are in. Like in that N scale project, while in O, there is still 3 rails track. On G, there is some buildings along track in the garden. Nothing is weathered except by mother nature. Flowers here, some tiny bushes there. In 1/8, where YOU sit ON your train there is almost nothing. The real surrounding scenery IS the layout. There is marvelous rolling stock. Ya a 40 ' boxcar is 6 feet long ! A UP Big Boy is 12 feet long. But for many a plywood four wheel critter not really too sexy is fabulous. They built it, sit on it, and that thing moves you and sometimes is even use for real chores on the property. Bigger scales also exist. You´re no more ON, but IN . If you continue you´re in full scale narrow gauge and so on. When any of them is really finish ? Never. Thanks and enjoy your week end.

When you finally run out of money?