Klubhaus Bulletin — February 2026
New Modular Layout Project
The club has begun work on a new generation of modular layouts. Our permanent layout consisting of nearly 30 modules, while valued by members, is now mature but somewhat fragile. We have decided to leave it permanently installed in our facility so members can continue running trains year-round without interruption.
Experience has shown that transporting the layout to exhibitions takes a considerable toll — often requiring several months of repairs before it becomes operational again. This disruption limits member use and strains our maintenance capabilities.
The new modular system provides an opportunity for members who have not previously built modules, as most of our existing modules are 10-20 years old. We are developing specifications for lightweight modules that will be straightforward to set up and transport. Our design incorporates proven practices from both the ETE standard and the Sipping and Switching Society of North Carolina’s specifications – each module built using a metal template fixing locating pins and tracks precisely, allowing for quick and consistent setup without tedious adjustments.
Central Station System Modernization
We are also upgrading our digital command control infrastructure. Our current setup — an older ECOS station with LocoNet Uhlenbrock devices has increasingly become cumbersome with reliability and compatibility issues.
The club is transitioning to the Märklin Central Station 3. This system’s web interface provides throttle access, allowing multiple operators to control trains from their own devices without additional hardware. We currently have 6 hardwired control desks, now being replaced with virtual control desks on the web throttles. This approach should make our operating sessions more practical for all members. A major reason for upgrading is to attract new members, and being able to walk in off the street, scan a QR code, and then have a throttle to drive trains we hope will be a major draw. Preliminary testing has been very successful.
Both initiatives reflect our commitment to maintaining what serves us well while making improvements for the years ahead. We already have seen encouraging signs that the above efforts attract new members! We will provide updates on both projects in future bulletins.
