Virtual model train expo layout competiton! v6.4

Here's a fun idea, how about a virtual model train expo hosted in Rolling Line multiplayer!

As far as I'm aware, I don't think there has ever been a "virtual model train expo" before, so this might be a world first. The plan is to combine several community made maps together into a single save file and then host this as a multiplayer server for people to join and view on a set date/time.

But there will be more info about that later, because the first part of this event is a map making competition to create the maps for the expo!

Create your own layout entry

The goal of this map making competition is to build a model railway themed map, like one you could imagine building in real life. Details that make it feel more "model railroady" are heavily encouraged!

At the end of the event, I'll personally choose my favorite top 8 eligible entries and combine them together into the expo map.

You can either make a small 7x3 sized layout to be in the running to get chosen for inclusion in the expo map, or you can make a normal map of any size!

If you want to have a chance of your map being included in the expo map after this comp ends, then your layout must fit within the allotted space (which is 7 tables long, 3 tables wide, with a half table width margin).

But if you don't want to work within this size limit and just want to make a normal larger map you can still do this (it just won't be eligible for the expo). At the end of the comp I'll shout out my favorites.

Here is the floor plan for the expo, featuring 8 layouts (green) and 5 vendor stands (blue):

The vendor stands (blue areas) are going to be built by me and will feature some of the fictional in-game brands from the magazines! (like KEA models, Twizel track, Slivereye electronics, etc)

Start from a template

If you want your map entry to be eligible for being included in the expo it needs to fit within the 7x3 table size limit. When starting a new game you can select a range of example templates, including a simple empty table which has the boundaries drawn on the ground:

There's also a few other example maps that fit within the same size to give you some inspiration! You can use these as a template as well if you want:

And thank you to Devvy, Turnerdeedo and Pyro Tank for making number 2, 3 & 5 of the example maps!

You can use any table shape and arrangement you like, as long as it fits within the margins drawn on the ground. You can also use any track scale! So if you want to make a more complex map with lots of track then an N scale map would be perfect.

How to submit your map

When you have made a map simply upload it to the Steam Workshop as normal and tick the "Model train expo 2026 entry" button:

Using mods

You can use any mods you like (props, trains, track) but please keep in mind that several different maps all need to be combined together at the end, so using too many mods will make the final combined map more laggy, so please use mods sparingly.

E.g. if your map uses a really detailed track style mod that takes twice as long to load as default track, then it likely won't be able to be included in the expo map.

Maps that use official built-in props and track will be more likely to be chosen.

And depending on how many mods you use, some trains might be removed from the map when it gets combined into the expo map if it is chosen.

Full list of rules

• The main goal of this map comp is to fit the "model railroady" theme, which means building a layout that you could imagine existing in real life.
• If you want your map to be eligible for inclusion in the expo map at the end of the comp then it must fit inside the 7x3 table size (+ 1/2 table width margin).
• You can still make a map larger than this, but if you do then it will not be included in the expo map (but it might still get a shout-out at the end of the comp if it's one of my favorites!).
• Your map must be uploaded to the Steam Workshop by November 29th with the "model train expo 2026" tag applied.
• You can make as many different entries as you like.
• You can work with other people, or by yourself.
• You can use any scale you like.
• You can use any table shape you like (it doesn't need to be a rectangle).
• You can use as many mods as you want, but using less is encouraged.
• You can work on a map which you had already started before this even began, but it must still fit the theme and a significant amount of work must have been done especially for this event (e.g. you can't just upload an old map your already made with no additions).
• If you want to be eligible for the expo map, please don't build a miniature-only skybox. If you do this will need to be removed to be included in the expo map.

When will the expo happen?

Once the comp is done I will make a news post announcing the winners and the date for the official expo! This will likely be over a weekend, and I will personally be hosting a server for as much of that time as I can, but I'll also encourage people to host their own severs using the expo map (which will be included in the game as an official map).

So keep an eye out at the end of this competition for more news and dates.

Halloween mode

Since it's also almost Halloween, I've enabled all of the special Halloween specific features like the custom main menus. You can also find a bunch of Halloween themed props in the "Misc" drawer.

There's even a loot pumpkin which you can open to get special train variations (and tons of candy):

And of course the ghost trains!

New table wall props

This update also adds some especially model-railroady new props!

These include some shorter wall backdrop segments which are about the right size to stand behind them and look over the top (like at a model train expo).

And there's also a new plastic foreground wall which you would commonly see on layouts where they want to protect the scenery from getting damaged:

New circuitry props

This update also adds some new circuity props, which are:

• New style of lever switches
• New style of button switches
• Light-up colored buttons (when they are pressed they glow in the dark)

There are also some minor visual changes to these circuit objects to make the inputs/outputs more clear:

Other fixes & features

This update also includes:

• The track presets in the drawers now auto scale their shape to different track scales (e.g. N, HO, etc), so setting the scale to N for example will give you smaller turnouts that are much more usable in N scale.
• Fixed snapping issue on table backdrop props
• Fixed some bugs relating to placing terrain on the ground at very low framerates
• Cleaned up various parts of the table and backdrop drawers and changed their order
• Fixed the curve on several of the table backdrop props
• The "boundary edge" props used in the expo map templates can be found in the "room -> baseboards" drawer

And that's all for now!

If you have any questions about this map making competition please ask in the comments and I'll clarify things. I hope you all have fun making maps!

Since the allotted space for your expo map submissions is quite small you can definitely make multiple entries and try out a bunch of different ideas. I'm personally quite keen to do some submissions myself.

Enjoy!

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