Manual Routes with the Central Station 3 (CS3 Episode 8)

This video shows how to create manual routes on the Märklin Central Station 3. The routes are arranged on the track diagram in an intuitive way for easy overview and usage. The tutorial shows how to create manual routes on a Control Diagram track diagram as this gives the best overview. However, all the techniques and methods can be used on the Panel track diagram as well. The idea is originally from Märklin Magazine 2/2021.

To see how to draw track diagrams and how to make events (routes) check out the following videos:
• Drawing Track Diagram/Track Board on the Märklin Central Station 3 (CS3 Episode 6):    • Drawing Track Diagram/Track Board on ...  
• Basic Events on the Märklin Central Station 3 (Automation Episode 4):    • Basic Events on the Märklin Central S...  

A small layout is with main station, branch station and a yard is used. Hints are given on how to create the routes, where to place signals and how to squeeze the layout into the CS3. The video gives recommendations for route abbreviations and how to group the routes in a matrix for easy overview.

The tutorial covers Central Station 3 with software version 2.4.0 (5). Newer versions should work the same, but some older may not. If you have an older software version consider upgrading your Central Station to the latest version. See the "update you CS3" video (CS3 Episode 2) for how to update to latest version:    • Updating Your Märklin Central Station...  .


Tips & How to included:
• How to create manual routes on the CS3
• How to use the manual routes
• How to arrange the routes on the Control Desk for easy overview
• Tip: squeezing the layout into the CS3
• Tip: Signals on small layouts
• Tip: Route abbreviations
• Tip: First set interfering signals to red, set turnouts, then the green signal to enter
• Tip: The "green dot" on the route indicates the route is set and ready to use
• Tip: After drag'n'drop into the route (Event) double check it is correct
• Tip: When you drag the text on the Control Desk it is there, but invisible
• Tip: Use the "hook" to snap to the track
• Tip: Group routes in a matrix for easy overview
• Tip: You can have "virtual" signals on the CS3 that are not on your layout
• Ideas on how to design the routes on your layout

Enjoy and have fun with model trains :-)

Interesting links (English):
Märklin: https://www.maerklin.de/en
Märklin Central Station 3: https://www.maerklin.de/en/products/d...
Märklin Central Station 3+: https://www.maerklin.de/en/products/d...
Märklin Central Station 3 Manual: http://streaming.maerklin.de/public-m...

Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:29 Layout overview
03:01 CS3 Control Desk diagram
03:28 How trains can move on the layout
04:50 Squeezing the layout into the Control Desk
05:53 Signals on the layout
08:06 Route abbreviations
10:33 Route content and setting the route (M3)
13:41 How to create the route
16:00 eXit routes from Main Track 3 (M3)
16:43 M3XB route with content
19:34 Main Track 2 (M2) routes
20:34 Grouping routes
23:30 Main Track 1 (M1) routes
24:09 Branch Station (B) routes
25:06 Yard (Y) routes
26:11 "All Stop" and "Reset"
26:54 Demo on my layout
34:54 Ideas for "Station through" routes
36:21 Adding Text & Routes to Control Desk
39:18 Outro