It's been quite some time since we talked about our layouts, so let us know what you have and why you built it that way (or how you plan to build it). What would you do differently if you could start over?
In my case, I have a planned layout in an area about 11 x 35 and am planning on an around the wall layout. I never thought much of this until Jim Six happened to move nearby and I've been helping him on his 11 x 55 around the wall layout (in HO unfortunately). I was impressed with the looks of it, and especially the cost of the benchwork (under 350 bucks total for wood, foamboard, ceiling tile and drywall screws) and no legs to trip over! This layout uses a foamboard base with ceiling tiles on top and it is probably the quietest layout I've ever heard. I'll be using the same process on my Winona Railroad in northern Indiana in early 1947, so will have some hills, but not much elevation. Photos of Jim's construction techniques are at <http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b337/jsix/?start=all> - my Surfoam is even pictured! <vbg> At least one of our group members has also visited Jim's layout - it would be interesting to hear his perspective. He was there in the early construction phase I believe. I'm still evaluating handlaying vs. flextrack. I just realized I planned to order some track in April for evaluation and still haven't gotten around to it. I've always leaned towards handlaying, but there is some very nice flextrack out now. I'll likely be using code 70. The Winona was a former interurban, and some of the original track was used its entire life. She had 2 GE 44 tonners, a couple propane electrics and a critter. I tend to be a perfectionist, which has really held me back, but I'm starting to learn to just do it. I fell in love with the Toledo & Ohio Central (NYC Lines) years ago and wanted to model it, but the perfect branch line (east part of the St. Marys branch from outside Columbus, OH to Bellefontaine) was abandoned in 1948 (not used much for many years prior), the west part was abandoned on 4/1/76, taking 2 days and 3 derailments for the final run (less than 30 miles) but this didn't have what I wanted. The two mainlines (today's NS West Virginia Secondary) had lots of chemical and coal traffic which I loved, but I don't have the space for it. Then while doing research for Jim's Big Four, I realized the parallel Winona had everything I loved. Lots of tank cars (two bulk oil distributors), hoppers (3300 car loads of sand and gravel a year to the Wabash), egg traffic (the only cars the line had for interchange were reefers) and other unusual businesses. There were also 7 interchanges with major lines in its 66 mile length (off the top of my head, NYC, PRR, B&O, Erie, Wabash (twice), NKP). What have I learned so far? To help on other layouts so my misteaks are made on their layouts. <vbg> The disadvantage to this is my modeling time is taken up on other layouts. I've helped on one HO layout weekly for over 17 years now, and been with Jim for 2 years now at least once a week. I also have 4 kids (and a wife), so don't have much other free time for my layout. It also helps to be around others that challenge your thinking. <vbg> Mark Plank -- Be Yourself @ mail.com! Choose From 200+ Email Addresses Get a Free Account at www.mail.com ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
