When discussing my "new" layout in the past year, I have sometimes described it as '"just a loop" which could have some possible slight negative connotations to some. If you have been here or have seen my photos while temporary I have a 2' high Masonite background around 90% of the inner circumference. It really helped greatly for taking photos and break up the constant line of sight of the trains as they run.
I say the Masonite is temporary because I hope to add about 14" to the width of the layout over the winter to make the layout wider to clear a hearing duct with the background. This will also slightly break up the 2 180 degree turns. Recently it occurred to me that MOST layouts are "just a loop". The main difference to mine is how elaborate the others might be. I have been to an HO layout that has track at 50" high to over 10 feet high. There is a walk platform 5 feet off the floor around half the MASSIVE basement to see and operate the upper levels. It has a lap time of nonstop running of 45 minutes! But it is still a loop. To make something significantly more elaborate than I have you need LOTS of space, LOTS of money, LOTS of time and patience to go the long haul for possibly years before trains could run. I had NONE of that - especially lots of space and money. Without them the rest does not matter much! Perhaps my increasing interest in the PRSL has affected my thoughts about multiple level deck layouts. Flat is where it's at! (:->) I have 2) 24' long straight sections which is more than some have. I have nice 60"+ radius curves. Once the trains go around the corner they are out of sight for a little while. Maybe I should not be so "it's just a loop" on myself after all. I have a branch line in my head that is possible now that the workbench is in my shop. It would add another yard with about 30 feet more of benchwork and possibly a turntable which **I really want**. hopefully it will happen but if not I will continue on with what I started. Thank You, Bill Lane Modeling the Mighty Pennsy & PRSL in 1957 in S Scale since 1988 See my finished models at: <http://www.lanestrains.com/> http://www.lanestrains.com Look at what has been made in PRR in S Scale! See my layout progess at: <http://www.lanestrains.com/My_Layout.htm> http://www.lanestrains.com/My_Layout.htm Custom Train Parts Design <http://www.lanestrains.com/SolidWorks_Modeling.htm> http://www.lanestrains.com/SolidWorks_Modeling.htm PRR Builders Photos Bought, Sold & Traded (Trading is MUCH preferred) <http://www.lanestrains.com/PRRphotos.xls> http://www.lanestrains.com/PRRphotos.xls ***Join the PRR T&HS*** The other members are not ALL like me! <http://www.prrths.com/> http://www.prrths.com <http://www.lanestrains.com/PRRTHS_Application.pdf> http://www.lanestrains.com/PRRTHS_Application.pdf Join the Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Lines Historical Society It's FREE to join! <http://www.prslhs.com/> http://www.prslhs.com Preserving The Memory Of The PRSL
