Wendell1976

Wendell,

It's a real shame that such great small "achievable" (and realistic) layout's like this one aren't featured more often in the magazines. I guess we all start out thinking that we must have a very large layout, but few of us will ever build one. I've been modeling since I was a teenager (more years ago than I care to remember) and although I started several large layouts, none of them ever got past getting some track laid and operating, before I gave up on them.

 

Since I retired in 2009, I've gotten more enjoyment out of messing around with my 18 in X 20 ft "switching layout" then I ever did with some of the never completed "dream layouts". I think Mal should submit his layout to a couple of the magazines and see if we can get more people interested in a small layout that can actually be completed and most of all - is prototypical. Would love to see more small layout plans then the constant articles about layouts that fill a basement and took 10 people to build and that many to operate it.

 

Ed, Kentucky

Amen, Ed! I really think Mal should ask Model Railroader to feature his layout in their magazine. If that doesn't work, then definitely Model Railroad Hobbyist will absolutely be interested. Not only building a large basement-filled layout takes a lot of time, but it takes a lot of money to build. Add in the cost for all the turnouts/switches that are being used on that layout and most people cannot afford to build a layout that vast.

Wendell

Idaho, USA

Earwicker, I had just found this thread today. I had just joined www.rmweb.co.uk a few days ago. Anyways, I have enjoyed looking at the pictures of your layout. You have done a really good job. Williams, Arizona and Needles, California is along the Interstate 40 freeway in the American Southwest. I have traversed along that highway a lot of times as a truck driver. You have captured the scenery aspect of that part of America. Keep up the good work!

Wendell

Idaho, USA

A model railroad that is based in my hometown of the Los Angeles area. Nice! I really would like to see this layout when it is completed(with scenery).

Wendell

I know the plan you're talking about and many more like it. I think the "positive reaction" you see is based on a general lack of knowledge about how real railroads are operated and built with the least amount of track necessary, and the worn out thinking that "operation" means you have to have more track and switches or it's boring; rather than duplicating actual operations. How many times have you seen people post something like "you'll be sorry if you don't put a runaround siding/loop on your plan" even if what you're modeling wouldn't have any need for it. Stick to your guns!

LNRR, as an American, I cannot agree with you more. The mainstream paper magazines here in The States show a lot of track plans with too many turnouts in it. Most Americans will support a Timesaver layout but they will frown when they see a Inglenook layout. Building trains on a Inglenook layout is prototypical! I had just talked to a professional railroader today about switching a yard. He told me that the railroad builds a train with cars in chronological order of delivery. Americans need to look at the prototype in building their layouts instead of building a "puzzle" layout.

Wendell

Idaho, USA

Mal, you have done a really great job with your Marlborough Branch layout. I like the second version of your layout without the runaround track. Keep up the good work! I wish the paper magazines here in America would feature more small layouts like yours.

Wendell

Idaho, USA

Dr Quinn sent me this link yesterday, as I'm planning a Paper Mill on a 3-2-2 (+1 road) Inglenook....:

 

http://www.wnrr.net/raven.html

298, that is good you are building a Inglenook layout off of a paper mill from the Washington Northern Railroad layout. The WN is one of my favorite bedroom-sized layouts that Model Railroader has featured.

Wendell

As always, I enjoy seeing pictures of your Chicago-based layout here in The States. Keep up the good work in model railroading!

Wendell

Nice BNSF layout representing my hometown of the Los Angeles area, Dan! I love it!

Wendell

There are a lot of paper mills in the Pacific Northwest region of North America(Idaho, Oregon, Washington State, and British Columbia).

Wendell

I know that I am late to this thread(I had just started a new account to this website about a week ago), but I want to say that I really enjoy all of the small layout examples on this thread. I had just built a 4-3-2 N scale Inglenook layout with a switching lead capacity of one locomotive and two cars. I am using six cars on the layout.

Wendell

Idaho, USA