Just Another Layout Challenge of the Week Rant

[Frank53]

can't figure out the motivation behind featuring professionally built layouts in the layout challenge of the week.

This week a Clarke Dunham built layout meets another layout I don't know the history of.

If you're willing to spend enough money to have pros build your layout, you have the greatest layout ever. But the folks who go the build-it-yourself route always get my vote.

How about putting up a few photos of Jim Apitz's great self built fast track layout? It's not the biggest, but he built it himself and the individual scenes rival much of what the pros build.

[Jumijo]

 

Although I'm flattered to know you think so highly of my layout, Frank, I wouldn't want it pitted against another's in a popularity contest. I believe all those layouts are winners.

That and the fact that Clarke Dunham would eat me for lunch! I greatly admire his work.

Jim 

[cnw1995]

They're different styles alright but it's just really a single photo contest - which does one like better - totally subjective... I guess I don't mind it so much - I'd certainly vote often in the best Chicago style for Jim's or yours too, Frank!

[Frank53]

You are correct about it being a single photo contest Doug, I guess the "purchased" aspect manages to sneak under my skin every time I see it. There are so many folks doing such great work in their basements and spare rooms, it just seems to me their work as real entusiasts should be recognized.

[Demon09]

I can see where that might get to you, and there was a time when it would probably get to me too, but honestly, although I have recognized the fact that (in terms of work) it is much harder to make your layout than buy it, really I just tell myself it is a chance to vote on some really cool looking layouts.  Just the same as the layouts in CTT or any of the other magazines.  Some are user built, some are user bought, but either way, we read the articles and look at the pictures.

Not necessarily that one is better than another for whatever reason, for me it just seems to be whichever one I seem to be interested in at the moment I voted.  Regardless of how the individual got the layout, someone had to make it look the way it looks.  And if they managed to use a picture and some scenes that caught my eye, they got my vote that day.

And as far as your idea that everyone who is building their own layout as "real enthusiasts", I agree.  I always like to read an article about a son carrying on his father's tradition later in life, or about a family building a layout together.  But along with the idea of displaying their work, we have our forum here, and Sunday Photo fun is often my favorite viewing arena solely because it offers so much variety, and most often is a user-built layout, and even better, it offers me the chance to ask the makers questions about how they did things and what they used.  We all get our recognition, just in different ways.

 

[Blueberryhill RR]

You are correct about it being a single photo contest Doug, I guess the "purchased" aspect manages to sneak under my skin every time I see it. There are so many folks doing such great work in their basements and spare rooms, it just seems to me their work as real entusiasts should be recognized.

Very well put, Frank. I agree. Maybe they ought to ask us for our opinion, as to what is the best detail of each layout, instead of competition between them.

[Frank53]

thanks chuck - for example, they should ask us how we feel about tubular track!

[anjdevil2]

I like tubular track....

Maybe we should have a "home built" layout challenge here?

Personally, I just like seeing everybodys set ups.  I like yours, Frank.  I would have never thought of something like that.  It is unique  for sure!

[ChiefEagles]

Think most of us have said, "Trash it."  Guess no one listens.

[laz 57]

You know "this week challenge" vote for your favorite layout, isn't too bad a thing.  I get a kick out of looking at them and even if they are pro built it still can give one ideas to incorporate into their own layout.  Plus I like looking at them and then I vote.  Its not a true competion because they all look cool and win or loose these GIZ are still going to run their trains.  I for one want to see this thread keep on going because it has to deal with trains and if pros are doing it SO WHAT.  I can learn something from the pros,  BIG DEAL.

laz57

[Frank53]

You know "this week challenge" vote for your favorite layout, isn't too bad a thing.  I get a kick out of looking at them and even if they are pro built it still can give one ideas to incorporate into their own layout.  Plus I like looking at them and then I vote.  Its not a true competion because they all look cool and win or loose these GIZ are still going to run their trains.  I for one want to see this thread keep on going because it has to deal with trains and if pros are doing it SO WHAT.  I can learn something from the pros,  BIG DEAL.

laz57

The "big deal" for some folks, myself included, stems from the fact that anyone with enough dough can buy a layout. It takes some dedication and real enthusiasm for the hobby to put in the effort to build one. When I see a beautiful layout built by the owner, I am considerably more impressed than viewing a layout a guy just wrote a check for. If layouts are going to be showcased, it strikes me that the best layouts, representative of the spirit of the hobby are those that hobbyists build for themselves.

There are plenty of magazine articles and websites out there to learn from the pros.

[Frank53]

as an aisde, I see the reference to which of the two is a Clarke Dunham built layout has been removed.

[laz 57]

You know "this week challenge" vote for your favorite layout, isn't too bad a thing.  I get a kick out of looking at them and even if they are pro built it still can give one ideas to incorporate into their own layout.  Plus I like looking at them and then I vote.  Its not a true competion because they all look cool and win or loose these GIZ are still going to run their trains.  I for one want to see this thread keep on going because it has to deal with trains and if pros are doing it SO WHAT.  I can learn something from the pros,  BIG DEAL.

laz57

The "big deal" for some folks, myself included, stems from the fact that anyone with enough dough can buy a layout. It takes some dedication and real enthusiasm for the hobby to put in the effort to build one. When I see a beautiful layout built by the owner, I am considerably more impressed than viewing a layout a guy just wrote a check for. If layouts are going to be showcased, it strikes me that the best layouts, representative of the spirit of the hobby are those that hobbyists build for themselves.

There are plenty of magazine articles and websites out there to learn from the pros.

FRANK53 you are getting yourself all worked up over someone who has money and can buy things with it.  But if you look at those layouts and see something that you can use in your layout isn't that agood thing?  I myself and others have spent quite a few hours in the basement working on the layout and then go to a show or see something in a book that was done by the pros and smacks you in the head as it is so simple why didn't I think of it.  These things done by the pros help our hobbey not hurt it and to me it is awork of art.  And if you don't like the thread that CTT is doing then DON"T LOOK AT IT.  Its as simple as that, some of us do like to see what is out there.

laz57

[Frank53]

FRANK53 you are getting yourself all worked up over someone who has money and can buy things with it.

actually not. but I can see your motivation to make it appear that way.

"I'll take foundationless assumptions for $800.00, Alex"

[laz 57]

Then WHY rant FRANKIE, they're not going to change just for you.

laz57

[Frank53]

Then WHY rant FRANKIE, they're not going to change just for you.

laz57

funny thing about discussion boards, they're designed for discussion, exchange of ideas, and statement of diverse opinions. Just because I have an opinion on a subject doesn't mean I'm all worked up. It just means I have an opinion.

Obviously my comment regarding professionally built layouts did actually hit home with CTT, as they removed the reference in the "Layout Challenge" which stated one of the layouts was built by Clarke Dunham.

But don't let one of those pesky facts get in your way Laz.

[laz 57]

FRANK you stated your opinion and I stated mine.  It's an opinion,you have yours and I have mine, thats what a forum is for.

laz57

[daan]

If one has a busy job where spare time is scarce they usually don't spend their few hours of quality time in the basement. It's much easier for them to just buy a layout or give someone the job to build one and enjoy it yourself in your free time. Those people do excist. They usually have a wife to get rid of their money and so I think in that case it is wise to invest money on your hobby before the misses does it on hers..

But it's not my cup of thee to own a layout made by someone else.. On the contrary I have enough spare time, but less money to spend. It's another balance but with the same result. A layout you can enjoy.

I wouldn't like to miss the feeling when building a layout. The wiring is the lousiest part, but if it's done, it's done. I like building the scenery, searching ways to make a place look like something special and the enjoyment if it turns out the way you emagined it, or better then that. I wouldn't like to miss the building part, it gives a huge reward and much more to enjoy then simply run a train.

This is what I mean.. creating a scene with your own hands, with wood, chickenwire, plaster, paint, sand and stones. Building your own emagination in a room. No one else but yourself is able to do just that.

[Frank53]

FRANK you stated your opinion and I stated mine.  It's an opinion,you have yours and I have mine, thats what a forum is for.

laz57

Sounds like what I just said. Happy to have cleared up your obvious confusion on the issue. Try not getting so worked up next time.

[Frank53]

I wouldn't like to miss the feeling when building a layout. The wiring is the lousiest part, but if it's done, it's done. I like building the scenery, searching ways to make a place look like something special and the enjoyment if it turns out the way you emagined it, or better then that. I wouldn't like to miss the building part, it gives a huge reward and much more to enjoy then simply run a train.

This is what I mean.. creating a scene with your own hands, with wood, chickenwire, plaster, paint, sand and stones. Building your own emagination in a room. No one else but yourself is able to do just that.

I share your view Daan, and you are doing a great job.