Trains.com

Whats the greatest 3 rail layout?

5793 views
19 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Adel, Iowa
  • 2,292 posts
Posted by jonadel on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 7:28 AM

It's this one because it's in my basement Smile 

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7113039967492295449#

Jon

So many roads, so little time. 

 

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,039 posts
Posted by fifedog on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 7:00 AM

Have to throw this one out there...

How many train enthusiaists has the Choo Choo Barn (Strasburg) inspired...?

Just think shear volume...

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: North East
  • 87 posts
Posted by Lionelking313 on Friday, March 19, 2010 4:14 PM

2 very well done layouts that come to mind for me is Mike Stella's Lionel Layout in California and Stan Roy's 32 Trains at once Lionel Layout...Still waiting for CTT to do a revisit with Stan to see what he has been up too, and to make a first visit to Mike Stella's layout.

When I am done with my 25 x50 Lionel layout, it will be one of the greatest!

 

Mark

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • 624 posts
Posted by fredswain on Friday, March 19, 2010 12:07 PM

I've been to Trainland a few times since I was a kid. While there's nothing ground breaking about it in terms of realism, it is a very fun layout. It is basically what I would describe as a basement sized postwar dream.

  • Member since
    July 2005
  • From: Northeast Missouri
  • 869 posts
Posted by SchemerBob on Friday, March 19, 2010 10:17 AM

Trainland USA in Colfax, Iowa is probably one of the greatest. Haven't been there myself since 2001 but it's very impressive. From what I remember, it's one of the largest O scale layouts. http://www.trainlandusa.com/menu.html 

Long live the BNSF .... AND its paint scheme. SchemerBob
  • Member since
    August 2006
  • 624 posts
Posted by fredswain on Friday, March 19, 2010 10:11 AM

I feel what WAS the greatest 3 rail layout was Frank Ellison's Delta Lines. Although it was outside 3rd rail, it was still 3 rail. Keep in mind he built it at a time when 2 rail already existed. He wrote in his book that it was much simpler wiring than 2 rail for a large pike which was he reason for using it. 2 rail wasn't as well understood back then and some things just weren't easy. Even today some things need to be done with electronics that have only become widespread in the past 15-20 years. Frank did have block detection and ran it quite like a real railroad. His layout was also the inspiration for many modelling techniques today. Not just in O scale. He pioneered cork roadbed and modern scenery methods and I have reason to believe he was also the inspiration for John Allen's Timesaver. I think John got the inspiration from a page of Frank's book. Sadly little remains of this masterpiece but in my opinion it is the pioneer great in O scale and what I think of when the topic of greatest is mentioned.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Plymouth, MI
  • 1,615 posts
Posted by chuck on Friday, March 19, 2010 7:18 AM
This one should be on the list: http://www.cherelvalleyrailroad.com/main.html
When everything else fails, play dead
  • Member since
    July 2007
  • 10 posts
Posted by dook on Thursday, March 18, 2010 12:34 PM
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Lake Worth FL
  • 4,014 posts
Posted by phillyreading on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 4:37 PM

lionroar88

Roadside America.

http://www.roadsideamericainc.com/

May not be the most 'realistic' but it is by far and away the neatest, most nostalgic, PostWar layout. And the fact that every structure was handmade by one man is simply amazing.

I have to agree with Brent on this one, have been there several times. It is a very large O gauge layout, and the original owner made the houses so sturdy that he could even sit on them. I think he tried to model Berks County PA. 

Roadside America is located in Shartlesville PA, near Hamburg PA, just off of I-78 exit, or on old route 22.

Lee F.

Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Crystal Lake, IL
  • 8,059 posts
Posted by cnw1995 on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 1:02 PM

 Laz, you beat me to it... Wink  Magnificence is in the eye of the beholder.  I always like to see the layouts featured in each CTT.

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: western ny
  • 342 posts
Posted by wsdimenna on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 11:35 AM

 Plan to see tony's in April... On the list I would include the Misty Mountain RR in Georgia

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Millersburg, Pa.
  • 7,607 posts
Posted by laz 57 on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 7:20 AM

I thought it was mine?  It pleases me and that's all that counts.

laz57

  There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991
  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Saint Leonard Md
  • 86 posts
Posted by zigg72md on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 12:04 AM

Any list of great 3 rail layouts must include Tony Lash's layout. Also the layout at the Smoky Mountain Trains is quite spetacular.

 http://smokymtntrains.com/

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Sandy Eggo
  • 5,608 posts
Posted by dougdagrump on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 10:05 PM

RockIsland52

Doug.....that link is not working.  Jack.

Guess I'll have to do something about the data entry clerk.

I'm Fired !  Sigh

Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.

www.sd3r.org

Proud New Member Of The NRA

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Jelloway Creek, OH - Elv. 1100
  • 7,578 posts
Posted by Buckeye Riveter on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 8:59 PM

Roadside America is a good one, but I really think that the San Diego layout is one of the best I have seen.  It inspired me to pack up the HO and start over.

Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum. Smile, Wink & Grin

Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..

Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR

TCA 09-64284

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Sunny So. Cal.
  • 3,784 posts
Posted by dbaker48 on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 8:57 PM

YOURS !!!!!

Don

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 8:46 PM

Roadside America.

http://www.roadsideamericainc.com/

May not be the most 'realistic' but it is by far and away the neatest, most nostalgic, PostWar layout. And the fact that every structure was handmade by one man is simply amazing.

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: Cape Ann Taxachusetts
  • 3,780 posts
Posted by RockIsland52 on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 8:42 PM

Doug.....that link is not working.  Jack.

IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Sandy Eggo
  • 5,608 posts
Posted by dougdagrump on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 8:28 PM

Just couldn't pass up this chance: www.sd3r.org

Oops, corrected a booboo. Ashamed

If you click on the link to our site take the "Layout Tour", it's on the links on the left hand side of the screen.

Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.

www.sd3r.org

Proud New Member Of The NRA

  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: St. Paul, Minnesota
  • 2,116 posts
Whats the greatest 3 rail layout?
Posted by Boyd on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 8:08 PM

Not necessarily the biggest, but more like the finest 3 rail O gauge layout known out there, I am wondering. If someone made one as good as John Allens Gorre & Dafeted I would be quite impressed.

Modeling the "Fargo Area Rapid Transit" in O scale 3 rail.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month