The Greatest

[vsmith]

Like all things, Greatness depends a great deal on personal preferences. My idea of Great:

Anything by Malcomn Furlow!

John Allens G&D

the F & SM for it cityscape

The original Los Angeles County Fairplex Outdoor model RR circa 1960's (before the rebuild) was also an amazing thing to see

All are excellent examples, different yet similar.

[Anonymous]

I think the G&D for it's time was spectacular. I don't particularly care for multiple tracks running through the same scene several times but it was common in that era to build that way. John was a true innovator and is always going to rate the highest with most everyone.

My all-time favorite layout was the Prospect & Upper Ridge of Bud Sima. It was a copy of the Ma&Pa and while his scenery, track and most everything wasn't up to the standards set by any of the railroads others have listed here it was a FUN railroad and Bud had more enjoyment with his modeling and layout than anyone else I've ever met and that's what this is supposed to be all about anyway.

One of my all-time favorites was the St. Clair Northern of Irv Schultz. He was a master craftsman and everything was just right! What a shame Keller never got a video out on this one!

I think the F&SM is awesome in its level of detail but I think George has really over-trashed and over-weathered everything. I like weathering and believe that everything should be weathered to some degree but the F&SM just looks beat. It's not someplace I'd like to live or visit!

I loved the original V&O but kinda lost interest when he switched eras and started boarding up stations, etc. Doesn't degrade the railroad but it just lost interest for me with the more modern look.

The AM was one of the greatest layouts ever and is sorely missed by me and many others. Tony is in a category with John Allen as far as I'm concerned...an innovator.

The Utah Belt has always fascinated me and I find that remarkable as I don't care for western scenery at all, prefer steam to diesel and I'm not a fan of the SP which the UB sort of copies. With that said I always thrill to a new article or photo of the railroad. I believe that says a lot for his layout.

Let's not forget the huge B&O HO layout they built and now resides in the B&O Museum. It was way ahead of its time with the automatic working signaling system.

Thanks for the question and jogging my brain about some of the great layouts we've been fortunate enough to share over the years.

Roger

[Anonymous]

One of the truly fantastic railroads of the country.......

The Sierra Pacific Lines built by the Pasadena Model Railroad club. Awsome. They run mostly western trains from all time periods. You never really know whats going to pop up. I never got a chance to visit there.

[ozzy01]

The V&O , Utah Belt ,CM&SF , Allegheny Midland and the Southern Rwy. Rathole Division being built by J.D. Smith. All operate in the same manner as the prototype.