Major Layout changes?

[Anonymous]

It seems that everyone is out on their summer adventures right now, probably why posts are low in the hobby neighborhood.
I was wondering, Has anyone had any recent major layout changes, in either scale or era or otherwise? I've recently converted my modern era N-scale layout back to mid-50's steam era. Yep, the steam bug has finally bit me and I'm glad. I've still kept a few diesels, SW9 switchers, SP Alco PA, but I have 2 new steamers on on the layout now! I moved into a condo last year, converting from HO to N scale. I have a 2'x4' layout with mostly brick buildings, planning that way in case I might have a change of era, which I did. I just sold most of my Kato & Atlas engines, keeping a couple in storage for any future plan changes, because you never know. Traded some of my rolling stock in for some more vintage equipment. I also kept a few pieces in storage, mainly cabooses which seem to be hard to find when you realy wnat them. I have a more realistic looking and operating layout now also. I went from 89' flat cars being tugged around by a monster SD90, to 30'-40' reefers and flats being pulled by a small 2-8-0. I'm finding it more enjoyable just to watch these steamers run too, with their piston firing away! I took a trip to Auburn Washington this summer and found an old NP steam locomotive in a park out there. Took a few pictures and it pretty much gave me this new or old inspiration.
Anyone else had any changes in your layouts recently? Let's hear them.
Later, Pete

[Anonymous]

Hey Pete,
I kept the same scale, era, and region but a plumbing repair in my basement motivated me to reconfigure the entire track plan. It meant tearing down a lot of work and starting some sections from scratch but much was salvagable. The best thing was that I redisigned the layout in a way to get rid of an inconvenient duck- under section. Change is hard but often good! :)
Ralph

[dknelson]

You know, when you go railfanning it is often interestng how often you can find the cement supports for long gone depots, water tanks, water spounts, coaling docks, and the like. This suggests to me that it should be fairly feasible to actually move the era of your layout back and forth -- modern to steam era -- with a few changes of structures, vehicles, and maybe signs. I know that things like RR crossings look a bit different now than they did but that might be livable -- you can't change everything but a few pretty simple changes could give you the ability to run EVERYTHING you like from 1950 to the present (fact that most railroads run through older sections of town helps too). And if you are like me you like everything, every era, and want to do it all yet don't want to make a fool of yourself running double stacks behind a 4-4-0
Dave Nelson