How Big Is Too Big?

[METRO]

I know it must sound like it's not even a question, if I could have my way my layout would BE Southern Ontario, but in these days of selective compression and appartment layouts...

HOW BIG IS TOO BIG ON YOUR LINE?

For me, it's prototype length, I'll settle for a 6 car GO commuter rake, instead of the prototype 10, my platforms just won't fit em.

[vsmith]

If you need a golf cart to get from one side of the layout to the other???

Actually i would think if you cannot see the whole layout from one command spot then maybe its too big, at least for one person to control.

[EL PARRo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

If you need a golf cart to get from one side of the layout to the other???

lol, that is pretty big.

[Anonymous]

For me, its the point when money, Ideas, willingness to try things and talent all run out at the same time.

[Anonymous]

The golf cart answer.... maybe.

Actually, if we had to build a "zoo" railroad to view the layout, it might be getting a little extreme.

[Anonymous]

when you run out of time/money/energy to complete the scenery, then the layout's too big. At least, unless you have it professionally built, in which case it's too big when their estimate is more than your bank balance!

[Anonymous]

The golf cart one!

[Anonymous]

How big is too big? Trying to run a Big Boy on a 5x8 layout.

[ClinchValleySD40]

Layout size? No such thing as too big as long as you don't quit because you tried something you couldn't finish. Big enough would be when you're done building you are satisfied with what you have. And no such thing as too small if you realize and accept your restrictions.

[cnw4001]

QUOTE: Originally posted by METRO

I know it must sound like it's not even a question, if I could have my way my layout would BE Southern Ontario, but in these days of selective compression and appartment layouts...

HOW BIG IS TOO BIG ON YOUR LINE?

For me, it's prototype length, I'll settle for a 6 car GO commuter rake, instead of the prototype 10, my platforms just won't fit em.

Actually doesn't GO run some trains shorter than ten on lines other the Lakeshore? I have two six car rakes and they really look neat sitting side by side on our club layour.

[Anonymous]

1) When Uncle Pete or one of his lawyers knocks on your door looking for Trackage Rights on your system or he's trying a Hostile Take Over.

2) Your wife is going for the hostile take over.

3) Your offered shares by Walthers

[Anonymous]

Too big? When you have a railroad so big you look for excuses to postpone needed maintenance. Or when layout maintenance takes over half of your free time (provided, of course, that the original construction was not of the quicky slap together variety).

Tom

[Big_Boy_4005]

It doesn't matter how much space you have, you always want more. Personally I think I've met my match with 38' x 46' , working solo. It will take me a long time to fini***he major construction. Of course a layout is never finished.[:D]

[Anonymous]

what is te meaning of to big[?]

[RhB_HJ]

Too big is......:

a) when you have problems getting enough people for an op session

b) when it takes you two full days to get ready for an op session

c) when you have more maintenance hours than running hours, this could also be the result of "being in a hurry" aka shoddy workmanship.

d) when you must have a database with pictures to keep track of your rolling stock. (Unless you had a lousy memory to start with [;)][:o)][:o)])

e) when "there's no way" to remember how which is supposed to work together with what.

f) when your operators need to be retrained (no pun intended) prior to every session.

g) when ...............

OK ask me if you need more![;)][:)][:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergus

1) When Uncle Pete or one of his lawyers knocks on your door looking for Trackage Rights on your system or he's trying a Hostile Take Over.

And they want to get the rights to your logo.

[Anonymous]

It's TOO BIG when:

1) The IRS suddenly wants to audit your finances ("Sir, where's the money coming from for all of that model train equipment?").

2) Big Bertha looks like Skinny Minnie in comparison to your layout.

3) Your best friend suggests using your cell phone to reach his cell phone to communicate--and you're both in the basement.[(-D]

[Anonymous]

4) Your clock is set to UTC because your layout spans two or more time zones.

5) The police raid your place because you raise suspiscion due to your power consumption is in keeping with that of an illegal hydroponics growing lab.

6) Your power consumption is causing brown outs.

[joecool1212]

Its to big when it turns into a class 1 RR and you are on a first name basis with the FRA. Joe

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by joecool1212

Its to big when it turns into a class 1 RR and you are on a first name basis with the FRA. Joe

The FRA gives you Imminant Domain powers and tells you to get your neighbors properties for more trackage.

Jay

[Anonymous]

to big is when you have to use a satelite dish on your DCC controller just to reach your locos

[swknox]

1. I owe money to Uncle Sam
2. I don't know big Bertha
3. Thank god for Nextel pager services on my phone
4. I have a clock with EST, CEN, MNT, PACF time zones
5. Lets not talk about the power bill, my woman is still nagging me about that!
6. The electric went out 5 min on monday. (I think the woman had something to do with it)
7. Not on 1st name basis with FRA
8. Have asked to expand garden railroad into neighbors yard, was chased away by big dog.
9. I have satelite, PTC control, and GPS locators!
10. Send 1st train around layout at lunch - don't see it again till dinner time.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergus

4) Your clock is set to UTC because your layout spans two or more time zones.

5) The police raid your place because you raise suspiscion due to your power consumption is in keeping with that of an illegal hydroponics growing lab.

6) Your power consumption is causing brown outs.

7) You envision a giant helix rising from the basement up through a cut-out on the first floor of your ranch home so the trains just keep runnin' and runnin'.

8) You ask your next door neighbor for trackage rights from your basement to his ("Aw c'mon Joe, it's not like you really use your basement for anything.").

9) Suddenly, steel storage barns for large pieces of farm equipment have an appeal like you've never known before.[:D]

[Anonymous]

1. every time you derail a train officals from the NTSB investigate the derailment

2. Rail America wants to buy your RR

3. your layout reporting marks are listed in the AAR list.

[EL PARRo]

lol , this topic is great let me try a couple

1. when your layout is featured in Trains magazine

2. when people travel 100 miles just to do some railfanning in your basement

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by EL PARRo

lol , this topic is great let me try a couple

1. when your layout is featured in Trains magazine

2. when people travel 100 miles just to do some railfanning in your basement

3) The creator of Northlandz salutes you.

4) The spouse wants a bigger house and suggests taking a look at properties over the weekend. Cool! You take her to a vacant warehouse in the city and say, "Honey, this is the place."

5) World leaders opt to visit your layout while in America. The White House is merely an afterthought.

6) Your layout qualifies as one of the great wonders of the world.[8D]

[EL PARRo]

7. when people call you and ask "When is the next train to Albecerque (sp?) leaving?"

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by EL PARRo

7. when people call you and ask "When is the next train to Albecerque (sp?) leaving?"

8) A producer @ Harpo Studios in Chicago calls; it appears Oprah Winfrey wants to feature you and your layout on her show.

9) Dr. Phil McGraw makes a personal phone call days later; he questions how you're coping with the shear magnitude of your layout's size.

10) Your layout has garnered more press coverage than the O. J. Simpson trial.[8D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SuperChiefFan

QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergus

4) Your clock is set to UTC because your layout spans two or more time zones.

5) The police raid your place because you raise suspiscion due to your power consumption is in keeping with that of an illegal hydroponics growing lab.

6) Your power consumption is causing brown outs.

7) You envision a giant helix rising from the basement up through a cut-out on the first floor of your ranch home so the trains just keep runnin' and runnin'.

8) You ask your next door neighbor for trackage rights from your basement to his ("Aw c'mon Joe, it's not like you really use your basement for anything.").

9) Suddenly, steel storage barns for large pieces of farm equipment have an appeal like you've never known before.[:D]

10) Your featured in Fortune 500

11) your next order arrives on a Flatbed

12) Walthers wants you to buy them out.

13 1/2) The Unions threaten to stop operations

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergus

QUOTE: Originally posted by SuperChiefFan

QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergus

4) Your clock is set to UTC because your layout spans two or more time zones.

5) The police raid your place because you raise suspiscion due to your power consumption is in keeping with that of an illegal hydroponics growing lab.

6) Your power consumption is causing brown outs.

7) You envision a giant helix rising from the basement up through a cut-out on the first floor of your ranch home so the trains just keep runnin' and runnin'.

8) You ask your next door neighbor for trackage rights from your basement to his ("Aw c'mon Joe, it's not like you really use your basement for anything.").

9) Suddenly, steel storage barns for large pieces of farm equipment have an appeal like you've never known before.[:D]

10) Your featured in Fortune 500

11) your next order arrives on a Flatbed

12) Walthers wants you to buy them out.

13 1/2) The Unions threaten to stop operations

14) The complexity of your layout's wiring would rival that of Bill Gates high technology mansion

15) HO scale people on your layout demand 401k plans, medical benefits and paid vacation time. They run the trains they say, not you.

16) Angels appear from Heaven, eager for a closer look. Next to God, your layout is truly divine.[8D]