Who's layout on this forum is your favorite?

[tstage]

...I was reminded that John Grant is a "member of the forum" and I learned Cliff Powers was a member...

Actually, jep, both are members of the MR forum.  Cliff is still a member.  He just doesn't post often on here.

Tom

[BlueHillsCPR]

I think this is taking popularity contests too far.

Besides, I think modelers would be happiest if they considered their own layout their favorite.

Mark 

My thoughts exactly.  Too many rules and I didn't even get through page one!

That said, I do like ARTHILL's work.  Joe Fugate, in my mind is not a solo guy but a club layout.  Maybe I'm mistaken but that is how it seems.  Anyway, my favorite is the one I am working on.

[jon grant]

Wow!!

Thanks for all the 'mentions in despatches', chaps, I feel very humble now.

I would concur with several others and put Cliff Powers', Wolfgang Dudler's, Joe Fugate's and Bob Grech's layouts up there with my favourites.

A couple of others -Tom Johnson's INRAIL and John Wright's Federal St Yard have been most inspirational to me, but I know John doesn't post here and I'm not sure if Tom does.

Jon 

[aloco]

Jon Grant's Sweet Home Chicago layout is my favourite.  His is the best looking layout (in terms of scenery and variety of motive power) that I've seen so far.

[jep1267]

Well, I was going to say grampystrains but then reading through some of the replies I was reminded that John Grant is a "member of the forum" and I learned Cliff Powers was a member so that makes it a lot more difficult to choose.

I guess I would put them in this order for these reasons;

1) Cliff's MA&G great scenery and I like the fact it can be run continuous.

2) Jon Grant Sweet Home, Great scenery but 2nd because I prefere a  continuous run layout.

3) grampystrains, 3rd because it hasn't been photoed as much as the others. Gramps, we need more shots of your layout

[CSXDixieLine]

Oh wow...which one of my kids do I like best? All of them! Seriously I can spend hours (and often do) looking at everyone's pictures and blogs and websites and just admiring every one of them in one way or another. But I will say this, by far the most significant influential layout for me over the last year is Joe Fugate's HO Siskiyou Line. The way Joe captures "the look" of the real thing and the way his videos make all the complex construction techniques seem so simple--those are the primary factors that compelled me to get off my duff and get going with a layout after armchairing it for almost 15 years. Whether or not I can pull off similar results is yet to be seen, but his work really made me think "I can do this!" and for that I am quite thankful. Jamie

[Don Z]

Layouts I really like :  doctorwayne , grampystrains, joefugate, selector, twhite, don z

Who is your favorite?

Jimmy,

I'm very flattered that you included my name on your list.....in no way do I think I'm on the same playing field with the others you named....but thanks again for the compliment! I appreciate it very much.

Don Z.

[Packers#1]

Can I add dave Vollmers and Tom's (twhite) to my list? Dave's is an excellent N scale layout, and Tom's is off the wall awesome w/ the pass. I can't remember everyone's layout, which sorta sucks.

[twhite]

I'm kind of with Mark and Chuck on this--even though I sincerely thank those of you who have included my Yuba River Sub on their lists--but I'm really not into 'contests.'  Probably because of my profession--Classical musician--where these things have kind of denigrated into the arena of tennis matches ("My Brahms is better than YOUR Brahms!") and taken the edge off of the art of performing music just for the sheer PLEASURE of performing and communicating. 

With that said, I don't think there's a contributor on this forum who hasn't at one time or another given me a lot of pleasure--and a GREAT deal of inspiration--from their modeling.  So, even if I were forced into a corner and threatened with having to listen to nothing but Guns N' Roses for the rest of my life, I'd really have to say--"I like them ALL!" 

And that, gentlemen, is the truth.

Tom

Awwww....What a warm & fuzzy, politically correct post!

Bwa-HAH!  Though I appreciate "warm and fuzzy", I've never been "Politically Correct" in my LIFE!   One of my students asked me a couple of years ago what I thought of "PC", I grinned and said, "Public Commodes? Well, they seem to work very well in France." 

Tom

[loathar]

I'm kind of with Mark and Chuck on this--even though I sincerely thank those of you who have included my Yuba River Sub on their lists--but I'm really not into 'contests.'  Probably because of my profession--Classical musician--where these things have kind of denigrated into the arena of tennis matches ("My Brahms is better than YOUR Brahms!") and taken the edge off of the art of performing music just for the sheer PLEASURE of performing and communicating. 

With that said, I don't think there's a contributor on this forum who hasn't at one time or another given me a lot of pleasure--and a GREAT deal of inspiration--from their modeling.  So, even if I were forced into a corner and threatened with having to listen to nothing but Guns N' Roses for the rest of my life, I'd really have to say--"I like them ALL!" 

And that, gentlemen, is the truth.

Tom

Awwww....What a warm & fuzzy, politically correct post!

[Dave Vollmer]

Dr. Vollmer's for me.

For the "equivalent" of the N-Scale 4x8, his door top layout has a lot of heart and character. 

<blush>

Aw, gee fellas...!

Flattered though I am, perhaps rather than suggesting "favorites" we should simply discuss layouts we enjoy seeing photos of...  I'm not usually one for the feel-good everyon'es-a-winner stuff, but I can imagine someone scanning this list and being disappointed that no one has listed his layout as a favorite.

But, in the spirit of the thread, I'd have to call it a 3-way toss-up between Dr Wayne, Lee Weldon's N scale WM, and Jon Grant's Sweethome Chicago.

[twhite]

I'm kind of with Mark and Chuck on this--even though I sincerely thank those of you who have included my Yuba River Sub on their lists--but I'm really not into 'contests.'  Probably because of my profession--Classical musician--where these things have kind of denigrated into the arena of tennis matches ("My Brahms is better than YOUR Brahms!") and taken the edge off of the art of performing music just for the sheer PLEASURE of performing and communicating. 

With that said, I don't think there's a contributor on this forum who hasn't at one time or another given me a lot of pleasure--and a GREAT deal of inspiration--from their modeling.  So, even if I were forced into a corner and threatened with having to listen to nothing but Guns N' Roses for the rest of my life, I'd really have to say--"I like them ALL!" 

And that, gentlemen, is the truth.

Tom

[markpierce]

P.S.  So, where are the pictures of MY layout.  Mostly between my ears.  When the physical reality begins to resemble the imagined scene, I MAY take some photos.  Until then, Nyet!

I'm on your wavelength, Chuck.

Mark

[GraniteRailroader]

Dr. Vollmer's for me.

For the "equivalent" of the N-Scale 4x8, his door top layout has a lot of heart and character. 

[Hoople]

Twhite or Arthill...

Gotta love them bridges and mountains.

[Occams Razor]

Since I've never visited them based simply on photo's I'd have to say my favorite is the Bear Creek & South Jackson, followed closely by Joe Fugate's Siskiyou Line.

My favorite scene however is Jefferey's rusted old steamer, I just think that's really cool.

[csmith9474]

I am partial to steamage's layout. His layout pretty much inspired me to start mine. Plus I can't find any faults (personally) with the Espee in California!!!

Edit: Plus, it is the only layout that I have ever seen with live cactus!!

[tomikawaTT]

Well, I have a new addition to my LET'S NOT DISCUSS THIS list.

The earlier entries:

• Religion
• Politics
• Beautiful Women
• Cute babies

To which I proudly add, Model railroads which I have never visited and with which I am not familiar.

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a quick bare-eyeball scan is worth a DVD-full of (carefully shot, edited and electronically enhanced) pictures.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

P.S.  So, where are the pictures of MY layout.  Mostly between my ears.  When the physical reality begins to resemble the imagined scene, I MAY take some photos.  Until then, Nyet!

[maandg]

Tom, Ernie, Johnboy and Peter....

Thanks for the kind words.  For some reason, I'm having trouble with the link that Tom posted for my MA&G website.  I want to see if this one will work better....

http://www.magnoliaroute.com/

For anyone who is interested, the custom laser work on my New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal is complete.  I plan on beginning construction Labor Day weekend.  In the meantime, I am wrapping up work on my tramp freighter along the Mississippi River waterfront.  You can follow this progress in the "Latest Progress" photo gallery.  Two small barges will be built and the water poured during the next few weeks.  Of course I will post this on the website as well.  I anticipate that the entire layout will be "completed" by Christmas of 2009 at the latest.  Op Sessions in earnest will begin at that time...then the real fun begins when the layout comes to life!

To answer the OP's question, I really like Joe Fugate's site.  It's innovative, informative, and inspiring. 

 

[PASMITH]

Cliff Powers.

In my mind, he is up there with the greats.

Peter Smith, Memphis

[loathar]

That sure is a tough one. You have people like Joe F, Charlie C, and Bob Borduea(SP?) that I put into the professional category. All outstanding work!
But for a regular guy who says he just started in the hobby about 3 years ago. I'm gonna have to go with Grampy's Trains! I would be happy if my layout turned half as nice as his!

[last mountain & eastern hogger]

(1)  Joe Fugate 

(2)  Cliff Powers

But I admire anyones who is truly giving it an effort.

I especially like mine, if I could just get it progressing a little faster.  I have been stalled for awhile, but will probably get going again in the fall..

Johnboy out............

[jeffrey-wimberly]

        Weekend Photo fun is about to start and maybe this week everyone can put their photos of their layouts in it from point of entry to leaving the room....by the way, my favorites are Joe Fugate's Siskiyou line, Aggra Jones's SP steam and Grampy's trains but there are far too many to choose from because there is some really good modeling out there and I can't remember them all. This way everyone has exposure before judgement day.... chuck

There are about twenty-four shots from mine on WPF.

[Margaritaman]

I think this is taking popularity contests too far.

Besides, I think modelers would be happiest if they considered their own layout their favorite.

Mark 

I have to agree.  I was just talking about a thread where the poster could attach a link to pics of his/her current layout.  I love seeing everyone's vision and picking up ideas here and there.

[Cox 47]

This is a tuff one..I have been thinking about this since I read the post yesterday...Lots of fellows have realy nice layouts and I like them but my favorite is Jeff Wimbly..Jeff always has an interesting project going,I know He works on a very limited budget but He doesn't let that hinder Him.. Just my 2 cents...Jerry

[markpierce]

I think this is taking popularity contests too far.

Besides, I think modelers would be happiest if they considered their own layout their favorite.

Mark 

[tstage]

Bob Grech and Cliff Powers are 2 of my favorites , unfortunately both have torn down their layouts and are building new ones !

i don't know if Cliff ever had a web page for his , but Bob's seems to be gone . maybe we'll see some progress photos from both of these fine modelers

 

 

ernie

Ernie,

Cliff Powers' MA&G

And I believe Bob Grech changed his web site URL.  Not sure though.  It's definitely not in his signature any longer.

Tom

[Driline]

I have a few questions if we are going to post our layouts in WPF.

1) If we have dismantled our layout can we still enter it?

2) Can we enter Past Layouts?

3) How many Layouts can we enter?

3) Can dioramas be entered?

4) If dioramas can be entered how many is the max?

5) Does the said Layout/Diorama have to be finished?

Just a few questions to get thinks cleared up, for me at least.

1) NO

2) NO

3) NO

4) NO

5) NO

If there was a  6) the answer would still be NO.

There's isn't any implied or otherwise rule here LOL. Do what you want.

My favorite is Pel Solberg (spellcheck).

[Packers#1]

I'd have to say Grampy's Trains is #1, and Jeffrey Wimberly's is #2. I like all the layouts, though.