Chuck Hitchcock's new layout

[dknelson]

Thanks fellows to all of you for the info on where to find articles about the new layout. I have that issue of MRP and will share it with my buddy. I think my NMRA division has the Keller tape that I can borrow -- one of the benefits of NMRA membership by the way is what your Division can do for you in the way of having a lending library.
By the way Chuck Hitchcock did explain his reasoning, just as Joe Fugate lays out for us, in an article entitled "The Painting is Finished" in MR.
Dave Nelson

[jfugate]

Chuck explains why he changed to a new layout in the Keller video on his Kansas City Switching district.

Chuck's in his 60's now and the old railroad was approaching 30 years old (think about what products were "modern" in the hobby when he started the layout). He wanted to update things and he also wanted something where operating was more "laid back" with lots of switching -- which he really enjoys.

The new layout uses all the latest hobby technology, was easy to scenic (mostly just flat areas with dirt, ballast or pavement -- and he just reused a lot of buildings from the old layout). Everything is in yard limits, so you don't really need a dispatcher, you just have to coordinate transfer runs with other switching jobs and run slow so you don't run into other equipment that is switching.

[AntonioFP45]

Keystone,

I agree with your sentiments and was shocked and saddened to hear that one of my favorite layouts is gone! In fact I still have the Great Model Railroads issue featuring that layout.

I like passenger trains and Chuck's previous layout was a glowing example of quality and realism.

I wonder if he got restless after the years rolled by and wanted something different. (Reminds me of my younger days when I got rid of my 1973 firebird "hot rod" to get a 79 Firebird Trans Am because I had "gotten bored" with the 73. A year later I then realized that I missed that 73! I wonder if Chuck will have those types of thoughts regarding the Argentine layout.

Still, I wish him the best with his new railroad.

[keystonecrossings]

Allen Keller's "Great Model Railroads" video number 50 featured Chuck's new layout.

Being a varnish guy myself, I was shocked to learn that the original layout was razed.

[jrbernier]

Model Railroad Planning -2002. Chuck has an artice about his new Kansas City Switching District.

Jim

[dknelson]

Someone asked me if there has been an article about Chuck Hitchcock's new layout that replaced his wonderful ATSF Aregentine Dist layout.
I was certain something had appeared recently but it does not show up in the magazine index. Anyone have any info?
Dave Nelson