Who Has The Oldest Layout?

[ironhorseman]

This might be a fun little survey, but with all the talk about DCC and technological advancments, I've been wondering who has the oldest continuous layout?

Here are the rules:

1. Mandatory: state length of time layout has been up and operating and scale
Optional: if you wi***o reamain anonymous no one will question your credibility if you do not state your real name or hometown.

2. No Major Overhauls.
a) If the tracks have been moved, the buildings have been moved or removed, or the theme changed completely does not count.
b) minor changes are ok as long as it has looked similar for a long time. layouts always change by adding a building here or a spur of track there or adjusting the track so the trains run better or adding or removing trees. Even if you just threw something together a long time ago and haven't changed it but still use it that will qualify.

3 Oldest piece(s) of equipment do not count. It has to be the overall layout that has been up the longest. All you stuff may date back to 1980, for example, but if it's been a layout since 1990 that's not the same as someone who has had a layout set up since 1980. Know what I mean?

4. If your layout moved locations from one part of the home to another or from one home to another BUT was set up exactly the same way as before I'll count that because it's still the same layout.

5. This is for layouts that are currently set up. If you had a layout that lasted for, say, 30 years, but dismantled it 10 years ago I might have to put that in it's own seperate category. If you just dismantled your layout in the last 30 days then say so and I'll consider it.

6. OPTIONAL: If you converted to DCC that's fine, but if you still operate the old fashioned way that would interesting to hear about.

I'm trying not to put too many rules in here, but this so we don't lose focus of the objective - to find the oldest continuous layout.

Now, there are no prizes, this is just for fun and curiosity. The only thing you earn are bragging rights. We can divide winners by scale and then declare an overall winner. There's no deadline, this is ongoing. Now if you know someone with an old layout that isn't a member of trains.com go ahead and post it once you find out how old it is.

I had the privilage of seeing an N scale and an HO scale layout that has been in a store front since maybe the 1970s. I was visiting a friend of mine in Illinois and he said that layout was pretty much the same since he was in grade school (1980s).

You are all on the honor system. If you're not clear on the rules or not sure if your layout qualifies, post it anyway.

Me, I never had a layout up longer than 1 year. I've been in college for the past five years moving from dorm to dorm so it's hard to keep a layout (but I at least kept my trains on the window sill [:)])

[ironhorseman]

This might be a fun little survey, but with all the talk about DCC and technological advancments, I've been wondering who has the oldest continuous layout?

Here are the rules:

1. Mandatory: state length of time layout has been up and operating and scale
Optional: if you wi***o reamain anonymous no one will question your credibility if you do not state your real name or hometown.

2. No Major Overhauls.
a) If the tracks have been moved, the buildings have been moved or removed, or the theme changed completely does not count.
b) minor changes are ok as long as it has looked similar for a long time. layouts always change by adding a building here or a spur of track there or adjusting the track so the trains run better or adding or removing trees. Even if you just threw something together a long time ago and haven't changed it but still use it that will qualify.

3 Oldest piece(s) of equipment do not count. It has to be the overall layout that has been up the longest. All you stuff may date back to 1980, for example, but if it's been a layout since 1990 that's not the same as someone who has had a layout set up since 1980. Know what I mean?

4. If your layout moved locations from one part of the home to another or from one home to another BUT was set up exactly the same way as before I'll count that because it's still the same layout.

5. This is for layouts that are currently set up. If you had a layout that lasted for, say, 30 years, but dismantled it 10 years ago I might have to put that in it's own seperate category. If you just dismantled your layout in the last 30 days then say so and I'll consider it.

6. OPTIONAL: If you converted to DCC that's fine, but if you still operate the old fashioned way that would interesting to hear about.

I'm trying not to put too many rules in here, but this so we don't lose focus of the objective - to find the oldest continuous layout.

Now, there are no prizes, this is just for fun and curiosity. The only thing you earn are bragging rights. We can divide winners by scale and then declare an overall winner. There's no deadline, this is ongoing. Now if you know someone with an old layout that isn't a member of trains.com go ahead and post it once you find out how old it is.

I had the privilage of seeing an N scale and an HO scale layout that has been in a store front since maybe the 1970s. I was visiting a friend of mine in Illinois and he said that layout was pretty much the same since he was in grade school (1980s).

You are all on the honor system. If you're not clear on the rules or not sure if your layout qualifies, post it anyway.

Me, I never had a layout up longer than 1 year. I've been in college for the past five years moving from dorm to dorm so it's hard to keep a layout (but I at least kept my trains on the window sill [:)])

[IRONROOSTER]

My current layout has been under construction since 1993, bench work started that year as well as track laying. The inner track on the double track main line was completed in 94 as well as all the benchwork. Trains running since then. A siding was completed a couple of years later. 2 years ago I laid down the road bed for the outer track. Hope to start laying track this winter. Over all the layout is S scale, 11' x 18'. When/if completed it will be a double track mainline around the room with two sidings for staging. A narrow gauge line is planned for the center of the room. Overall I am still following my original plan. So how many years do you want to count?
I count it as ten years of fun even if I am the slowest builder.
Enjoy
Paul

[IRONROOSTER]

My current layout has been under construction since 1993, bench work started that year as well as track laying. The inner track on the double track main line was completed in 94 as well as all the benchwork. Trains running since then. A siding was completed a couple of years later. 2 years ago I laid down the road bed for the outer track. Hope to start laying track this winter. Over all the layout is S scale, 11' x 18'. When/if completed it will be a double track mainline around the room with two sidings for staging. A narrow gauge line is planned for the center of the room. Overall I am still following my original plan. So how many years do you want to count?
I count it as ten years of fun even if I am the slowest builder.
Enjoy
Paul

[slotracer]

I will enter for others.

There is a very large club layour in the basement of the phsyciatric center in Gowanda NY (South of Buffalo NY) that has been in continous operation since the early to mid 1960's.

I moved away from Buffalo 10 years ago and have not operated at Gowanda since the late eighties myself, but when I did run there, the layour was almost virtually unchanged from it's original construction, with 6' tall mtns bith old rusty chicken wire and 1960's newspapers visiable inside the mtns. The track was still brass rail on fiber ties, and at that point there was still loads of bowser, pennline, hobbytown and riverossi power although it mostly was operated with newer power brought along by club members. Scenery was still the origianl paper mache and plaster, as well as died sawdust and lichen and the majority of the cars were 50's and 60's kits.
A friend still lives back that way and the club is still going with operations almost every Friday night.....the members come and go but the layout endures.
I have been told that due to wear, some track had to be replaced and some crumbling scenery and falling apart structures ahd to be replaced and some locos and rolling stock gave up t3eh ghost after 4 decades of use but essentially the layout is the same today.
This layout is big, it occupies a 35ft x 35ft or larger room as I recall with long mainline, numerous yards and mountaisn 6ft tall and taller. One mountian goes from the floor to 8 ft in height and inside the top of the mountain is housed the dispatchers panel.

MR should check this classic bit of living history out and do an article.

Here in Golden CO there is a pretty old HO layout in the Museum at Golden. I am told it dates to teh very early seventies and it too is largely unchanged and gets regular operation.

[slotracer]

I will enter for others.

There is a very large club layour in the basement of the phsyciatric center in Gowanda NY (South of Buffalo NY) that has been in continous operation since the early to mid 1960's.

I moved away from Buffalo 10 years ago and have not operated at Gowanda since the late eighties myself, but when I did run there, the layour was almost virtually unchanged from it's original construction, with 6' tall mtns bith old rusty chicken wire and 1960's newspapers visiable inside the mtns. The track was still brass rail on fiber ties, and at that point there was still loads of bowser, pennline, hobbytown and riverossi power although it mostly was operated with newer power brought along by club members. Scenery was still the origianl paper mache and plaster, as well as died sawdust and lichen and the majority of the cars were 50's and 60's kits.
A friend still lives back that way and the club is still going with operations almost every Friday night.....the members come and go but the layout endures.
I have been told that due to wear, some track had to be replaced and some crumbling scenery and falling apart structures ahd to be replaced and some locos and rolling stock gave up t3eh ghost after 4 decades of use but essentially the layout is the same today.
This layout is big, it occupies a 35ft x 35ft or larger room as I recall with long mainline, numerous yards and mountaisn 6ft tall and taller. One mountian goes from the floor to 8 ft in height and inside the top of the mountain is housed the dispatchers panel.

MR should check this classic bit of living history out and do an article.

Here in Golden CO there is a pretty old HO layout in the Museum at Golden. I am told it dates to teh very early seventies and it too is largely unchanged and gets regular operation.

[DavidH]

I am positive that there was an article on that Gownada layout in MR back in the 60s, or the very early 70s. I'd have to do some fishing on the index to try and track it down. Worse still, I could try and find it in my older back issues.

David

[DavidH]

I am positive that there was an article on that Gownada layout in MR back in the 60s, or the very early 70s. I'd have to do some fishing on the index to try and track it down. Worse still, I could try and find it in my older back issues.

David

[rogerhensley]

>Here are the rules:

>1. Mandatory: state length of time layout has been up and operating and scale
21 years. Since 1982 - HO Scale

>2. No Major Overhauls.
I reject this completely. All long term railroads have had major overhauls, if for no other reason than subroadbed problems and expansions.

So I guess that ends my input.

Roger
East Central Indiana Railroad
http://cid.railfan.net/eci_new.html

[rogerhensley]

>Here are the rules:

>1. Mandatory: state length of time layout has been up and operating and scale
21 years. Since 1982 - HO Scale

>2. No Major Overhauls.
I reject this completely. All long term railroads have had major overhauls, if for no other reason than subroadbed problems and expansions.

So I guess that ends my input.

Roger
East Central Indiana Railroad
http://cid.railfan.net/eci_new.html

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rogerhensley

>Here are the rules:

>1. Mandatory: state length of time layout has been up and operating and scale
21 years. Since 1982 - HO Scale

>2. No Major Overhauls.
I reject this completely. All long term railroads have had major overhauls, if for no other reason than subroadbed problems and expansions.

So I guess that ends my input.



Roger
East Central Indiana Railroad
http://cid.railfan.net/eci_new.html

I agree, how can you say "no Major Overhauls" what your saying who has the most static layout wins?

Maybe I'm reading your rules wrong but Model RR are CONSTANTLY EVOLVING and being revised upgraded changes etc. As we increase our skills or our interests change we reflect this onto our layouts, that may mean redoing whole sections that doesnt mean we have started over since the rest of the layout works. I have had N HO HOn30 and now finally G (although I'm REAL fascinated by On30) Nobody gets they're layout right the first time (which is what your rules imply) and to saythings like no track changes means whoever has the most brass track wins? Do they even still make brass track for HO?
I know there are alot of old layouts out there. I think your rules are too restrictive hence the low # of replys.

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rogerhensley

>Here are the rules:

>1. Mandatory: state length of time layout has been up and operating and scale
21 years. Since 1982 - HO Scale

>2. No Major Overhauls.
I reject this completely. All long term railroads have had major overhauls, if for no other reason than subroadbed problems and expansions.

So I guess that ends my input.



Roger
East Central Indiana Railroad
http://cid.railfan.net/eci_new.html

I agree, how can you say "no Major Overhauls" what your saying who has the most static layout wins?

Maybe I'm reading your rules wrong but Model RR are CONSTANTLY EVOLVING and being revised upgraded changes etc. As we increase our skills or our interests change we reflect this onto our layouts, that may mean redoing whole sections that doesnt mean we have started over since the rest of the layout works. I have had N HO HOn30 and now finally G (although I'm REAL fascinated by On30) Nobody gets they're layout right the first time (which is what your rules imply) and to saythings like no track changes means whoever has the most brass track wins? Do they even still make brass track for HO?
I know there are alot of old layouts out there. I think your rules are too restrictive hence the low # of replys.

[ironhorseman]

Perhaps it depends on you definition of major overhaul. I know model railroads are always changing and improving but what I meant is if you have started over then how can it be the same layout?

I guess "major overhaul" was too vague. "subroadbed problems and expansions" as stated by rogerhensly should qualify it. If you've run into some problems over the years and something had to be fixed I that doesn't mean it can't qualify as oldest layout. If you've expanded doesn't this mean it's just an addition? Specifically wouldn't that mean adding more benchwork? Or adding, changing, modifying more scenery doesn't mean it's a new layout.

I put the rules in there so we can stay on topic. I was looking for specifics.

As for the most static layout: static, as in not touched, not used, most dust, well if it's the oldest then it wins. This survey isn't to find the most static layout, just the oldest continously running layout. If you feel that your layout is the same or similer when you started then by all means put in. I guess what I was not looking for was any complete teardowns and rebuilds of entire layouts. If you don't think it's the "same" layout as when it was created then it's up to you to decide then if it qualifies.

This is the first time I've tried asking a question like this so maybe in the future, after learning from this trial run, I will be better at asking questions. I kinda figured there might be confusion but live and learn I guess. I didn't intend exclude everyone.

Like I stated the first time: you are all on the honor system. Meaning, obviously, I can't look into everyone's homes and clubs across the world.

I hope this clears up some of the questions, but if anyone has more questions or suggestions please ask.

[ironhorseman]

Perhaps it depends on you definition of major overhaul. I know model railroads are always changing and improving but what I meant is if you have started over then how can it be the same layout?

I guess "major overhaul" was too vague. "subroadbed problems and expansions" as stated by rogerhensly should qualify it. If you've run into some problems over the years and something had to be fixed I that doesn't mean it can't qualify as oldest layout. If you've expanded doesn't this mean it's just an addition? Specifically wouldn't that mean adding more benchwork? Or adding, changing, modifying more scenery doesn't mean it's a new layout.

I put the rules in there so we can stay on topic. I was looking for specifics.

As for the most static layout: static, as in not touched, not used, most dust, well if it's the oldest then it wins. This survey isn't to find the most static layout, just the oldest continously running layout. If you feel that your layout is the same or similer when you started then by all means put in. I guess what I was not looking for was any complete teardowns and rebuilds of entire layouts. If you don't think it's the "same" layout as when it was created then it's up to you to decide then if it qualifies.

This is the first time I've tried asking a question like this so maybe in the future, after learning from this trial run, I will be better at asking questions. I kinda figured there might be confusion but live and learn I guess. I didn't intend exclude everyone.

Like I stated the first time: you are all on the honor system. Meaning, obviously, I can't look into everyone's homes and clubs across the world.

I hope this clears up some of the questions, but if anyone has more questions or suggestions please ask.