The Dream Model Railroad

[Anonymous]

so unlimited funds huh? Well id quit my job first...but not after i make several trips to and from General Steel Corp. with my newly purchased 100' by 400' prefab steel building (done in the company truck of course).

Then lets see...well if course with that amount of space id be able to actually build a perfectly to scale model of the Bessemer Bridge over the Allegheny River (if it were done to actual HO Scale and not selectivly compressed it would be 22 feet long). I would go on a brass shopping spree, and im sure finally get a model of the M640 that i have been trying to find for 6 years. Then id buy a used (REAL ONE) HR616, M636, M630, and M420. Id invest money into General Motors (and a lot of it) so i can have "Pull" in the company and get them to redisign that gawd awful looking SD70ACE.

Oh yeah...as for the railroad...well id do most of the work myself but it would fill that whole building...and then i ould run 170 car lumber trains and they would look decent. LOL

So now who said they were gonna give me the money, Flee??????

[Anonymous]

so unlimited funds huh? Well id quit my job first...but not after i make several trips to and from General Steel Corp. with my newly purchased 100' by 400' prefab steel building (done in the company truck of course).

Then lets see...well if course with that amount of space id be able to actually build a perfectly to scale model of the Bessemer Bridge over the Allegheny River (if it were done to actual HO Scale and not selectivly compressed it would be 22 feet long). I would go on a brass shopping spree, and im sure finally get a model of the M640 that i have been trying to find for 6 years. Then id buy a used (REAL ONE) HR616, M636, M630, and M420. Id invest money into General Motors (and a lot of it) so i can have "Pull" in the company and get them to redisign that gawd awful looking SD70ACE.

Oh yeah...as for the railroad...well id do most of the work myself but it would fill that whole building...and then i ould run 170 car lumber trains and they would look decent. LOL

So now who said they were gonna give me the money, Flee??????

[FJ and G]

I'd like to get a hold of an abandoned tunnel (like NY subway or Ratton Pass Tunnel #2 with about 1 or 2 miles to lay down a point-to-point, 1:1 model in O scale. A narrow-gauge (real) RR would shuttle you back and forth in the tunnel. If Rattan (SP?), would like my house right outside the tunnel (or I could live in the tunnel with the layout and some really cute babes who dig trains and are hotties.

[FJ and G]

I'd like to get a hold of an abandoned tunnel (like NY subway or Ratton Pass Tunnel #2 with about 1 or 2 miles to lay down a point-to-point, 1:1 model in O scale. A narrow-gauge (real) RR would shuttle you back and forth in the tunnel. If Rattan (SP?), would like my house right outside the tunnel (or I could live in the tunnel with the layout and some really cute babes who dig trains and are hotties.

[Anonymous]

My layout will feature much of the Reid brothers N scale ideas in my 12x17 room off my garage (during the winter) and something like www.trainmountain.org to keep me busy outdoor during the spring, summer and fall (about 2500 acres).

[Anonymous]

My layout will feature much of the Reid brothers N scale ideas in my 12x17 room off my garage (during the winter) and something like www.trainmountain.org to keep me busy outdoor during the spring, summer and fall (about 2500 acres).

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by train boy

for now my dream layout is SOMTHING BIGGER THEN MY 4X8.!!!!!!!!!! mabey a larger version of my under construction Oklahoma, Mexico, and Gulf clarksvill branch. I would be happy with a 20x20 but that does not seem likely until i have my own house ( I'm only 11 yrs. old 12 in one month).

Alex in the sooner state[:)][:D][8D][;)][8)][^][:p]

I agree! I'd love to have something bigger than my soon to be 5x8. 20x20 would suit me just fine as well[:D]. But alas, if I want to have a huge layout, I'll need to get my own house. (I just turned 13)[:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by train boy

for now my dream layout is SOMTHING BIGGER THEN MY 4X8.!!!!!!!!!! mabey a larger version of my under construction Oklahoma, Mexico, and Gulf clarksvill branch. I would be happy with a 20x20 but that does not seem likely until i have my own house ( I'm only 11 yrs. old 12 in one month).

Alex in the sooner state[:)][:D][8D][;)][8)][^][:p]

I agree! I'd love to have something bigger than my soon to be 5x8. 20x20 would suit me just fine as well[:D]. But alas, if I want to have a huge layout, I'll need to get my own house. (I just turned 13)[:)]

[Anonymous]

Well, I just bought a house with a 21 x 21 ft room and I can't get all I want into it. Go figure . . .

My dream layout would be a G-Scale outdoors one with a half dozen (each) 4-4-0s, 2-6-0s, 2-8-0s a dozen 2-8-2s, 4-6-2s and 4-8-4s, with a couple 2-6-2s, 4-6-0s, 0-4-0s and 0-6-0s. There would be all kinds of bridges, stations etc. with an operational telegraph line for the station agents to provide OSs to the dispatcher. It would probably occupy about a square mile and have paths for the public to walk along the alignment and watch the action. DCC, wireless operation, sound, working grade crossings and signals would be all included and there would be a staff of goundskeepers to keep the R/W in good repair. Never happen, but it would be great if it could. - Ed

[Anonymous]

Well, I just bought a house with a 21 x 21 ft room and I can't get all I want into it. Go figure . . .

My dream layout would be a G-Scale outdoors one with a half dozen (each) 4-4-0s, 2-6-0s, 2-8-0s a dozen 2-8-2s, 4-6-2s and 4-8-4s, with a couple 2-6-2s, 4-6-0s, 0-4-0s and 0-6-0s. There would be all kinds of bridges, stations etc. with an operational telegraph line for the station agents to provide OSs to the dispatcher. It would probably occupy about a square mile and have paths for the public to walk along the alignment and watch the action. DCC, wireless operation, sound, working grade crossings and signals would be all included and there would be a staff of goundskeepers to keep the R/W in good repair. Never happen, but it would be great if it could. - Ed

[brothaslide]

For me, my dream would be to have the modeling talent to produce excelent hand laid track, scratch built structures, kit bashed engines, etc.

I'm all thumbs when it comes to modeling. The RTR market is perfect for me, except for the extra costs which come with RTR.

[brothaslide]

For me, my dream would be to have the modeling talent to produce excelent hand laid track, scratch built structures, kit bashed engines, etc.

I'm all thumbs when it comes to modeling. The RTR market is perfect for me, except for the extra costs which come with RTR.

[Anonymous]

The room my trains will be in is the shape of half an octagon. I thinkit's big enough for a 5x8........gulp.......hope so. :)

[Anonymous]

The room my trains will be in is the shape of half an octagon. I thinkit's big enough for a 5x8........gulp.......hope so. :)

[Anonymous]

Dreams...

I dont often allow a dream or two..But mine is for to be debt free, a decent home for the trains in a seperate room. For the manufacterors to be consistent on releases and for the quality to be good.

I proabably will have a complete system in place in a size of about 14 x 36 with about 24 industries all dependant on each other and configured to be run by 1 person for seveal hours at a time.. Maybe as a small operating group in the future.

Mainly I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving and a good Christmas.

Lee

[Anonymous]

Dreams...

I dont often allow a dream or two..But mine is for to be debt free, a decent home for the trains in a seperate room. For the manufacterors to be consistent on releases and for the quality to be good.

I proabably will have a complete system in place in a size of about 14 x 36 with about 24 industries all dependant on each other and configured to be run by 1 person for seveal hours at a time.. Maybe as a small operating group in the future.

Mainly I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving and a good Christmas.

Lee

[Anonymous]

If my pocket book ever catches up to my ambition, My layout will make Northlands look like spare bedroom layout.

First I would build a grand palatial structure complete with train shed (To house my collection of full scale equipment [8D]) There would be at least five stories above ground and two below.

On the first level would be the main concourse which leads to the full scale trains and the appropriate ticket booths for booking train rides. Also there will be a restaurant and a hobby store so that visitors may buy their needed supplies. The main floor will be used for rotating displays as seasons and events come and go. I plan on there being enough room to host a NMRA convention if they are so inclined.

The first basement level would be "My" level where me and my girlfriend show off our personal modeling. (See my profile for more info) Right now my modeling covers Northern Colorado, All of Wyoming, and on into southern Montana. My girlfriend seems poised to catch the entire Northeast. With our combined modeling efforts we may very well end up modeling all the United States.

The second basement level will be primarily used for storage of surplus equipment and rotating displays. As well as house the main workshop for doing model work.

On the second story, I plan this level to be the “Atlas Level” so dubbed because I plan on showcasing the many published track plans that have appeared over the years, giving the plans in the Atlas books center stage. The Kalmbach plans would be prominently displayed as well

The third story would be “Famous Layouts.” This level would feature the layouts of well known model railroaders that have decided to have their work saved and thus donated it to the museum. One project I want to do is recreate the former Chicago Museum of Science and Industry layout, featuring the Santa Fe in O scale. I feel enough documentation exists that I can easily achieve this.

The Fourth story would the library level. Since publications have made a significant contribution to this hobby it only seems logical that an effort be made to house, the collected works of these materials. I have a large start on this from my own personal collection my self.

The fifth story, would be my personal residence, Hey, I started the blooming place, I own it, I might as well make the commute to work easy. I plan on situating the whole affair on a several thousand acre parcel of land so that should the model railroad outgrow the originally planned space, additional “annexes” can be built. I like what the one guy said about a pyramid. Lots of potential I see for such a structure.

This is what my ambitions and dreams are shooting for. In all likelihood I know this will probably never happen. But hey, I figured the chances of me and my girlfriend ever getting together were more remote than this, so I am more willing to believe that his will come into being now.

[Anonymous]

If my pocket book ever catches up to my ambition, My layout will make Northlands look like spare bedroom layout.

First I would build a grand palatial structure complete with train shed (To house my collection of full scale equipment [8D]) There would be at least five stories above ground and two below.

On the first level would be the main concourse which leads to the full scale trains and the appropriate ticket booths for booking train rides. Also there will be a restaurant and a hobby store so that visitors may buy their needed supplies. The main floor will be used for rotating displays as seasons and events come and go. I plan on there being enough room to host a NMRA convention if they are so inclined.

The first basement level would be "My" level where me and my girlfriend show off our personal modeling. (See my profile for more info) Right now my modeling covers Northern Colorado, All of Wyoming, and on into southern Montana. My girlfriend seems poised to catch the entire Northeast. With our combined modeling efforts we may very well end up modeling all the United States.

The second basement level will be primarily used for storage of surplus equipment and rotating displays. As well as house the main workshop for doing model work.

On the second story, I plan this level to be the “Atlas Level” so dubbed because I plan on showcasing the many published track plans that have appeared over the years, giving the plans in the Atlas books center stage. The Kalmbach plans would be prominently displayed as well

The third story would be “Famous Layouts.” This level would feature the layouts of well known model railroaders that have decided to have their work saved and thus donated it to the museum. One project I want to do is recreate the former Chicago Museum of Science and Industry layout, featuring the Santa Fe in O scale. I feel enough documentation exists that I can easily achieve this.

The Fourth story would the library level. Since publications have made a significant contribution to this hobby it only seems logical that an effort be made to house, the collected works of these materials. I have a large start on this from my own personal collection my self.

The fifth story, would be my personal residence, Hey, I started the blooming place, I own it, I might as well make the commute to work easy. I plan on situating the whole affair on a several thousand acre parcel of land so that should the model railroad outgrow the originally planned space, additional “annexes” can be built. I like what the one guy said about a pyramid. Lots of potential I see for such a structure.

This is what my ambitions and dreams are shooting for. In all likelihood I know this will probably never happen. But hey, I figured the chances of me and my girlfriend ever getting together were more remote than this, so I am more willing to believe that his will come into being now.

[METRO]

I would buy a great big old warehouse from the turn of the century, in a big city in the Eastern US or Ontario, the kind with vast open spaces and 30-50 foot celings. Then I would build all of the Toronto-Montreal corridor into it, starting with Hamilton to the west, the Blue Mountains (floor to celing of course) and the Huron Coast to the north, Lake Ontario to the south and Downtown Montreal to the east. I would of course form it to my designs, freelancing where I saw fit, and even adding another totally fictional major megaopolis into the line. I would even build to scale models of the CN tower and all of the other skyscrapers. *closes eyes* Haha I can see the slick GO Transit, AMT and Via liners flying across the line now!

I would hire some programers to write me some great software so that I could just come in after a long day and run the entire line myself, from dispacther to many many cabs, all fed into my G4 laptop and iPod. All trains not directly in my control would be controled by the computer according to operating sessions I worked up. I could also however, disengage the computer system and go to wireless cab control on iPods for a few of my closest friends, or the entire local NMRA chapter. Wow I'd probably need an entirely new generation of DCC for that to work.

[METRO]

I would buy a great big old warehouse from the turn of the century, in a big city in the Eastern US or Ontario, the kind with vast open spaces and 30-50 foot celings. Then I would build all of the Toronto-Montreal corridor into it, starting with Hamilton to the west, the Blue Mountains (floor to celing of course) and the Huron Coast to the north, Lake Ontario to the south and Downtown Montreal to the east. I would of course form it to my designs, freelancing where I saw fit, and even adding another totally fictional major megaopolis into the line. I would even build to scale models of the CN tower and all of the other skyscrapers. *closes eyes* Haha I can see the slick GO Transit, AMT and Via liners flying across the line now!

I would hire some programers to write me some great software so that I could just come in after a long day and run the entire line myself, from dispacther to many many cabs, all fed into my G4 laptop and iPod. All trains not directly in my control would be controled by the computer according to operating sessions I worked up. I could also however, disengage the computer system and go to wireless cab control on iPods for a few of my closest friends, or the entire local NMRA chapter. Wow I'd probably need an entirely new generation of DCC for that to work.

[Anonymous]

My dream layout would be the whole chicago northwestern mainline and branches. I talking the real thing here. I would use Sd9 frames and chassies with ge electrical system from the dash9

[Anonymous]

My dream layout would be the whole chicago northwestern mainline and branches. I talking the real thing here. I would use Sd9 frames and chassies with ge electrical system from the dash9

[Anonymous]

How about a large kind of scale outdoor ride on RR! Think about, the chuffing of livesteam locos, the rumble of diesels. All in a 20mi by 30mi area. My real dream.

[Anonymous]

How about a large kind of scale outdoor ride on RR! Think about, the chuffing of livesteam locos, the rumble of diesels. All in a 20mi by 30mi area. My real dream.

[AggroJones]

My dream layout would be much larger than my current one. It would fit in a finished 2-car garage, and be 12' x 18'. Mostly around the wall with a peninsula. Having 5 main lines would be the fufillment of a dream. [:)] I would also welcome wide curves so my locomotives can negotiate easier.

[AggroJones]

My dream layout would be much larger than my current one. It would fit in a finished 2-car garage, and be 12' x 18'. Mostly around the wall with a peninsula. Having 5 main lines would be the fufillment of a dream. [:)] I would also welcome wide curves so my locomotives can negotiate easier.

[Anonymous]

Lots of rivers
Lots of Mountains
Lots of bridges
Lots of deep cuts
Pastures
small industry
A big Freight Yard
A Big round house
Full of Allegheny's, Selkirks, Mountains, Northerns, Consolidateds and Mikes
All big enough for the engines to meander for a time without crossing the same track.

[Anonymous]

Lots of rivers
Lots of Mountains
Lots of bridges
Lots of deep cuts
Pastures
small industry
A big Freight Yard
A Big round house
Full of Allegheny's, Selkirks, Mountains, Northerns, Consolidateds and Mikes
All big enough for the engines to meander for a time without crossing the same track.

[Anonymous]

My dream layout doesn't have to be the biggest--I just want it to captivate me each time I'm ready to turn on the power and watch the trains roll. Ideally, I look forward to the day when I can construct, in the basement, a layout with at least one section of it with minimum straightaway of at least 40 feet. This would be a blast, to watch at least four long passenger trains race over the 'countryside', before disappearing into tunnels or behind rolling hills or buildings. I'd also like an 'E' shaped track plan, with the middle section of the 'E' devoted exclusively to a major train station with stub-end tracks and intricate throat trackage. And long coach yards! I'll have the house with the desired basement soon enough, so maybe this won't be a dream for much longer after all. Oh: one other modeler said that he would want to be able to operate his layout exclusively if he wanted, and I have to agree that would be very, very important to me as well. It shouldn't be so complex that I have to seek out five other modelers to help run things. Continuous running and me staring in awe--now that's a dream layout.

[Anonymous]

My dream layout doesn't have to be the biggest--I just want it to captivate me each time I'm ready to turn on the power and watch the trains roll. Ideally, I look forward to the day when I can construct, in the basement, a layout with at least one section of it with minimum straightaway of at least 40 feet. This would be a blast, to watch at least four long passenger trains race over the 'countryside', before disappearing into tunnels or behind rolling hills or buildings. I'd also like an 'E' shaped track plan, with the middle section of the 'E' devoted exclusively to a major train station with stub-end tracks and intricate throat trackage. And long coach yards! I'll have the house with the desired basement soon enough, so maybe this won't be a dream for much longer after all. Oh: one other modeler said that he would want to be able to operate his layout exclusively if he wanted, and I have to agree that would be very, very important to me as well. It shouldn't be so complex that I have to seek out five other modelers to help run things. Continuous running and me staring in awe--now that's a dream layout.