Driline,
Thanks for those other photos ( I downloaded them too). I like the bridge and how creatively you were able to add the Purina industry. I plan on having a small Purina Feed Mill on a spur that will be serviced by boxcars. I think Walthers still has that kit available.
For scenery: How soon will you be scenicking?
This is only my opinion, but there's great potential with your layout. The blue backdrop blends in nicely, but if you want to take it another step, then http://www.sceniking.com has some very cool backdrops that appear to fit in well with your rail theme.
It looks like you can even add an additional 4" width (with 1" x 4"s) to the inside edge of the layout if you'd like to build more roads or add buildings parallel to the mainline to partially hide trains and convey a busy town with traffic. A small passenger station could be worked in too.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
AntonioFP45 wrote:[to Driline] I like your layout! I'm downloading the photo and will use it as one of my references.
I went to New Mexico to research the area of the ATSF that I am modeling. Unfortunately I am not able to operate like they did. Their locals originated and terminated in Rincon, while I am using Deming for this. So at this point, since I am drifting somewhat from the prototype, I am looking to make the operation as interesting as possible.
Check out the Deming Sub by clicking on the pics:
AntonioFP45 wrote: Driline wrote: el-capitan wrote: I must have missed the humorous part. Seems like a flame to me.And I didn't think my post was offensive but if it was I appologize.I am the idiot you're talking about. Your layout offends me too. It looks nicer than mine. I like the way the track flows. Do you have any recent pics of the layout? I'd like to see it. Mine is just an around the wall shelf unit and has gotten boring rather quickly. I am in the process of adding some staging tracks though.Old layout pic.... Driline,I like your layout! I'm downloading the photo and will use it as one of my references.Your situation is similar to mine. We're "squeezed for space" so we have to take advantage of a track plan that works. I have even less space then you do, judging by the photo's appearance. With detailed scenery and several industrial customers, I certainly would not be bored with your layout design at all. It's good that you're adding to it.Since I like both, switching operations and watching trains roll, I would have a double-track mainline on an around-the-wall layout like this. To me, with DCC/Sound, I would enjoy all the benefits in a small space. Don't get bored.....smile and "enjoy-whatcha-got" You have a lot more than what many modelers already have.
Driline wrote: el-capitan wrote: I must have missed the humorous part. Seems like a flame to me.And I didn't think my post was offensive but if it was I appologize.I am the idiot you're talking about. Your layout offends me too. It looks nicer than mine. I like the way the track flows. Do you have any recent pics of the layout? I'd like to see it. Mine is just an around the wall shelf unit and has gotten boring rather quickly. I am in the process of adding some staging tracks though.Old layout pic....
el-capitan wrote: I must have missed the humorous part. Seems like a flame to me.And I didn't think my post was offensive but if it was I appologize.
I must have missed the humorous part. Seems like a flame to me.
And I didn't think my post was offensive but if it was I appologize.
I am the idiot you're talking about. Your layout offends me too. It looks nicer than mine. I like the way the track flows. Do you have any recent pics of the layout? I'd like to see it. Mine is just an around the wall shelf unit and has gotten boring rather quickly. I am in the process of adding some staging tracks though.
Old layout pic....
I like your layout! I'm downloading the photo and will use it as one of my references.
Your situation is similar to mine. We're "squeezed for space" so we have to take advantage of a track plan that works. I have even less space then you do, judging by the photo's appearance. With detailed scenery and several industrial customers, I certainly would not be bored with your layout design at all. It's good that you're adding to it.
Since I like both, switching operations and watching trains roll, I would have a double-track mainline on an around-the-wall layout like this. To me, with DCC/Sound, I would enjoy all the benefits in a small space.
Don't get bored.....smile and "enjoy-whatcha-got" You have a lot more than what many modelers already have.
Thanks for the kind words. Here are a few updated pictures I just took today.
Wide Shot
Ralston Purina Industry
Where the staging tracks will go on this wall. I'll also add another industry not shown in the plan.
My passenger excursion train.(Proto 2000 E8 with sound and Rapido passenger cars) I painted the Driline switcheres myself with more to come with sound.
I like your track plan. Great use of the space without congesting things. Do you have any plans for operation? I'm curious because I am tweaking my operation plan and am always looking for fresh ideas.
Yes, my layout depicts the real Davenport Rock Island & Northwestern shortline as it appeared circa 1995. I will also be adding another industry when I add my staging tracks. I haven't entirely come up with the final operation plan, but it will include industry & yard switching along with some through freights and even a nostalgic passenger train. I've got all the info needed frm the real DRI LINE to make it work.
el-capitan wrote: We are having a discussion about sound for DC and Thomas the Tank for kids (and adults). What is your issue with this?
We are having a discussion about sound for DC and Thomas the Tank for kids (and adults). What is your issue with this?
dc plus sound trash that idea. Thomas the tank engine for adults. why not if you enjoyed them whane you were younger. Heck I'm 13 and starting a collection of all the thomas the tank engine stuff and then mutiples of each because they don't have road numbers. So then just by switching rolling stock and motive power my layout can be thomas or normal event though the scenery will be dessert not the greenery of the island of sodor.
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot Visit my blog! http://becomingawarriorpoet.blogspot.com
I thought the same thing. Sorry about that.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
my bad. i thought we were still having that debate on dc vs dcc. oops, sorry. i'll be at the eye docter if you need me.
OzarkBelt wrote: tstage wrote: ...and going...and going...and going... will it ever end? All i want is world peaceseriously, this thread is getting really old.
tstage wrote: ...and going...and going...and going...
...and going...and going...and going...
seriously, this thread is getting really old.
CSX Robert wrote:Since when is 6 to old for Thomas? I'm a 35 year old N-scaler and I have Thomas, James, Percy, and Henry. Actually, they do belong to my 7 and 11 year old sons, but I like to run them to, and if they ever "outgrow" them, I 'll keep them for myself.
I cringe just having my son's Chessy System caboose on my layout because it doesn't fit. I can't imagine what my thoughts would be watching a train with a face going around my pike.
SunsetLimited wrote: el-capitan wrote: SunsetLimited wrote:Are alot of you guys that are still using DC, using the Quantium Engineer from Altas and Broadway for your sound locos (assuming you have some) or are you just using the powerpack for the horn and bell? That can be a good alternative for clubs that don't want to switch from DC so the people with sound can still control the sound functions. I had one for awhile before i switched and i loved it. Its not walk around but still cool. Sorry a tad off topic, just curious.I've never liked sound. I hear enough huffing and puffing at work all day long. Working on the railroad is my quiet time. I was thinking about getting one loco equipped with this though, just for the kids. But it's pretty low on the list of priorities right now.One of the guys at the club installed sound in a Bachmann Thomas the Train, not sure if your kids are to old for Thomas but he sounded pretty cool with it.
el-capitan wrote: SunsetLimited wrote:Are alot of you guys that are still using DC, using the Quantium Engineer from Altas and Broadway for your sound locos (assuming you have some) or are you just using the powerpack for the horn and bell? That can be a good alternative for clubs that don't want to switch from DC so the people with sound can still control the sound functions. I had one for awhile before i switched and i loved it. Its not walk around but still cool. Sorry a tad off topic, just curious.I've never liked sound. I hear enough huffing and puffing at work all day long. Working on the railroad is my quiet time. I was thinking about getting one loco equipped with this though, just for the kids. But it's pretty low on the list of priorities right now.
SunsetLimited wrote:Are alot of you guys that are still using DC, using the Quantium Engineer from Altas and Broadway for your sound locos (assuming you have some) or are you just using the powerpack for the horn and bell? That can be a good alternative for clubs that don't want to switch from DC so the people with sound can still control the sound functions. I had one for awhile before i switched and i loved it. Its not walk around but still cool. Sorry a tad off topic, just curious.
I've never liked sound. I hear enough huffing and puffing at work all day long. Working on the railroad is my quiet time. I was thinking about getting one loco equipped with this though, just for the kids. But it's pretty low on the list of priorities right now.
One of the guys at the club installed sound in a Bachmann Thomas the Train, not sure if your kids are to old for Thomas but he sounded pretty cool with it.
No, my son is 6 and is too old for Thomas at this point. He actually may be too old for his Lionel layout I built for him 2 years ago . He wants to get into proto operation and is bored by trains going in circles. He actually wants to sell all of his die-cast thomas on ebay (I can't believe how much this stuff sells for)to buy an Atlas-O SD-35 or Weaver U boat to run on my layout. So that would be what I put sound in, if he ends up getting it.
My daughter is only 4 and shows little interest in Thomas but does like the trains. I try to limit her time in the basement due to her "throwing phase".
Also, I would have to buy a Lionel Thomas and convert it to 2-rail. Not something I'm to keen on.
Midnight Railroader wrote: marknewton wrote:I personally can't fathom why anyone would persist with a control system that I regard as archaic, user-unfriendly and unrealistic, but I don't care if people do make that choice. You managed to undermine your entire argument by including this line, and make my point in the process. (Not that you would ever admit it, of course.)
marknewton wrote:I personally can't fathom why anyone would persist with a control system that I regard as archaic, user-unfriendly and unrealistic, but I don't care if people do make that choice.
Driline wrote: I am the idiot you're talking about. Your layout offends me too. It looks nicer than mine. I like the way the track flows. Do you have any recent pics of the layout? I'd like to see it. Mine is just an around the wall shelf unit and has gotten boring rather quickly. I am in the process of adding some staging tracks though.
My most recent pics are on a photo page that you can get to by clicking on the www button at the bottom of this post. There are a few pics on the title page and then more on the "layout pics" sub folder.
I was going to try to get some more recent ones up this weekend but it depends on my schedule. The Red Wings managed to get past round one of the playoffs this year.
marknewton wrote: Midnight Railroader wrote: The thing is, I have observed many times on this board that many DCC users are adamant that everyone must switch to the DCC system to operate their layout.If I were to ask you to quote or cite some of these adamant DCC'ers, I wonder how many you could come up with? I ask because I don't recall seeing many posts of this nature, if any at all. I rather suspect this is no more than a strawman argument... (Remember, I said I didn't want to use DCC--that's ALL I said--and my layout was called 'Cheeseball.')No, it wasn't - the comment made was "Good, stick with your cheeseball DC", which is a very general reference to a widely-used system, rather than one specific to your layout. I believe you chose this interpretation because you're one of those pot-stirrers I referred to earlier. Nothing wrong with that, but you can't expect to have a sook when people respond in kind. Those of us who happily use DC don't care either way who else does or doesn't; but DCCers seem to care a whole lot that we acknowledge the Greatness That Is DCC. You reckon? I'm a DCC user, and I don't care whether you're even aware of it's existence, let alone acknowledge it. Most of my modelling mates share that attitude. So where's the evidence to support your assertion? Apart from a few deliberately inflammatory remarks posted in this thread, I don't think people care either way.I'll admit, I personally can't fathom why anyone would persist with a control system that I regard as archaic, user-unfriendly and unrealistic, but I don't care if people do make that choice. Each to their own...Cheers,Mark.
Midnight Railroader wrote: The thing is, I have observed many times on this board that many DCC users are adamant that everyone must switch to the DCC system to operate their layout.
The thing is, I have observed many times on this board that many DCC users are adamant that everyone must switch to the DCC system to operate their layout.
(Remember, I said I didn't want to use DCC--that's ALL I said--and my layout was called 'Cheeseball.')
Those of us who happily use DC don't care either way who else does or doesn't; but DCCers seem to care a whole lot that we acknowledge the Greatness That Is DCC.
just my
Here we are approaching page 8 of the thread. The originator who stirred the pot has not contributed one dot of additional verbiage. He must have a huge grin on his face by now!
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Midnight Railroader wrote:The thing is, I have observed many times on this board that many DCC users are adamant that everyone must switch to the DCC system to operate their layout.
I don't think DCC is for everyone. Installing decoders in older locomotives takes some courage, and a bit of technical skill. Not everyone has that.
That said, I'll also say that wiring a DC system for multiple cabs requires the exact same qualities, so that's not intended as a slam at all.
For me it came down to trying DCC on a club layout, and liking the flexibility it offers. Once the virtually idiot-proof MRC system came out, I felt comfortable making the leap.
Lee
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
marknewton wrote: El Capitan wrote: Why are DCC-users so threatened by the idea that someone might not want to use DCC? If you're going to reduce this thread to sweeping generalisations - probably for the same reasons DC users are threatened by DCC.What I reckon really happens is that the majority of both DC and DCC users get along quite happily ignorant of what the other group is doing, and not caring about it either. The only time I've ever encountered impassioned DC vs. DCC arguments are online. A few who get involved are genuinely zealots, the rest I think are merely stirring the pot. As far as I'm concerned, people should use whatever system suits them, for whatever reason. What does bother though is when zealots from either camp tell lies to support their position.Cheers,Mark.
El Capitan wrote: Why are DCC-users so threatened by the idea that someone might not want to use DCC?
Why are DCC-users so threatened by the idea that someone might not want to use DCC?
I try to avoid generalizations. I never made this comment that you are quoting. Somebody else did.
Just a thought....
What really is the point on this discussion? granted, i've seen some good arguments from both sides, but is this really important? this type of subject is a personal decision. Each person is different (no Duh!) and we all have different opinions. lets just respect eachother's opinions and leave it at that.
I honestly think we should end this topic and move on to something more productive, like...
What era do you model? and Why?
I'll start:
I model the late fifties-late sixties, mainly because i like the equippment in that broad era, plus there is a good mix of first generation & second generation diesels. as a plus, this is the most popular era, so it is easy to find equippment for it
your turn....