Does any one actually build their own layout

[Dave Farquhar]

John, haven't several trackplans you designed been featured in CTT?

[3railguy]

I've been a subscriber since day one too and have seen more home grown layouts published than professionally built layouts. Maybe more pro layouts have been published in recent years. To me, it's a layout and I see it for what it is. Professionally built or not, if it looks good, it's worthy of publication. There is a lot to be learned and enjoyed studying it. That is what's important to me.

[Anonymous]

I've been a subscriber to CTT from the first issue and have found a good mix of articles pertaining to layouts that have been professionally constructed as well as layouts that have been home built by modellers. I really don't care who built or constructed the layout as long as each article provides me with a source of inspiration. I'm also happy when I discover at least one nugget of information I can glean from an article and use on my own layout.

So I don't have a problem with CTT's layout features. What I do find annoying is when a magazine hypes a personality by running a 'Call Out' on their cover...such as "Joe Blow Builds a Layout".

BillFromWayne
www.modeltrainjournal.com

[Dave Farquhar]

I've seen features on people who built their own layouts in the past. I have no problem reading about a layout whether it's a professional or a hobbyist who built it; sure, the professional gets some publicity (which I don't think is a bad thing), but more importantly, we get the opportunity to learn from them. While the layout builder is getting some publicity, he may also look at it as giving away some of his secrets too.There are two sides to everything.

To me, the most important thing is the author's experience, and one gets experience from building layouts. If a professional gets a few extra jobs as a result of writing an article, I don't see anything wrong with that.

[TexasEd]

I do.

I hope to get into a magazine some day, but probably not with my first layout.

[LittleTommy]

It seems like the Professional Layout Builders must have a writer or two on their staffs who can turn out an article that meets the requirements for publication in CTT, because there seems to be at least one article a month about a professionally built layouts but, to my eye, nary a one about a layout built by the owner.
Is everyone out there happy about this?

Would you like to see more articles about non professionally built layouts?

Does anyone think this is a problem, with CTT essentially paying the professional layout builders to advertise what they do, or do you find this inspirational?

Little Tommy