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Dave, <br /> <br /> I know where you're coming from on this one. I'm currently in the re-planning stage of my layout. The first layout was based on the Union Pacific mainline in the '50s. It would have been a thing of beauty, but it was too big, too costly, and too time consuming. I was getting no where in a hurry, and I too wanted to come home and just run my trains. So last month I tore it down, salvaged as much as I could and started re-planning a new layout, smaller and smarter. This time I'm going with a modern shortline. Something small with minimal equipment and lots of character. <br /> As far as your layout goes. I like the Anthracite plan also, but don't double the main. Once you do that you'll have trains running un-opposed and that's when it will get boring. Instead, set up one or more trains to operate continuously on their own. Then you operate the 'local' against them. You will find out it will be a good time trying to figure out how to do your work and clear up before the next train arrives. Leave both mines as your plan shows. Instead of having the mine on the layout though, make the mine 'off the layout' and just have the coal conveyed to the loader. Make somekind of tonnage restriction (number of cars) on the line to the mines and move the cars down to the opposite end to a marshalling yard where they are assembled into one big train. Then just run that train off the layout. Have this be a 2 track hidden yard so you can run empties onto the layout and loads off. Several of the major coal haulers did this in the old days. And it would keep you moving accross your layout, instead of around in a circle. <br /> As far as 'fun' goes. Remember the slogan "Model Railroading is Fun"? I've met to many 'fun killers' in my time. Those people that are classified as 'rivet counters' and would never operate PFE reefer #X on January 10, 1960 because it was scrapped on December 15, 1959. Those people take the fun out of it for me. It's ok if that's what they think is fun, but I heard one guy down grade a really nice layout for stuff like that. For me fun in model railroading is having built something that looks like it could really exist. With minimal track and trains and an abundance of the 'real world' . I enjoy making scenes for visitors to look at, even if they have nothing to do with the railroad I'm building. That's what you have to decide, what 'fun' is to you and then build what makes you happy and forget what other's think. Once you decide that, you'll have the BEST layout. Good luck and please submit photos of your layout in the future.
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