From 1985-2005, one of the largest home layouts in Winnipeg was Ray Goy's Twin Lakes Terminal & Transfer. The five-level layout, which featured mid-western railroading in the 1960s-70s near a Chicago-like big city, filled every inch of Ray's 1,250 square foot basement.
How big was it? Put it this way: It had between 700-800 turnouts, of which 80 were double-slip.
The layout has been gone ten years, but photos can be seen for the first time on my blog at http://cprailmmsub.blogspot.ca/2015/04/great-model-railroad-twin-lakes.html
John Longhurst, Winnipeg
Hi John
Mr. Goy's railroad is almost too big to comprehend! The fact that it was DC is also amazing. I'm a bit humbled by the whole thing.
I just decided to put one double slip into my layout plan and I thought that was a big deal! I guess not.
Thanks for sharing.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
What caused the layout to come to an end?
I notice, by way of observation, a few things about the layout.
It is in unfinished basement, like mine.
The track is unballasted.
The height of the layout is quite high.
Interesting.
Rich
Alton Junction
It may just be this picture showing the unfinished section of this huge layout, but, generally speaking, layouts of this size and type really don´t catch my fancy. I prefer small, but highly detailed and atmospheric layouts.
For no money in the world would I want to have such a behemoth! Just think of the hours you have to spend cleaning the track
I'm with Ulrich on this one. As time goes by I am thinking my current layout is just the right size. I have the room to more than double the size if I choose and that was the plan, but I think I have changed my mind about that. Detailing is where my efforts will go.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Sir Madog...but, generally speaking, layouts of this size and type really don´t catch my fancy. I prefer small, but highly detailed and atmospheric layouts.
I agree. Look at how close the levels are. How does anyone see what's happening on the lower levels? It's so big, scenery seems to be an afterthought.
I'd much rather visit a layout like Lance Mindheim's.
Steve S
I think Ray would agree that he just got started and things sort of kept going. His next layout will be smaller.
John