Frank, what I am saying is that everyone is tossing out names of their favorite layouts, but I doubt if many of us have any idea what those layouts even look like or why they are their favorite layouts. An NMRA membership list doesn't get me any closer to resolving this issue.
Rich
Alton Junction
Very simple answer, most of the names, of the builders, of the layouts,mentioned,in this thread, are on that list. Most of them belonged to the, NMRA,,,,''Doubting Thomas'', (Rich), even gives, you what they contributed,to the Hobby and when. But of course,you will have to read, to find that out,, Model Railroader's founder,is also on the List. A.C. Kalmbach. Even tells you when they passed on. There's even more info, if you like to read.
Cheers,
Frank
Frank, I don't see your name on that list.
And you posted that NMRA membership link because?
For those who would like to know,about,who's, who?
http://www.nmra.org/membership/honors/alltime.html
The trouble with this thread is that everyone is tossing out names of their favorite layouts, but I doubt if many of us have any idea what anyone else is talking about.
Since placing an initial response in this thread on Thursday morn, two other model railroads have come to mind. Layouts I admire and have been inspired by. Both in the Philadelphia area.
The GATSME in Ft Washington PA had one of the finest model railroads I've ever seen. Sadly they became a homeless group this past Spring.
And the Chelten Hills model railroad club also made a serious impression on me.
Although individual achievements with model railroads are not to be ignored, I've always been impressed with group layouts and the marriage of skills between members in creating these layouts.
Best wishes to all
Mark H
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
The Spokane international, Ownry, the BN done by MRR in the 90's.
that's just a few, I have yet to see a model train layout I don't like.
SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide
Gary DuPrey
N scale model railroader
My current favorite is Mike Confalone's Allagash Railway.
Robert H. Shilling II
csxnsSunset Valley.
My all time favorite is Ben King's Timber City and Northwestern. It was an amazing gem with exquisite detail that got me to thinking that a small, well detailed layout could be as satisfying as a basement filling behemoth.
Joe
Howard Zane's Piermont Division and George Sellio's Franklin and South Manchester are two of the finest model railroads I have ever seen. Love the realism and the attention to detail.
Craig North Carolina
There have been a lot of great ones mentioned that I agree with. Each touched us in perhaps a different way, which is why it's so hard to pin down just one. From the G&D to V&O to Sunset Valley to CM&SF, each had something that set it apart. Thought what I find interesting is how in so many of the cases, we are talking about railroads that were, rather than railroads that are. So, in that same spirit, I guess I'll add in my top five countdown:
5. CM&SF (older version)
4. G&D
3. V&O
2. Sunset Valley
and rounding out our countdown at number one:
1. Carrabasset & Dead River
My favorite and has been for some time is Lance Mindheim's Downtown Spur. It is featured on the cover of this month's ish. I have to say I wish it had been longer with more photos. Oh well, I realize the ad revenue isn't what it was in the magazine.
http://www.lancemindheim.com/downtown_spur2.htm
markie97. One I would love to see is Howard Zane's Piedmont Division especially now that he's changing the theme to Erie which happens to be what I'm modeling.
One I would love to see is Howard Zane's Piedmont Division especially now that he's changing the theme to Erie which happens to be what I'm modeling.
I was fortunate enough to visit his layout on several occasions. I was there before he changed the theme to Erie. I always said that his layout is "West Virginia on steroids". I enjoyed listening to his tall tales. Being a cat person that I am, I would also pay a visit to his kitties which he refers to them as the 9 "fur balls". He has an impressive brass train collection. I would say for any model railroader it is worth a trip to the Baltimore area to visit his layout.
I've been very priveledged to see several really great layouts in person but my favorite is George Selios' F&SM followed closely by Dick Elwell's Hoosac Valley. By the way both are very gentlemanly hosts.
Sunset Valley.
Russell
Going for a singular here - the only one that meets my very personal (may I say unique) list of givens and druthers. It currently occupies my garage.
I have drawn inspiration from a lot of published layouts (and the published works of their designers.)
I like a lot of layouts that I have visited - and was thoroughly unimpressed by others.
Every time I visit a layout and/or look at a track plan, I see things that I would change to have it agree with my ideas. When I go into my own layout space, I don't see things to change. I see tracks to be extended, scenes to be completed - all in accordance with a plan less than a year away from its fiftieth birthday.
I think I got it right the first time. Other opinions are irrelevant.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - as it might have been but really wasn't)
tstage Wasn't the OP asking for favorite "layout" (sing.) rather than "layouts"? Tom
Wasn't the OP asking for favorite "layout" (sing.) rather than "layouts"?
Tom
I listed 2 of my favorite layouts, so it's OK if others list multiple layouts as their favorite:>)
Whew, that's a tough question for me. I informally make up a list of my favorite 10 or 20 from time to time, so getting down to one is challenging. But it's got to be either the New England Berkshire & Western in Troy, NY or Bill Neale's Pennsy Panhandle Division. If I had a chance to visit only one of the two I'm not sure how I'd go, but would probably vote for the PRR layout. Both layouts have beautiful scenery, excellent modeling of locomotives, rolling stock and structures and both do a tremendous job of modeling urban and industrial envirorments. Both feature very well done lush countryside.
Tough, tough it is to chose between such incredible work. Guess I'll have to be happy daydreaming about them both.
Regards,
Benny Peters
David Barrow's Cat Mountain & Santa Fe. I particularly liked the version built in the mid 1980's. I grew up near the area he modeled, and I got to see his layout at several open houses at that time.
If I ever get the space, I plan on building something very similar to what he had built back then...
tstageWasn't the OP asking for favorite "layout" (sing.) rather than "layouts"?
Despite all the museums, op-till you drop weekends, conferences and layout tours I've been to and through, I truly have not seen/visited enough model railroads to have a wide enough knowledge base to choose a favorite. I never saw the G&D or V&O but photos and stories about them have been an inspiration to me. So if that can be a basis for "favorite" I would have to choose the V&O.
Of the layouts I've actually seen and run trains on in my various operating groups, my favorite to operate on (despite the nasty helixes to get in and out of staging) was recently razed - The Colorado Gulf & Santa Fe. sigh.
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
My favorite model layouts are...
Cat Mountain and Santa Fe if someone remembers that.
Travis and Micki Whitten's Fox River
Roger Marsh's Cunningham's Gap in N
Marty McGuirk's Carolina Central
Dick Christianson's Salt Lake Route
I'm trying to make my own railroad with these inspirations to combine into a modern 90s-00s layout that fit within 2 door size lengths with add-on freight and intermodal yard.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Dick Elwell's Hoosac Valley
The V&O
Jack Burgess's Yosemite Valley
Rick Rideout's L&N Henderson Subdivision
Dave Vollmer's PRR
I'm also a huge fan of Spookshow's various layouts. They've provided me with much inspiration.
Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.
www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com
Lane Stewarts Impire & Junction, currently on display at Caboose Hobbies, Denver
Bob Hegges Crooked Mountain RR
John Allens G&D
John Frazens Ferrocarril Minerales de Santa Lucia (GR 2006)
Malcomn Furlows San Juan Central and Mexican Hat canyon RR
John Olsens Mescal Lines
Have fun with your trains
I don't think he's been mentioned yet but I really like Iain Rice's designs. "Steeltown U.S.A." is probably one of my favorites.
tallcapt Yep, I would have to say mine. No way I'd spend so much money and time on something that I didnt love. Wait, or would I?
Yep, I would have to say mine. No way I'd spend so much money and time on something that I didnt love. Wait, or would I?
A lot of us have forked a lot of money and spent time on layouts that we end up dismantling. I am now starting my fifth, and hopefully final, layout. My intent is to build this layout in phases, so it will be an ongoing effort. I hope that I will not end up dismantling this layout due to lack of interest or change of interests.