Model Railroad Planning 2005

[Anonymous]

I just got MRP 2005, really impressive and BIG layouts. It was also some small shelf switching layouts. But It wasn´t featured a single midsized layout at all in this issue, where did they go?

Do they(Tony Koster) really think that so many model railroaders have that much space and time to build that monstruos plans. Shelf Switchers are Ok but I personally want some continuos running built in a midsized space, like a single car garage. WANTED: more plans for people with normal time and space [:D]

[philnrunt]

Check out April's MR, skutskar, it has a couple of midsized plans in it.
Or, just join 4-5 of the shelf layouts together, see what turns up.Hmmmm, just might try that myself!

[orsonroy]

MRP is just that - a magazine for PLANNING a layout. It's not "here's 203 trackplans" book. Use the eaxmples for both large and small layouts for what they really are. They're NOT "here's how to build a gigantic layout" articles, they're "here's my learning curve" articles. Use the information in them to design your own layout to fit your own space.

[jfugate]

The other thing to keep in mind is they can only print what they receive.

If all they had were mid-sized layout articles and they printed those we'd all be complaining "don't they know layouts come in all sizes?" [;)]

It's probably that mid-sized layout owners look at their modest efforts and don't think it's impressive enough to get written up, so they don't even consider it. If you want to see more mid-sized layout articles, then we need to encourage the mid-sized layout owners among us to write up their efforts!

[bcammack]

Wasn't last years MRP devoted to small layouts? Or was it the 2003 edition?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by philnrunt

Check out April's MR, skutskar, it has a couple of midsized plans in it.
Or, just join 4-5 of the shelf layouts together, see what turns up.Hmmmm, just might try that myself!

Yes I have already checked out the April issue. It was a great inspiration especially that layout with the harbour scenes.

I still think that the MRP 2001 was the best one so far. I have already built that M. Hammer plan with some major modifications. That layout are gone now but guess what, I have started to build a layout that was drawn by Iain Rice from the same issue (with minor modifications). By the way where is Iain Rice? Isn´t he working with Model Railroader anymore?

[leighant]

"It was also some small shelf switching layouts....I personally want some continuous running built in a midsized space."

How about my small switching layout that is NOT a shelf but has continuous running if desired? But it is not mid-sized. The entire layout is 2' x 3' and that is small.

The article re "S curve problems" showed only a few inches to focus on one track arrangement rather than the whole layout.


The continuous loop is NOT a mainline but an industrial circulation loop. Although the "industry" is not what is normally considered an industry except as a railroad customer. It is a Navy blimp base.

[trolleyboy]

Ive actually purchased all 10 editions ,but found that this one has yielded the most help for myself.I've what I would call a medium sized layout.I was haveing problems decideing how to bride two doorways but the drop leaf on the one layout will fit the bill nicley on both gaps. It looks like I will use a couple of the small industrial shelf switching puzzles for a couple of the narrower (18') shelf sections of my layout as well.So all on all hats off to this edition. Rob

[BRAKIE]

I thought over all MRP was rather good.I believe there was something there for everybody..Again as was stated you don't need to build those monstrous layouts but you can use some of the ideas.
Now,I did think the gentleman that talk about "S" curves forgot that everybody doesn't have the space need to straighten out a "S" curve.
As far as "S" curves they need not be a bad word in yards or other slow speed areas including using #4s as cross overs.Speed is the factor as its always been for any size of crossover made with less then size 10 switches.Now how many of us with average size layouts has room for size 8 switches let alone size 10s? Some of us can't even use a size 6 switch and in that light we must make do with smaller switches like #4s.
Does anybody besides me see a trend toward switching layouts?? I think this is good as a well plan switching layout(NOT the puzzle or time waster-Er Ah Time saver types) beats arm chairing any time![:D]

[Javern]

I didn't get much out of this issue, I think the JUMBO layouts are only of good use to a small portion of model rr crowd, and then there were the tiny shelf layouts. Not really anything in between. Just my opinion, other years I thought the issue was wonderful.

[Anonymous]

I still don't have this one. Hopefully I'll get it soon.

[Anonymous]

I wrote a quickie review of it in a previous thread. Yes, it was almost more of a club-sized layout planning issue. Fun to read, but quite impractical for me. Fun for dreaming about a "some day when I'm retired in 25 years yet still have the time & energy to make a huge layout" type layout!

[greenjohnca]

I would just like to say that I have been really enjoyinging this latest edition of MRP. During my work commute, I often read work related material, since purchasing my copy of MRP mid last week I have been enjoying this hobby magazine .

One question about the Central Vermont article,
with the neat Idea of building parts of your pike
on doors so they are easier to trasport and share with a wider audience
at public exhibitions.

Who are "Currier & Ives??" [?]

I think that this 10th anniversary issue is the best MRP to date.
It contains many interesting articles and useful ideas.

Congratulations to Tony and all those who contributed to this excellent edition !!

John Green
Vancouver B.C.

[Jetrock]

One thing about the big, big layouts in this issue--many of them had PARTS that were inspiring! So maybe you don't have room for the whole giant layout--but you might have room for half, or a third.

I generally find the MRP volumes to be very useful and inspiring. It's always nice to see shelf layout plans, too.

[darday]

QUOTE: Originally posted by greenjohn


One question about the Central Vermont article,
with the neat Idea of building parts of your pike
on doors so they are easier to trasport and share with a wider audience
at public exhibitions.

Who are "Currier & Ives??" [?]

John Green
Vancouver B.C.

Forgive me, but I can't resist answering:

From 1834 till 1907, The lithography shop of "Currier & Ives" chronicled the history of the mid to late 19th century America in picture. They produced in excess of 1 million prints which included more than 7500 different titles that illustrated American scenes, mostly rural ones. Farms and railroads were popular themes. Many cards--especially Christmas cards--still feature reproductions of Currier & Ives lithographs. The history of Currier & Ives page (http://www.geocities.com/scurrier/) has more information about this historic firm.