What do you consider a layout ?...

[Anonymous]

To some people, a layout is nothing more than a table with a track, transformer and train on it, while others have to have it all. I personally am one of those people that has to have it all or it just ain't a layout...

How do you folks feel about it ?.

trainluver1

[Jetrock]

A table wiht a track, transformer and train is a train set, not a model railroad. It doesn't need to be an empire, in fact a few square feet is all you need, but it's just more fun when it looks like a layout, not a bare circle of track!

[Anonymous]

I agree!! It's all in the details.

[Anonymous]

I guess one way I'd ask it is, What do you consider a usable layout? Much as I would love to have all of the structures and scenery in place, I call mine a 'layout' when all of the mainline [and at least half the spurs] track is laid & tested, and I can run trains on it. Adding the scenery and structures is a long-term, ongoing thing for me and is part of the fun.

[Pruitt]

I'd consider a layout as anything with some permanently-affixed track.

It might not be what I'd want in a layout, but if it's what you want, it's a layout.

[Jetrock]

I would consider an operating track plan, even on a bare table, to be a layout--not just the basic loop of toy-train track, but something intended for operation, even if it's just a "switching puzzle" or mini layout scheme. The general idea isthat it's more than a toy train set, and more thought has been put into its execution, either operationally or aesthetically, by the owner.

[CNJ831]

Nothing short of a reasonably scenicked (or scenicking well in progress), at least modestly detailed and fully operational arrangement.

Anything that consists of just track and trains on bare plywood, with a few storebought RTR structures, is a simply a train set in the same category as an old fashion Lionel-around-the-Christmas-tree setup.

CNJ831

[Anonymous]

If you dont have it all, then whats the point?

[MisterBeasley]

It's a layout as long as you're still working on it. After that, it's either a display, if you consider it "finished," or a dust catcher if you've moved on to other things.

The scenery on my layout is mostly pink foam, which I like to think of as a "curious pink-tinted sedimentary sandstone from the Late Devonian period." In the last couple of weeks, though, evidence of hominid habitation has appeared.

A layout is a living thing. It evolves, but the hand of a creator is also clearly evident. (There, that should make both the Red States and the Blue States happy.) Trains move under their own power. But mostly it's whatever you want it to be.

[ClinchValleySD40]

Whatever pleases the layout owner is fine. For me personally, it needs to be sceniced with a feel of the location/era I'm trying to model.

[ereimer]

i consider a layout pretty much anything beyond the train set , even just bare plywood , a couple of turnouts and a few plastic buildings . it's all about what the owner wants , and has the time , skill and money to build .

[davekelly]

Mister Beasley and clinchvalley, I agree 100 percent.

If it has to do with track and trains and makes the owner happy - it's a layout. I'm a little confused elsewise on where the line would be drawn and the person can say "hey, that's my layout." When the track plan is drawn? When the benchwork is done? When just the mainline is laid so that the some trains can run? When all the trackwork is done? When the configuration of the track meets some criteria for operability? When the scenery is roughed out? etc etc. Too confusing to me.

[CNJ831]

QUOTE: Originally posted by davekelly

Mister Beasley and clinchvalley, I agree 100 percent.

If it has to do with track and trains and makes the owner happy - it's a layout. I'm a little confused elsewise on where the line would be drawn and the person can say "hey, that's my layout." When the track plan is drawn? When the benchwork is done? When just the mainline is laid so that the some trains can run? When all the trackwork is done? When the configuration of the track meets some criteria for operability? When the scenery is roughed out? etc etc. Too confusing to me.

It becomes a layout in the classical sense when it begins to look like at least a rough respresentaion of reality. Before that it's simply a glorified Christmas train set..

CNJ831

[willy6]

Just my [2c], according to Webster, a "layout is a final arrangement,plan or design". I considered mine a layout as soon as the benchwork was completed.

[davekelly]

I can see your point, but does that mean Tony Koester's current effort is just a glorified Christmas train set since I believe he is still in the benchwork - tracklaying mode?

[simon1966]

What is a "Layout"? This means a lot of different things to different people as can be seen from above. I would contend that a "Layout" has a degree of permanence to it. The Christmas tree loop of track is not a layout. But a simple 4 x 8 plywood board with an attatched loop of track is a layout. If the intent is to build something that will grow and develop, then it is a layout. The above mentioned 4 x 8, with painted roads and grass and a few basic plastic houses, and a paper mache hill with a tunnel, may be very rudimentary to some, but for others it would be a source of pride and joy. It is a "layout" and should not be looked down upon by others. When I was 8 years old this is what constituted my layout and I was dam proud of it as well!!

[Attaboy]

I've just started building benchwork, but it is a layout. Refer to Willy's definition "final arrangement, plan, or design". Even though I have no track, no scenery and just the very beginning of the benchwork, it is still a layout. Because I have a plan. That's the beauty of the hobby, we each get to define what will be our own layout. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Anonymous]

Okay guys. Just to be fair we'll call the layouts that are nothing more than bench work and working tracks a work in progress because everyone's layout has to start that way. But for those that stop there and never go any farther-yet call it a layout, that kind of bothers me...

trainluver1

[Bergie]

I look at it like this...

Ribs... you might like yours slathered in bar-b-que sauce, while some of our friends from Texas might insist that the perfect rack of ribs consists of nothing more than a hand-full of spices and time spent on the perfect smoke pit.

In the end, they're both still considered ribs.

Deep thought, isn't it? (Now I'm hungry!)

Bergie

[cwclark]

Bergie...you just gotta try my Bar-B-Qued brisket some day...8 hours of fine pit smoking using the finest mesquite and white oak woods smothered in a rich tomato/ brown sugar /beer / (and my secret herbs and spices) BB que sauce...now that's what i call a layout!...wait a minute!..we were talking about trains huh?....[:D]...chuck

[Bergie]

Oh baby... party at Chuck's house! E-mail me that recipe partner!

Bergie

[Anonymous]

LOL!!! I like my ribs smothered in BBQ sauce!!! Yum! Ok, i guess if i'm on this thread, i need to answer the question. I think a layout is anything that a train can be run on. A track, power pack, and table is all you need...

[IRONROOSTER]

I think if you have a permanent platform with track afixed you have a model railroad layout. You can add scenery, buildings, trains, etc. to enhance the layout . At one point in time scenery was considered by many to be an unnecessary frill, today some consider a lack of protoype operations to mean it's not a model railroad.
Enjoy
Paul

[aloco]

Something that is finished, not under construction.

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by trainluver1

To some people, a layout is nothing more than a table with a track, transformer and train on it, while others have to have it all. I personally am one of those people that has to have it all or it just ain't a layout...

Technically, I believe the "layout" would be the track plan of anything with track. All model railroads would therefore have a layout, but not everything with a layout would be a model railroad.

Didn't we run this topic into the ground back in February/March?

[selector]

Two sawhorses and a (name removable surface) = train table.
Two sawhorses and a (name removable surface that has at least one Aggrotree) = one bit*hin layout!!!! [:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

Why does it matter??

Who has the barbeque?

[Anonymous]

Umm... i'm too young to barbeque!!! LOL!!!

[Anonymous]

My wife and I just got a new barbeque.

She barbequed Steaks tonight.

Nice!!!

[davekelly]

There was a show on History Channel's "Modern Marvals" on stuff folks have in their garages. For the BBQ a president of one of the manufacturers said "One of man's greatest finds was fire - a little while later - probably that night man invented BBQ." I thought that was so very funny - and most likely true! lol.