The Dream Model Railroad

[Anonymous]

Well, in about one week some large ship is going to moor about a mile from my front door. And it will sink itself so that the main deck is below sea level. Many yatchs will appear and will be floated into the "holding" area, the water drained, the ship raised and the yatchs secured. This large ship will then head to California and Florida with its "cargo". Some yatchs will disembark in California, the remainder in Florida.

The first time I saw that ship - about three years ago - I knew the yatch owners were people with "real money." I can't imagine the cost to ship a yatch up from Florida and back in one season. But I'm sure it makes the CEO of Kalmbach look like the guy living on the wrong side of the tracks....lol!

[DavidH]

Rick, just for your info, the Tatoosh is owned by Paul Allen, late of Microsoft and was originally built for Craig McCaw. It is 301' 8". I also saw it sail in before the Indy as my office has a harbour view. Interestingly, it was back for the fireworks finale and, when I was visiting my daughter in Prince Rupert last week, it showed up there. I do know if I had his money, I'd be spending it on my dream model railroad and not a yacht . . .

David

[DavidH]

Rick, just for your info, the Tatoosh is owned by Paul Allen, late of Microsoft and was originally built for Craig McCaw. It is 301' 8". I also saw it sail in before the Indy as my office has a harbour view. Interestingly, it was back for the fireworks finale and, when I was visiting my daughter in Prince Rupert last week, it showed up there. I do know if I had his money, I'd be spending it on my dream model railroad and not a yacht . . .

David

[Trainnut484]

A completed operational layout.

[Trainnut484]

A completed operational layout.

[Anonymous]

I am beginning to suspect model railroad layouts are kind of like yachts. Generally people feel larger yachts are better, whoever has the biggest wins. About three weeks ago, the 12 largest yacht in the world was moored about two blocks from my home, owned by Peter somebody at Microsoft. The thing was massive with more electronics than the Canadian Navy. Apparently it is staffed by 30 people.

For me the perfect size yacht is about a 37 foot sail boat. This size is big enough to feel large, but small enough to be single handed. For me, it is important to be able to single hand a boat as sometimes I like to cast the lines lose and just go out in the harbour at night and look at all the lights and activity by myself.

I think it is the same for a layout. I don't think I would want a layout that really needs eight people to bring it alive. I want to be able to go into the room and run a train by myself and feel satisfied, even if I am alone.

Also for me, having a "completed" layout is important. I don't want to have a layout that might be done 25 years from now, if ever. I would be happy with a half to two thirds basement layout.

Currently I have an N scale layout in a study, approximately 9 1/2 by 13 feet, not a bad size; but the major limiting factor is the number of operators. I will only be able to have three operators maximum so that is the only item on my current layout I don't like.

[Anonymous]

I am beginning to suspect model railroad layouts are kind of like yachts. Generally people feel larger yachts are better, whoever has the biggest wins. About three weeks ago, the 12 largest yacht in the world was moored about two blocks from my home, owned by Peter somebody at Microsoft. The thing was massive with more electronics than the Canadian Navy. Apparently it is staffed by 30 people.

For me the perfect size yacht is about a 37 foot sail boat. This size is big enough to feel large, but small enough to be single handed. For me, it is important to be able to single hand a boat as sometimes I like to cast the lines lose and just go out in the harbour at night and look at all the lights and activity by myself.

I think it is the same for a layout. I don't think I would want a layout that really needs eight people to bring it alive. I want to be able to go into the room and run a train by myself and feel satisfied, even if I am alone.

Also for me, having a "completed" layout is important. I don't want to have a layout that might be done 25 years from now, if ever. I would be happy with a half to two thirds basement layout.

Currently I have an N scale layout in a study, approximately 9 1/2 by 13 feet, not a bad size; but the major limiting factor is the number of operators. I will only be able to have three operators maximum so that is the only item on my current layout I don't like.

[vsmith]

Why it would look just like the Denver & Rio Grande Western and associated narrow guage lines.
Scale 1:1
Power: coal or wood
Layout area: about 1/2 of the state of Colorado and a good part of Utah!

[vsmith]

Why it would look just like the Denver & Rio Grande Western and associated narrow guage lines.
Scale 1:1
Power: coal or wood
Layout area: about 1/2 of the state of Colorado and a good part of Utah!

[Anonymous]

Lots of people have dreams of their dream model railroad. If you had unlimted money, space, time, etc. What would your dream model railroad look like?[?][:D]

[Anonymous]

Lots of people have dreams of their dream model railroad. If you had unlimted money, space, time, etc. What would your dream model railroad look like?[?][:D]