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Bucks, let me know which installments you're missing. I can photocopy and mail them to you.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm a busy man. I have a railroad to run.



http://homepage.mac.com/michael21/CMS-RR-Co./

id=quote>id=quote> Mike the first time I saw Boone's layout was in the March MR last year, And since then I've managed to get almost all the issues of the Gazette except for the first few with that series, just so I could see and learn more from him. Now THAT'S a great layout!

Hi ya gang,

The V&O and the CMSF.

Most of us today get/got our inspiration from these two gentlemen.

They got theirs from John Allen and Frank Ellison.

Will Operate Tonight

Wiley O.Tinker Allen,TX

Modeling the MKT

The world will step aside and let any person pass

If they know where they are going

There is no doubt the Boone got a real nice looking layout going there.To bad they short changed it in MR though.I think there should have been more pictures! I could look at that layout all day!

brakie

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Yeah, I've been following his series since the beginning. The photos show such incredible attention to detailing that it's almost mind-boggling.

Mike Chambers



http://homepage.mac.com/michael21/CMS-RR-Co./

Brian,If their layouts looks like yours then they are indeed great little layouts!Remember my friend,big is not always better.I would perfer a smaller layout like yours over the one I built.It is around the walls with a 4'x 8' island.This is a well thought out layout but,I think for me a little to much layout.And I am still not sure if I am going to like a shay powered railroasd hauling coal,pulpwood and finish lumber.Time will tell.

brakie

Hey, glad to see another North Coast RR fan! Boone sure does nice work huh?

This time I'll be a little bit more sensible with my reply!

There are also some great layouts over here in Europe. Some are large, some are small. Even though they may be non-American they still inspire me to do better. They need not be accurate to prototype but they look great and they operate well.

As MikeC says, they inspire you when you get discouraged, and that is what a great Model Railroad should do.

Brian

If'n any of ya get up into the Portland, OR area, go check out Lowell Smith's hobby shop, 'Hobby Smith.' He is an 'N' scaler and runs a great shoppe for those in that scale. However, the hi-lite of his store is his rendition of the 'Inside Gateway' in n-scale. The layout is very inspirational no matter what scale any are in, and all are invited to operate during his Wednesday night sessions. He keeps a lot of operators busy.

Don in Oregon City

These have all been great answers, but the one I keep coming back to is Bucks'. For me, the greatest layouts have been the ones that have inspired me to keep pressing on when I got discouraged, to make changes, to daydream and fantasize, and to feel completely stimulated by the possibilities.

As a result, I keep this little "list" in my head. It includes some very well known layouts and others that are not so well known at all. So, in no particular order, here's my list of GMR's:

1. John Allen's G&D

2. Bob Hayden's C&DR (circa 1982)

3. Hayden and Frary's Elk River

4. George Sellios' F&SM

5. Dave Methlie's 4X8 layout (I can't remember the name of it now, but it was published in RMC in late '70's/early '80's. I spent hours and hours studying the photos)

6. Geoff Nott, et al, recent Red Stag module series in the Gazette

7. Boone Morrison's North Coast RR

8. Paul Scoles' Pelican Bay

9. Almost anything Bernie Kempinsky does in N

10. Reid Bros.' Cumberland system.

there are others but the cat has jumped in my lap and is demanding that I do something besides type... it's very distracting.


Mike Chambers



http://homepage.mac.com/michael21/CMS-RR-Co./

Hi everyone,

Besides the trains...I think the scenery is important to a great railroad. I like to make every structure into a "mini-scene"...whether it's a building in town, or a chicken coop or outhouse in a rural scene. I enjoy watching others find "activity" in every scene...I don't mean animation...just use of our imagination. (Of course, any animation is a plus). The pleasure that model railroading brings to others from MY railroad is enough to keep me striving to learn more and hopefully improve along the journey.

L&N Debbie

What truely makes a great model railroad ? The one that pleases the owner,one that is easy and fun to operate and easy to maintain.That is a great model railroad.

brakie

I think a great model railroad is one that is finished and is ready to run trains.Great,is in the eye of the beholder.

horailfan

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I second that! John Allen's G&D will always be the bench mark used to measure a really great model railroad.

Rusty Stumps

Fall Creek Lumber & Mining RR

I also agree with the motivational aspect of a great model railroad. I don't care personally what the size is, but am I motivated by what the owner of the railroad has done I have been motivated by 4x8s as much as the larger designs.

Don