Hello --
Interesting comments from Paul, but I have to disagree that a growing
focus on smaller layouts is a "sad" development.
I think the focus on smaller layouts will really benefit the hobby.
When a young kid or teen looks through the hobby press these days,
they are seeing layouts and plans that are very do-able.
They'll look at an 8-by-8 plan for a bedroom and say "Hey! I can do
that right here in my room! The shevles will go over the head of the
bed and the desk, and the industrial district will be along the long
wall, and a drop-leaf reverse loop will be in front of the closet,
and..." ...and it grows from there.
I believe small plans will encourage people new to the hobby to
actually get building and experimenting. The basement-
filling "lifetime" layouts will evolve later from their small layout
experiences.
I can see Paul's point if he means that he is saddened by the fact
that small layouts appear to be displacing the larger "lifetime"
layouts and "empires". But I don't think that's the case -- the
larger layouts will continue to exist, with small layouts serving as
stepping stones to larger efforts.
In fact, Paul, I believe another trend that's getting a lot of press
these days will ensure the future of the larger lifetime layout: the
emphasis on operations, particularly Time Table & Train Order (TT&TO)
operations, virtually guarantees there will still be large layouts in
the hobby's future.
Thanks --
Jon Piasecki
--- In small-layout-design@y..., Paul/Celine Kossart <kozys@t...>
wrote:
Yes I've noticed it and it saddens me. The model RR mags
were always a place where you could see these huge layouts
and have something to aspire to some day. How many people
or kids coming up dream about someday having a small room
or closet to build their "Empire" in?
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