Hi Paul,
You wrote:
You know, this got me thinking. I have toyed with the idea of making a
smaller, island type layout in the basement instead of trying to fill every
space with the so called, every square inch filling dream
layout. Apparently I too have been conditioned to think that more is more
as the first thing that comes to mind is now what do I have to give up,
what will I be losing if I pursue the smaller pike (now there's a word you
don't see everyday).
It certainly isn't, but it's a fitting term nonetheless! My guess is that you
wouldn't
be giving up anything. If you started with the small PIKE and liked what
resulted,
you are in the enviable position of being able to expand. You'd likely get up
and
running trains much faster, and would be able to gauge how much trains is
"enough"
for one person to maintain and keep clean before getting in over your head.
OTOH,
you may discover that you've made a little gem of a layout, and enjoy telling
others
(like us) about the different techniques you used.
One focus of this list should be to promote the idea
that the smaller layout can be a _complete_ layout in itself and not just a
compromise or only viable as a beginner's layout (sorry Mr. K.).
I don't think Mr. K. would mind. He's penned a few good small layout ideas
himself
(see MRP 1995: Wingate, Ind.).
OTOH, I
would hate to see this list become a forum for bashing large, basement
filling layouts. A small layout can and should be a viable , complete
alternative to that. There is a real place for both configurations and all
should keep that in mind.
Well said! I realize that in addition to stepping off my soapbox, I should have
put
my sledgehammer down as well 8^) . I don't want to bash those layouts, or those
that have
made them. It takes a tremendous effort to stay that dedicated to a project, and
the folks that can are to be admired. Although design principles aren't
exclusive
to larger layouts, it seems this is the last bastion for such discussions on the
smaller
layouts.
Jeff
