So what layouts inspired you

[rsn48]

If you had to name only a couple of layouts that inspired you to create your layout, which ones would they be?  Like any here I first began in HO and my early adjustment to N was less than enthusiastic.  I remember the first "N" set I purchased for my son while he was sick, when put on plywood looked to me.....well... pathetic.  It was a shock to come down from HO. 

My son and I used to go rail fanning together, either for hours or for days living out of tents.  Much of it was done with BC Rail and the areas of the Cisco Bridges in the Fraser Thompson Canyons.  This time together with today's trains turned my interest to the modern era, not last decades or more, but today.  For me the engines aren't as dramatic as steam engines, but the consist itself is much more interesting and colourful than trains of yore, the train lengths impressive, multiple lash ups wonderfully noisy, and consists snaking through canyons visually playful.

So after I purchased that first N train set, a nagging question was - could I find happiness in N scale?  This question bubbled and simmered away inside until I went down to the Lynden train show more than a decade ago and saw the N layout from the Tacoma club I believe it was (it still exists).  See trains set in the modern era, witnessing quality modelling and operations on a visually appealing layout answered my question, yes happiness can come in small packages.

The second layout that help me to move forward was the Wisconsin Central project layout in MR.  This layout taught me you can have an effective track plan in a smaller space (it wasn't that small), on a flat surface with no bridges, tunnels and mountains.  The track plan to this day still impresses me when I re-read the article from time to time.



So what layouts, either locally privately owned, a clubs, a project layout, or a published N layout help you to jump in and spend the hundred's of hours you have on yours?

[strummer]

Great Question!

Early on, of course, it was John Allen's "G&D"; his floor-to ceiling scenery still delights and amazes me. A true work of art.

Closer to home, some of the best work I've seen is on the N-Trak layout of the Columbia Gorge Club ( I'm not sure that's the official name; someone help me out here!), but the scenery they do is just terrific. Watching the long trains move along the river is a joy to behold.

Mark in Oregon

[Tom L]

The occasional Bud Lines photos and articles in Model Railroader back in, what, late 70's, early 80's maybe?  Built by a gentleman named David Petty. 

Later on it was early articles in N Scale Magazine by Bill Denton.  What was the name of that layout again? The Rockford, LaCrosse and something.  Can't remember now.

In more recent years it is Clark Probst's HO MStL layout based on Mason City IA.

Tom L
Wellington CO

[davefoxx]

For me, the layouts that stand out as inspiration include layouts featured in Model Railroader magazine in the 1980s when I was a teenager, e.g., Allen McClelland's Virginian & Ohio, Tony Koester's Allegheny Midland, Andy Sperandeo's Washita & Santa Fe, Chuck Hitchcock's ATSF layout, David Barrow's Cat Mountain and Santa Fe, John Olson's Jerome & Southwestern, and MR's Milwaukee, Racine, and Troy.

Much more relevant inspiration within the last ten years includes, if you didn't know, Marty McGuirk's Carolina Central and the MR project layout of the 1980s: The Seaboard Central.

Unfortunately, with the possible exception of the Carolina Central, none of these layouts still exist in their 1980s format.  Now that I think of it, we have lost a handful of well-built layouts on the Railwire recently, too, that I am sure were a source of inspiration for many: DKS's James River Branch and Lee's WM Western Lines.   

DFF

[DKS]

The answer depends on which layout I've built as to what layouts--or modelers--provided inspiration. My current under-construction iteration of the White River & Northern derives principal inspiration from John Allen's G&D; the secondary inspiration didn't come from a layout, but rather the locomotives bashed/scratchbuilt by RW Chris Schmuck.

Prior layouts owe a tip of the hat to a great many other modelers' work, including Lance Mindheim, Rich Yourstone, Rick Spano, Earl Smallshaw, Bill Denton, and a whole host of others--too many to mention.

[jmlaboda]

For me it is wide ranging, from Bob Smaus' portable Los Angeles layout to Tony Koester's Allegheny Midland and the Reid Brothers' Cumberland Valley... and a wide number of other layouts as well.  I admire the work of a number of N-scale modelers, some who are on this forum, along with a number of others, irregardless of the scale.  While I have no way of building a layout right now and likely will not be able to any time soon, IF I ever get to build one I have high aspirations to follow examples displayed in magazines and in the various forums... there is some mighty fine work being done by N-scale modelers all over the world!!!

[Nato]

                         John Allen's G&D was certainly an inspiration to me a$$ a teenage HO modeler in the mid 1960's also a local model railroader (friend of my dad's)and professional photographer who lived in my neighborhood Jack White who in his basement had a larde very G&D -like layout all steam and turn of thne century era. As for model railroad Operations it would be Lee Nicholas's"Utah Colorado & Western" located in Corinne, Utah that I have been fortunate to operate on over the years.Nate Goodman (Nato). Oh and the book by cartoonist carl Fallberg "Fiddletown & Copperoplis",everyone should own a copy of this book which also features a detailed centerfold map of the entire railroad.

[delamaize]

Myself, it was the local Ntrak club as a kid, and all the layouts that where at the local county fairs. I couldn't tell you who they layouts were from, or what scale they were, but it got me intrested in having a layout that was more realistic, less "Lionel"

the layout/club that got me intrested in opperations was a club I was part of in Dothan, Al. but IIRC it's defunked now.

the MB&S Reinforced the opperations and realistic potential in N scale for me.

[skytop35]

Later on it was early articles in N Scale Magazine by Bill Denton.  What was the name of that layout again? The Rockford, LaCrosse and something.  Can't remember now.

Tom L
Wellington CO

WOW! Hard to believe someone remembers The Chicago, Rockford and LaCrosse RR. That one even predates my Kingsbury Branch. Thanks for the mention guys.

My biggest inspiration is, was and always will be the Reid Brothers Cumberland Valley RR but I also have to mention some early HO inspiration from John Allen's G&D and McClelland's V&O.

[ljudice]

All of them, Katie!

Even the much maligned Northlandtz, which every so I often I end up being forced to take a stroll through has one or two scenes that are an inspiration.

[rickb773]

The Reid brother's PRR Cumberland Valley, David Propp's NH layout, the MR Clinchfield.

[GaryHinshaw]

Good question.  There are many, but I'll single out one from the past, Allen McClelland's V&O, and one from the present, Mike Danneman's Moffat Road.

[pnolan48]

Allen McClelland's V&O. I couldn't afford magazines back then, but happened to buy the RMC that featured his layout.

[VirginaCSX]

All of them, Katie!

Even the much maligned Northlandtz, which every so I often I end up being forced to take a stroll through has one or two scenes that are an inspiration.

Is Northlandtz still there?  I heard it closed it's doors???

[conrail98]

It was the Reid brothers' Cumberland Valley. Getting to sit and talk with them on a layout tour at the 1993 national was even better. A close second is Charlie Carangi's layout because I used to go there all the time with my dad,

Phil