Lou Sassi's Mohawk Division for sale on eBay!

[Philip H]

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1993-Model-Railroader-N-Scale-Project-Layout-/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/qAUAAOxyirJSGA6t/$(KGrHqRHJEkFH8GnLpRhBSG!6tMoU!~~60_14.JPG

Lower left corner . . . I'm just sayin . . . .

[Atlas Paul]

In case anyone is interested, the original article is in the December 1993 issue - 218 pages!

[bbussey]

Incorrect. Your layout is your own handiwork. It may have been inspired by Lou Sassi's handiwork, but the execution (which is what elevates it to GMR status) is all yours.

Yep.  I like the JD a lot more than the "original" version.

[Dave V]

Well, remember what was available in 1993 versus 2006, plus what you see on eBay has the patina of 20 years of fade and dust.

I've also had 7 years to enhance the JD whereas Lou did his magic on an MR project timetable.

If I had been under similar constraints I doubt I would have done as well as he.

[chicken45]

The attraction?  I don't know.

My layout seems to have a fan base that befuddles me.  I suppose having the original would not only give me a piece of MR history but allow me to remind folks that mine is NOT the original, and that Lou Sassi deserves all the credit for what the JD is.

I wonder how much the JD would go for on eBay.

[seusscaboose]

Well, remember what was available in 1993 versus 2006, plus what you see on eBay has the patina of 20 years of fade and dust.

I've also had 7 years to enhance the JD whereas Lou did his magic on an MR project timetable.

If I had been under similar constraints I doubt I would have done as well as he.

It sounds to me like your decision is halfway made.  Time to coordinate with Mr. White.

[Dave V]

Honestly my mind is far from made up.  The inescapable fact is that I'm still in the Air Force, subject to move whenever, with a finite household weight limit (which I'm at right now sans Mohawk).  We also have a budget which must take into consideration the cost of finishing the basement versus other hobby priorities for the JD itself.

The last move sucked and while the JD did okay, much of our stuff didn't and we're nowhere near done with the claims process.  Adding a third model railroad to the mix next time is not a gamble I take lightly.

I'm far from decided, actually.

[johnh35]

It will be interesting to see the final price. Someone with "0" feedback has driven my bid up to $400 when I last looked, but the reserve is at least $450.

[Dave V]

That wasn't me!   

My bid last night was obviously too low.

My wife suggested a fixed upper amount and extrapolation suggests the final price will exceed same.

It did cross my mind that having both layouts would allow me to make one permanently Pennsy and the other constantly Conrail...  Alliteration aside, my new layout room would be crowded with both!

[bbussey]

Well, remember what was available in 1993 versus 2006, plus what you see on eBay has the patina of 20 years of fade and dust.

I've also had 7 years to enhance the JD whereas Lou did his magic on an MR project timetable.

If I had been under similar constraints I doubt I would have done as well as he.

I took all of that under consideration.  Yours is better.  Has yours been enhanced over the last decade?  Yes.  Could the original also have been updated over the past two decades?  Yes.  The Juniata ballast is better and the tree scenery is better, fade or no fade, just to site two differences.  I'm not saying the original is sub-par, by any means.  Both layouts are well done.  I'm just saying the Juniata is better.

[BOK]

I very much agree with with Brian and the guys, Dave. You took a good plan and made it so much better.

I have often looked at your layout and envisioned a little larger, wider (19" radius curves) but not much
 longer layout, same plan, with a wye at one end leading off to a branch line with a few industries and
small terminal with a turntable. A little continuois main line action and a little point to point branch.
Of course for me, it the railroad would have to be the Illinois Central, southern Illinois, in the late
50s/early 60s (when I started braking on the IC) to catch the last of steam.

Maybe when I retire in the near future that might be a very, workable plan for a small bedroom, N scale
layout when we re-locate.

Thanks, for letting me dream... now back to railroad rules and regulations.

Barry


 

[BOK]

Oops. Sorry Bryan I mis-spelled your name.

Barry

[GimpLizard]

I took all of that under consideration.  Yours is better.  Has yours been enhanced over the last decade?  Yes.  Could the original also have been updated over the past two decades?  Yes.  The Juniata ballast is better and the tree scenery is better, fade or no fade, just to site two differences.  I'm not saying the original is sub-par, by any means.  Both layouts are well done.  I'm just saying the Juniata is better.

+1

Not to mention that your town is much more believable. Those shots you've taken looking down main steet practically make me feel as though I've been there.

[MichaelWinicki]

It did cross my mind that having both layouts would allow me to make one permanently Pennsy and the other constantly Conrail...  Alliteration aside, my new layout room would be crowded with both!

 

[davefoxx]

Okay, I'm going to attempt to be a voice of reason.  It's not always fun being a dissenter, but I'll add this.  Other than owning a piece of MR history, I'm not sure that I understand the appeal of actually owning the Mohawk Division.  You stated that you wouldn't modify it.  I don't blame you there; I'd probably want to avoid desecrating it, too.  But really, what good is a layout that is constructed of two similar HCD layouts really going to do for you, if you do get into ops sessions?  Nothing, so you keep it separate from the Juniata Division, but then it's just taking up space for something that could be so much better, i.e., an expansion of the Juniata Division.

I would much prefer seeing you take that money and invest it in the next HCD and expand the Juniata Division to create a layout that can add the ops that you say your layout lacks at present.  Some of the plans in your Juniata Division thread that you, DKS, and others have designed will be really nice to see you bring into fruition, and the Mohawk Division really won't fit into that plan.  As for the PRR vs. Conrail on two separate but similar HCDs, I say enjoy swapping out the equipment every few months on the same layout.  That will prevent the doldrums and keep the layout interesting.

DFF