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Congratulations! Is the sketch representing what I think it is, a 86' hi-cube you're converting? Looks like a fun project.
What? No layout?
Hey DKS, got a minute? In all reality, the actual displays are still all TBD.
One of the ideas we had was using models (although likely HO due to availability) to demonstrate some of Conrail's equipment fleet. Obviously not stuff like this (https://www.amazon.com/Bachmann-Industries-Locomotive-Conrail-Scale/dp/B00BFCTWEM) but more "museum quality" stuff like this (https://www.scaletrains.com/product/rivet-counter-ho-scale-ge-c39-8-conrail/) would be more fitting.
OK... let me cast votes for 1) HO, for the reasons Dave and Ed cited, and 2) non-operating diorama only.[Pause here while Mikey dons his Nomex.]Some of it chronicled on TRW, I have a little bit of experience with museum layouts. Once the luster has worn off and the participating enthusiasm abated, they are a pain in the @$$. We gladly put up with the maintenance issues with our own layouts as it is what we signed up for. But when it's somebody else's the rules change. We're talking about things like access issues such as hours and keys and "permission", "necessary" (but usually debatable) changes when things need to be fixed, and non-MRR museum managers unable to grok the simplest of tasks such as re-railing cars (...lordy, I know that one...). Then there is the whopper, sooner or later there will be "an enthusiastic volunteer" who is all thumbs and wants to tinker or make major changes, screwing things up royally. Suddenly the layout becomes stubbornly non-operating, vexing all who follow attempting to undo the damage.It's essentially the club dynamic, but worse since future layout maintenance participants usually have little stake in the outcome other than "attaboy" points.But wait, there's more!Then there's the guest relations issue of "if you want to see it run, the volunteers who operate the layout are here on Mondays from 4:17 to 5:24 a.m." or something equally restrictive or ridiculous. Bottom line is that the random guest will be unlikely to see it run, so it becomes "what's the point?" Even major, well-known layouts in prime areas have that problem (San Diego/Balboa Park people, I'm talking about you ). Automated layouts? That's another whole thing. I've seen exactly one that worked reasonably; it was small and obviously the work of a single dedicated volunteer/curator who knew what he or she was doing. And there have been several in my travels where the creator was no longer available for one or several reasons, most serious, and the layout abandoned.I'm not talking about next year, I'm talking about the reality of 10-15 years from now. It's not pretty. Diorama(s), absolutely. Operating? Not so much. The less need for touching, the better.
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Topic: Announcing the CRHS'S Conrail Museum (Read 1748 times)
