re last layout Cody, I am retired and felt the same way when I started my current layout 5 years ago, and today I am retired. Either by chance or inspiration, I still have that layout, but have built several other layouts in my place, (mostly Z and an HO switching layout) as you never can underestimate the power of having time to do stuff when you are retired. My original inspiration started with my late friend, who passed away 2 years ago at 85, but in the 10 years I knew him, he built 3 large room size fully scenicked and wired N scale layouts with operating bridges, turntable and "live" overhead wires. Plus, he scratchbuilt, kitbashed, repaired and even made original molds for N scale trolleys and electrified locos for Father Nature. The guy was a walking dynamo, and nothing fettered him, when he got an inkling to do stuff, he just sat down and did it. I am no Jim Brewer, but thanks to his legacy on me, I have more guts to attack projects without fearing failure and probably owe what success rate I have to him. You will see as you enter retirement, that you will REALLY get down and get into your layout, and derive joy you never thought. I know I have. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman
Hi Ken, Yep, I'm having some of those same feelings and thanks for sharing your story with me. I think that's one of the neat things about the hobby that we can do it well into the later years. Also, sorry to hear about your friend...I guess that also happens more then we care to have happen as we near the ages we are at. Cody
Cody, Welcome to TrainBoard! Quite an impressive layout design!:thumbs_up: You have packed the maximum railroad experience into the space available. DC will provide all the functionality that you need to operate this layout and then some. The yard(s), I say flaunt them! You possess the real estate to make them highly prototypical. I would like to suggest a more prototypical yard(s) design using your present layout specifications and in the process correct a few undesirables. None of my suggestions would affect your DC cabs or operating flows. Let’s make full use of the (5) 14.5’ wall for your two yards. Rather than have the mainlines run around the yard(s) between Willard and Akron I would suggest they shoot straight up the middle of the two yards, thereby creating an east and west bound double mainline yard(s) as fully described in John Armstrong’s book on realistic operations. Red and Blue tracks would then come out of the yard(s) and meet with the track(s) at Akron just as they do in the current design. The engine service area could then be joined with the yard(s) as it should be and the red and blue mainlines would now behave in a more prototypical manner. This also eliminates the mainline crossing at Willard, the up and over crossing at (1), and the extended trackage around Pittsburgh. West end engine service area would remain the same and a huge area of real estate will open up for scenery or stub end staging. I would also suggest mainline crossovers (insulated of course) to allow trains to navigate both mainlines / yards. If I missed that in your track plan please forgive me. These comments are just food for thought. Above all have fun and Njoy! Jerry
