I would like to add my vote for a layout design forum also.I think the whole idea is simply PURRFECT. <marquee>North American Rail Alliance</marquee>
I see there is a lot of support for this TOPIC, but that's just what it is, a TOPIC. I really don't see a need for a separate forum for this. To me, this is part of what the Inspection Pit was designed for in the first place. Now let me say this, I'm not going to be around here on a regular basis for a while so what I think about this doesn't carry a lot of weight. If the Powers that Be decide we have a new forum for this, so be it. But I personally don't see a real reason for it. This is the place (The Inspection Pit) to discuss ALL "NOT SCALE SPECIFIC TOPICS" OF MODEL RAILROADING, that would include Layout Design. Again, this is just my opinion, consider it "Food for Thought".
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DoctorJ: [QB]As a new member (this is my first ever post) and someone new to the hobby, let me second this. I have learned a lot from people posting plans and the constructive comments/critiques offered by more experienced modellers. There's a lot of collective experience here, that reading books and MR can't match. Because I'm interested primarily in N-scale due to space limitations, I only see the layout critiques there, but many of the issues are the same. I think this is a tremendous idea.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Welcome aboard. It's good to see another westerner on the board and an N scaler to boot.
Now, let me put my two cents worth in here. I think the idea of a separate layout design forum is a good one. It was quite aptly pointed out that current practice is to post designs in scale specific forums. Of course we could surf about from forum to forum. Unfortunately, I and I suspect many others generally lurk about in the N scale forum or which ever scale they are most fond of. Layout design of course is transferable from one scale to another in many cases. Consequently, an HO plan is generally easily adapted to N scale, etc. You are also quite correct that layout design is a huge sub-hobby of the hobby. The NMRA has an entire SIG devoted to it.
Welcome to the "PIT" Dr. J. Enjoy the friendly Family cussions and discussions opinions and poopinions! Its just like a family re-union after lunch at the Big House! We may not get a lot of work done, but we do a lot of talking about how it could be done.
