Hi.. Great looking layout, I myself enjoy switching/shelf layouts. Also I'm in the planning stage for my new layout which will have a space of 15'x22' with staging at each end. Thanks for sharing Stuart
Here Here,, finally another SOO modeler,, no less in Texas also!!!!!! Great job,,,, working on planning a layout in N scale that can use a complete 2 car garage,, or just a part of it,, dunno yet. Since I am not good at all when drawing plans,, might never get built.. My version of the SOO is central Wisconsin,, mid 80's Adios Wyatt
More Pictures Please Your Layouts are very inspirational, Do you have anymore pictures of the N-scale one and maybe a track plan? Cheers Chris
Here is a link to Donovan's old N scale layout. layout Pictures, track plans and a nice article on operations.
thanks Moose for your help. That site is a free web address, as such it has been over-loaded and we are all locked out for now. Yes, I have more pictures, but they are hard to find. I spent several hours going through my old CD's of photos to find the ones I showed. I may show more in the future, but time is not on myside this week with all that is going on. I'll see if I can copy that old article over to here when I can get access to it. later, Me
Sorry about that Donovan. Guess posting the site caused it to get overloaded with hits and shut down.
Nothing to apologize for. Base don the hint counter, I suspect this is the first time in years it has been over-loaded. It will settle down again soon. For those who are truly interested, book mark the site and return in a few days or weeks. But I have done nothing to up-date it in so long I would not expect much. Hi-ho, Hi-ho.... ~Donovan
Donovan, I've read this thread a couple times now and every time I do I'm amazed at your talents. Your talents in both N and HO are awesome. You mostly convinced me to go back to N but it was my wife who in her eloquent way said HO is too big go with N (I have since sold off all my HO and am beginning to acquire N again). In a lot of ways layout like your really cause people (like me) to struggle with their scale. I do have some more questions for you. What program do you use to make the diagrams of your layout? The N scale layout that was linked too, can you tell me the length of the layout on each wall? We've talked about continuous running in the past. Do you still wish you had continuous running on your layout? I'm also voting for a tutorial on weathering and I would love to see some more pics of past layouts. I know you have sound equipped locomotives, how important is having sound to you? I would love to see your list of Givens and Druthers. Lucas in Alaska PS you really need to weather that SOO engine. It's really nice to see you spending some time over here on Trainboard!
Lucas, I use Illustrator to make the diagrams. The N scale layout's plan is here: Still, personally, a huge fan of continous running, but I simply don't have room. Weathering tutorial: the simple truth is that I can't imagine how to do it on a computer. I have given clinics in the past, but they are more show-and-tell. I'll give it some thought. All my new engines will have sound. But I like running silently at times too, so I will be keeping my older DCC stuff as well. I think sound adds a lot, but it isn't perfect (but neither are the rest of our models). I'll do my G's & D's tomorrow. The SOO engine won't get weathered until I detail it. Later, DF
I wish I had known you earlier- I could have suggested another MP branch to model. The Paris (AR) branch, from Van Buren to Ft. Smith and east to Barling/Ft. Chaffee and Paris, is heavy with industrial switching, plus interchange with Frisco and KCS. Plus, this branch has a line running southeast to Hiram Walker, Planters Peanuts, Sutherland Lumber, and (under UP auspices) Quanex, a steel mill utiliing scrap steel. Motive power was GP7s and GP9s, with occasional GP18s here & there- until and after the UP merger, GP15s were used. But, that's a layout idea for another time & place.........
Donovan, Thanks for the great replies. I hope I'm not asking too many questions. You are a very accomplished designer and builder and I always want to tap your knowledge to improve upon my own but I do have a few more questions for you. Your MP 2007 engine, is that HO or N? I see in your some of your other layout designs sometimes your diagrams look a little track heavy and other times there wasn't that much track density. Which of your layout did you find most enjoyable to operate, besides the one you have now. Also how many people generally operated on your N scale layouts at a time? It would be nice to see some videos of your layout, maybe on Youtube Lucas in Alaska We finally have some snow
As long as there is no time limit, I could never get too many questions about my trains. MP2007 is HO scale. I find the less track the better - to an extent. I made a 4-person (2 crews) OPS out of the N scale layout before I moved to my currentl place. I could do the same with my current layout, but like that N scale one, it would be forcing more than it is ideal. I have no video machine of any kind, so for now you'll just have to wish for the video. Take care, Donovan
So I'm guessing you're gonna be a good sport and have your layout on the tour for the upcoming trainshow in Plano? I don't know about others around here, but I'd drive out from Garland to see your layout in person if you did. I might even bring you some doughnuts if bribery will get me anywhere.
I had not really considered the Plano show-and-tell. First, I want to go to the show. Second, my layout is in my sons bedroom and I didn't really feel it would be a good idea to show that to the public. I'm still trying to get my photographer over so he can help me with the photos for an article. Small layouts are cool, but they usually come with a big price - not much access. Sorry. Donovan in Euless (who works in Garland and wouldn't wish that drive on anybody).
Well since that won't be possible, we'll all look forward to the inclusion of your layout and photos in Kalmbach's "Great Model Railroads 2009" (Are you guys at Model Railroader listening?!). Maybe we'll run into each other at the show. It would be cool to meet you or any other Trainboard guys there and put some faces with the names.
It's hard to believe it's been 9 years since I've had a layout. But I am starting a new layout this year and hope to have enough done by year's end to show some of it here. Just thought I'd say "hello" Donovan in Dallas
