I'm curious, is anyone happy with the space they have for their layout?
I believe for most, if not all, of us, there is never enough space.
A model railroad, like the Universe, is something that needs to continually expand, and is never content with a particular size, no matter how large.
My Milwaukee Road electrical dept. is in great need for a Westinghouse Quill electric. They have three MTH "Little Joes" and two sets of MTH GE box cabs, plus a Bipolar but no Westinghouse Quills. Please MTH make one. I'm very happy with all your electrics. Don
Arnold, I am pretty happy with my 40ft x 55ft layout but reachovers are a stretch. I should clarify that it is outdoors so space is not a problem. Indoors is a different story, garage layout is 7ft x 9ft, enough to run most of my Postwar collection which is growing very slowly now as I have stopped trying to collect every single 6464 and just buy the ones I like. I now only have a few trains left on my list and if it takes me 10 years to find them that's ok, I am enjoying the hunt.
Chris S.
Arnold D. Cribari posted:More specifically, I'm very happy with what I have, however, I believe I would be just as happy with a lot less.
There you go! I would be happier with a lot less. What was I thinking?
What, me worry?
As I mentioned above, my Postwar (and some K line classics boxcars) are happiness on wheels. You know, sometimes I happily live vicariously through other people's model train experience, Something to be thankful for with this forum society.
I have always been enamored by prewar O tin, Lionel, Ives, European makers, especially early French manufacturers, things like trains, fancy stations, signals, bridges,
i sometimes get distracted by these wonderful things I do not own. There seems to be an insidious central nervous system event that revels an addiction of sorts. Kind of gets strong enough to become habituated! Glad to report it Helps to be mindful with a limited income.
I dont need to own a completely different era toy to be happy. I do enjoy seeing them on layouts. I.E. Like Fendermain's prewar layout and trains. Thanks buddy.
In a word, yes.
-Greg
Nope. Nobody has made a three rail McKeen car, or several other gas electrics and railcars such as a Mack railbus, small scalesized two truck Heisler, #90 now on Strasburg, or..,and...and...
More than satisfied with what I have in my collection. I have more Than I ever expected to own. I doubt very seriously I will ever purchase another piece of train related equipment.
OKHIKER, have you heard of the phrase "FAT CHANCE?" Don
Fendermain posted:Great topic...thanks for starting it. I would say generally.... yes. I have a smaller yet nice layout that is close to being finished. It has sat dormant for several years but hanging out here with you great folks has rekindled my interest and given me ideas to tweak and upgrade some things. Although...gotta have more postwar steam...low prices now.
Fendermain
I have 1 post war locomotive a lionel 736.Not long after I got a mth railking erie berkshire.Pulled every boxcar I had.And it went from there I now have 22 locomotives with 124 boxcars 4 passenger cars.With the sounds of real locomotives coming from the locomotives.It makes it better for me.
Arnold D. Cribari posted:I'm curious, is anyone happy with the space they have for their layout?
I believe for most, if not all, of us, there is never enough space.
A model railroad, like the Universe, is something that needs to continually expand, and is never content with a particular size, no matter how large.
Well in that no I not happy about that.I would like to have more room for my trains.I like to run long freight trains.
Space, the final frontier! Maybe another topic within a topic. Ok.
Believe me, the Available area in my head is more universally expandable than the size of my layout! I can at any given moment live in that moment within tapped universal energy. No, I haven't been classically altering my consciousness tonight. LOL!
i trimmed down my layout to three semi hollow doors. So far I am content with using less space. 031 curves, smaller locos and traditional size roster. One loco at a time in multi return loops maintaining overall enjoyment. Compact=content. I may given a regeneration of nerves of steel, put up my live catenary to run electrics on same layout! Then running two trains. That's enough expansion cerebral or otherwise!
I don't need more space, just would rather transition this layout to a room out of the cold, fluorescent lit basement. Natural light is plentiful upstairs.
Let it be known that I do thoroughly enjoy seeing long runs of multi trains on large layouts , just not here.
OKHIKER posted:More than satisfied with what I have in my collection. I have more Than I ever expected to own. I doubt very seriously I will ever purchase another piece of train related equipment.
You will not believe how many times i have said that very thing.The next thing you know you will be looking for ether brown van or fedex.
I already have a lot less, less 3 rail trains, less layout, far less accessories, and the older you get, ultimately less time, but more wisdom and enjoyment.
There is so much More in less so I have found. Enjoying one thing at a time and resonating with it works for me. So thankful for the forum experience.
This is a wonderful time to be in this hobby...lots of different things to offer for what you prefer.
I have several newer MTH locomotives with protosound...they are also part of the fun. I guess nostalgia enters the equation for me...had three postwar sets as a kid. In the 1990s I closely recreated those lost to time sets and then just bought new stuff.
I had an eye for prewar but never had it as kid then I bought some of that...anyway my layout is an eclectic amalgamation of pre/postwar...newer..even a smattering of Europe. There are French signs, German and English signals all positioned with a sense of purpose and color. Thank you Leroof for the kind reference.
Tubular sectional track has a sound. You wind up 3 trains...noisy tin, heavy postwar steam and a growling postwar F3...it is quite a symphony. It's all good and I feel blessed.
Fendermain
24 x 34 layout with scale steam locomotives and rolling stock, a couple of brass passenger cars (thank you Scott), and a great wife who shares our hobby. John in Lansing, ILL
I am happy with what I have,I missed on the Sunset 4-6 -2 SP Pacific otherwise I have what I need.
Mikey
I have so much moire than I need. What I do have needs work. All my GGD trains need more people and upgraded lights not to mention some wiring fixes to keep them form shorting. The Atlas CZ needs people. all my 3rd Rail locos need some sort of lighting work and kadees installed. And I have quite a few other projects that on my list. Im losoing interest in buying more trains because then it's another project.
Bingo on the less is more comments. Anything different that is acquired means an elimination of something on the shelf that is less desired. No clutter that way.
Fendermain
I'm easily ammused. So, yes I'm happy with a modest collection (of "junk" 
)
I was born with a Lionel waiting for me; just one would make me happy.
I grew up with both big and small layouts around to run; scale, toy, and PW highrail. I like it all, so I have an eclectic mix.
I've bought my two must haves, the ones that no amount of pleading at Christmas during the 60s-70s delivered; a war bonnet E & a GG-1. (Not cheap, even then)
Anything else will just be more icing on the cake.
I really got spoiled with 30' of straights as a kid. As an adult, at times I hate how much room a large layout eats up. I was also curious how I might manage to have fun with a train when I'm old(er) greyed and living in an apartment-like setting. I played with hand bending some tube track down to 0-17".... It still makes me happy with under 4sq. feet of space.
I think I'm golden no matter what happens as long as I have ONE 
Leroof, you said " . . . I thoroughly enjoy long runs of multiple trains on large layouts. . ."
Someone else said he loved long freight trains, maybe on another thread.
I like the above too:
Two very smooth runners: Williams Penn Central F3s, and K-Line Chessie System Diesel (is it a GP7?).
By the way, Long Freight Trains could be a nice new topic, if someone wants to run with it. Otherwise, I will later on.
Some with much bigger space than me without limiting reverse loops can make much longer freight trains than me. Most I can do is 11 or 12 cars depending on the length of the locomotive and cars.
One of the advantages of semi scale is you can make longer trains than scale. I think semi scale looks better on my layout. Arnold
Arnold D. Cribari posted:Leroof, you said " . . . I thoroughly enjoy long runs of multiple trains on large layouts. . ."
Someone else said he loved long freight trains, maybe on another thread.
I like the above too:
Two very smooth runners: Williams Penn Central F3s, and K-Line Chessie System Diesel (is it a GP7?).
By the way, Long Freight Trains could be a nice new topic, if someone wants to run with it. Otherwise, I will later on.
Some with much bigger space than me without limiting reverse loops can make much longer freight trains than me. Most I can do is 11 or 12 cars depending on the length of the locomotive and cars.
One of the advantages of semi scale is you can make longer trains than scale. I think semi scale looks better on my layout. Arnold
I did get to run some long freight trains.I used to live in a moble home for a while.
Arnold D. Cribari posted:I'm curious, is anyone happy with the space they have for their layout?
Well I have a 12'X16' layout (well technically 16'X17' if you count the area where I park passenger trains, but I don't because it's not running space). I'd like a larger space, but that would have involved building in front of the furnace and water heater, something I didn't want to do. Eventually those items need service or replacement and I didn't want to have to dismantle the layout to get at them. I got "lucky" to buy a house with the HVAC right in the middle of the basement. I make do with the space I have. But I'd like more. Who wouldn't?
I am exponentially happy with the trains I have. And especially the ones I will buy in the future!
What song was that that had the line: “Only fools are satisfied “.
I'm perfectly content with my 14' x 17' around the room layout with two main lines and a double return loop tandem RDC line. I also have 4' x 8' post war Christmas garden as well as an N gauge under the glass coffee table layout. That's all folks.
At the beginning when I was building my attic layout 27' X 12'. It has two upper mainlines and two lower mainlines which connect with a grade. But as the layout took shape I found I could not do all I wanted to do which was have switching areas and a freight yard. I ran out of space. Then I decided to add a layout to the basement, after I cleaned it out. A 29' X 29' layout basically for switching. Now I will have the best of both worlds and now I am happy....Paul
Honest answer would be no. About half of what I have was acquired within a very narrow time period. It was a time when my father was still alive, and his ideas and what my wife liked heavily influenced the direction my train collection went. My purchases since have built on those early acquisitions. I have some good stuff, enough for a decent medium sized model railroad. However if I had known what would become available in the hobby I am certain I would have gone in a completely different direction. I definitely would have acquired far less "toy" items. I would not have done the transition era, as my main interest was 19th century. Whether I would have done O or HO is an undecided question. Super O was the track of my childhood and I still like it over other tracks available. However the lack of wider turnouts is limiting.
Having taken the route I did the one smart thing I did was buying Intermountain, Red Caboose and Pecos River items when those companies. If it wasn't for these investments I might not have moved beyond the train around the Christmas tree phase.
paul 2 posted:At the beginning when I was building my attic layout 27' X 12'. It has two upper mainlines and two lower mainlines which connect with a grade. But as the layout took shape I found I could not do all I wanted to do which was have switching areas and a freight yard. I ran out of space. Then I decided to add a layout to the basement, after I cleaned it out. A 29' X 29' layout basically for switching. Now I will have the best of both worlds and now I am happy....Paul
Now the helix between the two....
That's a trick question Arnold.
My answer is yes and no. Yes because I have a layout and am running trains again. No because I want a bigger layout and more trains.
But isn't that the conundrum of model railroading?
Bob
Happy, sure, my layout is almost ready, space of 10x8, but the only set i`ll never have price wise is a Lionel standard gauge Blue Comet,it`s my albatross, lol
I am pleased with what I have in the way of trains. What I am less pleased with is being stuck in my basement. SWMBO knows it too and she is on board with me moving up to the attic, once D2s stuff is out of it. Of course before I move my layout up there, it must be finished off with insulation, drywall and heat. There's always a catch.....LOL
Dan Padova posted:I am pleased with what I have in the way of trains. What I am less pleased with is being stuck in my basement. SWMBO knows it too and she is on board with me moving up to the attic, once D2s stuff is out of it. Of course before I move my layout up there, it must be finished off with insulation, drywall and heat. There's always a catch.....LOL
Dan, if your wife is so positive about the trains, why not tunnel through all the walls of your house and have the trains running through the basement, attic and every room in the house?
Well, I am currently without a layout and everything is in storage, so I am decidedly unhappy.
As for what I have, yes, I'd say I'm happy. I will always be looking at something else, perhaps another operating accessory or a couple passenger cars to complete a set or another engine I like the look of, but nothing I can't live without. I run postwar and traditional style, and for me it's always been more about running them than collecting them.
I've actually been reassessing what I have and selling off some misc. stuff I really wasn't using.
chessie1971 posted:I'm more then happy what i have in trains!!! I wish i had the room for a big layout.
Same here. My layout is roughly 6'x8', on the basement floor. I have far more locomotives and rolling stock (both Kughn-era and PW) than I can possibly put on it at any one time. But they were all bought with due deliberation, I like them all, and they all get run at one time or another.
But although my locomotive buying has slowed drastically, it's not to say I'll never buy another one. My most recent purchase was an American Flyer 312 that I've been gradually restoring (see the "Restoration Monday" thread). And if I ever found a Lionel scale PRR turbine at the right price, I'd probably spring for it.
Arnold D. Cribari posted:Dan Padova posted:I am pleased with what I have in the way of trains. What I am less pleased with is being stuck in my basement. SWMBO knows it too and she is on board with me moving up to the attic, once D2s stuff is out of it. Of course before I move my layout up there, it must be finished off with insulation, drywall and heat. There's always a catch.....LOL
Dan, if your wife is so positive about the trains, why not tunnel through all the walls of your house and have the trains running through the basement, attic and every room in the house?
Arnold, there are levels of positiveness. Tunneling thorough walls is not quite positive enough.....LOL
My layout is 28' x 14' and its largely finished enough (95%) to keep me happy. It took 15 years to complete and most everything is scratch built. It could use a bit more space but there is a corner that I can expand it to if needed. There are four loops and a few sidings. As for my collection there are 100's of Lionel pieces, acquired over 35 years of "collecting", most just sitting in boxes on the shelves. That was a large waste of money; almost every P/W car, operating accessory and engine ever made (less the space era and girls stuff) . I don't know what possessed me to buy all that stuff.
Very happy, would not mind adding on to the train building though. Just to much of a under taking now. Everything is paid for, zero credit card debt. Cash an carry, no cash no buy!!
Dan Padova posted:Arnold D. Cribari posted:Dan, if your wife is so positive about the trains, why not tunnel through all the walls of your house and have the trains running through the basement, attic and every room in the house?
Arnold, there are levels of positiveness. Tunneling thorough walls is not quite positive enough.....LOL
Dan, if I can do it, you can do it:
Arnold
Very Happy and content with my layout I plan on adding another 16’x4’ to the layout this winter
Arnold, this is the space I have under the house. This shot is before I started the layout. I have plenty of space. 
Don
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