There is another thread a active about the "largest" layout. The discussion indicates that the NJ HiRailers layout in Patterson NJ is the largest, but what about Roadside America on rt 78 in Pa or the new layout in Merchant's Square mall In Allentown, Pa? The TCA museum and the Choo Choo barn layouts are also large.
So, what is the true ranking?
it's cool that these are all within a couple of hours of each other and could all be seen in a weekend!
p
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Really doesn't matter which is the largest Only thing that matters is you have fun when you visit them. I have been to every one of the layouts you listed and had a great time at each one.
"Large" is fine, but also "updating" is important as well. Can you return again and again and see something new? NJ Hi-Railers and the Choo-Choo barn fits this.
I guess it all depends on what you look for.
I've been to Roadside America a couple of times.
The layout certainly is dated, but it is very interesting to see because of its history.
My brother, who is very familiar with all sorts of antique and collectable old toys was able to point out many pieces that were present on the layout. Some were parts of static displays, others were modified and animated.
Really doesn't matter which is the largest Only thing that matters is you have fun when you visit them. I have been to every one of the layouts you listed and had a great time at each one.
I agree 100% with Ben! Size really doesn't matter in the least as long as the layout owner or club members are having fun doing what they're doing. While a very large layout is sometime necessary if one wants to operate long trains headed by the largest motive power, it's certainly not part of the equation for having fun and for maximizing creativity.
I have visited hundreds of layouts (various scales) all over the country and in Canada over a good many years, some very large and some very modest in size, and I learn something from every one I visit. Definitely time well spent!
My all time favorite model RR to visit is the San Diego Museum. Not sure of the numbers but the floor space must be somewhere on the shy side of 10,000 sq ft with several really great RRs in various scales. All very well done by a variety of highly dedicated folks.
Do not think big portable race tracks but these are very large by long by tall, even two stories in one case with an ascending walkway around a scale Tehachapie loop.
Even a neat Brio room where you can get down on the floor with the grandkids and play choo-choo on an assortment of Brio layouts.
What I found interesting was the aprox 40' sq room room with three rail. Half of the shows attenders were in this one small area. It seems like the general public has a favorite son. Have been there on several occasions and each time the three rail room is very well attended while the hard core like me are studying the various aspects of the 0 scale, HO and N empires along the uncrowded aisles.
A must visit by any RRer. Allow at least a half day without troublesome tag a long non RRers. Let them visit the other attractions in this vast museum complex.
size matters size matters!!
Gentleman, and Ladies there is one area where it does matter and that is when you have a club layout like TMB, N.L.O.E. and NJ-Hirailers. First you have a large membership who are looking for an operational challenge or large landscape to showcase and operate their trains. Another aspect is that large clubs do rely on visitors and donations and to get the public interested, and trust me after conducting open houses for the past 15 years people are most impressed with size. It matters in this venue.
From the three clubs mentioned none of us started out with a mission of being the largest, what we have is a matter of us finding available space our clubs can afford.
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