Making the Best of What We Have

Thanks, Arnold, for sharing your thoughts and initiating this thread.  I completely agree that we should make the best of what we have.   In this hobby I am an operator, not a collector, and love to run all my units, from my original 2026 loco (truly the little engine that could), to my LionelChief + units that the grandkids operate, and a few TMCC units.  When we moved across the country to be closer to our kids and grandkids, our house hunting included a modest space for the dream layout. I got a bedroom in the basement.  Made one wall a half wall for viewing the layout from outside, while I sit inside the layout and trains go around the room on an upper level, or run on a long main line on the lower level with 2 reversing loops.

In retirement, I also love spending time constructing this "dream layout."  The layout was designed to have fun - for both the grandkids and me!  I have lots of vintage Lionel accessories, and installed them to keep their interest.  One example is firing toy figures, not just rockets, from the Lionel 175 Rocket Launcher, which the kids love - and also lengthens the life of the rockets.

I am also enjoying creating scenes that are important to me, such as the elevated LIRR train station in my home town of Copiague, NY, a pond scene that is reminiscent of our summer cottage in Northern Ontario, and of course, a snowy Christmas scene.  Scenery is my least skilled area, but my wife is amused when I emerge from the basement with a smile on my face after completing and another step in the process. 

Large layouts are fine for those who have the space, but in many cases, "less is more", when you have just what you want, and get full enjoyment out of it. 

Thanks to all for your comments on this forum. I always learn from you.

Happy New Year!

Michael

Michael, I can tell from your comments that we have a lot in common: we are more operators than collectors, run everything we have, have grandchildren who run our trains with us, have accessories to entertain them and others, have Postwar and modern trains including our childhood trains, some LC+ and TMCC, etc. 

What you said that particularly resonated with me is less can be more. I am always mindful of that so my layout is not too cluttered with too many trains, accessories and structures. Too many can detract from the beauty of the layout.

I used to have that same Postwar rocket launcher on my layout. It was a big hit when my now 30 something son and daughter were little kids. I never thought of your idea of shooting things with it besides the rocket, such as the kids' toys. Your grandchildren must love doing that. 

Here is my rocket launcher:

I always supervised my kids when they pressed the buttons for the countdown and launch. The spring is powerful and we don't want their delicate eyes to be in the path of the rocket.

My love of baseball motivated me to replace the rocket launcher with my scratch built  Polo Grounds:

Now, I am much happier with the Polo Grounds than I would be with the rocket launcher, but if I had more space, I would have both of them on my layout. Both are crowd pleasers. 

Arnold

Yes, Arnold, I agree that we have much in common in our layouts and intent.  My layout is still under construction, now focusing on scenery.  Your photos indicate you have some great work in this area. 

As to the ratio of accessories to real estate, I had to avoid installing some of some vintage units b/c of limited space.  I also recently removed one of 2 magnetic cranes that were side by side for operation of 2 grandkids.  Made more space for viewing of a modified coke unit with the large smokestack I installed on the top of it.

One point about the units I fire from the Rocket Launcher. I added weights to them, including the rocket, so that they do not crash into the ceiling. Grandkids fire them from the viewing area outside the room, and I attempt to catch them as they fall back to earth.   I also have the rocket launcher car, and the kids fire rockets from a remote control track along the mainline.  With the weights, they avoid ceiling crashes, and kids can actually catch them.  Again, it's all about having fun!

Michael

Michael, couldn't agree more.  I have two layouts, hundreds of trains, all are on the layouts.

Arnold, I can see the stands are filling up at the Stadium and the Polo Grounds.

Love the rocket launcher.   Still works well, haven't fired it in years.  Too much stuff around.   Wish I had room for a ballpark.....

Attic layout.  Can't believe that was 33 years ago.

Current table layout.

Jerry