You can see everybody has a different opinion on THE STANDARD I think the standard is whatever floats your boat. The standard is set in an individuals mind It doesnt matter that everybody else might disagree with you My standard might be a 3 foot by 3 foot Z gauge layout only because it has Erie Lackawanna equipment. Your standard might be a multi million dollar layout in Germany ITS ALL GOOD!!!!!
Since there's not one true answer and "standard" can mean different things in this context, I'll nominate another one...
@Chris1985's layout. Here's why I think it is a "standard"...
It encompasses almost every aspect of a what a train layout can be in a way that is attainable for many people. While not "professionally" designed or built, it displays a high degree of workmanship, and it's been done while he holds down a job. It contains many individual scenes, some of which are prototypical and some which are fanciful. He can run trains from a variety of eras. He uses all of the common types of control (well, there's no outside 3rd rail or dead rail... yet 
). It's big enough without being huge, and it's incorporated into what appears to be a fairly typical family home - no unusually large and/or custom built space. Apparently, his wife is on board with what he's doing. And he shares it with anyone who wants to watch on Youtube.
While we can find examples of layouts that are superior in specific aspects, I think that his layout has a high degree of excellence in a wide variety of the ways in which the toy train hobby can be expressed, and it's not intimidating for the average person.
If "The Standard" was defined as, "A layout that you would have yours aspire to be," my answer would simply be, "anyone else's layout."
That said, I really enjoyed the profile on "Tracks Ahead" of Tony Lash's layout.
Mallard4468, I relate to what you say, particularly about layouts that have features that are prototypical and fanciful.
I'm not familiar with Chris1985's layout, but have seen, in person, Phil Klopp's layout on two separate occasions. Phil's layout also combines realism with whim and whimsy which, IMO, makes it highly entertaining. Arnold
@Arnold D. Cribari posted:Mallard4468, I relate to what you say, particularly about layouts that have features that are prototypical and fanciful.
I'm not familiar with Chris1985's layout, but have seen, in person, Phil Klopp's layout on two separate occasions. Phil's layout also combines realism with whim and whimsy which, IMO, makes it highly entertaining. Arnold
He has a link to his YouTube in his profile, but here's a recent sample... https://www.youtube.com/watch?...ie27Xwiwg&t=611s
Does Phil Klopp ever open his layout to visitors?
@Mallard4468 posted:He has a link to his YouTube in his profile, but here's a recent sample... https://www.youtube.com/watch?...ie27Xwiwg&t=611s
Does Phil Klopp ever open his layout to visitors?
I believe so. I went on a TCA tour of Phil's layout during a TCA convention about 5 years ago. During that tour, there were about 50 TCA members visiting his gorgeous and fun-filled layout.
Thanks for the link. Will check it out later this evening. Arnold
@Mallard4468 - Thank you for the kind words! My layout is nowhere near the detail and quality of Norm and the other layouts mentioned here and I am always learning from this group. I had to laugh at the comment about my wife being on board. I owe much to her for allowing me to consume our basement with trains! Such a fun hobby.
Again, thank you.
