Train Get-together at Chugman's - Sunday, Jan 8th, 2017

Hey Art:

Had a great time yesterday, I'm just sorry I had to leave so early.

Nice meeting up with some friends that I had not seen in a while.

I did not see it in the pictures above, but the bridge turned out fantastic! For sure will be a great staging spot to shoot pictures of your news engines.

Thanks again for opening your home for us.

Charlie

Thanks for posting the pictures Art !       Looking good 

Clem

Art,

Always looking good, hope to visit again soon, say hello to all.

Steve

Art - Enjoyed our coffee early in the morning. Disappointed the rest of my family made plans for me!

Thanks for the invite, hopefully next time! 

Art, layout looks awesome!

Art, Thanks, my son Parker and I really enjoyed seeing your layout, he especially liked the Morell Meat and Wonder Bread items. I was very impressed with your track work and the beautiful arched curved viaduct you scratch built. Also loved the parking garage near your station what a great idea!  You've inspired my son to lend me a hand on getting my layout back on track.

Thanks again

Dave & Parker

This is a picture that Zett took of his beautiful, new Lionel EJ&E SD38 running yesterday on my layout.  

Art

Hi Art,

Great pictures and the layout looks beautiful as always !!!!

Thanks, Alex

Had a great time yesterday Art I really appreciate the invite!

I have always studied pictures of Art's layout online and thought it looked amazing, and it was even better in person.

After visiting I have a new understanding of how essential an extremely well planned layout and track plan is. The layout is set up perfectly for having friends over and there is so much room around the perimeter for everyone to stand. Makes you realize how much perspective you lose when your layout is installed right up to a wall.

It was great to meet so many new people yesterday as well. 

Impressive Art! I wish I did not live 1000+ miles away in NH. Can you post a track plan?

Zett posted:

Had a great time yesterday Art I really appreciate the invite!

I have always studied pictures of Art's layout online and thought it looked amazing, and it was even better in person.

After visiting I have a new understanding of how essential an extremely well planned layout and track plan is. The layout is set up perfectly for having friends over and there is so much room around the perimeter for everyone to stand. Makes you realize how much perspective you lose when your layout is installed right up to a wall.

It was great to meet so many new people yesterday as well.

Nice layout Art. What is the radius of the track on the bridge?

So just how big is that room?

Thanks for the pics. I would be interested in seeing the track plan changes as well, if you happen to have a drawing. Or a cab ride, more pictures, or whatever you have time for and want to share. Your layout has been up in the top of my top ten list since I first saw it here a few years ago. Looks great.

BobbyD posted:

Zett posted:

Had a great time yesterday Art I really appreciate the invite!

I have always studied pictures of Art's layout online and thought it looked amazing, and it was even better in person.

After visiting I have a new understanding of how essential an extremely well planned layout and track plan is. The layout is set up perfectly for having friends over and there is so much room around the perimeter for everyone to stand. Makes you realize how much perspective you lose when your layout is installed right up to a wall.

It was great to meet so many new people yesterday as well.

Nice layout Art. What is the radius of the track on the bridge?

The radius is 081 and 090.

Art

necrails posted:

So just how big is that room?

The room is about 70 feet by 20 feet.  The layout would be 30 inches less than that.

Art

Thanks guys for all the really nice comments, I very much appreciate it.

Regarding my track plan, I don'the have one at the moment I can share.  My son and I entered it all into RR software, but haven't finished editing it.  There are videos on YouTube under chugman4 with cab rides around the whole layout, but they are older.  The basic mainline hasn'the changed, but some sidings and one yard have.

Art

Chugman posted:

BobbyD posted:

Nice layout Art. What is the radius of the track on the bridge?

The radius is 081 and 090.

Art

Wow Art, 15' diameter! How long did it take you to make that bridge???

Very cool, Wow..........

Gary

I always enjoy looking at pictures of your layout! Great job with the video's i have seen too! You are right friends and family make this a great hobby! 

20 x 70 feet!!!!  Not in my wildest dreams will I ever have that space.  Nice work.

I got excited by the title when I thought you were inviting me over this weekend.  Then I read your post and realized the 8th was yesterday.  Alas...  Great layout and I'm sure you guys had fun.  Keep up the good work!

I don't remember for sure, but it probably took several weeks of carving and painting.  It seemed therapeutic at the time.  Did at the kitchen table while watching Cubs games.

Art

Art that layout is absolutely fantastic.

Wow! That really is one "Bad Arse" basement! It's looking really good!

Great when RR buds get together and always have a good time and looks this time together was so!

Have enjoyed the train rides around the lay-out in the past.

Hey Art:

Thanks for posting.  I'm actually beginning to build my layout so these pictures are great.  The clean lines of your layout (e.g., just look at that fascia) are always inspirational to me and I'm sure many others.

20 x 70!  Holy smokes ... where is that "green with envy" emoticon? 

Steven J. Serenska

Hey Art, Im going to be in Chicago for the O Scale March Meet, got time for a get together?

Matt Makens posted:

Hey Art, Im going to be in Chicago for the O Scale March Meet, got time for a get together?

We are usually busy attending the open houses during the show, but we can certainly talk as we get closer to the time.  Two of my all time favorite local layouts host operating sessions during the show which are hard to miss.

Art

Yeah, we are still 2 months out but Im going. I just wanted to spitball the idea out there so you knew id be there

Art I didn't see your Metra coaches Sunday! Completely forgot to ask. Were they packed up?

They are on my train shelves.  My plans were to either run modern (Amtrak & Metra) or 1960's, but as you probably noticed I was mixing modern freight with pre-Amtrak passenger.  In fact, I did have my modern version of the local Amtrak Carl Sandburg hiding on the rear-most Union station track.  I guess in my "perfect world" it would be that way with modern freight and my favorite passenger train era.

Art

Chugman posted:

They are on my train shelves.  My plans were to either run modern (Amtrak & Metra) or 1960's, but as you probably noticed I was mixing modern freight with pre-Amtrak passenger.  In fact, I did have my modern version of the local Amtrak Carl Sandburg hiding on the rear-most Union station track.  I guess in my "perfect world" it would be that way with modern freight and my favorite passenger train era.

Art

It's hard to stick to an era with all the cool stuff made.

That looks like a great time. The layout is looking amazing! Thanks for posting all of those photos. 

I never can get enough of your awesome Chicago Union Station area. Fantastic!!

Layout and trainroom look great. Wished I lived nearby. Looks like fantastic day of friends and trains.

Fantastic layout, Art!

Peter

Fantastic layout, Art!   Thanks for showing us your gathering. 

Bruce