I accepted an open invitation to visit a Forum member’s layout west of St. Louis recently. This was my first opportunity to visit an "at home" layout. The only other layouts I have seen were at shows or museums or hobby shops.
To say it without going over the top, WOW! Alex's Hidden Pass Junction Railroad is AWESOME. See it here, his video he posted earlier on the Forum,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNA5zP2yRo8&feature=player_embedded
You see many photos and even videos of member’s layouts, but to see it in person is the only way to do them justice. You cannot get the feel of the real thing without being trackside. Talking with Alex is the only way to see how his pike came about, all the planning that goes into a layout. These are years in the making.
His signature scene, in my opinion, would have to be the massive trestle he built after studying books and drawings before he designed, cut and fabricated all the wood that makes up the bents that make up the beautiful structure.
All his wiring is neatly bundled, a far cry from my spaghetti tangle at home.
There are lights everywhere, wide panoramic curves, great painted backdrops and trains, trains, trains!
As I said, it was a joy to visit and both Alex and his wife Judy are very gracious hosts. I meet a few of the neighbors and even Alan, who was up from Arkansas and put his new NYC “Mercury” steamer on the tracks for the first time.
So, if you get a chance to visit someone’s home layout, take them up on it, there is no better way to meet fellow railroaders and talk trains.
It was a great two hours.
Alex, thank you for the invitation!
Diesel Dan
