Reply to "Modeling a Real Railroad"

My favorites have always been SF, New Haven, and UP.  The trains don't model any particular real-life railroad or scene.  I just like the beautiful trains.

My two layouts are now completely maxed out but, I've said that before.  I'm at the point where I only buy what is most attractive to me, or, I make it myself.  I have to pass on a lot of great trains and buildings because I simply don't have room.  At least my overhead layout has enough track to enable me to add a few more cars.

All my mains are freelanced, and the layouts have been dictated by the shape of the available space.  I remember waiting three years for a gas station that was attractive enough to fill a particular spot on the table layout.

This is the latest, and could be the last, addition.  I waited another 2-3 years for a brewery and saved this corner spot for it.  I love Nathan's hot dogs, and quickly bought the new Nathan's sign, and the car to compliment it.  I used the tunnel insert from the brewery to fashion a makeshift store and a way to mount the sign.

My last thought is to say that when you run out of space, you can only go up.  I wanted more of the available great-looking trains, so I added two upper levels to the table layout, about 4 years ago.  It's far from prototypical, but, I now run 7 trains on 6 main lines, through three rooms, plus two trolley lines.  This agrees with the idea that your layout evolves over the years, instead of sticking to a set plan.  Also, we all probably have tons of materials left over from years of building layouts.  It's fun to put some of it to good use.  It's more fun to run bunches of trains, on multiple levels, all at the same time.

Jerry