I don't think it s much hate but we've all seen posts where someone says "I'm building a layout and want to know whats a good idea for a 4x8 sheet of plywood?" and about 3/4s of them say go with a bigger layout, you won't like that small size. I've even seen a post where someone was building their 10 YO kid a layout and someone told them to go with O72 because one day they might get a scale locomotive. Really? I believe that's where Amfleet is coming from, not so much hate but suggesting to a newb that he needs to go bigger because that's what they did/want and not giving the guy any real ideas that he can use unless he goes bigger. Some people don't want more, don't want to go bigger or don't want to spend the extra money right now just getting into it. They do it to everyone, ask about a 6x10 and several will chime in with if you split it in half or add onto it to make it an L you can yadda, yadda, yadda. Kudos to those who do try to help them out within their size constraints or track limitations and the show them how it can be added to or enlarged later on if they want.. Kind a reminds me of asking someone to come over for a BBQ and them suggesting I get steamed crabs instead because that's what they usually do on the 4th (that has happened to me for real). So ease up guys, I know we all like bigger layouts but let the new guy work his way into it, show him just what can be packed into a small space, I've designed some pretty neat layouts, albeit rather simple, that fit on a 36" hollow door core and sometimes a smaller layout forces you to make design decisions based on a more limited pallet of ideas and available things you can use.
Jerry
