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Now I've seen some pretty cool layouts in the northeast. When I traveled to the midwest, this particular layout however, was debatably one of the coolest I've seen thus far...

 

The MSI in Chicago has so much to offer, what really caught my eye was the Great Train Story layout. Even thought it is not O-scale, it is still MASSIVE, containing the HO-scale cities of Chicago and Seattle! I heard about this layout from you guys on OGR. I made a video of my visit as a way of saying thank you, so I hope you guys enjoy it!  Now this layout CAN'T be the COOLEST layout around! If you think you've got a cool layout, no matter the scale, PLEASE post at least a photo or a video so we can check it out! 

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When I lived in the Chicago area, we visited several times. But I do remember the other gauge trains were always being repaired. They went with HO to get enough space to do the Chicago to Seattle theme. However I wished that they kept O-Gauge when they did the renovation project. But I am strictly an O-Gauge guy anyway.

"Coolest" is seriously subjective.

As for the Chicago layout, I'm still ticked that the last time I was there in 2002, the entire lower floor was blocked for the layout construction. I missed my one chance to get a close up view of NYC 999 and I'm still ticked about that.

But as for "Coolest," I don't think Chicago (or any other American layout, to be fair) can hold a candle to the Miniatur Wunderland layout in Hamburg, which features an amazing amount of HO track, highways and roads with self-driving, computer-controlled vehicles, complete towns, a real water port with floating ships, and a full airport with planes which actually taxi out to runways and take off and land:

 

Originally Posted by Mill City:
Originally Posted by Harry's Trains:
Originally Posted by Mill City:

 

Is this a picture of the o gauge layout?

Yes, Harry, it was marvelous. Here are a few more images.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jon,

 

I honestly had no clue that the Great Train Story started out like that. Thats amazing! now do you think that the current layout could be updated and enlarged in the future?

 

Dan

The current MSI layout is spectacular and very popular - featuring Amtrak and BNSF - though I miss hanging around by the big relay cabinet at the end of the previous O gauge Santa Fe layout, hearing the relays and switches buzz and click.

As to 'coolest', I have always been partial to some of the 'original' post war model railroading layouts: John Allen's Gorre and Daphetid RR. and Frank Ellison's Delta Lines. And certainly the big Lionel NYC showroom layouts...

I'll assume home layout rahter than commercial display.

 

My vote is for Brooks Stover"s S-Scale Buffalo Creek and Gauley. 

 

Brooks has done a great job of capturing the flavor of the prototype and its operations.    The scenery and detail is simply very well done.     If you want to see some photos search for the "Buffalo Creek & Gauley" and go to the webstie.    Brooks maintains a site for the prototype history and also has photos of his layout.

Originally Posted by Moonman:

I have only viewed this on the web, but the Grand Layout in Saint-Petersburg, Russia is over the top in almost every way.

Any layout with a accurate airfield scene with late-model HIND attack choppers can't be all bad!

And a spur for a submarine dock???

"In Russia, the model trains watch YOU!"

Originally Posted by p51:
Originally Posted by Moonman:

I have only viewed this on the web, but the Grand Layout in Saint-Petersburg, Russia is over the top in almost every way.

Any layout with a accurate airfield scene with late-model HIND attack choppers can't be all bad!

And a spur for a submarine dock???

"In Russia, the model trains watch YOU!"

Wow that's cool! A lot of detail on the airfield and the foot soldier formations. Now is that HO-scale or smaller?

Originally Posted by Dan's Trains:

Jon,

 

I honestly had no clue that the Great Train Story started out like that. Thats amazing! now do you think that the current layout could be updated and enlarged in the future?

 

Dan

I suspect that the current layout will meet it's end not unlike it's predecessor. From what I understand, it became a bit of a maintenance nightmare in it's latter years. It had worn itself out and suffered a few well intentioned indignities along the way. I imagine there'll be efforts to keep current with modern trains and landmark buildings such as the Sears, now Willis. I guess Ron White's lawsuit fell through.

 

I am still surprised that the Fowler Dream Layout doesn't get mentioned or noticed. It is located in Florida.

 

This layout is 48' x 84', is detailed in realistic O scale, has running rivers, a passenger station that is wonderful and on and on.

 

But, the coolest part is that that it is a modular layout that is built of steel frame modules that all fold for transport and roll on wheels.

 

Take the time to view the galleries of photos. You'll like it.

My wife and I watched RFD TV today, they had an episode of TM "I Love Toy Trains".  This episode was about the HUGE layout of the New Jersey Hi-Railers.  It is verrry nice, and almost 200 ft long, averages 40 ft wide, with several levels, naturally.  Just seeing it on RFD TV was pretty cool.... I believe it does get my vote.  Rex, I agree about Norm's layout, have read and seen many reviews of it....fantastic!!  I have been familiar with all above except for the Fowler Dream Layout.  They all make me wish I had more room for mine, but what I have is enough for me, by myself, to handle and work on towards completion.

WElll this is not a museum layout but it is placed up for public display at the annual Presbetyrian Church Pearl River Show in February. This layout is owned by the BErgen Co Model RR club. Mind you this is only a SECTION of the three layouts built in that show.

IT's simple yet impressive and inspiring on what one might do in a 4'x8' area or a 5' x9' area. IT is multi-level three dimentional and NOT your basic 2 dimentional painted flat board.

The trackwork is a simple dogbone that loops up a mountain 3 times before reaching the return loop. an impressive run on a 5'x9' area. While the layout is sceniced as a logging road, the senic possibilities could be endless.....

 

Behold the BCMRRC "Mountain Division":

 

BCMRRC_MD1

BCMRRC_MD2

BCMRRC_MD3

BCMRRC_MD4

BCMRRC_MD5

BCMRRC_MD6

BCMRRC_MD7

BCMRRC_MD8

BCMRRC_MD9

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Images (9)
  • BCMRRC_MD1
  • BCMRRC_MD2
  • BCMRRC_MD3
  • BCMRRC_MD4
  • BCMRRC_MD5
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  • BCMRRC_MD8
  • BCMRRC_MD9
Last edited by prrhorseshoecurve

WElll this is not a museum layout but it is placed up for public display at the annual Presbetyrian Church Pearl River Show in February. This layout is owned by the BErgen Co Model RR club. Mind you this is only a SECTION of the three layouts built in that show.

 

Actually, this show that PRRHorseshoe Curve posted about is held in the Pearl River Methodist Church. Next show is coming in February 2016. Mountain Division has not been used in several years. 

If only I knew how to post pictures, I would say, Dr. Bill Bramlage in the Cincinnati Ohio area has one of the Best, Hi Rise Original, Long Main Line, Supper Scenicked, Highly Detailed MODEL Railroads in The USA. Next, BoB Bartizek, Modelling Horseshoe Curve In Pennsysvania...A Wonderful, Scale like Operation with winding hills, tunnels, trestles and a Roundhouse/Turntable area to simply ENVY....These layouts are Thrillers...l.WOW. 

Originally Posted by Dan's Trains:
Originally Posted by F30MSport:

NLOE...one of my all time favorites!

 

Is that layout in New York? The name Nassau sounds very familiar...

Yessir...Levittown, NY. Great layout now, and the one in the Medical Arts building back in the day.

 

i also went to Northlandz a few years after they opened. It was a marvelous undertaking. Don't know what condition it's in now or if it even exists.

 

 

 

 

The La Mesa Model Railroad Club at Balboa Park's San Diego Model Railroad Museum, models the Tehachapi loop Mojave to Bakersfield, they are still working on the layout as long as the museum has be operating. Track is done, scenery is still being worked on. They have operating sessions 4 times a year(50-60, 70-80 and Modern) Today's Operating was set as the day December 21st 1952, the time of day was flipped flop, so 12:00 pm was really 12:00am, and the trains that ran, they modeled they to the exact consist. If th train had a 2 hour layover, guess what the crew sits for 2 hours, if you were late, your late, if. The one difference between the real Mojave to Bakersfield and the LMMRRC model is the track mileage is shorter.

 

Another Layout is privately owned by a All Gauge Toy Train Association Member, Pat Archer. Pat has a nice property with trailers of Canoes and Kayaks for his Boy Scout Troop still being active in his mid 70s, with 143 Eagles he had the privilege to Mentor. Right when you walk in his house, there is shelves of Post war Lionel, proceeding towards his layout, the layout has to be at least 40 by 20(that is the 2nd Level), with most Lionel Accessories, Now the room has shelves everywhere of trains that might not run on his layout or he has no room to put cars on his layout. Special designed Roundhouse and Turn table with 21 2020 S2 Lionel Lines Turbines, 2 Main lines with 2 grades leading to the third level which has 2 lines set up that you might loose your train on level 3. He has a theme park named after him. Going down to the basement he has a layout that he and the team of guys that come and work on the layout are figuring out how to move stuff from level 1 to 2 to 3. Level 1 has a drag strip bunch of Industries, a river, and the layout was built over a pool so he drained the pool to put in the layout and has a storage spot under that layout. He is winding down to finishing the layout in the next 3 years.

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