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I know David Letterman interviewed Neil Young on his talk show, where they both chatted about their shared love of Lionel trains. And Billy Gardell (see this thread) also seems to be a Lionel train fan. But do they actually have proper O gauge layouts? Are they members of TCA or any other clubs and have they been to any train shows (e.g., York)?

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@ConrailFan posted:

Whats a "proper" O gauge layout?

Well...the thing is that Letterman interviewed Young and said they both like Lionel trains, and a Lionel Pennsylvania passenger set & locomotive were on Gardell's fireplace mantle. What I therefore mean by the word "proper" O gauge layout is that I am asking whether they have a layout of a decent size.

@NIKHIL posted:

...What I therefore mean by the word "proper" O gauge layout is that I am asking whether they have a layout of a decent size.

What is decent size? A fine layout can be built with just an oval of O-27 track on a piece of plywood in 3-feet by 5-feet. There are plenty of O gauge railroaders who accomplish this in 4-feet by 8-feet. Part of the challenge and art of the hobby is building an interesting layout in a small space.

MELGAR

MELGAR_2023_0106_01_10X5

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@J. Motts posted:

Melgar, you know I love your layouts, I'm always amazed at them when you show pics of them.  Would you mind telling me what radius curves you have on the larger layout?

@J. Motts,

Thank you,

The 10'-by-5' layout in the previous picture has Atlas O-54 curves. The 12'-by-8' layout is across the basement and has three independent Atlas O loops - O-72, O-54 and O-36. Both outer loops have passing-sidings and the O-54 loop also has a stub-end siding at the station. Can have 6 locomotives on the layout at once and run 3 at one time - conventional only.

MELGAR

Last edited by MELGAR
@MELGAR posted:

What is decent size? A fine layout can be built with just an oval of O-27 track on a piece of plywood in 3-feet by 5-feet. There are plenty of O gauge railroaders who accomplish this in 4-feet by 8-feet. Part of the challenge and art of the hobby is building an interesting layout in a small space.

MELGAR

MELGAR_2023_0106_01_10X5

@MELGAR, I was using the phrase "decent size" loosely to mean a "big layout." I have no problem with your layout sizes at all. What I am really asking is if Billy Gardell or David Letterman have/had any layouts like Frank Sinatra, Tom Snyder, Mandy Patinkin, or Neil Young (and therefore have very likely been TCA members).

Last edited by NIKHIL

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