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My latest model railroad revelation is to focus on creating whimsical scenes.

I'm excited about this because for me, taking into consideration my current circumstances, doing this will maximize my enjoyment of the hobby while costing me a small fraction of what I've been spending in recent years.

This revelation came to me shortly after attending a wonderful local train guy get-together last Saturday where I saw a subway station on the host's layout. You've already seen it many times because I've plastered photos of it all over this Forum showing 2 rats carrying slices of pizza into the subway station.when I mentioned to the host my idea for creating the scene, he was kind enough to give me the subway station and the rats; all I had to do was add the pizza. LOL.

Another consideration is that I already have much more than the trains of my wildest dreams. I suspect this is true for many of us on the Forum who, like me, have collected and operated model trains for many years. And, my trains have amazing bells and whistles with speed control that run great.

I could easily be seduced into buy more trains in the future, and already have a couple in mind, if manufactured, that I would have a strong desire to buy. However, I am very content with what I have, will do my best to maintain them in top condition, and can envision focusing on "whim and whimsy" to entertain myself and others.

Besides the rats carrying pizza into the subway station, other whimsical scenes on my layout include the following:

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I see the fun and creativity in going whimsical being endless. One can periodically change or rotate the scenes when one gets new ideas.

For instance, my subway station with the rats carrying pizza has taken the place of my pre-war automatic gateman on my layout. The gateman is a wonderful accessory IMO, and down the road I might remove the subway station and rats and either put the automatic gateman or something else back on that spot on my layout.

What do you folks think of this idea of focusing on whimsical scenes on your layouts?

Arnold

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Last edited by Arnold D. Cribari
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The House that Judge Continues to Build:

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@Arnold D. Cribari

Arnold:

I love your caption for this photo. A few years ago, when the Yankees promoted Aaron Judge to the major league, I thought that the Yanks had the reincarnation of George Herman Ruth. Aaron Judge, in addition to hitting home runs, can also hit for average, play great defense in the outfield with a magnificent throwing arm and, not have an ego problem plus the other personal, off-field baggage that came as part of Babe Ruth. I think Aaron is a true treasure and will carry on the great Yankee tradition with class.

Randy, I say re-install the monuments on the field of play, push the center field fence back to 461 feet where it belongs, and add a 4th monument for you know who:

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LOL, Arnold

@Arnold D. Cribari

Arnold:

Your idea has my vote. 461 feet never stopped Mickey Mantle's home run power. Also, the monuments added extra interest to balls hit to deep center field. I remember reading about an incident in a game where, with men on base, the visiting team hit a ball to deep center field that got behind the monuments and Mickey Mantle had a hard time finding it as runs were scoring. In the dugout, Casey Stengel shouted something like, 'Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio!!! One of you guys, throw that ball back in here immediately!!!!!'

@Arnold D. Cribari

Arnold:

Your idea has my vote. 461 feet never stopped Mickey Mantle's home run power. Also, the monuments added extra interest to balls hit to deep center field. I remember reading about an incident in a game where, with men on base, the visiting team hit a ball to deep center field that got behind the monuments and Mickey Mantle had a hard time finding it as runs were scoring. In the dugout, Casey Stengel shouted something like, 'Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio!!! One of you guys, throw that ball back in here immediately!!!!!'

Hilarious.

Restoring the Yankee Stadium field of play to its old dimensions with the monuments in center field would add back the most exciting play to the game: the inside the park home run.

Mantle in his prime was good for 2 or 3 per year with his amazing power and speed.

No doubt in my mind, Aaron Judge could do the same, maybe Stanton as well.

Arnold

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