Another possibility I hinted at in a conversation with Bernie Kempinski was an On30 layout that was patterned after the Maine Two-Footers. This certainly isn't the first time I've flirted with 2-foot modeling in 1/4" scale. Back in my MR days, the very first plan Iain Rice and I collaborated on was an On2 layout (this was the days before On30 took off) based on Phillips (o maybe Strong), Maine on the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes RR. It's never been published, but I did find the plan and have posted it here.
Bernie, always willing to be a trouble maker, and perhaps sensing a convert to O scale, quickly fired off a track plan for the layout area patterned after the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington. I'd forgotten about it until we were watching "Aerial America" on the Smithsonian Channel the other night. Basically, the series is an aerial tour of one state. the episode we saw was filmed in Maine and featured the a look at the Wiscasset waterfront.
Just for fun, and maybe to offer you some inspiration, I've included Bernie's trackplan here. The footpringt is very close to the current HO layout.
As I build my "simplified" layout - which still has several dozen turnouts and a lot of buildings I find a LOT that's appealing about the 15 or so turnouts on this layout.
But not this time - I have too much invested in the CV of the steam era to change at this point.
But I also think this will be the last CV layout - the next one (if indeed there is a next one) will likely be something very, very different.
So part of me wants to file this plan away on this blog so I can come back to it, just in case.
Have you made any mods or updates to this plan? We are curious to hear how this is coming along.
ReplyDeleteThe reason I proposed this paln was that I was just amazed at how well the WW&F fits in Marty's space. The Wiscasset scene is just perfect. He even could run tha MeC as a live interchange using staging in the back room. If he were willing to narrow the main aisle a bit be could make the run to Winslow longer too. The WW&F is my favorite 2 ft RR.
ReplyDeleteDang typos........
ReplyDeleteDid you ever dig up the SR&RL plan you mentioned? If you did a Tweetsie plan I would like to see that too. They are both among my favorite NG railroads.
ReplyDeleteBill Uffelman
Las Vegas NV & Ocean View DE
Bill,
ReplyDeleteNo, I haven't turned up the plan yet - but will continue to look for it. We never did a Tweetsie plan, although that would be an interesting exercise!
Marty
Thanks Marty. I'll be in DC mid-March and plan a vist with Bernie -- may try to impose on you too.
ReplyDeleteBill Uffelman
Las Vegas NV and Ocean View DE
ufffam AT yahoo DOT com
Bill,
ReplyDeleteYou're more than welcome to stop by. And I simply haven't had time to dig out the old plan folder . . . but haven't forgotten about it.
Marty
Checking to see if the Sandy River plan has turned up. Getting ready to build the RR room in Ocean View DE house and looking for all of the inspiration I can get.
ReplyDeleteBill Uffelman
Noted all the "cleaning up" blog entries and wondered if the elusive NG plans showed up?
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays,
Bill Uffelman
18 months to retirement in Ocean View DE
Not yet - but I haven't given up looking!
DeleteFinally retired to Ocean View on June 30 and am in the process of actually getting the garage cleaned up so the RR room can be built. Any chance you have come across the elusive NG plans?
ReplyDeleteBill Uffelman
Bill, Believe it or not I actually found the sketch and Iain's notes describing the design this morning. I'll scan the track plan this week and do a blog post on it.
DeleteMarty
Very cool -- look forward to it.
DeleteBill Uffelman
Marty, would I be able to ask politely for a much larger jpeg version of this plan? Pretty please? :)
ReplyDeleteThanks
Chris Cardinal