January 07, 2008 Ever since the end of the American Flyer layout of my youth, I have always wanted to have another layout of my own. Over the years I have started, but never completed several smaller ones. The opportunity now exists at my house to build a much larger layout. As I was beginning to plan this layout my thoughts turned towards a time when I was afraid to even begin the process.

As a younger man I went to many of the railroad shows that were around the Metro and often visited the Model Railroad Club layout at Bandana Square. As I talked to people, the main questions they would ask me: "What era are you going to model?"; "What area or yard or town are you going to model?"; and, "Are you going to model steam or diesel?"

I'll be frank here; these questions began to put doubts in mind.

I've met and talked to dozens of people who were very specific in their own layouts; include people who modeled a certain yard using actual blue prints. Bandana Square's layout is a perfect example. Theirs is modeled after a specific time in history, and a very specific place. The engines and rolling stock are all specific to that era and location. The landscaping, buildings, and small details must all match the chosen era. You will never see an intermodal train running on that layout - because it wouldn't fit in. The more I found out, about how specific these layouts were, the more I became afraid to start one of my own.

I do admire these people. They can deal with specifics to that level. I've admired virtually every layout I have ever had the chance to gaze upon. The real issue here is me and the fact that I am not that specific of a person. It would make me crazy. I didn't want to start a layout and then have to explain to someone that I really don't "model" anything. I know, it sounds kind of silly doesn't it? This, however, was a painful fact until a met an old codger at Bandana Square.

The place was practically empty. As I was busy asking my usual questions about laying track, wiring, landscaping, etc. he was answering all my questions when the inevitable came up from him. "What era are you planning on modeling?"

I blurted out my usual, "Oh, I don't know. I'm having a hard time deciding."

Now, you could have knocked me over with a feather when he said: "You're afraid aren't you?" Having been caught totally off guard, I simply replied "kinda."

He asked me what I liked about railroading. I told him the things that I enjoyed. He told me I shouldn't worry about the specifics and what other people would think. He told me to just go lay some track and run some trains if that is what I liked. It was simple advice for a totally illogical fear. I'm happy to report that it worked; I did just what he suggested. I went home, laid out an oval, and ran my trains. I've been doing it that way ever since.

So if any of you should ever get around to seeing my layout, it will not be "modeled" after anything. No particular type of engines. No specific railroad. No specific place or time. In short, it will be very eclectic with a little bit of everything... including an intermodal train with a caboose on it! The only thing I can guarantee you, is that you will see one very happy engineer, who insists that a caboose be attached to each and every train that hits the mainline.

Thanks for reading

X