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FAVORITE LAYOUTS   ALTAMONT, ONIEDA AND KANEY CREEK SUESPORT AND SOUTHEAST CARRY WAYNESBURG AND WASHINGTON These are three local railroads that I have had the good fortune to work on, operate and know the owners. The Suesport and Southeast Carry, owened by Neal Horning, and the Waynesburg and Washington, owned by Rick Crumrine, were both featured in Great Model Railroads 2003. They were the first layouts I actively participated in operating sessions on. Both are great layouts, visually impressive with great operating models. The Altamont, Onieda and Kaney Creek is owned by Jack Laubisch. While I have not invested much time on any of these layouts, I've worked the most with Jack. The AOK is equally impressive with a large yard and tremendous mountain operations. Still under development, it hasn't received the same attention as the other two layouts. UTAH BELT I have read and re-read the articles on the Utah Belt many times over. Of all the model railroads featured in Model Railroad, it is my favorite. It appeals to me on many levels. The relatively simple scope of modeling on stretch of track. The consistency of a company standardizing on one manufacturer's engines as a cost saving practice (and yes, I am aware that in recent years the UB has changed this policy). The scenery is stunning. The track plan is simple, not overloaded with too many sidings and multiple main lines. I still enjoy reading the articles and looking at the pictures to this day. CAT MOUNTAIN AND SANTA FE The Cat Mountain and Santa Fe was one of the earliest great model railroads I remember reading about. The simple along the wall layout design has stayed with me through most of my designs. The modular idea was employed in my Marien Switching District Layout. I also recall the open stagin used on the Cat Mountain, as I prefer visible and accessible staging over hidden and hard to access trackage.   GRAND TRUNK AND INDIANA This layout appeared in Model Railroader in Decmeber 1986. Not among the most famous model railroads, it struck a chord with me because it highlighted what you could do in a small space with a simple design. It focused on shortline operations. I haven't seen this issue of Model Railroader in decades, but still recall the basic reverse "G" shape layout design. DENVER, FRONT RANGE AND WESTERN This layout blew me away when I first saw it in Model Railroader. This is a strong competitor to the Utah Belt for my favorite. Noted from this layout is how the two decks were staggered to mimize the effect of the stacked design. How the track plan minized the use of a helix to gain the required elevation... making the hill climb part of the operation.   OHIO SOUTHERN This was the first double deck layout I (and probably most modelers) saw. I loved the idea from the beginning. What a great way to maximize layout space without having a huge footprint for a layout. In the most recent article on the Ohio Southern published a few years ago, I took note of two things. First, the amount of operation build into the layout, which I knew I wanted to incorporate. Second, the fact Jim Hediger had not made the progress that he would have liked. I feel the same frustration some times, and it is good to be reminded that is OK.

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