2005-02 Choices From Donboy As I complete my room preparation and get closer to building my layout I am finding that I have not resolved some of the choices that I need to make. I have some choices made for my layout that have been in place for some time that I am very comfortable with. Narrow Gauge (On30) Arid setting Traffic based on resource extraction Lots of switching at a small number of large industries Operation is the number one goal Operating crews would be two per train/switcher and I hope to need at least six people to run the layout. A surprising number of very important choices remain. Layout size. Assuming that I maintain and build the layout myself what is a reasonable number of moving parts like turnouts etc.. for one person with a family to deal with? It would seem that high quality track and scenery could only help make the operating experience more enjoyable. I expect a smaller layout would enable me to focus on higher quality because time available to work on the layout would remain the same. When would a layout become to small for reasonable operating enjoyment for at least six people? Would the current mini fad of modeling one switching area and no main line be a good idea for me? If I model a mainline with towns and all passing locations are in a town how many towns would I need to make good use of TT&TO? The largest layout configuration I can think of at the moment would have staging at both ends, three towns (each 26 ft long by 30 inches) connected by 80 ft (not even one scale mile bummer) of single track main line between the towns. All track would go through a town scene only once. One thing that makes me lean towards modeling one location with a lot of switching is the fact that compressing main line length (1 mile equals 10 plus miles) is a jarring “this is a model and not real” flag for me. If you look at early mining areas the ones who were served by narrow gauge would seem to be good inspiration for a layout of one mining area. Of course one switching area where all train movement is under yard limit rules does not provide a chance to play with TT&TO.... If I go with the largest layout that I can fit in I will have to do some fancy benchwork and double deck some areas. Double decking does not scare me but it would increase the effort per foot of layout to build and maintain so I would like to have some confidence that the extra effort would be worth it.