Compromising crew creature comforts — to what degree, if at all? Bill sez…
Almost all model railroaders have to make concessions when building their
by Mike Schafer & Bill Navigato
layouts. For example, Mike Scha- fer’s Illinois & St. Louis condens- es the real distance from Dwight to Peoria, Illinois, from 75 actual miles down to 35 actual feet — or about a scale half-mile. So, we go about cramming in as much track-mileage as we can in our available space to model as much as we can — longer main line runs, specific locations, and so forth. So what if it’s a spaghetti bowl? Let’s get it all in there! And, if you’re a lone-wolf modeler, crew amenities won’t be a factor. What if you’re looking to build a model railroad to operate with several others? Where are they all going to fit? Anything that you might provide in creature com- forts might be appreciated. Per- haps some consideration should be given to them, just as there
was in trying to link Dwight to Peoria in only 35 feet.
As mentioned in an earlier col- umn, from the beginning, your aisle widths should be as wide as possible — and then add a couple more inches. Most lay- out operators will appreciate it. Those 18-inch aisles might have allowed you to add an extra town to switch, but they can be claus- trophobic and make passing oth- ers in the aisle downright, um, awkward.
In addition, aisle widths need to accommodate the number of operators who may congregate in a given area. A busy yard will generate more operators than a single track all by itself. I know squeezing a few more inches from each side of an aisle here and there may get you a longer main line run, but if people can’t get to the location of their train because of people gridlock, is it really worth it? Indeed, you may have to employ a dispatcher just
Bill’s world Peoria — located at right on the lower level — is a busy place on the CP&S, so an extra-wide aisle was placed at the south end where it is busiest. Train operators Luke Helm and Mike Ferris, at left, look on as their train is being worked. Yardmaster Ted Schnept (right, blue shirt) gives instructions to south- end switcher, Art Lemke, on his next moves. At the far end, Peoria north-end switcher Mike Tyl (center left) prepares to work Steve Karlson’s train. — Bill Navigato photo
78 RAILROAD MODEL CRAFTSMAN
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