Reverse Running commentary
R
emember
getting that
train set for
Christmas? I do. It was
a Lionel set with a die-
sel, three cars, and a
caboose.
There was a loop of
track that Dad had
laid on a piece of
plywood that he had
painted green. But I
was driving that train
across the country.
From New York to Chicago, Chicago to St. Louis, St. Louis to....
wherever my imagination wanted to go!
I suggest moving to an “imagination model railroad.” Think
about the savings of time and money that can be had.
No more chasing down those pesky electrical shorts that show
up only when guests are on hand. No derailments or running
out of supplies after the hobby shop is closed. No more desired
or needed models out of production.
By using our imagination, we don't have to worry about scale,
era, or geographical area.
Reverse Running: Stepping outside the box with a contrary view
by Don Hanley
An imagination model railroad
And now the layout room can be converted into the craft room
your spouse always wanted!
The possibilities are endless: one moment you can be an engi-
neer of the Broadway or 20th Century Limited, the next operat-
ing a yard goat shoving cars over a hump, or dispatching a busy
commuter line.
The confines of a layout just evaporate. Your railroad can go
from sea to shining sea, or be a short line that runs only a few
miles. Today you can be operating in the 1880s, tomorrow
some futuristic train.
Only your imagination is the limit.
Of course, there will be a few minor drawbacks. Some might
think we spend way to much time daydreaming, when in real-
ity we are operating our imaginary layout. But then I suppose
that happens already when we are down in the layout room.
Those not in the know might think it a little strange when we
use sound with our imagination modeling, but that shouldn't
be anything too new.
I am sure there might be some diehards who refuse to move
into this bold new future of imagination modeling. Their small
minds insist on actually building and operating a layout where
they pine about the “good-ol'-days” of layout tours and operat-
ing sessions with other modelers.
But for those of us who see the future: Ahhh, I can imagine the
possibilities!
MRH-Dec 2013
