Model Railroad Hobbyist | April 2016 | #74 R REVERSE RUNNING commentary Don Hanley The reclusive layout I was invited by an acquaintance (whom I will call B.S.) recently to operate on a local HO scale lay- out. B.S. indicated the layout was off the beaten path, but well worth the 45-mile drive. B.S. warned the owner was reclu- sive and somewhat eccentric. I nodded while thinking that most people feel all us model railroaders are a bit eccentric, so how bad could this guy be? My friend also mentioned a secret handshake to get into the layout. “What?” I said. “I am with you, can’t you vouch for me?” “Nope,” said B.S. “You must know the secret handshake to get in. Let me teach it to you.” After five or six tries, I had it down, at least well enough – I hoped – to get me in. I offered to drive, but B.S. said he would drive since it was best to go in his truck on the backroads. Near the edge of town, we exited XX STEPPING OUTSIDE THE BOX WITH A CONTRARY VIEW • INDEX • TABLE OF CONTENTS