By Donovan in Dallas
The layout was beautiful, I liked the look very much. But it was lacking in OPS and I thought the bright colors were not very Missouri like. (Now, as I prepare for a FEC based layout I am hoping I can re-capture the over all look of this layout, since I think the colors would represent FLA quite nicely).
I began re-building the layout to loosely represent Springfield in Septmeber of 2003. A decision I still question, but what was done was done. Here are some shots of the Joplin-based layout just before I began the re-build it as Springfield. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.......
Soon I began to consider other places along the MoPac's White River Sub, and found my attention wondering towards Springfield, Missouri more and more. A few months went by with little progress on the layout, until my friend Blair happened to drive through Springfield on his way home from a vacation in Chicago. Knowing that I was very interested in modeling Springfield, he stopped and took some photos for me.
Coincidentally, a few weeks later both TRAINS and MODEL RAILROADER had simultanious articles on modelign Springfield, so I thought I was set! I even had the opportuntiy to meet the author of both of those articles ~ Pat Hiatt ~ and started learning even more about Springfield.
Recently I have become more interested in the Florida East Coast Railroad, to see what I plan to do click on the link...
For a full re-cap of the OPS session, click HERE
