As I'm in between layouts right now, the theme, era and subject matter for a new layout are all up for grabs. Concurrently my basement is about to be available as our new workshop nears completion; a stand alone structure converted from a garage will house Fos Scale Models -leaving the basement wide open for a number of uses; one of which could be a large model railroad.
The dilemma as always is what to model as my interests vary from Brooklyn waterfront circa 1955 to modern day BNSF across Iowa to the NYC Subway. In fact my ideal layout is one that would be less than half a foot deep and only feature a cutaway view of the subway tunnels, perhaps with the occasional street level entrances to stations. Additionally a section of elevated subway would be on the list as well.
Of all the choices the NYC subway is at the top of my list for numerous reasons. One of which is that it's seldom modeled. Even with all the new subway cars available from Life Like; I've yet to see a subway layout grace the pages of the RMC or MR. Second to that, is that for me, the subway represents a home away from home; I've spent most of my life using the subway for one reason or another - from one of my first childhood memories at the age of three, on a street that was completely dug up as they built the subway in the open, to be covered when completed by the street to my high school years on Second Avenue & 57th and then later in life at various city jobs.
Of late, living in Connecticut for the last 6 years, my trips to NY are sporadic, about every three weeks, so I'm not using the subway as much - but it's even more apparent when I'm back on the Downtown 6 or the cross town shuttle, I feel right at home. It's like a good friend who even if you don't see in a while, you pick up right where you left off.
And I like modeling things that have meaning to me. The modeling becomes an extension of my life; a three dimensional, sentimental photo album. So, the more substantive the meaning, the more likely I'll be motivated to work on it.
But as usual my modeling habits can turn on a dime, subject to change. In the meantime, I'll be considering how I might make HO scale turnstiles and token booths.
