Why is the GMRRC is planning a new layout instead of sticking with the original layout and why are they switching from DC to DCC . what gives.
I don’t have any connection to the club, but I would say that the reason boils down to the age of the layout.
I looked at their web site: The current layout was started in 1968 and the had their first oprn house in 1971.
Reasons for change:
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There is only so mush that maintenance and upgrades can accomplish. Eventually the needed work can be overwhelming.
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Several generations have passed since the layout was designed and built. Few, if any, of the people who started the layout are still around. Most people would prefer to build there own vision, not maintain someone else’s.
3 .Ideas on how to design and operate a layout have changed. The layout is a “bowl of spaghetti” with centralized control stations overlooking it. Today visually separated scenes (often accurately depicting specific locations) and " walk around" control are preferred.
DCC. while not absolutely necessary, facilitates "walk around " operation. “Walk around” is a more personal operation method (Engineer/Conducteor as opposed to Towerman) ,
For someone who “has no connection with the Club”, you are free with erroneous speculations for the proposal for change. I have been a member of the Glendale Club for 62 years, having joined the night they cleaned out the first building to start the first layout. We started the present layout in 1963, and I have worked on every aspect of the construction. The newcomers had no part in building it; they joined a Club that was up and running. Fortunately, some “Old Timers” are still around to show the newcomers how to do whatever maintenance is required. If the new memebrs think maintenance is a bother, wait until they try to start from scratch.
As for wanting “their own design”, every new member saw what we had, and joined on the basis of what they saw and liked. The idea of tearing down a functioning layout was urged by a few newcomers who want their own ideas used; we have been over 3 years arguing about a track plan, with no end in sight. At the present rate, we will be operating on our present layout for several more years; we hold a free open house on the first Monday each month.
On the one hand you are accusing the 2nd poster of making erroneous speculations for the proposal for change, yet later you say the idea for tearing down was urged by a few newcomers. Isn’t that what the 2nd poster speculated? Yes it is. The details of the reason were not specified by you but they are totally reasonable based on my reading up on articles in the popular magazines since the 1970’s. The 2nd poster offered that spaghetti track plans are “old school” and scene related track plans are much more desirable - to which even an old fart of 52 years (myself) agree.
Of course the trick is getting enough members to make a popular vote to rebuild, which you mentioned is what is holding back the plans to rebuild.
Thank you for your additional speculations, offered from 3000 miles away, and without even rudimentary knowledge of procedings within the Club membership concerning a new layout. We have sufficient differing ideas within the present membership to work with, many of whom lack experience in the hobby to know what will and what won’t work. We shall persevere, despite your graciously-offered suggestions on what those involved might think. We may consider, but are not governed by, opinioins of outsiders.
To give you yet another target for criticism, my own belief is that a model railroad layout should depict a railroad running though natural looking scenery, rather than a series of disconnected mini-scenes, (or dioramas), while allowing for areas where switching operations can be performed.
Wow!
Mr. Wallace:
Rather than criticizing the two posters who offered opinions in answer to the original poster’s questions, it might have been more helpful if you had just addressed those questions directly. The OP had asked a question about your club in another post, http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/190779.aspx.
One of the answers he received in that other thread was from someone who said that the last he heard " they are in the process of planning an all new layout and going DCC". This statement apparently prompted the new questions, which probably should have just been attached to the original thread rather than seemingly appearing out of the blue.
Just my opinion, of course.
Regards
The original proposal for a new layout to be operated by DCC was made in 2007. To this date, the layout design committee has not presented its recommendations to the Club, and at least three different designs have been suggested. An outside expert has been retained by one member to present a design, due sometime in late May or June at last word. Upon presentation of the designs debate will ensue. That is the only certainty, all else is speculation.
In the meantime, all interested persons are invited to visit our free open house on the first Monday of each month.
There are three members in my club. ME, MYSELF and I. Voting for changes can be difficult.