Live Steam Retirement Community / Model Railroading Condo Community

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

The Old Dog just happens to be looking at the July 1976 issue of Live Steam Magazine. On page 15 they happened to have a write up of a proposed live steam community. The plan was for a 80 arce community with about 42 lots surrounded by a loop of track for live steam engines. The track plan was worked out so the each plot had an spur leading to the loop.

The Old Dog has seen TV programs on general avaition communities where each plot has access to a taxi-way leading common community owned run way. Inn additions, as for any airport, there is a fixed base operator to provide fuel and aircraft maintainance Each residence is required to have a hangar as well as a garage. Apparently they are selling in some places.

So one must wonder, could a community where each residence is required to have an engine house as well as a garage work. The club house would include a machine shop and club house in addition to the normal items.

Could that work?

Another obsevation.

As one travels thru the country, one notice many closed educational buildings built in the 1930’s that became surplus when the school districts consolidated in the 1950’s. In addition, many buildings become surplus since states will ofter fund the construction of new buildings but not the upgrading of old buildings.

Such a structure might include say 12 classrooms, office space, a gym, and a cafeteria. That could provide housing for 4 to 6 retired famaliy units, space for one heck of a club layout (or maybe two) and some shop space.

In addition, there numerous closed industrial and commerial buildings in most small towns. Also note, that “loft” appartments are the latest fad in real estate.

Any thoughts and/or comments?

Have fun

2

In Chandler, AZ., there is one of those general aviation subdivisions that you spoke of. The problem I see with live steam, is who is going to act as dispatcher and decide which train(s) have priority. I can see how the aviation setting would work, since the common runway would only be in use a short period at a time. Whereas, with live steam, I see a “homeowners association” type of scenario, (rules out the wazoo, arbitrary enforcement, etc.) It sounded nice in theory… But real railroads have enough problems to drive themselves nuts.

3

The layout oval was double tracked. If needed, block signaling could have been used.

But given the slow speeds involved, yard limit rules probably would have been adequate.

Have fun

4

Such concepts could only be workable for the rich elite, as is the case with the aviation communities. Unfortunately, the idea is rather unrealistic when it comes lesser hobbies like model railroading. There are a few “clubs” that I am aware of in the USA that have lavish facilities but charge very high entrance fees and monthly dues in the hundreds of dollars to keep them going but this is hardly a situation the typical hobbyist can participate in, I’m afraid.

CNJ831