Cast your vote as well as offer your impression of the new train exhibit @ Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry.
From what they showed in the magasine, the weathering was lacking. And if that layout is so huge, why don’t they run more cars per train? They could reach near prototype lenght.
Saw it in person and the size of this is just amazing. But it did have its share of problems with derailments.
John
When I visited, I saw no derailments; must have been my lucky day. A buddy of mine visited several times and he was annoyed by derailments he saw. Still, I think it’s pretty cool.
I learned about the new layout’s existence just a week or two before I was scheduled to take a trip to Chicago (most of my family lives there) and was most happy about the opportunity to check out the Museum. It was indeed impressive and gave me many ideas about ways to model the city where I live now, although unfortunately not on so grand a scale. There was one derailment but I didn’t let that interfere with my enjoyment of the layout.
I also liked the chance to tour the restored Burlington Zephyr in the entry hall–I used to see it sitting outside when I was a kid and it’s much nicer to see it shiny (and tour-able) and restored!
I saw it in Model Railroader. The Modeling was very good. But if its supposed to be a depiction of BNSf and UP between Chicago and Seatle, Why are the trains only 6 cars long?
James.
When I was a kid, I remember that the MSI O gauge layout was always my favorite.
I haven’t been to MSI for a few years, I need to go back and see it.
I’m guessing they are still working out a few kinks, and perhaps after everything is more “bullet proof” they will start running longer trains…
But considering some of you have seen derailments with the short trains, a longer train gives more opportunity for derailments… yikes.
And how do they fix those? pop up hatches? rappel down from the 727 overhead? 
Rob
I was a bit distracted by the cracks, when I saw the Photos in MR. Beautiful modelling for the most part, but the joints between the scenic sections were a bit obvious. I also thought the train lengths could be somewhat longer.
Just one opinion
Jon
Saw it in MR, and thought that it looked amazing - just wish I had the space, time (and money) to build something similar! I’d tend to agree with the post about train lengths though - most of the trains I saw didn’t look right due to not having enough engines or cars (to my eyes, modern US trains only look right with 2 or 3 locos and at least 20 cars, ideally more). Just my opinion though!
Grayhound, I think the problem is with the operators of the layout [:(]. They don’t seem to realize the potential for running long trains given the layout’s size, which is a shame. Even with derailments, long consists would be great to see.
While I was there, I saw a derailment–the operator simply walked on top of the layout. I would guess that there are “okay to walk” surfaces around the layout that are reinforced and free of smashable objects.
Plan to see it. Wasn’t that impressed with Seattle, been there. Didn’t realize that the monorail was gone, but who knows how long? Was hoping to see the Edgewater Inn, made famous in the Frank Zappa tune, Mudshark from the white album. I’m only about 120 miles at home from McCormick Place.
Want to see the buildings in the cities up close. I remember being impressed as a kid in LA by the around the room layout on the second floor or the Science Museum at Exposition Park. HO scale but not bad. Would have been 1958-59 or so. Used to get jazzed by the displays in Tomorrowland at Disneyland of model houses, such, lighting effects, moving vehicles.
btw- What ever happened to Northlandz?
[8D] Northlandz–now that’s a layout I really want to see! I checked the website for it and it appears it’s as popular as ever.