I have not seen much in print about Howard Zane’s Piermont Division. I have all 3 tapes that Allen Keller made about Howard’s layout. It sounded like Howard might expand the basement again. Did that happen? Howard was talking about writing another book about “Great Model Railroaders”. He said that he would not include himself (he already has a book out entitled "My Life With Model Trains"). I have an autographed copy of the book. It is well worth buying!![:D]
I have visited Howard’s layout and in my opinion it is the most interesting and realistic layout I have ever seen, in person or in print. Not a “fantasy” layout as I call them, just a very well detailed and executed large layout.
I have my personal opinions of why we don’t see more of it and it is through no fault of Howard’s, but as I said, it is my “personal” opinion.
Mark
P.S. I have his book as well and would highly reccommend it to anyone who is interested in increasing their knowledge of model railroading and viewing a spectacular layout as well.
Howard posted here a few months ago and was thinking about tearing it down and switching to narrow gauge. That the last I heard about his layout…
Cuda Ken
At a visit to his home last year, Howard indicated that he wasn’t able to expand the basement further because of changes in the local zoning codes… Seems they wanted him to expand the house on top, too!
It really is an amazing piece of work. He told us also that he was working with a couple of other model railroaders to develop an operating schematic for it, since, even for all of its detail, it’s really just a big display loop.
Lee
I love that book and recommend it highly. Even my friends who are not into railroads and railroading, prototype or model, got a kick out of the book. It inspired me to try modelling again after a few years of dormant activity.
Alvie
Well, if that is a “display loop”, I want one. I would like to have the opportunity to visit the layout some day.[:D]