Dave's is a good time (although he likes vistors to be a coordinated effort b/c his layout is in a state of repair, not lke Howard's where it is always ready). I would guess that 75% of the time you are on a grade of some sort. The dimensions have to be at least 90 x 15. Long and narrow and as Ed said, multiple levels, folded dogbones all over the place.
The cool thing is that trains are now running and now scenery can begin in earnest. View blocks, industries, etc. can be worked in. You need to remember, this is actually 3 layouts stitched into one (Dave's, Armstrong's and Stepeck's (sp)) so getting it operational was about 9 months in the making. And remember, it couldn't be made operational until it was cobbled together (hand laid track and turnouts and elevated curves etc.).
It really is something to see the thing operating. Plus Dave is great and very cordial.
it reminds you that inspiration comes from all scales and from various levels of completion (plywood plains to artistic masterpieces that happen to have trains running through them). You see that here regularly on Weekend Update, where actual modelling is displayed and can lead to inspiration.
I need to pull togther a work crew (ballasting) and go over again. Lemme tell you how O Scale ballasting is EASY PEAZY when compared to N scale. I can only imagine doing it in Z scale (or heaven forbid smaller).
Time stands still when you are down there, you look up and a few hours have whizzed by.
EP
p.s. you gotta admit, those Berk's were nice.
