My long term goal is a DSP&P On3 empire...as well as some NKP HO modules. Neither is dependent upon my current On3 layout which is primarily for a proving ground for the equipment I'm currently building. Therefore, it doesn't have to be specific to Colorado as I was planning.

How about sand, palm trees, and coral?

For the past year, I've wanted to build some Oahu Railway pieces.

And, I now have a copy of Next Stop Honolulu. And while I have yet to build any of the OR&L pieces I'm planning...I'm flirting with the idea of making my layout into an OR&L layout instead of generic Colorado.

If I was to model the OR&L in a large space, I'd start off with the fine facilities at Honolulu (15 stall roundhouse IIRC)...and model the double track CTC to Waipahu Junction where I'd have the branch heading off to staging to represent an army base as well as Dole's plantation. I'd then include a bit of the mainline on Ewa Plain and onto the costal trackage. But any large space I do someday acquire will be for the DSP&P...

This isn't so easy for me to model with what I have. The most interesting part was essentially just a miniature heavy duty mainline railroad...more modern than the NKP and most standard gauge roads. But, the second most interesting part is the coast line which I could model. My big trestle would be at home as the OR&L had at least one trestle exceeding anything on the DSP&P.

Of course, I don't have to make any decisions right now. If nothing else, I'll eventually build a few OR&L modules/dioramas to explore the world of tropical, mainline railroad in paradise...complete with coral ballasted track!

And so there is the draw of this interesting and unique road.
Here's the website for the book: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.oahurailway.com/">http://www.oahurailway.com/</a><!-- m -->

you would really be working in uncharted territory .but thats not always a bad thing.it gives you the chance to model alot of different equipment all in an amazing looking layout.hmm,do i see volcanoes in this layouts future atleast lava flows...how do you make those again :?: .good luck on your next big adventure.--josh

Ya gotta be careful with being indecisive on scales, gauges, eras, and prototypes because you will never get much past the benchwork stage.

I recommend having your main focus, then having your other interests as "diversions" when you need a change of pace. For example, I have a few diesel-era projects taht I work on occasionally when 1920 era burns me out. And as money permits in the future, I may get some colorado NG equipment to run when I feel like it.

But if you abandon what you have started now - it is unlikely you will ever go back - and your unfinished DSP&P projects will remain on the shelf permanently. Perhaps just a few pieces of rolling stock and a diorama will satisfy your urge? :mrgreen:

I should clarify. I won't be tearing apart my existing layout...I would be forced to model portions of the OR&L which fit my existing track work. The scenery for my current layout hasn't been started...and so I have the option of covering it with sand, palm trees, and coral gravel versus red talus, pine trees, and cinder ballast.

I am not allow to start another stock car until my current one is complete...nor any passenger cars until the current is complete...etc. I still plan on building the same trains: the DSP&P passenger train, the DSP&P coal train, the DSP&P freight train, the C&S freight train, and the misc train (EBT hopper, 1902 C&S boxcar, C&C tin car, etc). I'll just probably start an OR&L boxcar next instead of another DSP&P car. The next passenger car will be the Silverton RR's combine Red Mountain...followed by either DSP&P's BD&Co coaches or a Pullman...so OR&L passenger stock is at least three builds down the line (next year).

I don't need to eventually have 2 Colorado layouts...one specific to the DSP&P and the other being generic. So perhaps I'll find the OR&L to be better in the long run than the generic Colorado line. It's a shame that On3 modular clubs aren't as common as N-trak

My wife thinks that an HOn3 or Nn3 OR&L layout would be a good idea...but I don't want to get serious about anything other than On3 for now.