The term "chainsaw" is simply used to describe what you will be doing with the layout once you "complete" it - taking the chainsaw to it.  Basically, I'm building my current "chainsaw" layout to learn the in's and out's of a lot of the hobby, try various techniques in construction and scenery, etc., ask questions of those more experienced and make mistakes (LOTS of mistakes) with the full and clear intention that once I get to the point where I think I've learned enough or have had enough fun with it, I will strip what I can from it (track and turnouts if possible, terminal strips, trees, buildings, etc.) and dismantle the layout.  Then, I'll start a new one.  If I don't think I've learned enough, I might do a second chainsaw to try different techniques.  It can also be useful for those who live in a rented dwelling or somewhere temporary that they can tear apart when they move on, if they so choose.

LD SIG edtitor-emeritus Dave Clemens coined the term "chainsaw railroad" to describe a test bed layout.

The idea is to stop procrastinating and go start doing the hobby. The way you learn the quickest is by doing and making mistakes - so get over trying to design the perfect layout. Decide up front you are building a "chainsaw railroad" to do all your learning on.

MRH first introduced the term in issue 1's Reverse Running ...

Dave/Joe - Thanks for your quick replies.

Seems that I have "been there - done that" without even knowing it.

Back where I come from (Nova Scotia) we often used the phrase "chainsaw carpentry" to refer to something thrown together quickly for temporary use. Different context to what we're talking about here but still aplicable.

It is the art of carving  a complete layout from  a solid chunk  of wood using only a chainsaw.  Now a days it is reserved to  z scale as little to no trees have the girth required for HO or  larger scales. 

Some people cheat and laminate a 'grove'  of  2x4's together and carve that but that goes against the 'grain' and 'essence'  of  the 'Chainsaw '.  Others 'spruce ' things up, but it all 'falls' short and they turn a new 'leaf'. Laminating is  not very 'poplar' with the incrowd ....  Other people can't  'deciduous'  where to begin and  take ' root '  in the arm chair of life awaiting  the inspiration to cometh  and then they  wittle a 'woody' or two.  But that soon turns to  ' Ash ' and  they remain  'evergreen'. 

I am  becoming 'Sycamore' so I will 'aspin' out of here and go ' Oak '  in the tub..

More power Thuja   

Marc Fournier, Quebec

Little did I expect to find such pearls of wisdom on s forum such as this.

Marc - I really want to see the bear and eagle; carved by a chainsaw exactly to scale, displayed on your layout. Here in the Ottawa valley, we use a chainsaw for more traditional things like quartering a moose.

Thanks guys.

Bob

Would'nt ' Traditional  '  be more along the lines of  quartering  a turkey with a chainsaw.

Marc Fournier, Quebec

Ahhhh - I believe you may be confused with the gas powered hedge trimmers used for slicing the Thanksgiving Turkey here in Lanark County. Only the best tools for the finer things in life.