What a great idea for a modeling theme. I enjoyed this article very much. Very well written and the photos were outstanding. Well done.

Roy

Dear Erik: Magnificent layout. Were you really able to build such on a 11´ x 14´ space? That´s morless the space I will devote for my future empire. Congratulations for a well conceived theme...

Absolutely gorgeous work made even better by the detailed article. A layout everyone can aspire to. Thank you, Mr. Kalinski.

Erik, very cool idea for the layout!  We just finished watching all of season 3 on DVD.  Great show and what a unique idea on your part to incorporate it into a layout!!  Love it and thanks for sharing.

Jim

Absolutely fantastic layout and article!  This is "World Class" stuff!

Rick

Erik, you have done a wonderful job on your layout. Your scenery is outstanding. I particularly enjoyed the story of how you tied in the Northern Exposure element. I found it very entertaining as I live about an hour and a half away from the real town of Roslyn and have visited both the Roslyn Cafe and the tavern that is "The Brick" in the TV series several times. Outstanding! Thanks for sharing your layout with us all.

Thank you very much for all the comments, guys, I really do appreciate your kind words. If anyone would like to see more pictures and details of the layout and especially the town of Cicely, you're very welcome to click on my YouTube videos:

Erik

Moderator edit: Converted links into embedded videos - just use the little icon in the editor bar that looks like a filmstrip - and paste the links into the dialog box that comes up - easy!

 From detail to scenery to imagination and passion, this layout is full of ingenuity. Great Job Erik!

Great job, I never would have thought about a layout based on a tv show. I agree that it is all most inposible to build a real proto type un less you have mega amounts of money to spend, and having the space. We all compromise on are layouts and put in the most imprtant things to create the feeling.

Russ

Erik's creative and superb modeling is awesome. I have mixed natural rocks into my scenery on a small scale but I loved what he did with the larger size rocks. I will be studying the photos carefully and hope for something close to Erik's.

I too, loved the series.  My wife and I get a seasons DVD from Netflix, every now and then.  It seems like we are visiting old friends.

I'm very impressed with the night lighting, you did an excellent job.

I hope you have many hours of pleasure from your efforts.

Thanks for sharing it with us.  Guess I will have to get another DVD and watch another season.....

Mike

Perfect!

Love the layout, the theme, why the theme was adopted, and best of all: the line early in the article proclaiming the argument between prototypical and not as pointless!

I agree. If you love trains, does it matter if they are an imperfect at best representation of a real place and time, or something that is totally made up?

Guess it depends on your perspective, but this layout is living proof of what can be done thoroughly outside the "true to prototype" mindset.

Thanks-bob b.

This is a very refreshing and enlightning story. For it just reembrasses my thinking of
freelance and prototypical modeling. Plus I also love Northern exposure and in my layout
I'm also trying to recreate the northwest of America but not of any specific town, just the
one in my mind. I also like this story because Erik reminds me of myself. Meaning I also
put training down for some years (1979-2006). then recently broke them out due to now having
my own real estate. alotting me permenent room. I have a two car garage and donated one fourth
of it for my hobby. using 120sq foot to build my imaginary northwestern territory too, but dont
worry for mine will not be Northern Exposure. mine takes place between the cross of Montana
and Washington and its called Jaden (marks Jadenrails). the name came from one letter from each
of my family members. Its nice to know your not alone out there. I would like to see more of
P&NW. Especially in video form. keep up with stories like this, for this is what keeps me
coming back (besides the technical aspects).        Thanks Teekaho

 Excellent work in aprehending the prototype police and putiing them behind bars!!!  I've often said that the rivet counters spoil the true meaning of the hobby and you have proved that just because it's not an "actual place, time and real railroad" that this is still very believable!  Your level of detail is what makes the difference.  Great Layout!  

Good to hear so many people have been intrigued with Erik's approach to model railroading. His "prototype" is rather unique, and for a modeler not in the US, his layout captures the feel of American railroading exceptionally well!

There are not enough adjectives in the English language to praise your modeling. Photography is not bad either.

Just finally got a chance to come here and skim through my MRH back issues that I've missed.

I have to admit to not actually having read the full article, yet, but I still have to say, even without that the visual impression is phenomenal. WIth a detailed and crafted layout like this, it truly is all in the pictures. I particularly liked the freelancing aspect of the railroad's theme, as I love the creativity freelancing can generate.

Also, the night photo scenes were spectacular, and your poor, neglected little H16-44 working the yard seems to evoke a sense of empathy for the old FM loco. Got to give a hand to anyone who holds a soft spot for these attractive little road switchers. Fairbanks Morse really came up with some appealing shapes for their locomotive designs, and it's nice to see one so hard at work on so impressive a model layout.