I agree ... what I would really like to see is a good ten-wheeler!

Jim

1. Have you ever rode on a steam train?

I have ridden stream trains many many times, as a child during the transition era.

2. Where was your last steam train ride?

The Kingston Flier in New Zealand.

3. What year was your last steam train ride?

2003

4. Do you often "chase" steam trains for enjoyment or photo ops.?

As often as possible, but that's about once a year.  Looking forward to seeing some steam at the NG Convention in Portland, ME.

5. Bonus Q  What is your all time favorite steam train? this should be fun.

No question ... any of the Rhodesian National Railways trains of the 1950's and 1960's running across the African veld.

Having grown up in New Mexico, my opinion may be biased but the Cumbres and Toltec is the one to take.  You can get on at Chama (about an hour or so north of Taos) or in Antonito, Colorado.  Call ahead for tickets, for sure, but the peak time is September when the aspens and cottonwoods are turning gold!

I'm trying to build a traditional adobe pueblo (similar to Taos or Santa Clara) for my version of the Chili Lines in O scale.  I'm trying a new technique using balsa as the base (it's easy to round and to make nice thick windows).  When painted a nice adobe color and having a fine dust blown into the wet paint, it looks pretty good.

1. What is your On30 display? Mining, or logging operations, Christmas village, Mfg. ops., or a circle around Christmas tree?

Sort of a what-if ... the Chili Line (D&RGW) operating as a branch line from Espanola, New Mexico into the Valle Grande to exploit timber.

2 What do you have for Buildings on your layout? Scratch built, Plasticville,
Dept. 56?

About half are scratchbuilt, lots of adobe buildings, and the remainder are wood, resin, etc., craftsman-type kits.

3. What era does your layout represent? Civil war, turn of century, modern,
or let us know the exact date.

The layout depicts the end of operations on the line in 1949 (Fall).  Lots of borrowed equipment from the D&RGW, RGS, and others, re-gauged from three-feet to 30 inches.

4. What size and type is your layout? Shelf type , table top, walk around, 4x8, ping pong table, Etc...

Fills about 3/4 of a two-car garage.  Around the wall with two peninsuals.  Approximately, 12' x 18',

I agree.  MMI still has my K27 and can't figure out why the sound doesn't work (it ran for two feet on my test track a year ago).  I am a little put off by MMI but will consider the 4-4-0 but will gladly wait another year or two if Bachmann just hints that they will produce one instead.