Upon the subject of Micro Layouts...

[Chops]

“Micro layouts are small model railroads, usually less than three or four square feet in area, that nonetheless have a clear purpose and excellent operating capability.” With No Switches For Operation
Reference:
Micro Layout Design Gallery - Carendt.com

Well, I'm not so sure that not having a turnout or two disrupts the definition of a micro layout. British micro layouts have been particularly
interesting for me, ever since I picked up a copy of Ian Rice's hand book. Perhaps there are other nations that excel in micro layouts, but
I've not come across them, as yet.

Anyways, it is not the rule, but fairly common that many North American modelers may have a little extra room to accommodate a 4x8 in
the garage- garden sheds more an English convention, the vagaries of weather typically makes such arrangements in the US rather unknown.

Well here's a fellow that nailed the concept of the micro layout, North American style, in a 4x4 spot. He also runs a micro German N scale
layout 2x3 feet. He eventually built a 5x8 foot layout, exclusively for the running of vintage Tyco. Tyco, which had its earliest origins in Britain,
in the 1920's under some other name I entirely forget, before it relocated to the USA, held sway for a number of decades in North America, and
later Australia, as the go to source for interesting and cheap RTR HO scale model railroading. Quite honestly, most serious modelers today
consider Tyco to be junk status, but many of those fellows have a secret stash in their back closet. At train shows, Tyco can be often picked up
for pennies, seriously, just from sellers who wish to be rid of it.

This chap actually went about making a collection of only Tyco items, so much so that for the longest time he wouldn't use any scenery at all as Tyco had not ever gone into that venture. His collection, while large and extensive, barely skims the surface of the innumerable items Tyco manufactured during its years under ownership that went from family to, eventually General Foods.

Mr. Putnick is a personal email pen pal I've known for some years, now. Here is a link to his website.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5z5AT ... 1eyEuUWLzw