This is my first layout since retirement. I did not plan out the layout as much as just getting track laid and working. I then added some streets without much planning. Finally, I added modern buildings as I worked, again without much planning.
The result is some areas that are “problem areas”. The areas are next to the edge, or in a strip of ground between the railroad and the street.
I realize in real life, there are probably large areas of open space with weeds, trees, etc. However, I think that might look funny to have a weedy or plain area right across a street from a more modern building.
This is not along an edge that I have a problem reaching over.
Since I’m fairly new at this, and since I live in a very small town without any friends with layouts, does anyone have any suggestions about filling in these areas?
Well, first of all, it’s not a “weedy area” across the street, it’s railroad tracks.
I think it would be very reasonable to have a “weedy area” between the tracks and the street. The space is so small, nothing could go there. Plus it’s owned by the railroad, and I doubt they’d allow anything.
However, in the big space near us, top of my list is a farm field. It could be vegetable planting in rows. It could be fruit/nut trees. In rows. It could be a grazing field for animals.
If that doesn’t suit you, I would recommend some sort of commercial space ('cause there’s not a siding for an industry). Lumber yard (most aren’t rail served). Small home improvement store. Auto dealership? Keep in mind there’s a tendency when laying out lots for buildings to use straight lines. So I think whatever commercial thing you were to put in, there’d still be weedy areas here and there.
Farms, though, are willing to follow the curve of the track. It’s just a fence, after all. Don’t put the fence right up near the track, by the way. Railroads “always” have some extra land next to the tracks. Maybe 3" away? Fifty (real) feet is pretty common, though for us modelers that’s asking a lot.
I agree with Ed. I always assume the railroad will own at least about a 10 foot strip of land that abuts the roadbed. That leaves no room for anything except unmanicured nature in that spot. Maybe a storage shed for the railroad and gravel lot access.
If you want to keep it looking manicured, how about a gravel lot for overflow parking at the Cracker Barrel.
But generally, I think a little unmanicured nature all along both sides of the entire roadbed would give a better feel to the whole scene. JMO.
Those pesky square corners left over after you install the bend in the tracks .
How about a water feature? A pond or edge of a lake, or bend in a wide slow moving river? You could add ducks to a pond, a canoe or fisherman in a boat on a lake and a fly fisherman on the bank of a river…
I agree with those who have said a weedy area between the street and the tracks would not be unrealistic since there really isn’t room for much else. I can’t see that small a parcel of land being owned by anyone but the railroad.
That large area in the corner could be made into a public park or a portion of one. Put in some trees, swing sets, slides, seesaws etc and a few picnic tables. Woodland Scenics used to sell a small Memorial Park kit of metal castings that would be perfect although I don’t see it on Walthers website. It might have been discontinued but there are lots of listings on ebay. This is the cheapest one I saw:
I used it on a town square and it is one of my favorite scenes. I also used their prebuilt gazebo and it looks like you would have room for that too. If not they also sell a kit for a smaller gazebo.
I think that the small bit of land between the tracks and the street, in a small town, would end up as a sort of informal parking area. I would consider parking a semi over there, off the road. Or you could have a small pickup parked, selling produce out of the back.
You could extend the street in front of the church across the tracks and to the edge. Then you’d have a good bit of frontage for commercial usage.
The water feature that Mike mentioned is nice (really, they ALL are!) because it could have forced the railroad to turn the tracks. Also, you could put the edge of a hill in the corner, with the creek/river at the bottom.
I know of a few oddball spots like that around that are used as garden centers.
Little more than rows of “tables” fashioned out of cinderblocks and planks for flower and small plants; clusters of bushes, shrubs, and ornamental trees; a shack for a cashier; piles of pallets off to the side; and space for a couple cars to park.
I seem to remember an article about a “problem area” on the MILWAUKEE RACINE AND TROY where they installed a small hay-bailing scene that looked quite good.
Well the square corner is there (on my railroad they don’t exist), so I would get some foam, maybe only 1" and taper it toward the track area and cover it with plaster cloth. Areas on my layout that don’t have a real use are ussually zip textured, random areas on this done in ground foam, next random areas of 2mm static grass, next 4mm on top in from edge of 2mm, finaly 6mm stuff in from the edge of the 4mm stuff, basially layered scenery.
Just one more point. The edge of the layout isn’t the edge of the World. Whatever you decide to put there can’t depict the World beyond that corner. You can build part of anything you think is plausible into that corner and the rest is filled in by imagination.
Another thought for you. Many small empty spaces end up being used for advertising. That thin space between the track and street would be a great place for a billboard and any type of signage.
Excellent Idea! A billboard angled a bit to fit nicely, would be a very logical and realistic placement. A little maintained area in front, but natural behind it and along the tracks.
I would try to introduce some natural messiness to the landscape in places, along the ROW and maybe property lines between buildings. Maybe not every property so well manicured.
Kidding, Kidding. I’ll second the motion for an informal parking lot. How about a scene with some railfanns? Perhaps some trackside equipment? Signal boxes, etc?
