I used to have my nscale set under my bed, untill i earned a 3x6 space in my basement, does anyone know of any ideas to make a smaller layout impressing without over doing it?
You might want to go with the idea, “Less is more”
Don’t jam a bunch of scenery and track into a small layout, it will just look silly and out of place.
Avoid the old spagetti bowl.
Keep it simple and fun, and really detail what little you have to add that extra realism. (People, Animals, Scenes, ETC.)
My two Cents.
Nscaleboy,
Is possible for you to reach a compromise? If you have a 3x6 foot space available in the basement and its along a wall, is there additional room in which you can extend your layout along a wall with maybe a "12 inch wide section? Basically a shelf. What’s neat about this is that it would take up very little space. It could be anywhere from 3 feet to 10 feet in length. Looking down from the ceiling, your layout would basically be shaped like a “square shaped” lower case letter “d” or “p”.
This would give you more operating possibilities! You could put in a rail yard or add in some additional industries that give you more opportunities for switching operations. Even a passenger terminal that requires trains to back in. [;)][8)]
If you like this idea and your parents or elders are rather hesitant, you could point out that you’re going to a smaller layout overall and this would make up for some of the “Real Estate” that your layout is losing by going to a 3x6! [:D][8D]
Cheers and hope your endeavors go well!
Ha! The Dust Bunny Central RR…
(sorry, couldn’t resist.)[:D]
I have read an article in Model Railroader Magazine Jan/2003 Page 33 if limited space is of concern to you. A railroad-go-round maybe of interest to you. David Freeman of westpoint,ontario has an impresive layout. Davids Dizy Hieghts RR is a round diorama that rotates counterclockwise as the trains travel on three loops of track at different levels in the opposite direction. When the speed of the trains is set to match the rotation of diorama a viewer can stand in one place and watch the trains travel the whole layout. Im not sure if this article can be found on the net as there was no web site listed. But I think this is very nice display with mountains and wooden tressels. It may also inspire your creativity to build your own.GOOD LUCK [:D]
I would set up a simple switching plan and then follow the example led by George Sellios and Super detail everything.
James