Do you run multiple sized or scale trains to simulate distance ?

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I know there is a better term for this, selective depth perspective ? We have 6 mainlines, each one father back and high on a 24’ x 55’ display layout. To simulate distance I feel we should run Scale closes to the front, smaller 0-27 type cars on the 2nd level, and Ho or On30 for the top level. Are any of you doing this? How is it working out for you, and what scale/sizes are you running. Thanks again, Dave North Schuylkill Hi-Railers, Frackville, PA

2

I try run my larger O gauge locomotives on the outside track, have four mainlines. I run my S gauge stuff in the center of my layout, with two mainlines. I have a seperate table for H.O.

Lee F.

3

You mean like this?

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://dunhamstudios.com/images/citigroup/nightskyline.jpg&imgrefurl=http://dunhamstudios.com/cititour.htm&h=450&w=675&sz=467&hl=en&start=3&um=1&tbnid=jk7Cyc-Gg4kBiM:&tbnh=92&tbnw=138&prev=/images%3Fq%3DCitiCorp%2BLayout%2BDunham%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26channel%3Ds%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26hs%3Defs%26sa%3DN

4

Dave,

The layout you mentioned would make mine look like a postage stamp.

To your main question, though, I am in the process of installing an AF “S” gauge layout on an elevated platform about 11" above the back end of my “O” gauge layout. While I’m not an expert (not even a novice) on layout perspective, I’m hoping the “S” gauge will add a bit of a distance view to the overall appearance. My biggest challenge is to do the landscaping/mountain building work. If successful, the AF layout will look like it’s sitting on a high plateau. The filler between the two levels will be like canyon walls, since I don’t have enough lower level real estate to make mountain slopes.

I had AF as a kid and wanted to do a small layout with it. My starting goal was to “repurchase” those AF items I owned as a 10-14 year old. It was my luck that two old photos of that layout survived all those years. Using the pictures, I was able to get, via Ebay, every piece I once owned. And a few more!

I do remember reading about gauge perspective some years ago, most likely in CTT. If my memory is correct, the basic idea is to place the smaller gauge layout at a distance from the larger one, either above, back, or both.

Regards,

Bill

5

Isn’t it called something like selective compression, right? The concept was again featured in the latest CTT on that marvelous pierside layout. I do so with figures and buildings - smaller to the back to look farther away.

6

S would be a closer match to O for giving the illusion of distance, unless you really wanted the trains to look far away.

Jim