I recently drove through a little north Texas town a few weeks ago that was off the beaten path, and struck me as the perfect train layout community. It had a general type store with a gas pump out front, a bank, post office and several scattered houses. I think it may have also had an old ball type water tower. The only signs I recall were a 35 mph speed limit sign and the stop signs at the four way stop at the cross roads in the middle of town. I don’t know if I’ll ever actually build a town for my layout, but if I do, I’d like to have a plan.
Anyone have any better suggestions ?. (Please tell me you do…)
Unless you’re hell bent on building a major metropolis, drive around and study little towns around you and look close at some of the buildings and arcitecture. Some little whistle-stop towns on a layout can be more interesting than one big one and can offer some interesting sights.
I’ve got a little town like that near me. It’s right next to a train museum.(Lynnville Tn.) It almost looks like they looked at a model train layout and then patterned the town after it.
Tracklayer: If you model pre 70’s, there was lots of signs painted on the sides of buildings and plenty of billboards. You wouldn’t see that now. Also, keep in mind that traffic signals and street lights were different in design. This sort of stuff can easily be researched by looking at old town photos. (you gotta have a town. Where else would your little people live? [:D] )
Very nice town, Tom. Your wife did an excellent job.
REX
For aerial shots, go to one of the free sites that provides satellite imagery. With the latitude and longitude, or in many cases the town name, it will find a picture that should meet your needs.
Thanks guys. I’ll follow your lead and see what I can come up with. I’d like to keep it simple, and make it so that it could be for all eras if possible.