Has anyone here done a layout where they changed out buildings,cars, and equipment so you could run trains in the 50s one day, the 90s the next, and the teens the next? My layout wont be the taj mahal so I’d like to stretch operating potential…
thanks
It has been done, but unless you can change out everything from rolling stock to highway signage it’s very difficult to carry off convincingly. It also requires a LOT of research into everything from in-service dates of rolling stock to women’s fashions. If you’re interested in challenges, it could be very satisfying. Of course, the storage space for all the ‘not this era’ items will probably take more room than the actual layout.
Incidentally, I really hope nobody’s layout is like the Taj Mahal - the most exquisite burial structure in the world, home only to the dead.
As you can see from my signature, I take the diametrically opposite approach.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Some years ago I wrote an editorial in my local NMRA publication, The Cannonball. I called it A Model Railroad for all Seasons.
It was in response to the “Time Police” brow beating everyone about model railroads having equipment that did not fit a chosen time period. I tried to stress that your model railroad should be made to meet your needs and desires. As most railroads have 4 or so towns I suggseted that each town could be set in a different era with all of the buildings, figures, vehicles, fashions, etc. to match the era. As many of us would like to model winter a winter scene, but not the whole RR, I suggested that each town be set in a different season hence A Model Railroad for all Seasons. Again, it’s your model RR and you should enjoy building and operating it. If you can’t go along with this you can always have a RR museum located in one of your towns and run your old equipment.
Model Railroading is supposed to be fun.
ps: I submitted it to Model Railroader and they rejected it - sigh.
I don’t change eras but instead change scales! I’m a dyed-in-the-wool rubber gauger and have sections of the layout, including scenes, that can be easily removed and replaced with sections of a different scale. I model Gn15, On30, and was thinking of making some removable sections in HO since all of my scales use HO standard gauge track. I like all these scales and could never choose just one so I model them all depending on my mood. As far as eras, I love STEAM!
[“Time Police” brow beating everyone about model railroads having equipment that did not fit a chosen time period]
Man, with what I have planned for my N layout, those Time Police would want to lock me up and throw away the key. Come to think of it, they would more likely try lynching me. That being said, I most grateful to all those who make near perfect representations of given railroads during specific time periods and in a given season. THAT takes a great deal more research and work than anything I will ever do on my layout.
Anyone know how I can “justify” buying a few of the most modern diesels (from Atlas & Kato primarily) when my collection is now almost entirely steam era? [swg]
[C):-)] Rob
A credible vari-era RR could be done w/o much dificulty. The single biggest problem would be signage and the easiest solution would be avoidance. No movie theater w/ poster for “Gone With The Wind”, for example. Most RRs tend to run in the grubier areas of cities so WWI era bldgs would work for up to the present. The time setting could be changed by swapping RR rolling stock and motor vehhicles on streets.
On one level, I think it can be done, with reasonable appearance. On the other hand, I think that a lot of the little things that can really make a big difference are era dependent, as has been said, signage, advertising, vehicles, gas stations, and ‘fast food’ can really set the era, and might be hard to change out easily. But heck, I think we’ll have a set of AC4400s pulling Bethgons on our early '50s layout now and then (one of my kids likes them, and bought some on his own), so who am I to object! It’s just a time warp!
[But heck, I think we’ll have a set of AC4400s pulling Bethgons on our early '50s layout now and then (one of my kids likes them, and bought some on his own), so who am I to object! It’s just a time warp!]
***Does this work for adults, too? [:D] One of the locos on my “wish (need to justify) list” is infact a Kato AC4400. Would look kinda funny passing by a 2-6-0, 4-4-0,2-8-0, well, you get the picture. Still, I suppose I could justify running diesels only on Holidays. Hmmm, now how may holidays are there around the world during a year period? (wonder if my wife would buy into that idea?)LOL
[C):-)] Rob
Other than the trains, the most noticeable things will be the vehicles. I’m collecting two sets - one for the mid-1960’s, and another for sometime in the 1930’s. I’ve tried to select structures that would have been around in both eras.
I do have a movie theater, and I do have a poster for Gone With The Wind. However, it will be on a removeable “sandwich board” which I can place in front of the theater, and swap it out for a poster of “The Graduate” or “Dr. Strangelove” when the time comes.
Take a look at Jon Grant’s thread on this same topic. His time machine is one of the best.
All of my past industrial switching layouts have been generic in design so I could switch out eras when the mood hits me.I only change out locomotives,freight cars and(some times) vehicles.I focus more on correct locomotives and freight cars.After all those are the main players.
“Anyone know how I can “justify” buying a few of the most modern diesels (from Atlas & Kato primarily) when my collection is now almost entirely steam era?”
Rob, what about a furturistic Tourist/Scenic Railroad powered by strange looking diesel locomotives? Just a weird thought.
Ray
[Rob, what about a furturistic Tourist/Scenic Railroad powered by strange looking diesel locomotives? Just a weird thought.]
***Ray, perhaps no weirder than one of my industries being [dinner]Soylent Corp[dinner] with a slogan along the lines of We Feed People (or People Serving People, or We Serve People). Actually, your suggestion brought to mind a two tier layout, lower for steam, with modern “above the clouds”. However, truthfully one medium size layout will likely be all I can handle without going crazy…or should I say crazier than I already am! (I know at some point I am getting those locos regardless of justification [:-,])
[C):-)] Rob
Rob, if you’re not above a little plagiarism then you can borrow from, The Twilight Zone, and call it, “To Serve Man.”
Ray
Actually, I am contemplating the idea of having my next layout “divided” into sections. With different areas for different eras. If I want to run steam, I’ll just operate from that point. Run double stacks? I’ll stand over there —>!