My layout has went under many changes in the pasts 2 months or so, and I want to share the progress with you all, and like id like to hear some feedback.
On 3/20/08
3-21-08
4-9-08
4-10-08
4-20-08
4-23-08
5-18-08
6-1-08
6-4-08
Add some foam and starting the river,the tracksin between the river bed are at a slight incline, and will have a small bridge over the river in the future.
What kind of advice is that? “Looks good”??? How about some practical tips for the guy…geesh.
I’d like to see you enlarge your pictures. They arn’t showing up large enough to give you any practical advice. You either need to use a larger resolution on your camera or if you’re using photobucket change the capture resolution of the picture to 600X800 or larger.
If the track is now operational, it’s time to eliminate those visible feeder wires. There is no reason to have them out where you are snagging tools & clothes on them, and they really distract from the image. Drill the holes in the layout and get them put in from below.
Look at your own photos like it is the first time you see someone else’s layout. This is one of the best ways to assess one’s own work. The first thing I notice that would help the appearance of the layout is having a better backdrop. That wood paneling in the background takes away the “feel” of a separate HO world. Start thinking of the ways that you could attach a panel to that wall to provide a backdrop… just plain sky blue would be a great improvement.
The second thing I notice is the amount of clutter. While you may be working in a limited space with other things going on in the room, you will be far more comfortable and efficient in your work if you can get the plastic bags and “stuff” organized so that you can move around the layout without worrying about stepping on something.
The other item to start thinking about is a fascia board. I use masonite because it is cheap, even though it usually takes a couple coats of paint to cover well. If that front edge of the layout has a faceboard covering the plywood, it will again help the appearance. It appears that some of your layout is a shelf against the wall and the main loop is setting separately atop a table (that may limit your choices atop that table). I mount my fascia board so that it sticks above the top surface of the layout by just 1/4 inch or so to provide a little “lip” which offers protection in case of a derailment near the edge.
These may well all be things that you have already been planning. Your layout is coming along fine, and it is good to get to that place where the trains ar
If the track is now operational, it’s time to eliminate those visible feeder wires. There is no reason to have them out where you are snagging tools & clothes on them, and they really distract from the image. Drill the holes in the layout and get them put in from below.
Look at your own photos like it is the first time you see someone else’s layout. This is one of the best ways to assess one’s own work. The first thing I notice that would help the appearance of the layout is having a better backdrop. That wood paneling in the background takes away the “feel” of a separate HO world. Start thinking of the ways that you could attach a panel to that wall to provide a backdrop… just plain sky blue would be a great improvement.
The second thing I notice is the amount of clutter. While you may be working in a limited space with other things going on in the room, you will be far more comfortable and efficient in your work if you can get the plastic bags and “stuff” organized so that you can move around the layout without worrying about stepping on something.
The other item to start thinking about is a fascia board. I use masonite because it is cheap, even though it usually takes a couple coats of paint to cover well. If that front edge of the layout has a faceboard covering the plywood, it will again help the appearance. It appears that some of your layout is a shelf against the wall and the main loop is setting separately atop a table (that may limit your choices atop that table). I mount my fascia board so that it sticks above the top surface of the layout by just 1/4 inch or so to provide a little “lip” which offers protection in case of a derailment near the edge.
These may well all be things that you have already been planning. Your layout is coming along fine, and it is good to get to that
I think it looks great, but what’s causing that UFOish type beam in the first photo? Is that a lamp or something? Whatever, it is the best simulation of a UFO that I’ve seen. Probably doesn’t look like that in perso, though.
The best thing I’ve noticed about your layout is (even with the clutter) I imediately get a feeling for the area of the country you are modeling. On the negative side I would have to agree with those who say they are distracted by all the clutter.
The other negative I have is with your choice of track and roadbed. It fairly screams toy train set! You’ve got some nice looking locomotive(s) cars and structures there; you’ve got a good start on a realistic looking mountain (no small feat given the small area you have to work with) why ruin it all by using “Crap-track”?
For such a small layout, using cork or homosote roadbed, code 83 flex track, and quality switches would not cost that much more and would really (as Emeril might say) kick your layout up a couple of notches.
Good advise from others about keeping your area clean, installing a backdrop and doing something to dress up the edge of the layout. Even poster board as a facia panel would help.
“Crap-track”? That may be a little harsh. Look at the tunnel entrance picture: you added ballast at the tunnel mouth and it really improved the look of the track. Just do that around the layout to disguise the “crap-track”.
You layout is a work in progress. There are going to be times when you’ve got tools and supplies all over the place and other times when the layout is cleaned off. (Take pictues then! LOL)
What impressed me the most is that your pictures made the layout look LARGER than it really is. I was surprised by the simple track plan you showed. The pictures didn’t look like a small layout!
Keep up the good work. It’s a nice layout and your work is very good.
I’ll agree that the plastic track on the grass carpet looks, dare I say “toylike”…IOWs now time to take it to the next level and add ballast to your track, assuming the track is actually fastened down permanently.
I assume you have access to the rear of the layout to reach jammy switches and derailed cars?
Its a personal peeve of mine but I always plan layouts so that every switch is readily accessable from the main operating side, no remote or beyond reach switches.
Also adding a backdrop would help alot, even just sky blue paint behind the layout does wonders.
TJ, looks like you’re doing several nice things in the scenery and track (and structures) departments. Others have addressed some areas to put on the ‘future’ list, so I won’t repeat them. I really like what you’ve got so far on your mountain with the scenery above the tunnel entrance - keep that up on the rest of your mountain and it’ll be even better!
I’d also agree that (even if the pics weren’t done with your good camera) the layout looks bigger than it actually is, which shows you’ve been doing a bunch of the right stuff. Keep it up! [tup]
There is access, and yes it does look toy like now, but trust me this summer its going to look great, im going to ballast this summer. But remember this is a test layout.
