Yep, access is access. I did a straight forward evaluation based on the fact its hard to build and maintain something you cant reach, topside creeper not withstanding. I deemed about 47 of these layouts “buildable” based on that requirement.
Sometimes it is unavoidable to need a deeper scene. Its not easy to build a wye without a deep scene. Especially if you want all three legs of the wye to be actual routes with no stub ends (there is a LDE I want to include, but I dont think it will fit in my space well).
Yep, I’m picky when it comes to the build quality of my equipment, especially when it comes to my locomotives, which are my favorite part of the hobby. But as someone who makes his living working in assembly inspection in an automotive plant owned by a Japanese company known for their high quality standards, it’s hard for me not to be.
I remember a long time ago reading an article by John Pike in MR about a vist to a trolly layout he was looking to do a story on for the magazine. He said when the guy answered the door to invite him in, he was wearing six wrist watches, three on each arm! The man explained to him he was a watch repairman and he was checking to insure they were now keeping the correct time. He went on to say the layout was good but the trollys themselves were assembled kind of sloppy for a man who worked with such small precise gears that go into a delicate watch. Later it dawned on him that the layout and trolly construction was this man’s “release valve”, the one time he could just relax and enjoy some work without being so “picky”. I could learn something from that guy.
That’s about right. It’s gotta run or it ain’t no fun. Other than that, beauty and credibility is in the eye of the beholder. If it convinces you it’s a railroad, that’s good enough.
SeeYou190
If this were not true, the book “101 Track Plans” would have been “1 Track Plan.”
If you apply the litmus test of no track more than 3 feet from a place where you can stand, it becomes 47 track plans (or something like that).
Does that include access hatches and “service only” aisles?
I keep trying to build “shelf” layouts, and find myself always wanting “deeper” scenes.
The new layout will have some 42" deep benchwork against walls (with stagging yards all the way at the back, behind a backdrop) and two 8’ wide peninsulas to accommodate 44" radius curves.
Sheldon
Yep, access is access. I did a straight forward evaluation based on the fact its hard to build and maintain something you cant reach, topside creeper not withstanding. I deemed about 47 of these layouts “buildable” based on that requirement.
Sometimes it is unavoidable to need a deeper scene. Its not easy to build a wye without a deep scene. Especially if you want all three legs of the wye to be actual routes with no stub ends (there is a LDE I want to i
I would rather have a very low level of detail everywhere than have one section of layout super detailed while the rest is plywood pacific. Later I will go back and upgrade scenes with more detail. Even structures are never finished. I will go back later and paint them and add more details.
I am a perfectionist by nature, but have learned the wisdom of being less so over the years. For model railroading, I mostly am not too perfectionist. The exceptions are:
(1) locomotives have to run nearly flawlessly. No stuttering or flickering headlights. Clean wheels yield reliable operation.
(2) trackwork must be very smooth and switches reliable. Appearance of the track I’m less perfectionist about.
(3) operation must be reasonably realistic. It really irritates me watching people run engines with jackrabbit starts and stops, and slamming into coupling cars at high speeds. Also, leave a bit of time for coupling of brakehoses, releasing brakes, walking to end of cuts of cars, etc. Maybe this comes from my railfanning.
(4) consistency of presentation. I hate seeing a rivet counter buy lots of super-detailed accurate rolling stock, and then run them all unweathered, on a layout with scenery, trackwork, structures that’s been given much less level of attention. I appreciate a model railroader who has BB-level equipment that he has taken the time to weather up nicely, things operate smoothly, and has a layout that appears “uniform” level of attention. Thus my own efforts, while lacking the great skills and abilities of others, does have a uniform appearance. No distracting inconsistencies.
Lone Wolf. I almost forgot about this thread. I had’nt gone to the third page where I found it since I got home yesterday.
Plywood Pacific that’s a good one…I think I like the way you’re thinking. I may adopt this progression rule of yours when I’m doing scenery on my layout. I agree there would be nothing worse than seeing your train come through a finish scene and going into unfinished Central.
That would’nt look good. You’re right, you can always go back and brush up on detailing things later.
Might as well keep everything in the same Loop. Makes sense to me.
It only takes a brief amount of time to put out a cardboard web, cover it with plaster cloth, smooth it out with plaster of paris, paint it Apple Barrel English Ivy green, and sprinkle on Woodland Scenics #T-49 Green Blend.
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No more “Plywood Pacific”, or “OSB Central” after that.
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After this rudimentary scenery is done, it is easy to go back and add buildings, trees, details, etc.
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Lorell Joiner did something like this when he built the Great Southern. He finished the entire layout like a desert, then went back and finished all the scenes later.
Hey Kevin. I’ll give you that one, it doesn’t take too long to get everything looking halfway decent.
MR posting and Sunday night football at the same time. Entertainable multitasking. Isn’t life great!
I am going to use Lone Wolf’s idea of keeping scenery progression in sink one step at a time over the whole layout. I do remember unfinished zones on my best layout being somewhat disappointing.
[;)] Track Fiddler
PS I took so much time off of work for Thanksgiving I forgot what day it is. I thought it was Monday today. I have to go back to work Tuesday I just got a brand new day.[8D][bow]