I’ve read posts about a sci-fi layout and a layout based on Stephen King’s Derry Maine. What other fantasy themed but “prototypical” layouts have people done or would like to do?
I think a point to point layout from Gotham City to Metropolis would be great. Gotham could be done in the George Sellios FSM style with everything run down and various Batman villains running amok. Metropolis could be lightly weathered, bright and cheery with the Daily Planet tower in the center. An additional section could be added with the Kent farm in Smallville.
I just use the occasional fantasy scene in an otherwise normal layout. There’s a mermaid, Superman emerging from a phone booth and the 4 heroes from the Wizard of Oz on the yellow brick road.
The Kansas City Union Station model railroad display has quite a few fun things for kids. For example, a dinosaur on a street, Spiderman on the side of a building, etc.
When we took the grandkids, we had a list of things to look for, that the kids loved pointing them out.
I am a fan of 1950s science fiction movies, so I have a train station with the name Altair, a Robby’s gas station, etc.
Right now I’m scratch building the Bates motel and house from Psycho.
I seem to remember the Bates Motel being offered as an HO scale kit at some time.
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-Kevin
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From this thread:
Yes, I looked for an N Scale version, but couldn’t find any. Anyway, I am enjoying building it from scratch. I did order some windows from Tichy, but everything else I have been able to make.
I’ve said before … I should have paid more attention in high school geometry. The roof angles on the house and motel are driving me crazy.
The previous layout of the LION was JRR Tolkien’s Middle Earth. I only modeled the area around Bree, but there were commuter trains from Fornost, Reginal trains from Hobbiton and Rivendell, and long distance trains running from Gondor to Fornost and from the Loney Mountain to the Grey Havens.
The two long distance trains (from each direction – four trains) arrived at Bree at 1300 and left at 1400. Thus you could change at Bree for any other place in Middle Earth.
The Layout is gone, but I still have the timetables.
ROARING
John Ott built the Miskatonic Railroad around the H.P. Lovecraft city of Arkham:
Thanks everyone. Now as I’m considering a new layout I am thinking about incorporating the idea of a Metropolis to Gotham theme. This gives me the options of clean, bright city vs. gritty, dark, over-weathered city while incorporating my love of Batman and Superman.
Polar Lights made a kit for the Bates mansion; I’m not aware of a kit for the Bates motel per se. Polar Lights seems to be long gone.
Which reminds me that I sometimes still regret passing up the opportunity to purchase a novelty shower curtain that had the shadowy outline of old Mrs Bates, with knife in hand. It’s eco-friendly because it keeps showers brief. Very brief.
Dave Nelson
Old Mrs Bates was skeletal corps in a chair upstairs - time marker 1:02
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWHYmNrAFlI
Wouldn’t it have been the shadowy outline of Norman Bates in his mothers dress and wig?
Not so eco friendly. There didn’t seem to be anyone shutting off the shower after the deed was done. Water was cheap back then.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WtDmbr9xyY
I note she turned on the shower and didn’t even wait for the hot water to warm up. Details details.
"Thanks everyone. Now as I’m considering a new layout I am thinking about incorporating the idea of a Metropolis to Gotham theme. This gives me the options of clean, bright city vs. gritty, dark, over-weathered city while incorporating my love of Batman and Superman. "
I think this is a great idea. It allows a lot of unrestricted creative freedom as well as the opportunity for really great modeling. ( still figuring out how to quote properly)
The more I think about it, the more excited I get. Dont have the room for a huge two city layout, but could design something that achieves the purposes, giving me some good modeling options and some fun. No Schumaker neon from Batman and Robin, but I could add Penguin’s Iceberg Lounge, police headquarters (with batsignal), and Wayne Manor on the outskirts of town. Then create an industrial area (as seen in Batman V. Superman), which leads across the harbor to Metropolis with a Daily Planet building. Could be fun.
There have been some John Galt railroads based on Ayn Rands novel. I dabble with the proposed but never built PRR Sam Rea line across Pennsylvania. A complete empty slate of route and towns with a total choice of PRR equipment
Back in the 90s on a club layout I lettered a DPM store Gault’s “Needful Things”. This store was named after the store in Stephen King’s “Needful Things” novel.