Here’s a link to a picture of a corner of my layout. I’m having trouble deciding what to do with it. I put a layer of ground cover down as a base and now my imagination has taken a couple of weeks off. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. This is not the part of the hobby I enjoy doing as much as others so please keep suggestions simple.
http://www.freepgs.com/Juby4life/IM000664.JPG
Thanks,
Jeremy
Some line side items would help, a signal, telltales marking the tunnel clearence
( your railroad may be too modern for telltales), maybe a small structure, like a shed, a work crew, a pile of ties, a few trees or bushes, an access road, no trespassing signs, “telephone” poles, some “growey stuff” on the wing wall… You have a nice base started there, make sure to cover all the white spots. The rockwork behind the train is very nice, I’m guessing that the rock on the left isn’t finished yet.
Hopefully, something on that list gets your imagination kick started. [:D]
Looks like a little spot in between tracks that is more or less inaccessible. I can’t imagine a golf-course style lawn. I can see that as a scraggly little spot. The virgin growth was disturbed when the tunnel was bored. It is now grown in with a variety for small scraggly immature trees. A little bit of erosion. Some wet spots where there is drainage from the tunnel bore. Not a “stream” actually but a muddy spot, and some small rocks. If there is a road nearby or overlooking, it might collect junk.
An orchard, cherry trees to be exact. hopefully they won’t have to endure a cold snap like the one we are having right now!!
If not cherries try apples, peaches or pears!
Jer:
It seems to be too small and isolated to do much with. I would put a few trees and some undergrowth in. Also a ‘volunteer’ tree or two in the crags of the exposed rock face.
If your taste extends to whemsy, you might have a mountain climber or two or perhaps a picknicker on the grassy cliff top. Kite flying children? Crashed hang glider in the trees at the bottom of the cliff-face? Largely depends on what themes and set pieces you have on the other parts of the layout.
Randy
When I first saw this it brought to mind some parkettes I’ve seen. Why not have rail buffs snapping some shots. put up a guard rail to keep people at bay. Have that orchard and a picnic table, kids playing, dad cooking on the BBQ.
My idea for that section. Could be some construction crew preforming maintance in this spot. Bring in a dozer leveling off the gorund work. Some replace rail and ties. You could even make it appear that they are adding a spur off to left of the tunnel. Thats my idea.
I think I would redo the area into an urban scene. A large building on the left that had its entrance on the lwoer level but shipped from the upper would hide that corner. Another building on the right would hide the tunnel entrance and giv ethe appearance of an urban canyon.
I say keep it simple. Add some weeds, tall grass, and trees. Lots of modelers seem to think that every square inch of a layout has to have “something going on”. But the real world of railroading is miles and miles of miles and miles, with absolutely nothing going on, and generally no signs of civilization. Everyone should reserve a few spaces for “nothing” for their layouts, and oddball areas like this are perfect.
I would add tree’s, undergrowth and hidden in the middle, a hobo camp . Its alway good to have a couple of surprises on a layout. I would also continue the planting up the embankment.
Jeremey,
There is a spur on top the hill that must pass by something. Perhaps you could make a little junkyard mixed in with weeds where that industry just down the line parked old equipment, containers, etc.? Remember to observe all the DNR rules - you would never see old barrels along a rail line! [:)]
I really like Fergie’s idea, though. It was my first impression to. Ray make a good point as well, if every inch of your layout is scenicked, just make it natural.
-Jer
I had a small area behind a town I was at a loss about what to do with. Finally, I made a small overgrown graveyard. Worked out just fine.
Is this a tunnel going under a cemetery?! Creepy new concept for picking up open loads.