There is something about the look of a model train coming out of a curve that I just love. It is probably my favorite part of running my trains… especially when the train comes out of a curve at the same time it is coming out of a tunnel.
One night I tried to share this great beauty with my wife. She looked at me like I was nuts and said “Anything you say dear…”
So am I nuts, or are there other folks out there who think some particular aspect of model train operation is absolutely beautiful?
you are 100% right. you tell your wife you are not nuts. all my pictures on the wall and my train videos all show the best when a loco is coming off a curve.
No-no-no, you’re not nuts! It is visually exciting to watch a train, especially from a concave viewpoint, negotiate a curve–doubly so when it’s emerging from a tunnel. Even better if it’s a passenger train consist, IMHO.[8D]
I think the best layout planning acknowledges this, and creates viewing locations where the trains negotiate their curves in the most dramatic ways. I like to find layout plans that don’t simply have the layout’s front edge running along parallel to the sinuous mainline, because this implies a viewing angle that is always alongside the track. Not that someone can’t bend over or find other ways to look at the line, but with careful layout planning you can build in the best vistas and encourage alternate “camera locations”. One thing I’ve always wanted to design into a layout is a view that looks down the length of a long, mostly straight main line, so that you can watch a train coming towards you for a rather long time (or disappearing away, down the line). John Armstrong referred to “Cosmetic Curves” which have been broadly understood to be broad-radius curves worked into a layout where otherwise straight track might have fit, but I think a correct understanding of his term lies in the definition of Cosmetic. It is cosmetic because it presents the trains in a graceful and dramatic way, capturing all the thrill of watching the train snake its way through.
One of the nice things about an around-the-wall track plan is that it lets you observe your trains from the inside of a curve, and it allows those curves to be relatively broad in a small space, without having a huge semicircular “blob” to deal with. It almost makes up for having to deal with duckunders…
Dear Nuts;
Very few of my curves are not canted. I feel that this is one of those things that distinguishes a great lay out and a good lay out. Though not the easiest thing to do I have been relatively successful in accomplishing it. As for your wife’s perspective this is probably a very common one, which is also shared by my better half.
So in passing Sometimes you feel like a nut and sometimes you…
I’ll sign this one
Abby
Curves are great, but I love the representation of the railroad running level whilst the ground form goes from cutting to embankment back to cutting. It looks great and it evokes memories of childhood sitting in the back seat of dad’s car whilst driving alongside the railway and pacing a train. Really used top get me excited and would fuel “operating sessions” with the Hornby train back home…The baseboard was dead flat, and seniced only in this little guys imagination.
Transition curves and super elevation…now thats model railroading !
I like to see trains, model or prototype coming around a curve but the best veiw I like is an train crossing over between tracks. I run a double track layout and it looks impressive to see a long train crossing over.
Jerry
I like to see well weathered, highly detailed models flowing smoothly through a wide radius S curve pattern from a bird’s eye view.
There is something mystical about a train in s curve. The other day at the club i am in we were runnig 20 cars over limt but it was awesome in the curve.
And what about an SD-9 pulling tankers meeting an F40PH on a double track arch bridge then a little further see the SD slow down so that it won’t ram the F40 at a crossing?
I’m actually building a quite small layout(space is limited) so operations will be minimal but two trains will be rolling around it,with a few switches permitting them to trade tracks and both have access to the reverse loop.
I had the earlier mentioned scene in mind right from the start and…I can’t wait to see it happen…Childish?Nuts?Crazy?Call it what you want…I’d say…COOL!!!
HOW ABOUT COMING OUT OF A TUNNEL CROSSING A 20" HIGH
CURVED TREESEL?[8D][:D][:)][
DAVE
All I read here is fun to watch. And I must be lucky : my wife loves watching those same things !
Martin
Québec City
Tell your wife she’s nuts!!![}:)] Just kidding. I love trains going around curves! On a railfanning trip to Altoona, Pa we drove along the NS main on route 22 and saw three trains (in five minutes) snaking through sharp curves on a ledge a few hundred yards from us, it was awsome!
You are NUTS!!!
Nuts for trains that is - enjoyed your post.
Sean
I like the look of a disgusted wife leaving the train room and the door latching behind her
Just remember in the eyes of the court the Spouse has 50% ownership rights of the corporation. So be nice![angel]
I can’t complain about my wife. While she absolutely does not understand my love of trains, she tolerates it pretty nicely. I have taken over our dining room with her permission (in fact, it was her suggestion) for my layout. I was going build it on a 4’ x 8’ ledge adjoining my office/loft. She said it would be a lot easier and more comfortable for me working on them in the dining room, so that is what I’ve done. The only condition is that I have to move them up to the ledge during the holiday season. I’m building on 2" extruded foam, so I should be able to move it without much problem. [:)]
Yeah, dougal;
I can sit alongside Allegrippus 24/7/365, watching West-bounds lug up-hill, or watching East-bounds snake their way down “the Slide”, all day long (or until the Pennsylvania State Police pull-up behind you as you sit on the berm…).
The scenery is nice year-round, with the ‘fill’ always looking-like it’s eroding as you watch; and it often seems traffic is non-stop…I recently saw Amtrak over-take empty hoppers, which were over-taking double-stacks, ALL moving West-bound!
Besides, dougal: you were ‘probably’ going to " HORSESHOE CURVE " (emphasis on ‘CURVE’ ).
A train, emerging from dense woods, running on a broad curve that has both easements and superelevation. I like the view from slightly below track level, and the scene is even better if the train runs over a small bridge at mid-curve. Nuts? Probably, but It works for me!
Steam on the high iron forever.
Tom