In a previous post, I suggested a design technique. The steps were:
Imagine your perfect layout without limitations of space.
Select the favorite portions of this perfect layout.
Apply these portions to your existing space.
You should then have the perfect for you, for the space you have availible.
For a more detailed expalnation read the other post.
I’d have to say, it depends.
If you chop out just one part of an overall ‘dream’ layout, you might end up with something that is missing key elements that make it work - depending on your wants/needs, this could man loss of continuous run, over-complicating switching due to lack of runarounds or something, or something else.
It’s a worthwhile thougt - I know I’ve thought about what I would build if I could put up a 50x100 building, or even if I could use the WHOLE basement. But I haven’t actively planned sucha thing, other than in my head. I fear too much disappointment - wow, great plan, now if I only had a 50x100 building. Hard to go back to the TRUE space after that.
–Randy
I’m too greedy to do such a thing!. If I can’t have it all I don’t want it…
What I would love is a 25’ straightaway to really stetch out some long trians.
What I have is a 5x9.[|)] So, I try to run my trains slow and keep em short so it feels like it takes longer to get around.[:)]
Oh, I get you now. That’s exactly what I plan on doing. I wanted a full engine terminal and a classification yard. Basically my whole layout is a terminal that turns locomotives, engine and car repairs, assigns motive power, breaks up and assembles trains and send them on their way. Lots of switching involved. There isn’t room for more than one or two towns with a few customers (I’d like to have a daily local), including the town the terminal resides in. There will be a some scenery running through the eastern hills. The trains will be sent off to hidden staging. I plan to automate the hidden tracks to schedule trains to arrive at the yard to keep it busy. Should be enough jobs for three people.
Isn’t that similar to those that build prototypical layouts and are basically putting the section of the real railroad into their layout space?
You take the portions of the real thing and try to duplicate them.
We have done this at the Clarion Club and have the pictures of the actual area on the fascia. We have had guests in for a visit and have stated that they actually found their house on the layout.
BOB H Clarion, PA
Yeah that was the utimate compliment we got at the club I used to belong to. Some railroad employees came by one day while we were working (signal guys - workign just outside our door), and they remarked that they could tell EXACTLY where they were on the layout by the track arrangment, it exactly matched the real thing. They traded us a look at the innards of the crossing gate controller and sensor for a look at the layout. Not much to see on a modern system, all solid state now, the relays were long gone. Gel-cell batteries to power it, too, the old battery celler was also empty.
–Randy
DON’T be back-assward. START with your space, Mouse.
Why?
You start with a space you are limited to the space. You think small and confine your thinking.
If you start from the unlimited, you create options. These options can be narrowed and you can make the best choices to fit your space.
Working on something like that now. Combining industrialized areas of NW Ohio, Detroit, Chicago, and somewhere in Europe.
underworld
[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]
S&M
“START with your space, Mouse.”
Are you thinking about a typical 4’ X 8’?
EVERYBODY has limitations - space, time, money, - What’s your’s?.. and unlimited option’s are a convenient reason to put off making choices. (as there’s always a new one).
[quote]
QUOTE: Originally posted by Don Gibson
[.
DON’T be back-a**ward. START with your space, Mouse.
Is not creating limitations creating a good excuse for not acheiving excellence?
I missed the first part. No actually I have about 16x24 that I was thinking of, but that doesn’t mean that the same principles wouldn’t apply.
And about the choices. At least for me, it has never been an issue. Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich will tell you that successful people make decisions quickly and change them infrequently. Unsuccessful people take a long time to make a decision and then change their minds frequently.
The purpose of the above exercise is to get a person–like me–to think outside the box.
Limitations? I can’t stand up in a hammock.
[:D][:D][:D]
(Somebody stole my sign)
How’d that happen?