I was at a train show a few months ago and there was this one layout that i really liked, but im not sure what they are called. it was a simple oval stuck down on plywood, but it was completely undecorated except for one part at the front where trains came through a tunnel and into a really nice urban scene with 2 sides and a back before leaving through another tunnel. It was so simple but really well done. I thing I would like to build something like this because I miss running long trains (I have a switching layout now) and maybe I could do it so I could run trains from any time and any place. Does anyone know what these types of layouts are called? I keep thinking diorama but I thought that only applied to non-working layouts.
also, has anyone got any good pics or ideas for them?
These single-scene layouts are not uncommon (and certainly not weird), in fact in the UK and Europe they are very common at train shows and exhibitions. These often replicate a single station or city scene with tracks extending outside or behind the modeled view for staging or to complete the continuous loop.
Some people call that a railfan’s layout or vignette. Basically you are creating a single scene such as you’d see if you were standing trackside. Another way of thinking of it is that the scenicked portion is the “stage” and the trains are the actors waiting in the wings to come on and do their part. You can also have 2 hidden reverse loops instead of an oval.
I think an advantage to a layout like that is that you can superdetail your scene and rolling stock in less time than a bigger layout. Also, you can model a high density mainline much more easily if you include a lot of staging.
I live near and ride METRA on the BNSF 3-track main into Chicago and if I were going to try to model any portion of it in a small space, I’d probably do a scene with maybe the lumber yard or Pepperidge Farm bakery on that line and have trains frequently blasting through, like the real deal.
Yeah Ive been on that micro layout page (one of my favourites), but I cant find any ones like the one I saw.
I just love the idea of this layout. if anyone remembers any of my other posts, they might have noticed a lack of consistency in what I want to build(Ive switched between various eras, continents, industries and even scales over the past few months!). the beauty of this is if I do the scene right I can fill the rest with staging and run any british or american locos and rolling stock I want! shays,EMDs,A4s… all on the same layout!
I can see it now; Nameless junction, where the branch line to Nowhere (a hidden reverse loop) meets the double track main line connecting Anywhere (hidden staging with reverse loop and run-through options) to Everywhere (the other end of those run-through staging tracks.) Perfect site for an armstrong interlocking plant, location indicated only by signal style - which varies wildly from country to country and era to era (and would therefore have to be some kind of plug-in details.) For the confirmed train watcher, who would only have to push a few buttons. In analog DC, this could be built with auto-slow/stop sections using a couple of cheap resistors and diodes. In DCC, maybe a little more complicated. Either way, a fun thing for the confirmed train watcher who really doesn’t want to operate but looks forward to installing working rodding from the interlocking tower to the turnouts.
Not being totally facetious here. The down end of Tomikawa (a puzzle palace of double slip switches and crossovers) resembles that, but will probably never get anything but cosmetic rodding.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - analog DC, MZL system)
