Just curious - How do you view layout?

[Chevron]

How do you view layout?

 

 

1. Scenery with track running through it ?
   
2. Track with Scenery placed around it ?
   

[EPBrophy]

Track with scenery.

[jhb171achill]

I'm the odd one out: a bit of both!

[Kirley]

One is as important as the other, they should complement each other.

[Warbonnet]

My eyes??

[Chevron]

My eyes??

 

The price is right - COME on DOOOOOOWN

[Irishrailwayman]

Track running through (and fitting in with) scenery (with a specific context)

[richrua]

If you look at this amazing layout you see the importance of both fitting together.

 

http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/showthread.php/1102-Patricks-Layout/page36

[Chevron]

That to me is Option 2: Track with Scenery placed around it

Its all about the track and just line side scenery. no big town with multiple streets behind the railway.

And that is a great example of both rail with scenery around it and of them blending together.

[burnthebox]

Track with scenery around it, of course, you can almost do without the scenery, but the Track is what's it's all about,

[Noel]

Horses for courses. For some it will be authentic scenery through which railways run, for others it will be more about trains on the move and track work accompanied by scenery. Both equally valid preferences.

 

Many middle to older members may have been introduced to the hobby as youngsters with 'table top' model railways where designing and plugging different track formations together almost like meccano was as much part of the hobby as running trains, or adding scenic accessories to enhance the 'imagination'. Others may have evolved or were drawn by the challenge of incredible modelling skills to represent authentic scale scenes. Reading 'Railway Modeller' mag 30-40 years ago inspired many by showing what was possible.

[Chevron]

Horses for courses. For some it will be authentic scenery through which railways run, for others it will be more about trains on the move and track work accompanied by scenery. Both equally valid preferences.

 

Many middle to older members may have been introduced to the hobby as youngsters with 'table top' model railways where designing and plugging different track formations together almost like meccano was as much part of the hobby as running trains, or adding scenic accessories to enhance the 'imagination'. Others may have evolved or were drawn by the challenge of incredible modelling skills to represent authentic scale scenes. Reading 'Railway Modeller' mag 30-40 years ago inspired many by showing what was possible.

 

Totally agree Noel it is horses for course's of course

that's why i was just curious.

I dont have the ability to do highly detailed modelling.

Some like end to ends some like tail chasers everything about this hobby is so different but yet still the same

[Warbonnet]

The only way you develop skills is by practicing. Read and watch some tutorials, give them a go. If they dont work, learn from where you went wrong and try again. You dont have to become a master, just happy with your efforts and have the desire to improve.

[Chevron]

The only way you develop skills is by practicing. Read and watch some tutorials, give them a go. If they dont work, learn from where you went wrong and try again. You dont have to become a master, just happy with your efforts and have the desire to improve.

 

Correct.

I never had the tools and materials to practice but since i have dealt with jhb171achill i now have rolling stock and paints to start.

 

but it always feels like i need to be buying more.

Need platicard - need card for card building -need colour ink for printer need an air brush to get the results id love most.

Need to find that hard foam for layout building - need scenic materials apart from the 2 or 3 that i have.

 

 

Its a never ending list that gets bigger the more i practice lol

[patrick]

Thanks for the nice comments on the layout which have appeared on this thread. The layout reflects current US layout design trends, high level narrow benchwork and walk around control where operators follows their train using hand held throttles. In the photo below the benchwork at the front of the locomotive is 16" wide approximately and the track level is 58" above the floor. The backdrop although very basic rised above eye leven and makes the scene appear much deeper than it actually is. Very little scenrry is modelled outside of the railway right of way and outside of railway buildings none are planned at present. This saves space, time and scenic material which can get expensive when large areas must be covered.

 

 

The next photo is taken at a higher level, reflecting track level of approxomatly48". The scene is nowhere as expansive and the curve appears much sharper.

 

 

To see first hand the effectiveness of high level narrow benchwork set up a few pieces of track, some rolling stock and a building or two on any convient high shelf at home.

 

 

The corners are the widest part of the layout, 22" at this point.

Edited April 7, 2015 by patrick

[Weshty]

N'arrrgh!! It's just flippin' lovely

 

Central median grass strip and all. That must be the vet's car.....

[Chevron]

Thank you very much for that patrick .

it was a great explanation i love when people explain things just like that.

 

also gives food for thought. but i know its not just the level its at. you have a certain skill that blends your scenery rails and stock altogether that is VERY pleasing to the eye.

[David Holman]

Whatever works for you is my thought. It is your layout so do what works for you. However, always remember what my art teacher said, which is " draw/paint what you see, not what you think". Didn't like Picasso then! Any takers for a cubist layout???

[patrick]

I recall members of a club I was once belonged to who were passionate scenery builders and may have had no inetrest in railways. It didnt matter where anyone placed a figure or vehicle they would always find a more natural position for it and the layout was better for them.

Edited April 7, 2015 by patrick