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Offline DaleSchultz  
#1 Posted : 15 November 2019 17:46:20(UTC)
DaleSchultz

United States   
Joined: 10/02/2006(UTC)
Posts: 3,997
I decided to make a post about the traps and pitfalls related to making realistic looking layouts:

https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2019/11/traps-and-pitfalls.html
Dale
Intellibox + own software, K-Track
My current layout: https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com
Arrival and Departure signs: https://remotesign.mixmox.com
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Offline Danlake  
#2 Posted : 15 November 2019 18:08:53(UTC)
Danlake

New Zealand   
Joined: 03/08/2011(UTC)
Posts: 1,571
Excellent Dale,

A very comprehensive list with lots of good advice.

I would only add one item to the list; empty spaces... We tend to cramp in to much on the space available. E.g. if you have an industrial siding with a few buildings and an open space many would be tempted to place another building. But to create visual pleasing spaces (where the eye can rest) you need some empty spaces.

Best Regards
Lasse
Digital 11m2 layout / C (M&K) tracks / Era IV / CS3 60226 / Train Controller Gold 9 with 4D sound. Mainly Danish and German Locomotives.
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Offline MarcelV  
#3 Posted : 15 November 2019 18:58:37(UTC)
MarcelV

United States   
Joined: 01/12/2018(UTC)
Posts: 54
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Great blog with excellent advise. When I finally get ready to build a more permanent layout (other than my tabletop/carpet one). I absolutely will try to adhere to some if not all of it. Trying to figure out how to apply it to a small layout is going to be key though. But maybe using less buildings kits is key to it. Thanks for putting that together. Really useful.


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Offline jcrtrains  
#4 Posted : 15 November 2019 21:05:10(UTC)
jcrtrains

Canada   
Joined: 31/10/2009(UTC)
Posts: 597
Location: Toronto, Ontario
A very good list. I would add one other thing.

There are both hills AND valleys or depressions. Too many times a layout is a flat board with hills protruding up and nothing going below the actual flat board. There are depressions in real life whether they be ditches by the track or undulating hills and valleys. Cutting sections of the board away or actually using insulation on the board as a base or using open bench work can really help the overall natural look.

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Offline hxmiesa  
#5 Posted : 16 November 2019 10:14:35(UTC)
hxmiesa

Spain   
Joined: 15/12/2005(UTC)
Posts: 3,519
Location: Spain
Originally Posted by: DaleSchultz Go to Quoted Post
I decided to make a post about the traps and pitfalls related to making realistic looking layouts:
https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2019/11/traps-and-pitfalls.html

Well, I certainly agreee with almost all of your suggestions.
Unfortunately I find the list VERY basic, and had hoped for something more advanced (I know that you´ve got it!);
Overall design options and aspects. For example like you excellent explication of why a TT should be in a corner, etc...

Best regards
Henrik Hoexbroe ("The Dane In Spain")
http://hoexbroe.tripod.com
Offline Michael4  
#6 Posted : 16 November 2019 11:18:02(UTC)
Michael4

United Kingdom   
Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC)
Posts: 637
Location: England, South Coast
Great fun.

Just about every one of these traps and pitfalls was encountered in the recent Model Railway Challenge on UK TV...though it is worth remembering that the programme was coming at the subject from a different direction ( and no I don't know what direction it was coming from!).

Using traditional M track catenary that clips to the track, leaning poles on inclines are pretty much unavoidable, as are curved catenary wires...unless someone knows a way.

I certainly agree with the point made above about the baseboard surface. The world is far from flat!
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Offline RayF  
#7 Posted : 16 November 2019 13:03:43(UTC)
RayF

Gibraltar   
Joined: 14/03/2005(UTC)
Posts: 15,838
Location: Gibraltar, Europe
Originally Posted by: Michael4 Go to Quoted Post
Great fun.

....

Using traditional M track catenary that clips to the track, leaning poles on inclines are pretty much unavoidable, as are curved catenary wires...unless someone knows a way.

....



I've always disliked M track catenary because of those curved wires. It just looks like a physical impossibility to me!

When I saw the new Marklin catenary I decided that it looked much better, so I installed that on my layout. Actually I bought the Viessmann version but it's the same thing...

The matter of leaning masts on a slope can also be fixed with the new catenary by mounting the bases level using small wedges or cut-outs on the board. I would worry more about the excessive gradients on many layouts. Some inclines I've seen are more appropriate for rack railways!

Edited by user 16 November 2019 20:12:24(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Ray
Mostly Marklin.Selection of different eras and European railways
Small C track layout, control by MS2, 100+ trains but run 4-5 at a time.
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Offline river6109  
#8 Posted : 16 November 2019 13:19:09(UTC)
river6109

Australia   
Joined: 22/01/2009(UTC)
Posts: 14,635
Location: On 1965 Märklin Boulevard just around from Roco Square
The only thing I can add to a realistic layout is: use as many natural products as possible, it will save you a lot of wasted money, you don't have to travel for miles to get to the next hobby dealer or you take a trip out into the wilderness and you'll find plenty there, like moss, soil, cork, small plants etc etc., instead of foraging for edible food you look for layout material

John
https://www.youtube.com/river6109
https://www.youtube.com/6109river
5 years in Destruction mode
50 years in Repairing mode
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Offline LongHairedDavid  
#9 Posted : 16 November 2019 16:24:22(UTC)
LongHairedDavid


Joined: 04/01/2019(UTC)
Posts: 344
Location: England, Ipswich
Originally Posted by: river6109 Go to Quoted Post
The only thing I can add to a realistic layout is: use as many natural products as possible, it will save you a lot of wasted money, you don't have to travel for miles to get to the next hobby dealer or you take a trip out into the wilderness and you'll find plenty there, like moss, soil, cork, small plants etc etc., instead of foraging for edible food you look for layout material

John


Unfortunately, my local hobby shop is 10 minutes away and, in the UK, wilderness is to be found only on other continents - smile
Long Haired David
AKA David Pennington
A mystified Maerklin Newbie
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Offline DaleSchultz  
#10 Posted : 17 November 2019 20:27:21(UTC)
DaleSchultz

United States   
Joined: 10/02/2006(UTC)
Posts: 3,997
I added three more items today....

Cramming

and where does water come from and where does it go...
Dale
Intellibox + own software, K-Track
My current layout: https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com
Arrival and Departure signs: https://remotesign.mixmox.com
thanks 3 users liked this useful post by DaleSchultz
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