A philosophical discussion of animation

[FJ and G]

...without getting too animated about it.

As a general rule, so the thinking goes, toy train lovers like animation and scale rivet counter types only want the trains themselves to be animated, following the pattern of trains being the actors on the stage and everything else detracting.

Probably it is a general rule, but there are some exceptions. For example, I went with a buddy to an NMRA open house, viewing an HO and HOn3 "scale" layout. The owner had scratchbuilt just about everything including a dozen or more animation devices including an elaborate coal conveyor that actually transported coal from mine to coal car and then later at the power plant, a coal dump; operating bridges; an engine house with remotely controlled opening doors, a Faller car/truck system that worked remote control, and much more. And furthermore, he actually used all of the animation, starting the train from the mines and ending up at the plant and having a narrow-gauge exchange that had animation as well.

At the other end of the spectrum, is a nearby toy train layout that I visited. It had all of the "required" animation such as the ice plant, milk barrel, coal tipple and about 20 other items you can find in catalogs, as well as some PW animation.

While I was fascinated with the trains, I was equally fascinated with the toy train animated accessories and had him operate each one. He obliged and then commented that he never much uses the animated accessories and instead, prefers to run 4 or 5 trains at once, all at high speed, and kick back and watch.

Both approaches, of course, are valid from the model railroader's perspective and we should not denigrate either approach.

Personally, my view is that the more animation, the better, and that instead of detracting focus from the trains, animation makes a harmonious environment between the moving trains and the bustling scene around them.

If it were up to me, I'd even like to see programmable miniature people that move around in random patterns, a humongous screen like at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, for a ceiling and backdrop with clouds, storms, sunrises, dimming lights, etc; and actual wind on the layout, blowing thru the trees with animals scurring about.

I can foresee a day in the distant future when that is all possible. Speaking from a technological perspective, it is even all possible now; but would be rather expensive.

And when that day finally comes, I hope to include this new technology into my layout (or build it myself before it comes). And, of course, there will be a goodly portion of the toy train world that will, like my friend, be content to watch high speed toy trains loop d' loop.

[Jumijo]

The great thing about the hobby is you can do what ever you want with your own layout. There is no right or wrong.

Personally, I enjoy animation on a layout. It gives the eyes so much more to take in, and makes the layout more fun to experience, be it scale or "toy". Real-life doesn't come to a stop when trains pass through, why should a layout?

K-Line's new animated roadway and vehicles are a huge leap forward in creating realistic animation of road traffic. I'm sure the same priciples could be applied to sidewalks with people to animate the human aspect of a layout. You could have them move along slots like the cars or along a vibrating walkway like the Lionel horses and cows do when loading/unloading from a stock car. Anyone with a video camera could film different skies and weather conditions and project them onto a backgroud. No hi-tech stuff there. I guess in that respect, the sky really is the limit to how far you animate things.

Jim

[Dr. John]

While I enjoy and appreciate animation in its various forms, I dislike the complexity of wiring and maintenance that goes with it. My animation priorities are 1. that the trains run well 2. that trackside accesories function as intended. Beyond that, I will stay away from moving swingsets, turning windmills, flowing rivers and moving traffic and pedestrians. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy seeing all of those things - I just don't need the headaches that are associated with them. Just my humble opinion.

[cnw1995]

I guess I am more of a classicist when it comes to animation - echoing Dr. John's concerns about complexity that goes along with other light, sound, and motion. To a certain extent, I appreciate Ellison's views (to paraphrase) of equating a layout with a theatrical performance. The trains take center stage - animation draws viewers to other vignettes that 'support' or enhance the trains. Then again, I lean toward a toy-train perspective, rather than high-rail (which I interpret to mean more realistic). YMMV

[Anonymous]

I'm always on the lookout for things that are annimated. Not only do I enjoy them, but "non-train" people who view my layout love them. Highlights so far are the Lionel track gang, Lionel large playground, Mr. Christmas brand circus tent, roller coaster, and merry-go-round, American Flyer oil drum loader, Miller Electronics signs, and some Lionel "classics" like the milk car. The first 6 require 1 or 2 wires. My goal is to have a layout that is fun to watch, even with the trains "at rest". Joe

[Anonymous]

I enjoy realistic animation on model railroads, but am not an especially bg fan of animation for animation's sake (the exception being animation on what is purposefully designed to be a toy train layout, where anything goes).

If the animation is realistic in terms of the motion created, the speed of that motion, and the lack of disconcerting repetitiveness, I can accept it as credible and convincing. If it's simply animation for animation's sake, I find it more of a distraction than an enhancement.