I really enjoyed Peter Jones' column in Feb07 GRR, regarding his ugly, grimy steel mill. It isn't based on scale plans. Rather, it fits pipes, bits of steel and other odds and ends to give the impression of a working mill. The smoke from his disco machine and backlighting complete the effect (although a real fire built inside the complex, perhaps a BBQ pit, would have been even cooler.
The effect of his design is what I'm striving for and it's great to find that there's one person out there with that vision which inspires.
Perfect scale plans, styrene, the stuff of Model Railroad Craftsmen and Model Railroader, is absent. Suddenly, an oil refinery or steel mill doesn't appear too daunting a task when designing for impressions. It's believable enough for me.
Yes, and that is exactly the kind of modeling I like to do! Just an impression, not a scale reproduction. I've done the rivet counting and it has it's rewards, but at this stage in life I don't have the time or enthusiasm any more for that. I find it much more relaxing to use the imagination and come up with something that "looks right" out of what I have laying around or find at Home Depot.
I like the smoke/BBQ pit idea. Food and Garden Railroads, what could be better?
The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"
I seem to have noticed that TJ does like to pack away the groceries when he visits to run trains!
In many cases I think that "giving the impression" is far more effective in modeling than a "Miniature duplication" could ever be. Leaves something for the imagination to work on, rather like a nicely dressed woman!
My idea precisely Jack but Bob i did not quite understand you.
Rgds ian
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