SPjim wrote:My club is building a new layout and we are having a small disagreement about the use and height of a view block. We have one planned between two parallel yards, one at 0 elevation and one at 4" elevation. Can anyone point me to some articles about this subject, or do you have any opinions?
Since modelers and spectators come in a variety of heights, a viewblock which would be well above head height for a grade-schooler would be ineffective if the local basketball team is doing the viewing. Of course, a solid wall to the ceiling will stop ANY person's view, but it will also have a negative effect on air circulation, and possibly fire safety.
Also, how thoroughly do you want to block the view? Will a row of buildings and tall trees do, or is there supposed to be a granite cliff there. I think that the major question is, how far apart are the yards supposed to be? If they are two separate companies in the same town, being able to catch glimpses of one while viewing the other shouldn't be too much of a problem. OTOH, if they are supposed to be on opposite ends of a mainline several states long...
With many viewblocks, a primary object is to hide those humongous giants towering Godzilla-like over the models on the other side of the peninsula. Only a tall wall will accomplish that.
Just my . Other opinions will differ.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with tall mountains for viewblocks)
View blocks come in different forms. If you have a 4x8 layout, a true view block would be one that is tall and down the center so you don't see the other side.
Some view blocks are also used to divide different scenes on a layout. These can be as simple as a retaining wall, a ditch, a hill, or a row of trees or rocks. Something that keeps the eye looking in or at the scene. Roads tend to draw the eye to something, like a particular building that should be highlighted.
If the yards that you have are separated by 3 or 4 inches or more, a row of trees should do it. Say one row on the lower level next to a retaining wall, and a second row on the top level. That way the yards are separated but you can still see them. Your eye will tend to want to stay inside the boundary formed by the line of trees. Sure you will see the other yard, but it will be as a background scene.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
In photos, some of the more interesting view blocks for yards, at least ones in somewhat urban areas, have row of industrial flats against a backdrop. Often the yard is sunk to a somewhat lower level then the buildings further dramatizing the effect.
Chris