lol, thanks.
alco's forever!!!!! Majoring in HO scale Minorig in O scale:)
Gah! darn it. I forgot to mention one of the track side photos was of a steamer hauling a log train, but now I forgot which one exactly. I do believe it was it was the Dennis Murphy one but I'm not sure. Just thought I'd let you know because I know you wanted to model a log train.
cool thanks for all those. I am going to flip through the mags again tomorrow and see what I come up with. I am gettin itchy about building it but I want it right the first time. This will be my biggest hang up when it comes to building my layout.
Mike
Found the one I was talking about. The section is called Trackside Photos though not home town photos, I was thinking of a car magazine that does basically the same thing (you send in a good photo or two of your stuff). But the one I was reffering too was October '08 issue, page 97, Sergio Milko's ATSF. But I'd say just look at the track side photo area of all your back issues. I did, and found some cool pics that would good ideas for a diorama. Lance Mindheim has one of my favorites out of my back issues, from April '08 to this years march issue (haven't got Aprils yet). Lance's was in the July issue, a Monon N scale. Unfortunetly as reported it's no longer existing. Perry Squiers Pittsburg, Shawmut & Norther RR on pg 101 and Rich Grave's Techachapi Loop of the ATSF on pg 103 in Novembers issue, Dennis Murphy's White Pass & Yuokn from September look like good idea's too. There's also a few cover shots for MR articles that looked pretty cool for a diorama. "Modeling a New England winter" from December's issue (pg 50), "Scratch building a rural overpass" (pg 60) and from "Track Plan for a 1906 shortline" on pg 50 in Septembers issue. The latter was actually a side bar in the article about loco's and rolling stock. I think it's neat because it actually shows the crew, the people who operate the train, not just the train. And not to mention the fact that The National Rail Road Museum is a short drive across town and they have the actual photo of the one in the article out on display. When I read the article I saw it and then started going nuts because I know I've seen the photo before but couldn't remember where. Then of course I went to the museum and saw and I was like aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh grass hopper, this where is photo from.
Jon, maybe that is what I suffer from.. I have looked at many mag articles, online photos and love them all, and now I cannot decide. You also brought up some ideas I had not thought of. Thanks I will check out the site you have listed and see what comes up. HO is what I am looking at.
mike
Are you stuck to any particular scale? Or are you open to various scales? My first thought is rather than a static diorama, a small switching puzzle layout that can also serve as a base for model photography. If HO, you could put what is called "tuning fork" on this--one switch, and shuffle cars into proper order. You might be able to fit a mini-Inglenook in there. Shunting Puzzles Website
Another thought is rather than a wooded scene, something where cars or engines would congregate. A fueling station for modern engines, or coaling for steam, or maybe a small part of a large industry. You can combine "active" tracks at the front, and a straight track at the back, displaying more cars.
Another thought--more a static idea, would be scenery--a trestle or bridge, with the emphasis on the scenery through which the train "runs."
Lots of ideas, which I would think would be a greater problem than a mental block. Paralysis of too many options. ;-)
I like your idea of the trees and the steamer. I am thinking my layout might be a logging line with rs power and some small switchers. I do have a berk and a camel back and a heisler that was going to be used as a tourist train(berk, camelback) and logging(heisler). This would be good practice for the layout.
I will have to find a pic of one that I really like. It was a logging layout that was built bookcase style and had tin roofing on it like a shack. Maybe that would be a good starting point.
If you can find the article let me know which one I have all of 2008 on hand.
I think a turn out at the leading edge of the shelf (the end that the loco's "running" to) would look better, it breaks up what would other wise be a straight line. I would also get a car or too to tag alone with it, maybe just a few box cars or something. Since I'm the first one responding I'll say what I read on here all the time. Do what you want! It all depends on you! Now I pictured it having a big steamer on with a few stock cars full of cattle running by the edge of forest of pine and other trees. But you may not like it. I would still suggest my idea, well actually your idea, of adding something to just the straight track, and my idea of adding a car or two. The back ground could just be some hard board painted blue, or a lighter/brighter color than the loco/cars/rail and then just digitally add in pics later. Ugh I can't remember which issue but either in the hometown pics of layouts the one guy did that with his layout. He had the layout scenery done and just blocked out the background with a solid color and digitally added in a pic. It was an MR issue no more than last Novembers. I'll look tonight and give you more details. Plus then you can change it anytime. Or, and this would really only be for N or Z scale, set the diorama in front of one of those digital photo frames. Make sure it's large or it will look really goofy. Up load pics from the net or even pics you've taken onto the digi-frame thingy and watch as you train goes through mutliple scenery's with out ever moving a nano-meter!!
Have fun with your lay out and hope you get it going soon. Keep on railin'
Ok so I have a shelf that is 12" deep by 46.5" long by 15.25" high. I have 2" foam for the base now all I need is something nice for a plan that would make a nice background for pics. This is my first attempt and would like suggestions.
Would a wooded scene be good for photo taking. It will spend most of the time on the shelf but I will also take it outside for pics as well in the summer or fall. I was thinking maybe summer, fall, or a winter scene.
I am up for just straight track or maybe a turnoff to somewhere not scene and partially hidden.
Thanks for any help on my mental block