What's in the back yard?

[chutton01]

jecorbett

For the most part, trains pass by the rear of both homes and businesses and often the backs are far more interesting than the front as they show more character, yet the manufacturers of structure kits generally present the front as the more interesting side while the rear of structures tend to be very plain. It is left to the modeler to fill in the details that give these scenes the right amount of character.

Well, it's kinda like this in the real world - the homes around here (and probably most other places too) have more showy front entrances, as that's the face presented to the public passing by on the street (same goes for commercia and public l buildings too, more or less - industrial may be another matter), so the kit manufacturers are right in detailing the structure's front more.  Some of the newly multifamilys around here, the backyard is actually just paved parking spaces and a few swarths of green - not too exciting. That said, the backyards (and some side yards) -  I agree that that should be left up to the modeling to add Garages, Decks, Sheds, Walkways, Fencing & Gates, Gardens, Patio & Patio furniture.  I remember Bachmann in some of it's house kits included patio furniture, patios, and I think even a barbeque pit. What's fun is using Bing to view an older suburb, and seeing lots of houses where half or more of the backyard is an aboveground pool (or all the backyard being an in-ground pool & surrounding deck).
Wonder if the OP was thinking of the recent RMC article (July 2010) - "It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood" (the cover by-line is more descriptive: "The Old Neighborhood: Modeling Backyards along the Railroad Tracks"), where the author, with some differences between 6 more or less identically structure kits (City Classic houses cut in half), produced different personalities for each house and it's owner by varying additions, porches, vegation (gardens and hedges), fencing, and 'clutter') - it was a fairly interesting read I think.

Edit: OK, I figure to be fair to our forum host Model Railroader (and give this potentially interesting thread a bump), that MR had a article a few years back showing how they detailed the residental  backyards (I think there were 3) and the back/alleyway of a strip of commerical stores in the area behind their commuter station on one of their modern HO layouts (can I be more vague? Sorry guys). When I get 'a round tuit', I'm afraid the few residental backyards I'll have on my modular layout (a few years down the road) will be boring, with the usual lawns, hedges, trees, garages,  a deck or so, a storage shed or so, at least one of those above-ground pools I mentioned, and probably one backyard will have a small clutter by the back-door of shiny, bright color plastic shapes resembling Playshool and Fisher-Price toys... (oh, and a backyard BBQ grill or two).  And most important, since these backyards will be adjoining the ROW, tall privacy fences, either Palisade fences or woven mesh/chain link fencing (if I can figure out how to thread flat strips thru tulle without destroying either...).

[jecorbett]

This touches on one of my thoughts regarding model structures. For the most part, trains pass by the rear of both homes and businesses and often the backs are far more interesting than the front as they show more character, yet the manufacturers of structure kits generally present the front as the more interesting side while the rear of structures tend to be very plain. It is left to the modeler to fill in the details that give these scenes the right amount of character.

[tomikawaTT]

Caveat: I have yet to create a square millimeter of visible scenery.

When I get to adding structures to my layout, the residences will be reduced-scale 'more hinted at then modeled,' barely visible through the intervening greenery.  The 'up close' backyards will be those of railroad and industrial structures - and the contents will be modeled from photos I took 'on the ground' in the area (and at the time) that I'm modeling.

If you model a prototype, or protolance following (close behind) a prototype, you can't beat duplicating what was done in your prototype's area and era.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - from my own photos and field notes)

[CTValleyRR]

Yes, it's a broad topic, but it's a good one.  It's these little details that make or break a scene.  They make the difference between a layout looking lifeless and looking like a model of a real place.

I haven't reached that stage of my current layout yet, but my last one had all manner of clutter in peoples yards, people doing ordinary things (gardening, walking, cleaning, playing catch, etc.), and all manner of decoration (patio furniture, picnic tables, tree swings / swingsets, etc.).

Look at those scenes that impress you the most -- in MR, or the Walthers Sourcebook, or wherever -- and I think you'll find that they're the most detailed ones.

[Seamonster]

A tire swing hanging from a tree branch.  A swimming pool with people swimming in it (required some surgery on the people).  A little girl throwing a ball to her dog.  People sitting at a picnic table.  A vegetable garden.  In N scale.

 

[locoi1sa]

  Junk to one eye is good stuff to another. The lawnmower in mid cut with a gas can next to it. Children s toys and swing sets. The old brick barbecue grill, swimming pools, gardens and clothes lines. Modeling the back yard is easy. For ideas just take a walk down any street a peek in a few yards.

       Pete

[Margaritaman]

Just a shadetree mechanic.

[rwilson]

Love the Bee Keepers and the hunters! Thats a really nice touch. I don't have any back yards yet. hopefully by spring I will though.

[MisterBeasley]

This guy is out in back of the Clampett place:

A bit further away:

But this place is really buzzin'

 

[Split Reduction]

What is in the back yard of your model real estate. What were you trying to capture and what era were you modeling. Do you have privacy fences, dog houses, gardens and clothes lines? How about shrubs and landscaping. What are your favorite methods and materials?  Yes, it is a broad subject...

Split Reduction.

Modeling the Milwaukee Road in Southeastern Minnesota.