At 6'8" I guess one comment is that for me at least, most view blocks don't block many views.
But I would say that in my experience, view blocks look disappointing or disorienting when looking at an overview static picture of a layout, such as a photo taken from a bit of a distance. But when you are actually inspecting a layout that has a view block or two in real life, the mind readily accepts what the view block is trying to fool you into thinking. So view blocks work well for close up pictures, unless the picture happens to catch the "edge of the sky" and for layout visits in person, but less well in overall pictures or videos of layouts.
Another comment is that I have seen too many guys go too far in trying to disguise or hide the flat "edge" of the view block with stuck on lichen or painted hills or suspended rock climbers etc or whatever. The more bland the more quickly the mind passes over it. Indeed the most I would suggest is that rather than a flat end, use a half a rod to create a rounded edge.
Dave Nelson
Well, if I would keep up with the latest and greatest MR, I would have found an article on View Blocks - Dec 2011 page 38 - "a view block isolates a self-contained scene on three sides" and the author goes on telling about the way he set up his. One of my questions relates to VB length, and the author also says that he has found that they need to be at least the lenght of a train. I have 16 foot sidings so I guess that a VB could be 16 feet, but to me that would put a *lot* of stuff in it. I do like the way he curves the background/backcrop to the front of the layout to start/end a VB and his suggestions on hiding the 'mouse holes'.
Looks like something to play with; lenght and content can go anywhere!
ctclibby
Todd Hackett
Libby, Montana 59923
I take only pictures then leave footprints on railroad property that I know is not mine, although I treat it as such...
I try and divide my MRR up into scenes as Stein said. But I use a form of view block to do it. Instead of actually blocking one's view, you make some type of divider using a scenery method. The easiest is to put a hill between two scenes. Other things that can be used are Trees, Water, a Road, a road Bridge, and different levels or elevations of the ground. These are usually perpendicular to the track or layout bench work.
What you want to happen is for the viewer to look at the scene. When their eyes go to the right or left, you want something at the end points that will cause them to stop looking in that direction and come back to the center of the scene. An example would be a scene in a valley. The hill on both ends will have a subconscious effect that will cause the viewers eyes to come back down the hill to the center of the valley.
If I remember correctly, MR had and article about this sometime way back. I think that is where I picked it up from. It could also have been from a scenery book.
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.
Methinks you mean "scenes" instead of "view blocks". In model railroading terms, a view block is something that blocks your view of what's behind it - like a hill, some buildings, a backdrop or centerboard.
I don't know how long each scene should be on your layout, but it sounds a little weird having trains that are so long (16 feet) that they are in three different 4-6 foot scenes (all along the same siding) at the same time.
Smile, Stein
Hi All
I am looking to limit what folks see when viewing my mrr and can use some input. If it matters, I am an HO scaler without a specifice prototype or era. My mainline siding length is 16 feet with 36inch radius curves; less than 2% grades.
What I am attempting to do is to spread out the railroad into locations or views where action can happen or a major scenery attibute exists. My thought(s) that a whole siding as one view block would be to big to take it all in and could be overkill. Sure there are places where a view block doesn't really work - a yard or passenger terminal would be a couple that i can think of. My thought that is when you are following a train, you could move from view block to view block. Some of the passing siding ends would be a point where 'stuff happens' and those could have additional sidings for a local town or such. The rail line that is between those happening spots is not totaly blocked from view, but maybe a subdued lighting or something as I would think that meeting and passing other trains creates its own mini view block that can move to different layout locations depending.
Boy, if the above isn't enough, how about this to make stuff foggier? I think of myself as a 'railfan' first and that is the way I have designed my layout. Hindsite is now making me ask about this as I am not the only one that could be running trains. I also like switching up close and personal. Then on the third side of the coin ....hmmm ... I also like looking over a freight yard or town taking it all in and just sitt'n and watching trains run around all by themselves.
So I guess that I am leaning toward view blocks that are 4 to 6 feet wide with lighting directed to the more happening spots. I have a multi-deck layout so I haven't taken this into account although I have separated things so stuff is not over the top of, or underneath other potientail blocks.
Sorry for the ramble, but it is Sunday and I am lazy today!