Prototype inspiration (continued from another topic)

[ocalicreek]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

The purpose of the Coffee Table books is inspiration as a opposed to "how to". You are right that all the articles are availible, but that is not what at least I am talking about. If I were wanting to imitate a particlular layout or part of a layout then a past issue is appropriate.

What I am talking about is pictures of layout that stretch the imagination. John Allen's use of floor to ceiling scenery and mirrors, Paul Templar's logging railroads, I can't think of his name right now, but the guy who did the frontier Mexican dioramas and the scenery in Joe's Siskiyou Line. In other word's, the best of the best of the best. (nod to Will Smith).

When looking through a book like this, you see spectacular work and say "I can do that." to maybe a small piece. A year from now you look again, and see something else that you want to try.

This is far better than thumbing through issue after issue of looking for ideas.

This type of book would appeal more to those that think of modeling as an art form as opposed to those that just want to run trains.

I really enjoy flipping through my copy of Model Railroading by John Allen (and let's not forget Lynn Westcott[bow], without whom this book would not have come to fruition, and whose contributions to this hobby have been many and great). I agree with SpaceMouse in the above quote, but I think there's more to it. I love it primarily as a reference that inspires.

Sounds like splitting hairs? Well, I don't think it is. I'm interested in modeling scenes that inspire me from the REAL WORLD[:0]. I'm not necessarily talking strict prototype modeling, more including scenes that inspire me in a creative way. Maybe not the exact scene, but the character, flavor, and distinct elements that make it what it is.

Google Linville Falls sometime. What a modelgenic scene! Now just imagine an aging consol or ten wheeler pulling some tired wooden hoppers and a drover's caboose across a low trestle and timber through truss bridge either above or below those falls. Add in a flagstop or shelter for those summer tourists come to swim in that cold mountain water, or admire the rhododendrons & mountain laurel in bloom.

Or Cass, WV's logging line. I remember an old tank (from a shay I think) sitting below grade next to a little creek (pronounced crick) that kept it full, running over most of the time. Add a siphon hose and pump to your steamers and you've just added more operational interest AND a scene that's got roots in the real world.

I've always wondered where John got his inspiration from. He clearly had a fertile imagination and was a talented artist. Sure, much of his layout is a caricature, but I think that's a creative solution to the realities of fitting a railroad into a basement. So many design compromises on strict prototype model railroading seem like just that, obvious compromises.

OK, before I get off the soapbox, I'm just trying to say that as modelers we should be careful to avoid the inbreeding that comes from turning inspiration taken from a fellow modeler's layout into immitation of that layout. Although it's flattery, it can also be boring. There's so much exciting material in the real world begging to be modeled, or creatively treated in a manner such as J.A. and so many "pioneer" modelers have done.

Personally, as inspiring as it is, I can only read modeling mags so long before I have to pick up a copy of TRAINS or Railfan/Railroad to remind myself what the real world looks like. As modelers, we have the challenge to take the best of the best of what interests us and capture that in miniature, somehow communicating to us and others the feelings we felt when we laid eyes on our inspiration.

Alright. Whaddya think?

Galen Gallimore

http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/kitbashing_ho_structures

[Anonymous]

Real world? You bet!

I just discovered (or should I say, RE-discovered) a cool short line in my state that runs over part of the former Western Maryland, called the Maryland Midland. It has everything I love about country railroading - single-track mainline, lots of lineside industries actually served by rail, great-looking motive power (dark blue w/orange trim, silver trucks) and a large variety of freight car types. On Sunday I saw a train with 3 GP38-2's pulling around 30 cars - a perfect fit for my layout![:P] Oh yeah, bridges and tunnels out the wazzoo...

Wish I could find more photos, but here is a link: http://www.mmidrwy.com/

[Jetrock]

Coffee-table and reference books can be invaluable for inspiration--either the prototype kind or modeling books. I just spent some time flipping through the G&D book today, and have a fairly sturdy (and growing) set of shelves dedicated to actual railroad books (in addition to those dedicated to model railroad books, model railroad magazines, and railroad magazines.) Coffee-table oriented books can be frustrating for their lack of detail, but that's what reference guides are for--and when you've got the authoritative but dry reference AND a coffee-table volume with some eye-popping photos, you've got a party!

[Anonymous]

You bet! A few weeks ago I got the chance to see a CSX Ex Conrail SD50 and a CSX 8-40CW go full throttle pulling a freight out of the yard and later watched them fly by at 60 mph! You bet I was inspired. I now have plans to get HO models of both.[:)][:D]