QUOTE: Originally posted by BRAKIE James,The biggest problem I have with those project layouts is the leave the new modeler with the impression that is all there is to building or running a layout..There is much more a beginner can do to improve a layout that will keep his/her interest up in the hobby...I fully agree these layouts show the modeler how to but leaves any real operation (if you will) out..We both know watching a train run loops with very little or no other things to do will quickly become boring even to the newest of modelers.Here in my opinion is where the danger lays in the newbie giving up on the hobby especially if he/she doesn't have the room for a bigger layout..Why not design it right in the first place with a easy to build and interesting layout operational wise?( operation meaning having cars to switch at industries and perhaps a small yard.)
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
QUOTE: Originally posted by BRAKIE James,A beginner can learn a lot by reading MR and other magazines..I urge you to take another look at those books and you will see what I am saying..One does not need to work on the railroad to gain knowledge on how to plan a layout..All he/she needs to do is observe the real thing to see how they go about doing track work and going about their daily business.. A layout is NOT that hard to design..It does take some thinking..It is my opinion that a lot of modelers stumble over designing a layout due to the simple fact they have read to much on layout designs and try to cram to way to much on their "dream" layout....The best thing is to keep a layout simple in track design and scenery...What rule says you need to cram a lot of track on a layout? In layout designs some times less is better.. Yes,it is past time that modelers start to think outside of the box in layout designs and take the next step forward in better layout designs..You can see this in looking at layouts by the great thinkers of layout designs such as Tony Koester,Bill Daraby(sp?),Rick Rideout,Lance Mindheim and others.. We have the best detailed engines and cars ever made by just opening the box.. .We have a wealth of information just by a click of a mouse..We have great looking buildings,cars,trucks and etc.. Now don't you think we should design layouts that will compliment our models? One more item..Track is a model to and should (perhaps must) be modeled accordingly...That is another topic whithin its self..
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