Flat Layout

[twhite]

Wow, guys, I don't think I've ever read 3 pages of posting where so many people have mis-read each other's posts in my life. 

The original poster asked if FLAT layouts were viable. 

The answer is YES!

Now grow up and go home, everyone, all the verbal basketballs on this particular court have been punctured and are lying around on the cement like big splotches of animal doo-do. 

Tom

[Ironbound]

Hi Chutton01,

It was a pleasant surprise to find another modeler who protypes the Ironbound section of Newark. I once owned an industrial building (106,000 s/f) on Ferry Street and built a diorama of it on 2'x4' lay-in ceiling tile (HO scale scratch built). This inspired me to creat my IRONBOUND TERMINAL & TRANSFER RR which is 15' x 10' and includes many of the area buildings. I'll send you some fotos in a few weeks...just completed my rendition of the Naparano Scrap Yard.

LenGee

[d+h rr hobo]

I have used 8 hollow core doors for my around the room Layout.To make scenery below grade I add a piece of plywood to the end of the doors on oppisites sides of my gap.Then I span between the two at the lower level.It has worked great for deep river gorges and shallow marshes.The only concern is to make sure the ends before the gap are supported as close to the end as possible.In my case the metal shelf brackets had to be planned for attachment to the studs or if not Toggle bolts.The whole layout base went up in a day and a half.Spanning the gaps was done with 1 x 3s with a cover of 1/4" Lhuan plywood.Then any technique for scenery can be used from this point.My preferance was styrofoam and plaster cloth.Hope it helps have fun!
Lee Delaware & Hudson Railroad Hobo.

[RRTrainman]

Is there anything wrong with a flat layout? If so, what? My layout if flat with a few hills on the edges and I think it looks OK - am I missing something?

Nothing wrong with a flat layout mine's flat.  It got hills that surrounds it and my extention is a built up hill. My new extention is flat with hills and a stream plus a lake.  So its your choice how you build your layout.

[trainnut57]

Butlerhawk wrote the following post at 08-03-2008 11:24 AM:

Is there anything wrong with a flat layout? If so, what? My layout if flat with a few hills on the edges and I think it looks OK - am I missing  

My first layout was flat on a 4x8 sheet of plywood. After a few years I wanted to add depth and a 3-D type look so I bought a sheet of 4X8 3" foam insulation, along with another 1" thick sheet. I now have similar to the original track pattern on the bottom level and two "mainlines" elevated 3" above that on the outside of the path of the lower track. I have also added mountains on the upper level and tunnels on the lower that run directly under the mainlines above, totaling 4 tunnels, one large one on a curve under a mountain range. I call this my "rat hole" route although I do not model the Norfolf Southern.  Of course the size of the layout has increased at least 5 fold since the original concept in 1974, but this basic design of two levels remains constant. The insualtion also acts a great sound deadening device. Sure wish my digital camera was working-pictures are easier.

[NittanyLion]

Besides, whoever heard of a hill right in the middle of a runway.

Actually, given their length, whoever heard of a ruwany that didn't have a hill in it somewhere.