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Layout town/community

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  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Southeast Texas
  • 2,392 posts
Layout town/community
Posted by Tracklayer on Saturday, August 27, 2005 1:31 AM
I recently drove through a little north Texas town a few weeks ago that was off the beaten path, and struck me as the perfect train layout community. It had a general type store with a gas pump out front, a bank, post office and several scattered houses. I think it may have also had an old ball type water tower. The only signs I recall were a 35 mph speed limit sign and the stop signs at the four way stop at the cross roads in the middle of town. I don't know if I'll ever actually build a town for my layout, but if I do, I'd like to have a plan.

Anyone have any better suggestions ?. (Please tell me you do...)

"Thanks"

Tracklayer

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: US
  • 225 posts
Posted by randyaj on Saturday, August 27, 2005 6:22 AM
sounds good to me, remember it's your world!
Randy Johnson
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 27, 2005 7:16 AM
Yeah. Go back and take lots of pictures. Try to get some airial shots.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer

I recently drove through a little north Texas town a few weeks ago that was off the beaten path, and struck me as the perfect train layout community. It had a general type store with a gas pump out front, a bank, post office and several scattered houses. I think it may have also had an old ball type water tower. The only signs I recall were a 35 mph speed limit sign and the stop signs at the four way stop at the cross roads in the middle of town. I don't know if I'll ever actually build a town for my layout, but if I do, I'd like to have a plan.

Anyone have any better suggestions ?. (Please tell me you do...)

"Thanks"

Tracklayer


  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Southeast Texas
  • 2,392 posts
Posted by Tracklayer on Saturday, August 27, 2005 11:32 AM
Originally posted by GearDrivenSteam

Yeah. Go back and take lots of pictures. Try to get some airial shots.

Airial shots huh. Good idea, but I'd probably get so caught up in the plane ride I'd forget all about why I was up there...[:p] (lol)

Tracklayer
  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: NW Central IND.
  • 326 posts
Posted by easyaces on Saturday, August 27, 2005 12:13 PM
Unless you're hell bent on building a major metropolis, drive around and study little towns around you and look close at some of the buildings and arcitecture. Some little whistle-stop towns on a layout can be more interesting than one big one and can offer some interesting sights.
MR&L(Muncie,Rochester&Lafayette)"Serving the Hoosier Triangle" "If you lost it in the Hoosier Triangle, We probably shipped it " !!
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  • From: Amish country Tenn.
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Posted by loathar on Saturday, August 27, 2005 12:20 PM
I've got a little town like that near me. It's right next to a train museum.(Lynnville Tn.) It almost looks like they looked at a model train layout and then patterned the town after it.
  • Member since
    May 2002
  • From: Oliver B.C. Wine Capitol of Canada
  • 415 posts
Posted by tommyr on Saturday, August 27, 2005 12:26 PM
My wife planned our town based on several we had seen in our travels.
Tom

Tom

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    July 2004
  • From: Southeast U.S.A.
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Posted by rexhea on Saturday, August 27, 2005 12:47 PM
Tracklayer: If you model pre 70's, there was lots of signs painted on the sides of buildings and plenty of billboards. You wouldn't see that now. Also, keep in mind that traffic signals and street lights were different in design. This sort of stuff can easily be researched by looking at old town photos. (you gotta have a town. Where else would your little people live? [:D] )

Very nice town, Tom. Your wife did an excellent job.
REX
Rex "Blue Creek & Warrior Railways" http://www.railimages.com/gallery/rexheacock
  • Member since
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Saturday, August 27, 2005 1:59 PM
For aerial shots, go to one of the free sites that provides satellite imagery. With the latitude and longitude, or in many cases the town name, it will find a picture that should meet your needs.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Southeast Texas
  • 2,392 posts
Posted by Tracklayer on Saturday, August 27, 2005 3:43 PM
Thanks guys. I'll follow your lead and see what I can come up with. I'd like to keep it simple, and make it so that it could be for all eras if possible.

Tracklayer

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