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[R_Log]

Hello!

So I am extremely inexperienced when it comes to model trains and train scenery. I have a decent amount of experience with models in general, but not the world of railroad models.

Even with that disclaimer, this is going to seem super random: I have a pet gecko that is going to need a bigger cage soon. I was going to just buy a bigger aquarium and put some fake plants in it, but I've always been a big "Godzilla" fan, and after I saw the new film I thought "You know what would be way cooler? If all the terrain in the cage were miniatures and I made it a downtown city block in the process of being destroyed."

In that way, the whole cage essentially becomes a scene from a monster movie, with the rather unimposing gecko becoming the kaiju. 

I have enough experience with reptiles and enclosure construction that I will be able to make pretty much anything safe for inclusion in the cage. This is a species of gecko that does not need supplemental heat, so nothing will melt, and even if scenery is not waterproof, I can make it waterproof with a special coating that is used for vivarium scenery. I will also adapt the models I include to serve specific functions in context of animal husbandry (eg, a hollow building can become a hiding spot for the animal, or I can put a fogger into a damaged building so that it both looks like it is burning and also keeps the enclosure humidity up, which is a husbandry requirement). 

So my question for you folks, as experienced hobbyists is essentially, where should I start? The gecko is about 5 inches long. She'll get about twice that size as an adult. The cage is about 18" tall, 12 wide, and 24 long.

1) What scale would you recommend for that size aquarium? I was envisioning 3-5 buildings, between 8 and 18 inches tall, pushed to the back of the enclosure. That will give me a little space in the front to put down a city street with trees and tanks or something. The goal is to make the lizard look suitably large, maybe train car sized, although larger or smaller looking would be acceptable if need be. 

I went to my local hobbyshop to look at different scales, but they don't have much in the way of urban buildings. No skyscrapers, or corporate office buildings or anything of the like. Mostly just little Americana scenes. I have been looking at "N" scale online, but it is very difficult to tell the size of the buildings... Is a 6 story building six inches tall? 12 inches?  

2) Are there commercially available kits for urban looking buildings? Corporate offices, downtown skyline style? I could probably make my own out of paper and do a decent job. But that would take hours upon hours of work, the first one would be terrible (because it always is), and then i'd need to repeat that 5 times. Are there brands I should look for, or avoid?

3) Any links or ideas for how to make convincing looking asphalt?

4) Thoughts? Concerns? Feelings?

Thanks for your time guys. If there are any forums or resources you think I should check out, please let me know.

Best,

Ron 

[Capt. Grimek]

Ok, you win points for an original idea!  For an aquarium that size, I'd consider O Scale. That said, I'm in HO and there are many urban/skyscraper buildings available. Search for Bachman City Scapes kits and City Classics. Also Lunde Studios and you'll at least get some ideas. Most of these structures date from the '30s to '50s not a ton of modern buildings available without scratch building.  Other scale guys may chime in...

Ho box cars are 40' to 50' scale length. (5.5" for a 40').  I'd consider showing only the middle section of your aquarium between buildings. 24" is HUGE.

[dknelson]

I'd go with N to make the little gecko really tower over the landscape.  Skyscrapers can be approximated using material that simulates the regularity of their window spacing -- perhaps even hardware cloth would do although not easy to work with.  The back side of roofing shingles looks like asphalt roads if cut to shape.  In fact a commercial firm offered "road" material that was exactly that. 

Dave Nelson

[pramathi]

HI

Aquariums are good idea. Size mentioned is required. But it is for the visitors or for you.   For visitors it will attract more than the train.    If it is for you, keep it in your house only.

Urban looking buildings are available.   If you are a good craftsman interested in making your own, you can also do it.   It can suit to your likings.

I am also trying to construct railway stations, a big assortment of lines to look like a big station etc. 

Venkataraman (Pramathi)