05-20-2010, 09:24 AM
I have notice the popularity growth of ISLs(Industrial Switching Layouts) over the last 4-5 years and thought it may be interesting to discuss these layouts.
Now then..I was discussing this with another local modeler at Col/San while railfanning 2-3 weeks ago and we thought this growth may be cause by the ever increasing prices since one can get by with less equipment and the less is more layout philosophy that seems to be gaining ground..
That could be.
However..
How about this instead?
How about modelers that doesn't have the room for a large layout because they must share that spare room with the families computers or activities or just don't have the room for a large layout?
Then how about those that is into minute scenery details? A ISL is the perfect layout for those modelers because they can spend hours adding the security fences,trash,weeds,detailed roads,mini industrial scenes,junk piles,dimpsy dumpsters etc..They could super detail their vehicles,interiors of their buildings in short have a museum quality layout.
Designing the ISL..Of course one should avoid any switching puzzle type design and to a degree some Inglenook designs..I firmly believe a well design ISL will be based on prototypical track arrangements-if space allows.
Yor thoughts?
Now then..I was discussing this with another local modeler at Col/San while railfanning 2-3 weeks ago and we thought this growth may be cause by the ever increasing prices since one can get by with less equipment and the less is more layout philosophy that seems to be gaining ground..
That could be.
However..
How about this instead?
How about modelers that doesn't have the room for a large layout because they must share that spare room with the families computers or activities or just don't have the room for a large layout?
Then how about those that is into minute scenery details? A ISL is the perfect layout for those modelers because they can spend hours adding the security fences,trash,weeds,detailed roads,mini industrial scenes,junk piles,dimpsy dumpsters etc..They could super detail their vehicles,interiors of their buildings in short have a museum quality layout.
Designing the ISL..Of course one should avoid any switching puzzle type design and to a degree some Inglenook designs..I firmly believe a well design ISL will be based on prototypical track arrangements-if space allows.
Yor thoughts?
Larry
Engineman
Summerset Ry
Make Safety your first thought, Not your last! Safety First!
Engineman
Summerset Ry
Make Safety your first thought, Not your last! Safety First!