04-02-2014, 09:08 AM
I think it's problematic to impose a rigid set of rules for any kind of art, which model railroads are at basis. If the Strasburg is 6 miles long, its main line in HO would be 360+ feet. Two end stations and a middle passing siding -- Lance Mindheim would smile with approval (and no need for the wrong bridge at Trenton!). Dave Frary, definitely an artist, had a lot of tips in his original scenery book -- put two scenes at different levels, for instance, or divide them with tree lines or whatever. This is no different from what painters like Vermeer did -- too much stuff to fit on a table in your still life, no problem, just sorta-kinda finesse the edges of the table! Too much going on in Hamlet? No problem, just make the whole time scheme kinda crazy, where people report time-warp style things going on between scenes!
Artists always break the rules. The question is how well they can get away with it. I've visited Jim Vail's narrow gauge layout a couple of times -- it's in the latest MR. Lance would frown: too much track, too many scenes. I think JIm's layout is one of the greats.
Artists always break the rules. The question is how well they can get away with it. I've visited Jim Vail's narrow gauge layout a couple of times -- it's in the latest MR. Lance would frown: too much track, too many scenes. I think JIm's layout is one of the greats.