06-09-2009, 11:18 PM
Loren - work/family has kept me busy the past few days, i.e., away from any planning. I did, however, get more accomplished one evening out in the garage. Looking at the potential costs and timeline for the larger layout, I have decided to resurrect the 4x6 in order to get something running besides the timesaver. No plans as of yet to even try to incorporate it into the larger layout. IN fact, it will most likely get dismantled and absorbed into that layout when the time comes.
I inherited a couple raised garden beds in the yard when we moved here. They're really not where I'd put them had I planned and placed them, but one was full to the brim with strawberries and is giving us plenty of little red gems to snack on at present. In the Fall I will most likely move them as I prepare additional beds for next year's gardening. Some of the strawberries may not make it, but most will...they're hardy plants.
This is kindof my approach to the larger layout. I've got the 4x6 framework, plenty of rail and a few ties, scenery materials, structures, etc. most of which can be put to good use on the larger "permanent" layout. PLUS, I enjoy the time planning and revising.
Also, working on the Timesaver and the 4x6 keeps me from getting bored with just straight rolling stock kits or dioramas and keeps me from devolving into 'analysis paralysis' with the planning.
TrainNut - I love/hate reading those early articles by Frank Ellison. His theatrical ideas on operation really strike a chord with me. Makes me want to cram in as much track as possible at the expense of tighter curves and shorter trains just to get as many trains scheduled and run as possible. Funny how all the 'great' operators and planners (John Allen, Frank Ellison, Whit Towers, John Armstrong) were all freelancers (Gorre & Daphetid, Delta Lines, Alturas & Lone Pine, Canandaigua Southern). Operation didn't necessarily have to replicate any certain prototype, in fact, the deck was stacked, so to speak, in favor of getting trains out there on the main with meets, switching, etc. with complications the full size trains worked so hard to eliminate.
When I think operation this is what comes to mind. I don't want to replicate N&W's Abingdon Branch, but the out and back once daily mixed train has its appeal. I'd have to change it, however, to a dedicated passenger train (or two - one each way) and a peddler freight, then throw in a couple coal drags, a reefer/milk/mail hotshot in the morning, etc. to get the feel of the Branch but increase the traffic for added interest.
All that to say, the train can go here and then come back there and it won't look lost as long as there's some work to do at 'here' and at 'there'. Reverse loops are okay - I'm running DCC and should be able to link the reverse module with a turnout motor. I'll shell out the dough for a tortoise & controller decoder for something like that.
The simpler is more approach appeals to the artist in me - just create a scene like Sellios does on the F&SM, and let the trains be almost secondary players. ALTHOUGH - how the mighty have fallen! Just today I read the 'Trains of Thought' column by Operations Czar Koester all about how he was helping George rework the F&SM so that they could have operating sessions, naturally, tying it all in with prototype locations. Grrr....Will Furlow end up being the only pure artist left in the hobby?
Galen
I inherited a couple raised garden beds in the yard when we moved here. They're really not where I'd put them had I planned and placed them, but one was full to the brim with strawberries and is giving us plenty of little red gems to snack on at present. In the Fall I will most likely move them as I prepare additional beds for next year's gardening. Some of the strawberries may not make it, but most will...they're hardy plants.
This is kindof my approach to the larger layout. I've got the 4x6 framework, plenty of rail and a few ties, scenery materials, structures, etc. most of which can be put to good use on the larger "permanent" layout. PLUS, I enjoy the time planning and revising.
Also, working on the Timesaver and the 4x6 keeps me from getting bored with just straight rolling stock kits or dioramas and keeps me from devolving into 'analysis paralysis' with the planning.
TrainNut - I love/hate reading those early articles by Frank Ellison. His theatrical ideas on operation really strike a chord with me. Makes me want to cram in as much track as possible at the expense of tighter curves and shorter trains just to get as many trains scheduled and run as possible. Funny how all the 'great' operators and planners (John Allen, Frank Ellison, Whit Towers, John Armstrong) were all freelancers (Gorre & Daphetid, Delta Lines, Alturas & Lone Pine, Canandaigua Southern). Operation didn't necessarily have to replicate any certain prototype, in fact, the deck was stacked, so to speak, in favor of getting trains out there on the main with meets, switching, etc. with complications the full size trains worked so hard to eliminate.
When I think operation this is what comes to mind. I don't want to replicate N&W's Abingdon Branch, but the out and back once daily mixed train has its appeal. I'd have to change it, however, to a dedicated passenger train (or two - one each way) and a peddler freight, then throw in a couple coal drags, a reefer/milk/mail hotshot in the morning, etc. to get the feel of the Branch but increase the traffic for added interest.
All that to say, the train can go here and then come back there and it won't look lost as long as there's some work to do at 'here' and at 'there'. Reverse loops are okay - I'm running DCC and should be able to link the reverse module with a turnout motor. I'll shell out the dough for a tortoise & controller decoder for something like that.
The simpler is more approach appeals to the artist in me - just create a scene like Sellios does on the F&SM, and let the trains be almost secondary players. ALTHOUGH - how the mighty have fallen! Just today I read the 'Trains of Thought' column by Operations Czar Koester all about how he was helping George rework the F&SM so that they could have operating sessions, naturally, tying it all in with prototype locations. Grrr....Will Furlow end up being the only pure artist left in the hobby?
Galen
I may not be a rivet counter, but I sure do like rivets!