This is a joint project between Dirk and me. This will be our first one fully dedicated to the US territory. We have teamed up before and decided to drive it this time to our limits (or even beyond). This is a fully functional layout that uses all concepts of e.g. a theatre stage. All is designed to create the illusion of a real railroad scene. Here is the track map of the visible part (the stage): It uses ideas from Newport News at the Chesapeake Bay as well as impressions from Chicago's Indiana Harbour Belt. As with any good stage, it should be useable with may railroads and be plausible over periods of time, best only defined by the rolling stock and other only transient equipment. Here a first shot, after the first water was filled in and the locomotive sheds were placed. - to be continued -
Meanwhile the area around the locomotive sheds has been finalized........ ..... as well as the roof structures..... ..... and here and there a few more details added: .. - ...
That track plan gives me some ideas for the new home layout. In the mean time, Mickie's drooling at the Chessies
One of the major problems we face is a mid- and background that catches the eye of the observer, is confluent with the "stage" and creates the illusion of great depth. Here we are now: Classical, but not really "eye catching" ..... But only trees is really boring! So we were thinking, may be we should add some buildings around the trees, thereby hoping to create a more a appealing mid-ground! Looks better, but we need to tell a story here - with each and every house! You haven't heard about Dirk's and my famous car company in the US? Sure????
OK, so finally we had a strategy how to improve. We applied it test-wise, but consequently in the left upper corner. A small map is shown for your orientation. Getting closer, here are some formerly nice houses that have tracks in the back-yard,...... The houses have surely seen better days !!!! This is still an impressive Victorian house! Now it get's spooky - a Raven !!! A good paint job wouldn't be bad now..... Any further recommendations?
WELL DONE!! I'm in awe! I know how long it takes to detail scenery like this and weather everything. You have gone above and beyond! Top notch! This gets my vote for layout of the year! John
As someone new to trains I'm not sure what to think, it is too good to be true! It is an amazing diorama, do the trains also run on this layout?
What you see is not a diorama, it will be a full blown layout. Everything is / will be fully functional! Here you see our complete planning as of now: The work-in-progress pictures I am showing stem from the left part, which is getting closer to finalization. The right part is still under construction. Any recommendations regarding the optimal layout of the tracks in the "shadow" is highly appreciated. I am thinking even to have these tracks non-permanently placed, to allow for optimal adaptation to exhibition space or to connect it with other layouts. Rokuhan Track Material may serve well. What do you think? Thank you! Best, Sven
Hi Sven, amazing once again! For those unfamiliar with the work of these modellers, please check out http://www.helenensiel.com/ and Sven's postings on the AZL forum. I have seen two of Dirk's layouts life, and they're in reality as good as these (beautiful!) pictures. Regarding the hidden staging: it seems to me that the right hand track coming from the right into to hidden area has no staging opportunity. Why not replace the 490 curves that are now projected with a switch so a straight track is added and you can store at least one train on this track in your schattenbahnhof? Btw great work on those houses. They were truly great kits. Is anyone in contact with Miller Engeneering, so sad these are discontiued. I do believe there is still a serious market for these kits (particularly now that folks see in these pictures how great they are ) Matt