I'm currently writing an ongoing series of modeling cliches. I define "modeling cliches" as a visual or design layout element that is horrifically overused. In addition, it's also a feature that most people see and notice that something is amiss, but they can't exactly put their finger on it. This is an ongoing series, so I'll add to this post as time goes on. Let me know what you think. I think this should be discussed in the modeling community. http://modelrailroading.wordpress.com/?s=cliche
Uh, according to Webster's Dictionary a "cliche" is "a trite phrase or expression". However your post asks for instances where something is amiss. Did you mean to say "glitch" which, although not defined by Webster's, is commonly used to mean a snag, hiccup, or when Murphy's Law has caused an unexpected or undesired outcome. That aside, I think your effort should collect many amusing anecdotes and scenarios....good luck.
I always get a kick out of the throw back to train sets where you have a tunnel. The sole purpose of the hill/mountain is to have a train go through it, in one side and out the other. Just out in the middle of nowhere. The tracks look like they go out of their way to go through the hill. In the prototype the railroads would avoid having to dig a tunnel at all cost and just go around a hill if possible. Now days they just bulldoze a slot through it.
What drives me bonkers is layouts with buildings that have no roads leading to them, nor any parking.
I have a tunnel for sale. In O-Scale, it's about 48 feet long and about 32 feet wide, and maybe 32 feet high. It's made of papier-mache. It looked great on the ping-pong table Lionel layout in 1954 to a six-year-old. I think i would not want to duplicate it today.
It always strikes me as odd to see a road that just ends at the edge of the layout. Watch that next stepaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!baffled:
A cliche is an overused expression which has lost much of its appeal and currency. It is handy and resorted to easily. What we present to our viewers is also a form of expression, so I understood immediately what the OP meant. I answered you next door, but I just thought of another cliche. They are called ovals. As in, an oval track plan.
Crandell, I'd agree that oval trackplans would be considered a cliche, and how many railroads outside of belt lines could feasibly be an oval anyway? It's more of a necessary evil though, most people, myself included like being able to trains round and round when I don't feel like operating.
Here are a few of the "horiffically overused" things that bug the heck out of me but that will, inadvertantly, likely be part of my layout eek: Tunnels in the middle of nowhere (also mentioned above) Outhouse with door open and occupant inside Two-story outhouse Buildings, vehicles, people, etc. that do not fit the era modeled Items out of scale "Monsters" "aliens" etc. hiding in bushes Trestle bridges that are objects of engineering genius for their sheer size/height on branchlines that never would have had the money or the inclination to build one So much track that there is no real layout present...just a bowl of noodles
Yep, I'm guilty of 1, 2, 3, and 7 for sure. And roundy-roundy, if that one makes it into law. In fact I have one scene that violates parts of 1, 2, AND 3 for a good 2-3 feet. I do have one scene planned that will likely be viewed in the same light, but in fact is true to prototype. The line I model actually goes through a building that is barely wide enough for two tracks to fit and likely not as long as the Bombardier double-deck commuter cars passing through. Very Lionel-ish.
No one has mentioned switch backs yet. I had a switch back for a while on my layout.. then I finally came to and realized it was not fun or interesting to operate but a frustrating pain, so I re worked the siding to eliminate it.
How about any N scale DPM structure. Man I get tired of seeing those things. But of course, I need and use them too. Eric
My apologies....I now see where you're coming from, and am looking forward to what shows up.:tb-cool:
How about hidden stageing? How many "real" railroads dug a hole 80' deep and 20 miles long to hide trains in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Haha, gave me a laugh there. But hidden staging has its advantages. For instance, to hide that Broadway Limited and Daylight train you just had to have when really you model BNSF in the Midwest.
I know I have "hidden" stageing too, it's the self above the yard and the cardboard box in the corner
Yes...THAT structure shows up everywhere, in all scales. That is why I do mainly scratch builds...and one or two DPMs
RIVET COUNTING.......:tb-hissyfit: I'm sure there's a prototype for everything I've made, if not, I'll invent it...so there! :tb-tongue:
