Ironically most of the layouts I like are not N scale layouts. I believe that there is a definate sylistic difference in designing for the different scales and I prefer the track plans on ho scale layouts over n scale layouts. I seem to be most influenced by layouts that were on a smaller scale than the john allens or others mentioned. The MR project layout marquette and independance. HO scale A 5x9 layout built by a college aged student that was in student fare in seventies. all I remember was a yard and some industries and a long interchange track for traffic on this branchline. HO scale Maybe ten years ago there was a SOO line layout that was built with snap switches and the guy even did all his wiring with atlas selectors. I was most impressed with his long trains and kitbashed industries, as well as large yards. HO scale Some of malcolm furlows stuff really opened my eyes to the possibilities in model railroading if you just stretched your imagination a bit. Much of what I see in GMR's is very inspiring. The layout bsed on a MR layout was awesome even though it was just a simple plan. I think it was the 50th anniversary MR that had so many layout tours and was just spectacular. I was particularly drawn by the urban steam era layout on that one. Of late I find that our own trainboard layout builders have produced nice looking scenes. I like what fluid dynamics has on his blue foam monster for instance. I really enjoy his and all the rest of your pictures.
John Allen's layout has influenced me the most. I've read his book mnay times over. Stay cool and run steam.....
Hey, Mine was a little more local. I was in the middle of building a 4'x8', 6 track mainline layout(2 levels),when I met FlyingMike. After seeing his layout, I saw Scott Teague's on the "other" forum . Then John W.'s & P. Nolan, J. Sing,LT, D. Crowly, D. Krause, Verne, Bill Denton,Russ Straw,Steve W. ETC,,. Along with seeing all the closet MRR's (like myself) layouts in my area. I don't want anyone to be offended if I left names out,it's hard to type with numb fingers . Most of us,I'm sure, have had an influence on each other at one time or another.Even if it was a small detail. I also feel,we bring the best out of each other,modelling wise. I know,I want to do better,so that I'm not embarresest(?) when I post a picture of my work. [ 16. December 2004, 18:40: Message edited by: SecretWeapon ]
Certainly the Clinchfield series in MR some many years ago now. And the fellow in Turkey who has the Turkish State Railways in HO. This is the link, though it is not working for me right now: http://www.cwrr.com/nmra/Layout-HO.html I think the scenery on this is extremely well done.
For me growing up, there were a few layouts doing the local exhibition scene which influenced my interest in model trains, Wells Street:- this layout based on an area just outside Sydney Yd has been the only layout I've seen to represent Sydney's suburban working and it was well done to. East Maitland:- When I was younger I would tag along with my dad to the exhibitions and while he was doing modelling clinics, I would sit in front of this layout and watch the trains go past. East Maitland, north of Sydney in the Newcastle Hunter District has 4 tracks (2 for coal and 2 for general freight/passenger working) so it kept the audiences interested with long trains ( I actually got a chance to operate on the layout which was pretty cool Hawkesbury River/Knapsack Valley: this layout was an inverted figure 8 with the Hawkesbury River Bridge on one side and the Knapsack Valley Viaducts on the other. Had operational signalling which in the early 80's was pretty cool and the model of the Hawkesbury River bridge was amazing. Since joining N scale, I have gone to prefer layouts with a high suburban/industrial feel and there have been alot of layouts that feature this that names escape me. I was wowed out by the Chicago loop scene on the Museum of Science and Industry's layout and that (although in a smaller version) represents what I would like to see on my layout
Two words; Mike Danneman,this bloke sum's it all up for me.Just wish he would do a few more articles with NSR!I also wish he would sell me 3 of his Kraus Maffies!!!
Well then stop slobbering over your oversized calculator and dreaming of graphics cards and do it yourself. The article is quite self explanitory
Allan McClellan's V&O, Tony Koester's Alleghenny Midland, The real Tennesse Central, John Armstrong's yards from his trackplanning book. Frank
I listed the Mud Bay & Southern of Jim Younkins' as one of mine. Well, 'lo and behold! The woo woo woo&S is the feature layout in the Jan/Feb, 2005 N Scale Railroading magazine! Boxcab E50
Bill Denton's Kingsbury Branch and Blair Kooistra's Walla Walla Valley. My first trip driving thru Chicago was a amazing moment in discovery. I grew up Cab riding with my Dad on the UP, switching Industies on the Kenton Branch, in Portland Oregon. Chicago was like this on a huge scale. As a carman for the UP, I have no desire to model yellow, or anything, I see today. Too much like work.... When you figure in my love of 1st Generation Diesels (I was handed up into my 1st UP F Unit about 1961-62), Chicago is a natural for me. The Kingsbury has kept my interest in Trains going for years of Armchair Railroading. I have fought a long fight between Ho and N, with HO finally winning out due to my eyes and hands starting to show their age. I was going to Model the Kingsbury in HO, I have tons of "Right of Way" to work with in our house and it fits well. After seeing Blair Kooistra's Walla Walla Valley Railway Article in the current Great Model Trains, his Web Site, and the "Blueprint" Article on the Walla Walla Valley, he Co-wrote for Trains. I realized that I really liked his work and level of detail and that redoing the kingsbury Branch in Ho was not what I wanted to do. In my Chicago research, I stumbled across a switching Shortline, the Illinois Northern, I don't have a lot yet, they had 6 Alco S4 Switchers in ATSF Zebra Stripe paint (I have found pictures of #29 and #34), I have 2 maps, and I know they were eventually absorbed into the ATSF (not sure when). I have also heard it refered to as the"Cermak" line, its a street trackage line, and it is still quite active today. Yeah not to take a thing from the Kingsbury Branch, its a very cool subject, with lots of support and information available. The Walla Walla Valley is a cool line in its own right, I live within railfanning distance, yet I never knew it existed. Blair has brought it back to life. If possable I want to do the same for the Illinois Northern Railway. I am going to need a lot of help, I am 2000 miles away from Chicago, so if you can help, please email me. I am looking for everything I can get on the Illinois Northern. I realize this is the N Scale Forum, it just that the Question was so good.
First off, RP.....welcome to TrainBoard! I think I was most recently influenced by Jim Hertzog's "Locust Summit Legacy" article which covered his layout design of the Reading's Shamokin Division. His attention to detail while "recreating reality" is impressive. The layout flows from west to east, with many of the features and structures of the real line reproduced and represented. Bill
I have to agree about the Walla walla. There is something really neat about a smaller layout with lots of street action and more detail than the larger layouts.
Thanks I should have posted it to the to the Inspection Pit. Welcome to Trainboard. You are welcome to post in my threads anytime. I don't discriminate. Most here don't.
Grey, Thanks for the welcome... I have spent years on the Classic Battletech Boards (A SiFi Miniatures Wargame, see my website), this is the first time I have been on a train board. Perhaps a moderator, could move it to the inspection pit, its a great multi-scale post.
Yeah the level of detail and big buildings (Concrete and Brick Canyons), can really add a realism thats hard to match, done right, unless you have a huge basement or barn to work in. I'll start in a 10 x 10 bedroom that currently houses my wargame table, with staging in the next bedroom. I want that done and oprable before moving on to more layout, or the 2 36 x 48 story barn, we plan to build next year. Kind of the same approach Blair Kooistra has taken with the Walla Walla Valley.
