Thought I'd ask the question. The picture below shows the last unfinished area of my layout. I originally envisaged building an engine service facility here but due to the position it is difficult to operate due to space limitations. Since I am considering extending the layout and moving the engine facility to a larger area. What could I use this area for? It doesnt need to have a rail connection but needs something interesting as it is at the front of the layout. Your suggestions would be appreciated.
My giving you advice on what to put into your layout is like my trying to give golf lessons to Tiger Woods, but a few ideas- Do you have any small factories? That area- a cul-de-sac backed up against an elevated rail line- is sort of a natural place for them, assuming that you're modeling American diesel era (as your layout appeared?). I've seen many circus accessories floating about on eBay. If you put a few of them plus a lot of people you could fill the space quite nicely. Might distract from the real work behind, though. If you can afford to not use one track of that elevated line, how about some terrain and a messy derail? You could use a few of the 'hopeless' cars that many people collect (if I were in America I could mail you a few!) and a rail crane to create an interesting, detailed 'diorama' in the foreground that would draw the eye. A pond, perhaps with fishermen or duck hunters? Hope that these ideas help. Other ideas: careful terrain work, some fences and you'd have a pasture. That'd be quick and would add 'depth' to your layout without taking a great deal of hassle, time or money. [ 24. October 2002, 13:26: Message edited by: Biggerhammer ]
what about any kind of garbage dump ? old and wrecked cars, lot's of rusty iron ? Maybe just add a spur track. Push-back empty gondolas to be filled with junk. As it is right at the front you'd have to superdetail your junkyard [ 24. October 2002, 09:24: Message edited by: sandro schaer ]
The first thing I visualized here was a massive, gothic styled brick powerhouse with multiple stacks. You have a lot of horizontal here, the verticle would really help accentuate this corner area. Plus it'd break up the curves and make it seem like they are broader and longer.
Paul, I'm not sure where "here" is. Is it the empty space by your panel, or the space by the three tracks, or the back space twoards the cliff. I am assuming you are talking by the panel?
I vote for the water scene. It is the kind of area you could have fun with scenicing. A swimming and boating theme with some humour in it. And it gives good reason for the overpass.
Hey guys, I have a bit of an advantage as I have visited Paul's layout and know that this is right at the enterance of a big yard. It would be a perfect place for an engine service area - perfect for showing off your fleet!
If this area is close to the front where visitor traffic might accidentally tip an engine or cars off the track close to this edge; then perhaps you could place a small building over the electrical switches to hide them. Hinge the building at the rear, and tip it over on its side to operate the switches. Tip it back in place when not operating the layout. Then you could continue the river going off behind the switches somewhere, with a small highway bridge to go behind this building and into something like a salvage yard, factory, tractor sales (with one tractor going in a circle being demo'ed to several guys watching), or some sort of "action" going on. Add a little scenery, and you have used the space and hidden the switches also.
Being what my memory is... Great... Just my access to it sucks! Anyways... Here's what I'd do... It's a RailFan/ Boat Dock Park. The Orange building is a Boat Dry Storage. The model would be high enough to reach in to the switches. The front could have a mesh piece with the back of boats painted on it. The lake is from digging a hole for the raising of the ground level for the tracks. [ 25. March 2003, 03:45: Message edited by: Sir_Prize ]
Colonel, I will have to go with the junk yard- salvage idea. I can see a bunch of neat scrap and maybe a loading crane or two!!
Ken, thanks for going to all that trouble on planning that area. the only problem I see is the control panel for the yard will be placed near the car park area or actually i was thinking of placing it under the boatshed. I actually lke the idea, let me have a think about it and I'll let you know what I decide. Once again thankyou for your suggestion I really appreciate it.
Paul, I read a lot of good ideas so far, water, junk, powerhouse. Neat things for any layout. What about putting the control panel on a shelf that slides under the table. Gets it out of the way and leaves more room for scenery. The swamp idea is the best. Lots of green slime and stuff. We all need something environmentally incorrect.
I don't know how large your yard is, but could it justify some yard offices, employee parking lot, or even a division point headquarters building. That is something you don't see modeled to often. Also you could put in a rail transfer facility or just a trucking depot. Just some thoughts.
