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When I was designing my HO layout about 17 years ago I read up on the subject including John Armstrong's book. In it or somwhere I read that to help create visual interest and keep part of the track work from looking boring, when running straight track down exterior straight edges of the layout, run the track at a slight angle, not parallel. Well I've done this (4 degree angle it turns out) and the suggestion was right, it is more interesting visually (at least to me.)
Well, I don't see this in hardly any of the track plans here, and I don't think I've seen this even addressed (I might have missed it though; only been a member for a few months). So I'm wondering - have any of you folks done this? If so, for the above-stated reason? Or does it not make any difference to you? Thanks. (By the way, not trying to start a fight.)
I agree - it is important to break from the rigidness of your benchwork. Even more than just putting your straight track at an angle to the edges, try throwing a little wiggle into it. Curved lines are more appealing. At least, I think so (oYo)
________ No2 vaporizer
Yes I agree about not having track parallel to the benchwork. However along the back wall of my layout is parallel, but is slanted and curved along the entire front edge.
I brought the main on my shelf layout from back to front. Lets me put industry on each side and also gives the train a feeling of moving across and through the layout.
One of my design considerations in drafting a track plan has been no lines parallel to the edges. Model railroads imo look so much better if you don't take your style cues from the plywood beneath.
Thanks for the responses. Now I know I'm not the "lone ranger".
Motley: My tracks are parallel in the back also, but they're entirely covered so they can't be seen. (As info they are also easily accessed.)
LoudMusic: Slick job of changing subjects.
402drvr: Good thinking.
RW&C: Well said.
Selector: Very nice pic and nice way to "fight the straight edge troll". By the way, and not to change the subject, how did you make the smoke in the pic? Looks perfect to me.
IIRC, there was an article detailing the process in MR a few years back - Dunno if it's online. If you know Photoshop, it's pretty easy (I hasten to add I don't!);
- Cut a "nice" smoke picture from wherever - The prototype is a pretty good starting point
- Soften the edges & add transparency
- Scale as appropriate
- Paste it into your shot.
Cheers,
Ian
PS - Selector - Is the very front of the third rail in that picture OK? It *appears* that "bad things" are about to happen [Could just be the camera angle etc of course.....]
if you have the space it works very well. Here is a vid from the club showing how they did the same thing. this is shot at the island part of the layout. the tracks have some straight sections but they are always a angle to the facia of the layout.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ASNzPdnYLM
Thanks very much for your feedback, fellas. Yes, the smoke was inserted by a very skilled fellow Canuck who saw one of my images posted several years back and took it upon himself to add a sky and smoke. I was very appreciative, understandably, and he has continued to indulge me this way ever since.
Ian, do you mean the right hand rail on the siding as we look at it? It does appear to pinch a bit, or to incur on the gauge, but it is just an artifact of the imaging and the lens shape. I think I have found all the truly pinched parts of my layout by this point.
... Yes, the smoke was inserted by a very skilled fellow Canuck who saw one of my images posted several years back and took it upon himself to add a sky and smoke. I was very appreciative, understandably, and he has continued to indulge me this way ever since.
Ian, do you mean the right hand rail on the siding as we look at it? It does appear to pinch a bit, or to incur on the gauge, but it is just an artifact of the imaging and the lens shape. I think I have found all the truly pinched parts of my layout by this point.
Seriously, looking again, I think it's the rail joiner "ends" that (unfortunately) caught my eye - Highlighted below - The damn camera sees *everything*!
[Could just be the camera angle etc of course.....]
