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RL, I've long been a believer in doing things a bit differently. I take no credit for the concept, but you are right, these cars generally look better if we modelers add or subtract a thing or two.
For the roof I used Northeastern Lumber Co. HO scale 3"x6" bass wood strips. I would have use 2"x6" strips if my LHS had them in stock the day I was there! The sides are 3"x12" strips. Jim
Ooh, I like that car. Does anyone know how it was done and would like to share? I can see me doing one of these. Thanks Tony, you are too kind. Jim CM&T
Yard Master, Thank you. As for skills! I've long thought, as a teacher, that an individual's progress comes not from the teacher, but the through hard work by the student. If one looks through this thread and finds a topic herein, then progress is made by practicing the techniques. I don't mean 'copying' but actually trying to reproduce a scene or a item, using the info to make something in your own way not mine. For example, I've had folks say, 'I do what you show/say and it just doesn't look the same.' In truth, we all see the world differently, and we should expect our final solutions to issues to be similar, but different. There are folks around the internet that see a photo of mine and immediately know that it is mine. My technique and final products look the same regardless of scale. So, with some practice, I believe that each of our approaches to modeling will always be a non reproducing of someone else's work, but will show up as a good example of our own work. Again, scenery especially, is a result of extra effort, not a simple shake or two out of a Woodland Scenics canister. Skills can be improved upon by all of us, just a bit more effort and practice is usually all it takes. Jim
Thanks Tony, Folks just seem to do what they can just to get by sometimes. Go to a trainshow and see a module square in HO or smaller scales. Sad examples of scenery for the most part. Jim
I am fairly scenery orientated for no other reason than I like the scenery, it seems to bring a layout to life and add another dimension to it. Although I haven't seen too many layouts, other than on here, the few I have seen (in the flesh so to speak) have been very sparse when it comes to the scenery. More often than not, when asking why they have little or no scenery, the response is "it isn't important", "don't have the time" or (the inevitable) I don't like doing it or can't do it.
My philosophy is that if you are going to do something (anything) do it properly or at least as well as you are able don't do it at all. To simply "throw some thing together" for the hell of it seems to be a complete waste of time and effort and, I am sure, does little other than distract from an other wise good layout. I honestly thought those who "show their modules" would have had more pride in them and put in the effort to make them as complete as they could.
Tony, you and I think a lot alike. However, just because you and I appreciate scenery and what it does for layout appearances, it doesn't mean our less concerned brothers are wrong. Since we are all different we all will have different likes and dislikes. I'm envious of those fellows that do operations for example. I don't have the patience to do operations, or running for that matter! So, my issue is building essentially for photography. How whack is that? This thread is obviously for newbies and those that may want to improve or learn some new photo or scenery skills. I know that is important to many simply cause of the view count. No one comes here to learn how to use 'routing cards' that's for sure. Like you I like to see reasonable attention to scenery, but alas, we can only hope. Jim
I have to apologize, I certainly didn't mean to imply that those who are less scenery oriented were wrong, of course they're not. I know of one layout that has no scenery whatsoever, but the track work and yards and level of "operational detail" is amazing, not to mention the sheer size of the thing.
People (I think) fall into one of two categories, for the main part - scenery and the detail and realism that brings or operations and both are equally as impressive for their own virtues. Like you, I don't have patience to sit at a layout and have to physically run a train or trains, I like to put a train/s on the layout and have it/them run and enjoy watching them pass through scenery.
Finally, your thread is so good as a teaching/learning aide for those of us that think the same or similar way, but will hopefully be an inspiration and motivator for others whose focus is on the operational aspect of model rail roading. As you said, we can only hope
Tony, I didn't mean to imply you called anyone out. I just have to straddle fences sometimes.
But in truth, you've put my/our philosophy quite well, that is: 'hopefully (this thread can)be an inspiration and motivator for others whose focus is on the operational aspect of model rail roading. As you said, we can only hope '
I love scenery (your scenery is outstanding), I love operations, at the moment I also enjoy trying to figure out my own freelanced railroad, with everything that comes with it and I have to say Jim, that your thread is a huge inspiration to say the least!
Can't remember what I was Googling, but your thread popped up, the rest is history as they say, your thread is one of the reasons that I signed up and of course, the people here!
MR113, I like to think that operations "in real life" happen in a realistically sceniced world! So I always wonder about layouts that seem to have little, or even no effort made to make them realistic. Oh well. Thanks for your comment. Jim
I hear you .. Loud and clear!
However some of us are more "gifted" in other ways: Wood working, Electrical, and Mechanics.
An Artist I am not! You are one of the fortunate to have that ability!
Ditto to that Jim but, I don't think you give yourself any where near enough credit. I think what you have done speaks for itself with regards your skills.
Here is a photo I took the other day. One of the things I like to do, I suppose most of us do this, is place buildings and items on our layout simply to 'see how they look.' This is a good idea as you are building because there is no gluing and things can be moved around. It gives you a good idea of what you want when the glue bottle does finally come out. Here you see a scene made up of buildings, TT, cars, and a few people. All done in 4 minutes. Jim
