How can you get the track, scenery, town and usability correct when quashing as much as possible in a model railway layout?
It may sound easy but I have seen exhibition layouts that don't achieve it, ok some are themed or have a bias but most try for a balance.
Something that I see or hear people mentioned is that most layouts don't have enough figures(people)on them. Numerous passenger trains come and go, as does good trains. Where are the passengers going/coming from, likewise where do the goods come from and go to?
Or should ones imagination fill in the gaps?
Another mistake I see are scenic items, do they come from the period being modelled?
I know a Ford Capri is just a car but where they around in 1950 (Consul Capri 1961), likewise a tractor is just a tractor isn't it?
I guess that it is all up to personal taste in the end but to be more specific.
A main line station will require passengers of course and a fair few to make it look busy (though it's easy to overdo it).
A country or branch-line station will need only a very few passengers and a couple of station staff.
As for where trains come from/go to then that is down to imagination unless you have lots of room.
My layout is of the sea wall at Teignmouth so one end curves into Teignmouth station then onto the fiddle yard so that I imagine trains carrying on towards Newton Abbot and beyond whilst the other end disappears into Parsons Tunnel with trains going to Exeter and onwards.
I agree that road vehicles should largely match your chosen period as should locomotives and stock.
However many people like to use Rule 1 (run what you like) so it is up to the individual.
As for scenery, generally don't overcrowd things unless you are modelling a very busy urban scene.
Generally countryside has few buildings so don't overdo it.
A golden rule is to make it look like the countryside was there first.
The railways were built through it not the other way round.
Just my quick thoughts
Cheers
Martin
Quote from: harper on May 18, 2025, 02:51:19 PMHow can you get the track, scenery, town and usability correct when squashing as much as possible in a model railway layout?
The answer to that part is simply DON'T try to squash in too much!!
As ever, the answer is in research, and even if not completely replicating an actual location, do look at the prototype for inspiration and direction. There is so much information out there in books and on the web.
Arguably, it's the difference between a "toy train set" and a "Model (
of a) Railway"...
Quote from: harper on May 18, 2025, 02:51:19 PMSomething that I see or hear people mentioned is that most layouts don't have enough figures (people)on them. Numerous passenger trains come and go, as does good trains. Where are the passengers going/coming from, likewise where do the goods come from and go to?
Another mistake I see are scenic items, do they come from the period being modelled?
I know a Ford Capri is just a car but where they around in 1950 (Consul Capri 1961), likewise a tractor is just a tractor isn't it?
Completely agree with you on that though - modeller's focus typically ends at the boundary fence (some if stops with the trains)...
Again just a little research can make a big difference - just having the right livery/fleetname on the bus inevitably parked in the bridge helps afirm the location...
Apparently (contrary to what you see on layouts) not every station from the 1920 onwards was served by London Transport Routemasters...
"A tractor is just a tractor, isn't it?"
Ooh, fighting words,
@Trainfish ;D ;)
A tractor is only "just a tractor" if it's green, Fendt, John Deere. Maybe a blue Ford sometimes or even a red Massey Ferguson occasionally but in general green tractors rule:
In all seriousness it can be especially difficult on a large layout like mine to get everything exactly right to the date you are looking to replicate. I like to think a few years either way doesn't usually matter and unless everyone knows when a John Deere 6820 or a Ford 7610 was seen on a working farm and whether a Ford Capri mk1 or a Cortina mk3 was on the road at the same time then you'll get away with it.
Quote from: Bealman on May 18, 2025, 09:39:25 PM"A tractor is just a tractor, isn't it?"
Ooh, fighting words, @Trainfish ;D ;)
I am of course in the green corner these days although in the 1980s I was definitely in the blue corner for this fight.
Surely it's down to personal choice. It's impossible to get a totally realistic layout (why aren't the people moving, why doesn't it ever rain, why are there no flying birds, and so on) so you choose your own preferred level of realism. Admittedly a horse and cart on a Motorway would be incongruous (as well as illegal :no: ), but if you're happy with it then who cares ? To my mind this even applies to exhibition layouts - your layout, your "rules"
"Less is more"
Or pubs, eh. ;D
I only have 6 pubs, or is it 7, on my layout so far :P
That's a good balance for a countryside area set around 1980 which my layout is. We used to have loads in the villages and countryside back then. Sadly not so many these days.
As has been said ultimatley it's personal! Also everyone has a different view of what they want to be correct. Some will want accurate rakes of wagons/coaches, some will want prototypical signalling, some will want road vehicles specific to the time, some will want all stock weathered congruently. Of course some will want all of those, but it is inevitable that some things will be 'bug bears' for individuals. I would never (unless invited) foist my views on others - everyone's priorities are different.
Quote from: OffshoreAlan on May 18, 2025, 11:46:24 PMSurely it's down to personal choice. It's impossible to get a totally realistic layout (why aren't the people moving, why doesn't it ever rain, why are there no flying birds, and so on) so you choose your own preferred level of realism. Admittedly a horse and cart on a Motorway would be incongruous (as well as illegal :no: ), but if you're happy with it then who cares ? To my mind this even applies to exhibition layouts - your layout, your "rules"
WELL SAID THAT MAN :thumbsup:
:beers: stay safe regards Derek
Quote from: Trainfish on May 18, 2025, 10:26:35 PMA tractor is only "just a tractor" if it's green, Fendt, John Deere. Maybe a blue Ford sometimes or even a red Massey Ferguson occasionally but in general green tractors rule:
Only if it's a Field Marshall.....much better to go with a decent grey Ferguson or a dark blue Fordson Major!
Personal choice does play apart as well as the available space for the layout.
@Trainfish Funny you mentioned a John Deere 6820 (early to mid 2000) and a Ford 7610 (mid to late 1980s), I have farming connections and have spent numerous hours sitting quite both (numerous ones of each). The Ford 7610 is one of my favourites, very much underrated.
Not a John Deere fan, spent too much limping home, waiting for them to be fixed and I have a dislike to the powershift gearboxes. Most were fresh out of the dealerships a couple of days before. My experience with most German made /design mechanical items , are that there very much overrated!
I don't think a MK1 Capri and a MK3 Cortina would look out of place together.
I'm looking for a bus for a Welsh 1930's layout, any ideas?
Quote from: harper on May 19, 2025, 09:00:37 PMFunny you mentioned a John Deere 6820 (early to mid 2000) and a Ford 7610 (mid to late 1980s).
I don't think a MK1 Capri and a MK3 Cortina would look out of place together.
I used to see all of these together which is why I have the JDs, Capris and Cortinas on my layout. Just a shame I can't find any 7610, 6610s etc etc. Have you tried buying a 7610 in N scale? Green generally rules in this scale which is why I made the comment. Living in rural Wiltshire and having served my apprenticeship for an agricultural company/dealership for Ford I would actually rather have blue tractors than green as I would also like to have New Holland combines rather than the Claas combine (built from a kit) and Claas balers which I have. Massey Ferguson were second most popular around here but again, you don't see too many in N scale although I do have a couple on their way to me right now.
Quote from: steve-ng on May 19, 2025, 08:30:24 PMOnly if it's a Field Marshall.....much better to go with a decent grey Ferguson or a dark blue Fordson Major!
Just a bit too early for my layout though especially when I have a rake of 33 tractors on their way to the dealerships.
Quote from: harper on May 19, 2025, 09:00:37 PMI'm looking for a bus for a Welsh 1930's layout, any ideas?
That very much depends on what part of Wales... in the north, Crosville (then 50% owned by the LMS) was dominant, with a fleet of mainly Leyland vehicles in Maroon with gold lining. In mid and Western areas, Western Welsh were the largest operator, with a mixed fleet including Leylands, Daimlers and Bristols in a bright red and cream livery. The South Wales valleys were mainly served by Municipals and Independents in a rainbow of different colours...
@PLD Thanks for that, I keep looking at Oxford diecast offerings but nothing really suitable.
Quote from: harper on May 19, 2025, 10:45:30 PM@PLD
Thanks for that, I keep looking at Oxford diecast offerings but nothing really suitable.
Yes- the earliest bus in the Oxford range is the Wartime Utility Guy Arab.
You'll need to look to kits for earlier eras. Langley do a late 30s Leyland Tiger, PD Marsh do a early Bedford WLB, a 1930 Bristol K Double Deck or a 1950 Bristol LWL single deck which differs from the pre-war version only in being 3ft longer
Quote from: Trainfish on May 18, 2025, 10:26:35 PMA tractor is only "just a tractor" if it's green, Fendt, John Deere. Maybe a blue Ford sometimes or even a red Massey Ferguson occasionally but in general green tractors rule
Quote from: Bealman on May 18, 2025, 09:39:25 PM"A tractor is just a tractor, isn't it?"
Ooh, fighting words, @Trainfish ;D ;)
I am of course in the green corner these days although in the 1980s I was definitely in the blue corner for this fight.
I have driven both a blue and a green one. Have to say the ride quality of the green one was better than the blue, but I found the blue easier to handle.
Back to the OP, I also have to agree that the railway has to look like the scenery got there first, and yes, a Mk1 Capri and Mk3 Cortina isn't beyond the realms. There are some cracking 1970s/early 80s photos out there that show all sorts of random road vehicles cheek by jowl, so you do have a good degree of artistic licence.
@Foxhound "I have driven both a blue and a green one. Have to say the ride quality of the green one was better than the blue, but I found the blue easier to handle."Depends on the model and spec, the 7610 only had a 20mph gearbox, sprung suspension seat, as far as I'm aware, air con was an option. Also, I could be wrong but front axle suspension on New Holland's is an optional extra unless you have the blue power model, Deere's front axle suspension is standard. Deere use a solid beam axle which doesn't give you the best ride. Quad link types are far more comfortable but aren't the best for field work according to Deere.Not sure if that last statement has been proven?
Today most tractors come with air conditioning and air suspension seats. Rear suspension is available on some models but at a cost and British farmers like British people in general go for the cheap option.