Following a post by H (see reply 48 http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=3238.45;topicseen)
I thought I would start this in General Discussion as it is not limited by gauge.
What prompts you to utter those words "great atmosphere"

Tough one to put into words because first of all "atmosphere" is so subjective and will vary from one individual to another.

General I would say, when viewing other layouts, it is a combination of elements within the image.  Lighting, scenery, rolling stock, image title perhaps as well.  For me I think an image where not one single feature stands out but they blend nicely so that you see the overall image before the fine details.  That goes a long way to creating atmosphere!

it's  that   blend  of   scenery and    buildings   and   cameos that takes   you  easily   to  the   author's  dream !!!

Thanks for starting this thread, NPN! I have a lot of thoughts on this subject. Unfortunately (or perhaps, fortunately, some might think), they will have to wait as I am just heading to Sydney to see an old college mate who is out from England. Haven't seen him since 1973 so a few jars will be the order of the day!

However I will briefly say that 'atmosphere' is indeed difficult to define. I think the term goes hand in hand with 'character'. Just to start the ball rolling, I really think that fictional or 'might have been' layouts seem to have more atmosphere than accurate models of real prototypes. Perhaps they reflect the personality of the builder. If I was to think of layouts that have influenced me over the years because they oozed atmosphere, Denny's Buckingham Branch, P.D. Hancock's Craig & Mertonford, Mac Pryke's Berrow Branch, Derek Naylor's Aire Valley and Bruce Chubb's Sunset Valley Railroad all spring to mind - fictional layouts, the lot of them.

Just a thought. I have lots more, but right now I'm off to Sydney, dumping the car at the hotel, then taking me old mate on a guided tour of historical pubs in the Rocks (the original settlement)!

Cheers! 

I may be wrong but I think a visit to the area that a modeller wishes to build helps more than anything else to create atmosphere.

I know I struggle with atmosphere on my layouts because I live 13,000 miles from where I want to model, I don't think photos do the same job as being there.

Good point, there, Dave. Being in the same boat, so to speak, I can identify with that. 

Quote from: fisherman on March 11, 2013, 04:09:00 PM
it's  that   blend  of   scenery and    buildings   and   cameos that takes   you  easily   to  the   author's  dream !!!

Well said fisherman!  Got it in one.  Rodders

Have a look at any of Elvinleys' layouts and you will see atmosphere 

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=1237.msg61473#msg61473

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=1237.msg58226#msg58226

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=4291.msg48849#msg48849

The man is a genius 

cheers John.

Too right! He certainly does great work.

Ian (Elvinley) is one of the best exponents of atmosphere on this forum, but I have seen other small layouts in posts by Dock Shunter and Mainline that have also given me that sense of "everything looks right and in its place to provide an overall great atmosphere".
I'm not sure I'll be able to create that overall look but I sure am going to give it my best shot.
Batty Moor (S & C - see YouTube) also creates a superb atmosphere of bleak moorland

Yes, I have seen Batty Moor in RM and it looks great. Certainly captures the S & C atmosphere.

Twickenham & District Model Railway Club. Batty Moor.

A very enjoyable 9 Minutes 58 seconds.