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Thanks Jon,
I took a look at your TH&B site. Very nice!
I think that your 10'x12'room should give you ample space
for the compact switching arrangements of the prototype.
What do you envision as a typical "day" on the layout?
Having worked in such a restricted space for so long, I can't
imagine what I would do if I had more space than that. Panic, I
suppose, or build a series of small layouts at the same time to
satisfy my various international interests.
In my past experience, large spaces lead to grandiose plans that end
up as plywood pacifics just before being scrapped.
BTW, I found that article in the Sept/Oct'99 Gazette on micro layouts.
Although my space wouldn't qualify as a micro, it is still very
restricting and requires special attention to maximize enjoyment.
You mentioned you would like to see some small layout ideas in a mini
article format. Well, here goes:
One of the ideas I've been toying with involves a two-in-one style
of shelf layout first introduced by Dave Carson in the 1987 Scale
Model Trains. Most recently, it has re-appeared in a Model Railways
article by Julian Andrews, who has recently made his mark in MR.
It's not for everybody, but if you can't decide on any one prototype,
and would like an interesting exhibition layout, it might be fun.
Here's the concept:
You take the shelf and divide it in half. On one half you place the
backdrop at the back. On the other half, you place it at the front.
You design a simple connecting track plan for the shelf but the 2
halves/sides are isolated. Detail to suit. It could look like this:



.....................................
*
############### * #########################
# #
##############################################################
#
########### *
*
.............................***

"" is the backdrop
"#####" is the track
"....." is the shelf

When you're operating on one side, the other is shielded and can be
used as a fiddle yard for staging trains. Plus, as the two scenes
are completely separate, so too may be the locales.
For instance, I could be modeling part of an urban yard in Hamilton
on one side, and a branch line or MPD in Mexico on the other side.
Or, to kick it up a notch, I could model one side in HO and another
in
On30" just to try my hand at the scale. If that's too much of a
stretch, model 2 distinct locations on your favourite road. Ian Rice
discussed the use of connected "separate" scenes. Consider this the
condensed version!
The benefits:
1) Pretty quick and easy to construct. Small enough to try handlaying
track if you've thought you'd like to take a crack.
2) Chance to try new and interesting scenic techiques without straying
from your "main" layout.
3) Chance to research and model a different road/scale/location
without significant time/cost outlay.
4) Some operational ability. Well, enough to elevate it from diorama
status at least!
5) It's a real eyecatcher! Especially if handlaying, structures or
superdetailing is your forte.
The detriments:
1) It could look pretty cheesy.
2) Limited operations, but hey, how much more could you do in that
amount of space anyway?
3) See #1 :^)

In the articles, the shelf is only 3-4' long and it swivels on a
"lazy
susan" type item. If I was going to do it, I think I would construct
two 4' modules and connect them with one flowing backdrop and the 2
separate scenes facing in the same direction. To hide the "fiddle
yard" I would construct some type of black sliding door at the front
to move back and forth. I don't think I'd want to swivel 8' of layout
at a show! Plus I could still operate it from a shelf against the
wall
at home.
There you have it, maximum diversity and challenge in minimal space!
Now, where did I put those Mexican Pentrex videos????

Jeff Hatcher
Richmond, BC

Hello --

Thanks to Jeff for posting the idea on two-sided layouts.

Jeff included some ASCII art in his e-mail that gave me some ideas. I've
sketched a design for a 2-by-8-foot layout based on Jeff's ideas and have
posted it at --



I could see these layouts being fantastic exercises in building very
detailed structures and equipment. This apporach seems to me to have a lot
of potential!

Thanks --

Jon Piasecki
jonp@...