Hello Jeff --
I guess I was a little unclear about the society layout thing and
asking people about double-sided layout designs.
What I meant to say was that if anyone had ANY 2-sided layout designs
that where interesting, they should let us know -- I was not asking
for TH&B-inspired designs in particular. Also, there's just not
enough information on the site yet to design a plan based on
prototype track arrangements.
So, the request is this: if anyone has any interesting two-sided
layout designs, based on any prototype or freelanced, let the list
know and we'll share them.
I'd be particularly interested if anyone can design such a layout
that would offer a lot of opertations in such a small space. Perhaps
someone knows of an operations-intensive prototype that would work
well on a very small layout.
If you're interested, here's some comments on the "specs" you asked
about -- I think these would apply to any two-sided layout that I
would want to be portable enough to be able to take to shows and
displays:
1) Are you talking HO or N scale for your society layout?
I was thinking of N scale as it would allow for a better proportioned
scene in the small space I figure the layout will occupy.
2) Are there specific scenes that the Society would want
modelled, or do we pick anything from the TH&B website?
Well, as I wrote above, there's not enough info on the site yet to
provide people with design information, so I can't ask anyone to come
up with something. If I were to build a layout for the society
myself, I know that there are two scenes in particular that I would
want to model -- Brantford Station and the pre-Art Deco Hamilton
Station, and those primarily for the architecture involved.
If the society were to decide by committee which scenes to model, I
think they would want (demand!) the Art Deco Hunter Street Station
(modern Hamilton Station) and the Chatham Street roundhouse and
service facilities. You can see the modern station and the
roundhouse on the TH&B In Photographs section of the site.
3) How accurate does the tack arrangement have to be ... ?
I think it should be fairly accurate. Track lengths will of course
be compressed, but the general arrangement should be pretty
accurate. I would take that approach with any layout, no matter what
it was based on. The scene-to-scene arrangement does not need to
be "sincere", as these are really two dioramas sitting back-to-back --
so I would not worry if, say, I got east and west mixed up between
the scenes.
Having tried to design layouts for different spaces and at different
times, I have found that it is much more rewarding to try to
duplicate a prototype arrangement -- freelanced yards and switching
puzzles just don't look right to me! So, I think I would try to
follow the prototype's actual alignment as much as possible, even if
I changed other elements in the scene, such as structures and scenery.
Also -- in looking at scenes on the TH&B, I have found several that I
just can't believe. They look so implausible that I would not try to
model them, as no-one would believe the arrangement really existed!
For an example of this, go to the TH&B site and click on Modelling
the TH&B. Check out Figure 1 in the Modelling Brantford article and
look at the mess of track around and leading to Waterous Ltd. No-one
would believe that on a model -- especially that passing siding
with "tail" just to the right of Waterous.
4) What are your rough dimensions for size and weight
(specifically what are > you going to move it in?)
I'd be moving my layout in a 2-door Dodge Shadow or a 4-door Chevy
Cavalier (with the back seat folded down in both). I think two 2-by-
4 foot "modules" would fit, as long as the height of the modules was
kept to a minimum. Structures and other details would be removed
from the layouts for transportation and carried in a separate box.
As for weight -- an average person should be able to remove the
layout from the vehicle. Wheels on the layout or a separate dolly
would save you from having to carry the layout. My guess is
that "domino" construction would be used.
5) What would be an acceptable train length for the
display/layout?
I think that depends -- for show use, these will be detailed display
modules rather than an operating layout. For personal operating
sessions, design for whatever you feel would be reasonable
considering the scene you're modelling. Keep in mind that these two-
sided layouts will mostly be switching layouts, and not
representations of main line runs -- although, if someone has a
design that could pull that off, let us know!
Thanks -- Jon
jonp@...
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