Calshot 4mm - SRS's Blog

I have had many experiances of viewing large and small layouts, and particularly with the small one i can watch it for ages, such as one of Brant Hickman's layouts (friend of mine), as it has so much detail in it, though fictitous it is also based heavily on a typical Great western practice, though not a 'tail chaser' it has plenty of movement.

 

I think you just need a balance of all four things to make it a sucsess IMHO. Tail Chaser or not, if you have something that captures the mind and imagination of the viewer, you are on to a winner.

 

Also remember it is about what YOU want and not always what the exhibiter wants, but keep it in mind

 

LT

Interesting, many thanks.

You've brought up another important point - Detail.

Detail on small layouts has simply got to be there as a way of keeping interest when there's not much happening. I have always wanted a tail chaser/roundy-roundy layout but not had the room. An interesting point you also make is striking the balance. One point I can think of its not making it overcrowded - I'd like standard gauge and narrow gauge on my layout and can't help but feel things may get too crampt.

 

Thanks, and please keep your suggestions coming.

Jam

Hey Jam,

 

yes you do not want overcrowding as it will spoil the look of the layout, by all means do it if you have the room on a larger board but if not i wouldn't advise it, when you overcrowd things it starts to look messy rather than neat, and instead of tasting the bananas and apples as well as the oranges in that smoothie, it starts to become very bland as you added too much into it (sorry for that acronym as such, lol)

 

anyway, Best Regards,

Bruce.

Hello Bruce,

Indeed, tis a fair point. I'm hoping perhaps a wider baseboard may help, but again you've still got to be careful not to unbalance the scene, or using your acronym, spoil the broth!

 

Jam

Hi Jam,

 

A few thoughts...

 

Apart from those things already mentioned, I think that there are two reasons why larger layouts of the roundy-roundy variety tend to attract more time and attention from viewers. Firstly, with the larger size tends to come the feeling of space and the railway being set into the environment whether urban or rural . Secondly comes full-size and regular train movements.

 

I think you and others have shown that it is possible to achieve the feeling of space equally well in a small layout. With your effective use of a photographic background and the slightly unusual shape making use of the features of the prototype, particularly at the beach, I think you can make your layout seem much larger and thereby potentially more interesting to viewers.

 

The second, I suppose, is slightly harder. Although trains on a prototype like Calshot would be smaller than say a mainline station, you don't have the space for very long trains nor would a very frequent service be likely. I think if you can find an interesting balance between standard gauge and narrow gauge, passenger and goods and give viewers enough to watch whilst maintaining realism and not overdoing it (which, as with detail, many layouts fail to limit themselves in effectively) you will have a successful small exhibition layout.

 

I have also always found it easier to chat to an operator about his/her layout if it is fairly small and there is only one operator. Of course this is not always so and depends on how proactive and responsive the operator is. I think that, regardless of your age, if a viewer can see you have some skill from looking at your layout and then gets a sense of your interest and enthusiasm on speaking to you then you will be a success.

 

Finally, I don't think you need to be so modest when it comes to point 4) on your list. Your modelling is already quite impressive and constantly improving (as hopefully is everyone's!). I can't wait to see how this is going to progress.

 

Sorry for rambling. Hope some of my thoughts are helpful - I'm still racking my brains for some more practical ideas I can suggest for the layout and how you can fit in all the features you want but I doubt I'll come up with anything better than you will anyway!

 

Peter

Hi Jam,

 

A few thoughts...

 

Apart from those things already mentioned, I think that there are two reasons why larger layouts of the roundy-roundy variety tend to attract more time and attention from viewers. Firstly, with the larger size tends to come the feeling of space and the railway being set into the environment whether urban or rural . Secondly comes full-size and regular train movements.

 

I think you and others have shown that it is possible to achieve the feeling of space equally well in a small layout. With your effective use of a photographic background and the slightly unusual shape making use of the features of the prototype, particularly at the beach, I think you can make your layout seem much larger and thereby potentially more interesting to viewers.

 

The second, I suppose, is slightly harder. Although trains on a prototype like Calshot would be smaller than say a mainline station, you don't have the space for very long trains nor would a very frequent service be likely. I think if you can find an interesting balance between standard gauge and narrow gauge, passenger and goods and give viewers enough to watch whilst maintaining realism and not overdoing it (which, as with detail, many layouts fail to limit themselves in effectively) you will have a successful small exhibition layout.

 

I have also always found it easier to chat to an operator about his/her layout if it is fairly small and there is only one operator. Of course this is not always so and depends on how proactive and responsive the operator is. I think that, regardless of your age, if a viewer can see you have some skill from looking at your layout and then gets a sense of your interest and enthusiasm on speaking to you then you will be a success.

 

Finally, I don't think you need to be so modest when it comes to point 4) on your list. Your modelling is already quite impressive and constantly improving (as hopefully is everyone's!). I can't wait to see how this is going to progress.

 

Sorry for rambling. Hope some of my thoughts are helpful - I'm still racking my brains for some more practical ideas I can suggest for the layout and how you can fit in all the features you want but I doubt I'll come up with anything better than you will anyway!

 

Peter

Sorry for posting twice!

Not every exhibition visitor is from the same drawer. A percentage are dads and lads, for whom the big roundy will always be attractive, since it is the ultimate expression of the "trainset" dad had and lad would like. "Something different" is always a winner with those whose palate has become a bit jaded - in my era it was GWR BLTs which packed the exhibition programme, so an LMS BLT seemed novel! For me, at exhibitions, in magazines or on RMWeb, the atmosphere & detail are the clinchers. As three RMWeb examples off the top of my head, Torrington, Kylescu & The Mound, and Newhaven Harbour all have that certain something that grabs my attention when I see them listed in Active Content. If there are new pics in the fresh contribution, I am always impressed. Size does matter to some extent, because micro-layouts often lack operating variety, even if they hit the spot with the atmosphere and exquisite detail.

Hi Peter,

Thank you for taking your time to comment, an no worries about the double posting!

 

You have made some very valid points. I agree that the railway in a landscape is vital, and more easily achievable on larger layouts due to the amount of space. However, you also point out that small layouts also have their merits. Creating that feeling of space as you mention is quite an important aim of mine. I have tried to make it as interesting as possible by using the unusually shaped baseboard and a suitable background. The expanse of beach will help to open the layout a bit and make it appear larger.

 

I reckon that the narrow gauge would probably have to be at the front of the layout due to it's small size in comparison to the 00 gauge stock. If the standard gauge line isn't running, then I'm sure I could get the narrow gauge to run inbetween trains and thus sustain interest. There should be a minimum amount of standard gauge but with good operating potential. The standard gauge line and narrow gauge line would see little traffic, standard gauge less than narrow gauge.

 

I love talking to punters when exhibiting my layout. If they look like they want to chat, I will invite them into conversation. And it is very welcoming when they are suprised that I have built it single handedly. What is even greater is when they recognise the location modelled!

 

You are very kind as regards to point 4)! I think i've got a case of 'selective photography' but I do feel I have improved so much it is unbelieable when I compare it to my not-so-long-ago efforts!

 

Your thoughts are indeed most helpful, thank you! Please feel free to make suggestions on layout plans and other practical ideas, but don't forget to work on Marchwood too!

 

Cheers,

Jam

Interesting ideas Oldddudders, thank you.

There do seem to be certain groups of people at exhibitions. Another thing to add to my list of aims that you have brought to my attention is atmosphere. The examples you suggest are among my secret selection of top layouts on RMweb. My overall aim of achievement (or brief if you will) from this project is to design and build a layout with detail, atmosphere, a feel of spaciousness and the ability to turn heads and perhaps if I may be so bold as to suggest that I'd like people to be excited when they see Calshot in Active Content!

 

Now i've put the bar high, I have a lot to live up to!

 

Thank you,

Jam

Having returned to the hobby recently I have started to visit various exibitions, mainly for ideas and inspiration. The layouts that have attracted my attention the most have tended to be the smaller type. This is usually because they have great detail and realism with a feeling that you could almost be at the lineside. Having said that a degree of operational interest is vital if it is to retain my interest beyond the initial "wow" factor. The ongoing saga of layouts with absolutely nothing happening on them for minutes at a time is a common complaint from visiters to exibitions. Operational realism at home, the club and with like minded friends is fine but is not really a crowd puller at exibitions. Most people do like to see something happening, so your idea of standard gauge and narrow gauge should allow that. Good luck!

Many thanks GWRfan.

I think exhibitions are a great way to get inspiration and really help give a boost to your self esteem. I'm attending Narrow Gauge South on my birthday on Saturday which should really help to finalise any plans I have for the layout and bring in new inspiration and ideas. It's also worth taking a camera and a notepad and pen to write down and take photos of features you like. I think you've hit the nail on the head when you say visitors like an extensive timetable, no matter how unprototypical - in fact, they are likely to only be there at most half an hour and so in that time they would probably get the whole number trains per day on the prototype!

 

I've dusted off an old layout given to me and have found some interesting features that will aid me with the layout construction.

 

Many thanks,

Jam