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Posting in Layout Topics - a waste of time?


retroman

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Dave,

 

.....at no point have I suggested which level anyone should operate at...that is a matter for the individual, his diary and his pocket. I used the scratchbuilt loco example (poor and extreme as it may be) because loco's were being discussed at that point.

 

To me, it is fairly obvious that constructive advice from someone who has actually achieved whatever stage I am aiming at, outweighs an opinion from someone who hasn't.

 

Regards

 

Dave

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To me, it is fairly obvious that constructive advice from someone who has actually achieved whatever stage I am aiming at, outweighs an opinion from someone who hasn't.

 

 

It isn't as obvious to me. When I built a Gresley full brake coach it was critisised by folk who did not build coaches but who had the sense to see that this numpty had glued it on the chassis the wrong way round... :blush:
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.....it may be to do with the depth/breadth of experience/ability and consequent value of your constructive opinion, to which you aspire. Anyone with enough schekels can buy a shedload of RTR models and put them on display....but does that indicate any level of ability modelling wise?

 

In your view, and quite possibly in the view of many experienced and old-time (or should that be time-served) modellers.

 

However, to someone starting out in the hobby buying a RTR loco and a few coaches, a few ready to plonk buildings of an appropriate theme/location or period, and laying an oval of track on a 4x6 board/mat and getting it all to operate and "look the part" is where it all started for most of us.

 

To someone new to the hobby it might be a good start and a simple plea to "where next?", "what guidance can be offered?", "how can I take the next step?". This hobby is all about making small steps and improving things. That might be with renumbering or weathering a RTR, building a Airfix/Wills/Metcalf/Ratio kit, or scratch building everything from coke cans.

 

Sure, something that is different, "modelled" and constructed is going to attract more attention than a simple open the box. But perhaps that is no surprise as most of us are past that stage. But let's not forget we didn't suddenly get where we are overnight. Let some of the others breathe the air.

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....bang on! Try re-reading my post about 'if you're happy with where you're at, then there is no problem'. I am an ardent supporter of keeping all levels of ability under one roof but in order to encourage progress one has to recognise that there is a journey to make, a ladder to climb and willing individuals to light the way.

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We are moving into that most subjective of area - who likes what ! One mans treasure is another mans.....

I did put a layout topic on years back, but progress was slow and I didn't update often.

 

If I want advice I'll go to one if the specialised areas, not expect comments on the layout per se, as if someone is to guess what I need help with.

 

Depends , what you are fishing for ? Compliments ? I was just happy when a few commented and one chap said of my low relief loading area "great, I've got an idea what to do with my VGA vans now ". My stuff is not good enough to hold up with the best in here, but that's fine - I dont feel it's a competition.

 

The best stuff, the unusual stuff, and the frequently updated seem to linger on page one longest .

 

At the end of the day, isn't great to see how many fellow souls are beavering away on layouts up and down the uk, and abroad !

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I very rarely post to my own layout thread but I love reading other people's layout threads (especially if they are modern image). Not only does it help me to pick up helpful hints and tips but shows me I have a lot still to learn. No, hang on, thats not a good thing...is it?

 

Anyway, my point is. I love the layout threads lol.

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And what did we all do before the internet came along?

 

If you weren't a member of a club, you were very much on your own.

 

RM Web is probably the biggest model railway club in the world, and it's free.

 

It's not perfect, but in reality neither is life in general.

 

I have made more virtual friends, and recieved more help and encouragement with my railway modelling since I joined, than in the 10 years before that.

 

(Just to put things into perspective)

 

Regards

 

Richard

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If you weren't a member of a club, you were very much on your own.

 

I wouldn't put it quite as bad as that. There were always Railway Modeller and MRJ and a few other old media examples lighting the way. Then books about the prototype. But the internet has made socialising with like-minded and a broader base of skills much easier. The great think is you do not have to listen to tales of the kids school days, what the other half has been up to or how some bunch of people in some unheard of place have been tormenting a bag of wind with their feet. (unless you want to read all about that topic in Wheeltappers)

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And what did we all do before the internet came along?

 

If you weren't a member of a club, you were very much on your own.

 

RM Web is probably the biggest model railway club in the world, and it's free.

 

It's not perfect, but in reality neither is life in general.

 

I have made more virtual friends, and recieved more help and encouragement with my railway modelling since I joined, than in the 10 years before that.

 

(Just to put things into perspective)

 

Regards

 

Richard

 

How true, in all honesty I can't state how much info and help I've had from this forum over the years, by using both the layout threads and the specialist areas. If you're expecting every person who views your layout to leave some incredible pearl of wisdom, you're in the wrong place, likewise if you're the kind of person who demands others drop to the knees in adoration. Instead it's about sharing what you've done with others for their enjoyment and if occasionally, their appraisal. I think, for what its worth that this is a place to learn to learn from others who have greater knowledge, skills and experience and to inspire and help those who can learn from you. Without this place I'd have to get up off my arse and find a model club and just hope that they'd be the broad spectrum of knowledge you can find on here.

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I wouldn't put it quite as bad as that. There were always Railway Modeller and MRJ and a few other old media examples lighting the way. Then books about the prototype. But the internet has made socialising with like-minded and a broader base of skills much easier.

But if you had a question about a magazine it was not so easy to get an answer

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What the heck is going on with this thread? Back in May someone asked a sensible question about how to encourage more feedback in his layout thread and over 3 days he got 74 replies offering sensible advice and encouragement.

 

Suddenly 3 months later it has been resurected and through another 70 odd posts over 2 days has turned into the usual arguments by the usual suspects of R-T-R vs Scratch building, posting etiquete and forum structure. Come on folks this is nothing to do with the original subject, and offers no encouragement to the O/P or other potential posters.

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From my point of view this forum has helped me improve my modelling skills and its great to see other layouts and their builders develop over time.

 

If my modelling mojo has gone, a few comments in responce of my postings, both in this and the old forums, have helped me get back on track.

 

Steve

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However, to someone starting out in the hobby buying a RTR loco and a few coaches, a few ready to plonk buildings of an appropriate theme/location or period, and laying an oval of track on a 4x6 board/mat and getting it all to operate and "look the part" is where it all started for most of us.

 

To someone new to the hobby it might be a good start and a simple plea to "where next?", "what guidance can be offered?", "how can I take the next step?". This hobby is all about making small steps and improving things. That might be with renumbering or weathering a RTR, building a Airfix/Wills/Metcalf/Ratio kit, or scratch building everything from coke cans.

 

Sure, something that is different, "modelled" and constructed is going to attract more attention than a simple open the box. But perhaps that is no surprise as most of us are past that stage. But let's not forget we didn't suddenly get where we are overnight. Let some of the others breathe the air.

 

Agreed - but the recent comments which included RTR and "ready to plonk" centre around the dislike of "look how good I am at buying things" dioramas and not anti RTR at all.

It is easy to see the less experienced layouts of the "beginner" and it's great to see more experienced members offering the right level of critique in a positive way. I have yet to see someone being negative to someone who is obviously a novice of whatever age. That is what a good forum is about.

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  • 2 months later...

From my point of view this forum has helped me improve my modelling skills and its great to see other layouts and their builders develop over time.

 

If my modelling mojo has gone, a few comments in responce of my postings, both in this and the old forums, have helped me get back on track.

 

Steve

i'm with you there Steve

had some help with ideas but still after more response (good and bad)

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Posting in "Layout Topics" is indeed a waste of time if:

 

It's all RTR and nothing has been altered anywhere.

It's a TMD/Service Point/diorama to show off how many RTR diesels you've bought , re-chipped and re-numbered.

You are not accurate with your titling. "My New Layout" isn't going to impress me enough, but "Bogstone Parva - a 1950s mould factory with sidings in P4" is going to make me want to look (perhaps!)

 

As for comments - you should be prepared for constructive criticism as well as praise if you stick your head above the parapet.

 

Hi MIB

 

I wasn't a forum member when you posted this, so sorry for the delay in replying. In many ways I feel partly responsible for the little loco depot type layout. I did build Pig Lane back in the late 80s when there were not many RTR locos of the classes I wanted and the only chips are on the hot plate in the canteen. Yes scratch built 4 mm chips to go with the sausages.

 

My present layout Hanging Hill can be found here, http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/61979-hanging-hill/ again it is a diesel depot but at 16 feet long it is not your normal model depot. In the photos there are 11 scratchbuilt locos, and all buildings are scratchbuilt except the canteen which is partly a Hornby building. All figures on the layout and in the canteen are scratchbuilt, as is the furniture. A few tank wagons are scracthbuilt and many are also converted. There are 6 locos which have been converted and 11 RTR locos on display. I think that when I recently posted Hanging Hill in the layout section it did not too many comments or views due to it being another TMD. As you can see it is not but I think you would may well been one of those who would have not looked at it owing to it being a MPD. It is your choice what you look at on the forum, we all cannot read everything so if you are like me you read what you are interested in.

 

As for getting replies I am not over bothered that it has only had a few replies (and two of them were form operators of the layout) and I am not bothered that it has only had a few views. I posted it to show those who may be interested in my train set what it was like. If I do receive any comments that are more than "Looking good, mate" especially if they are "Not looking good, mate" I will take on board what they have said. I may respond from "Go away" to "Thank you very much" depending on what the poster said.

 

My old layout Pig Lane

post-16423-0-95846700-1349303785_thumb.png

 

All this on a 6 ft 6 ins by 1 ft 6ins baseboard. Could other depot modellers please note the fuel points, just like at the Sainsbury or Tesco petrol station you use. You go in forwards and come out forwards. You don't get stuck at the far end waiting for the person behind to fill up so you can reverse out.

 

Yours

 

Clive

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Hi

last I week posted about my next new layout only to find it was on the second page within several hours and the next day page 3 with only just over 100 views.

Why cant any new layouts started on layout section be marked new layout and stay at top of page for 7 days (semi pinned allowing comments) then after 7 days released ?and can then drop dowm the list. At least it might be seen by some of the thousands of members on the site?

Hugh

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I have started topics on a number of my layouts on the forum. I some have had a huge following whilst others have had very little in comparison. I have I think that my modelling standards is similar on all of the layouts.

So I put this down to what people on the whole wish to view yet I don't take it that the layouts that have had fewer views or responses to be any less liked as one of these has had a huge interest at shows and despite being six years old is still getting a lot of interest from exhibition managers and visitors.

 

There is also only so much people can say about a layout as well and if others have said 'Very nice layout', then you could end up with all the other viewers just saying the same comments.

 

Ian

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Hi

last I week posted about my next new layout only to find it was on the second page within several hours and the next day page 3 with only just over 100 views.

Why cant any new layouts started on layout section be marked new layout and stay at top of page for 7 days (semi pinned allowing comments) then after 7 days released ?and can then drop dowm the list. At least it might be seen by some of the thousands of members on the site?

Hugh

 

I spend hours uploading photos and rarely get comments or likes from anyone other than the expected few - I often wonder whether that's because clicking "like this" is a technically challenging option or it's because people aren't actually interested in the stuff. However, for now at least, I plod along as I think it's the nature of things (and people) on here, if we could predict their whims, we could make a fortune.

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(still amuses me how these dormant threads suddenly come back to life for no apparent reason :) )

 

 

Hi

last I week posted about my next new layout only to find it was on the second page within several hours and the next day page 3 with only just over 100 views.

Why cant any new layouts started on layout section be marked new layout and stay at top of page for 7 days (semi pinned allowing comments) then after 7 days released ?and can then drop dowm the list. At least it might be seen by some of the thousands of members on the site?

Hugh

 

Why give the mods yet another job to do though Hugh when people could achieve 90% of the same effect by themselves - simply use the subheading on the thread title to give the current status of the layout, including 'New Layout' when it's new. I nicked the idea from Gordon S, and when I've completed the next stage of my layout I edit the first post in the thread and update the subheading with 'Scenery complete', 'Detailing', or whatever the current phase is (or, to be more specific, what the latest posted update has been about).

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Hi

last I week posted about my next new layout only to find it was on the second page within several hours and the next day page 3 with only just over 100 views.

Why cant any new layouts started on layout section be marked new layout and stay at top of page for 7 days (semi pinned allowing comments) then after 7 days released ?and can then drop dowm the list. At least it might be seen by some of the thousands of members on the site?

Hugh

Hugh, a layout is a 'working document' that usually takes a considerable amount of time to attract its audience. Posting regular updates about work done, new stock, meetings with other modellers etc will ensure that any developing layout gets its turn on page 1 and that should be enough incentive for any modeller who cares about such things to 'get cracking'.

 

Dave

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