What makes a good model railway?

[Baldwin30762]

Hi Guys, I am sure we have discussed something like this before, but if we haven't lets open this up a bit.

 

I don't want anyone saying he said she said and disagreeing over a point, This is after all a discussing into finding out what works for you on a model railway either some one else's or your own layout.

 

I am sure there are layouts we all would like to see at an exhibition or have seen and though wow that's a great idea I will nick that for my own layout one day.

 

I suppose this is a variation on the old question why do we model railways and what is it that we like about them, there is for sure a much bigger selection that there was say 50 years ago such O OO or N gauge, plus of course the non commercial scales such as S and TT as examples.

 

This does not have to be limited to a standard gauge layout either, if you model in Broad gauge, narrow gauge or underground lines please let us all know why this is the case with you.

 

Happy New year to you all and let play nicely

 

Regards

 

Colin    

[The Stationmaster]

The only problem is that one person's 'good model railway' might well not be somebody (anybody?) else's 'good model railway.  High on my list is prototypical reality of appearance - might not necessarily mean the best technical standard of modelling but teh result must make sense to me as a believable and operable railway, irrespective of scale, or company, or even country, modelled.

[HillsideDepot]

 

I am sure there are layouts we all would like to see at an exhibition or have seen and though wow that's a great idea I will nick that for my own layout one day.

 

 

Yes, sometimes, but I'm much more likely to see something on the real thing (usually now in a photo as I model the 1970s) and add that to the "one-day" list. Occasionally a single photo can lead to me building a whole layout (OK, it's only a very small layout)!

[MarkSG]

I think you can probably break that down into three questions: what makes a good model railway to...

 

1) construct

2) operate

3) view

 

...and I don't think the answers will necessarily be the same.

 

I think the third is the probably easiest to answer. When I'm looking at a layout at an exhibition, what grips my attention (or not, as the case may be) is a combination of plausibility, activity and craftsmanship. I say "plausibility" rather than "accuracy", because I'm not a rivet-counter and I'm well aware that the majority of models involve compromises, but I do expect that both the railway-focussed models themselves and the setting effectively evoke the intended atmosphere. And, at an exhibition, I like to see things moving - long through trains on the roundy-roundies, lots of shunting on the planks. A lack of motion tends to put me off. But it also needs to be meaningful movement (which goes back to the plausibility aspect) - I'm happy with a very compressed timescale in between trains (think of it as the old computer game thing of "time passes" to indicate an indeterminate length of in-game time even though it's only seconds in real life), but a visible train needs to be doing what I would expect a train there to be doing. And, finally, I like to be able to admire the skill of the layout's builder(s). That doesn't just mean technical skill (and I don't mentally downrank a layout for using RTR or RTP), although if that's apparent then that's a good thing. Rather, it's more the general sense of the modeller as artist, creating a three-dimensional picture of a railway and making us believe that this could be real, somewhere.

 

As far as the second question is concerned, I have to admit that I enjoy just making trains go. But, again, I like, to be able to engage in meaningful movements, not just aimlessly going round and round or backwards and forwards in a goods yard. I enjoy a shunting puzzle, and I also enjoy being in control of a long through train snaking round a lengthy circuit. Not that I get to do the latter very often these days, unless I'm lucky enough to be given the chance as a guest operator at a show!

 

The question of what makes a good layout to construct is probably the hardest to answer. I think it's a combination of having fun, and also my opportunity to be the artist - to create something that I enjoy operating, and, if I was a visitor to a show, enjoy looking at. There's a real sense of satisfaction in building something over time. Being able to take pride in your work is a hard thing to describe, but I think we all know it when we experience it. 

Edited January 2, 2018 by MarkSG

[PaulRhB]

This does not have to be limited to a standard gauge layout either, if you model in Broad gauge, narrow gauge or underground lines please let us all know why this is the case with you.

 

I model Standard, various narrow gauges, countries and even have the underground set Bachmann did, why? simply because I like them. I'm progressing through a lifetime of layouts replacing the oldest with a new one as I don't have space for them all

If you like something and it pleases you then there's a pretty good chance some others will like it too no matter how obscure it is. The frankly daft arguments that come up saying RTR spoils modelling, urrggh it's continental etc are just an excuse for some to have a moan rather than get on and show us their lovely creation.

I've seen some gorgeous models that would bore me senseless or don't cause even a flicker of nostalgia but I can appreciate the craft. Equally I've seen some at shows I wouldn't even stop at but I did notice others did so fair play they and the organiser got it right for that group 

As a very young lad guys at the club I belonged to let me play with vintage Tinplate, finescale O, and everything OO plus were amused by the random creations I ran on the test track, usually involving cardboard and even propellers.

I guess the fun we had and they shared is what I enjoy most and continues with the bunch of mates who help at shows and I socialise with yet we all model different stuff

[gordon s]

For me modelling is an art form and one of the greatest advocates of the complete picture was the late Dave Shakespeare.  It was pictures of Tetleys Mills on the front cover of Model Rail that re awoke my interest in modelling.  Dave was the first to admit his buildings weren't to Pendon standard, but they looked right.  His track was Peco and much of his rolling stock was RTR, but it didn't matter.  The whole layout was deepest, darkest Yorkshire and even though I'd never lived there, it looked right.

 

I was lucky enough to go to Dave's house a few years ago.  He and his wife Julie, made me very welcome and we'd never met before.  Their hospitality was first class and seeing the layout in the flesh was a real eye opener.  It gave me a another view on building a layout, where the goal is not something perfect in every detail, but something that looked right and sat in the right surroundings.  Sometimes the need to try to achieve perfection actually stops us making something beautiful.

 

Thanks for the memories Dave. 

 

Edited January 1, 2018 by gordon s

[alfsboy]

One you enjoy.

[298]

I think the best model railways were those coin operated ones commissioned by Hornby and seen in model shops in the 1980s onwards. Where else has anyone paid directly to see a train move?

[Kris]

For me it's seeing something that is realistic and detailed, for my children they want something moving all the time, and the more "toy like" and "gimmicky" the layout the more they enjoy it. There is room for both aspects and everywhere in between. 

[alfsboy]

I think the best model railways were those coin operated ones commissioned by Hornby and seen in model shops in the 1980s onwards. Where else has anyone paid directly to see a train move?

Pages of Barkingside had one in the 60;s possibly 50's  .Not by Hornby but a nicely made and a proper  hand built scenicked  model railway .You put your penny in ,pressed your nose to the window and away it went for a few minutes .It was down the bottom of my road so a lot of pennies went Pages way

[Peter Kazmierczak]

One that exudes "railway atmosphere".

[Talltim]

I think the best model railways were those coin operated ones commissioned by Hornby and seen in model shops in the 1980s onwards. Where else has anyone paid directly to see a train move?

There is/was one in Trondheim station in Norway. Not a great model but nice trains on it.

I paid

https://youtu.be/TA6acb02oVg

Edited January 1, 2018 by Talltim

[Talltim]

There’s another element of great models not yet mentioned, and that is the skill of the builder (normally) in writing about it. PD Hancock, Iain Rice, Dave Rowe and Chris Pendleton among others elevated very good layouts to great layouts with the addition of prose.

Edited January 1, 2018 by Talltim

[brianusa]

For me it's seeing something that is realistic and detailed, for my children they want something moving all the time, and the more "toy like" and "gimmicky" the layout the more they enjoy it. There is room for both aspects and everywhere in between. 

 

 

Not only for the kids!  After layouts in N, OO, LGB, I finally settled on tinplate over twenty years ago.  I enjoyed the others in their time but with the usual caveats, American N was too fiddly although you could pack a lot in, Buckfastleigh in OO was a reasonable success but as the LGB layout occupied the same space, it was of necessity a bit restricted.  So on to a tinplate layout which along with a house move enabled a much larger train room.

For me it was a return to where it all started with a Hornby MO set although this time the layout was a bit bigger.  It has been added to over the years with buildings, extra locos and rolling stock until there is not much more space on the shelves or on the layout.  It is reliable, no stalls, easier to handle now that its proud owner is a little older and the urge for scale oriented layouts has faded along with the years.

 

Brian.

[Kris]

For me it's seeing something that is realistic and detailed, for my children they want something moving all the time, and the more "toy like" and "gimmicky" the layout the more they enjoy it. There is room for both aspects and everywhere in between. 

 

 

Not only for the kids! 

 

Brian.

 

Modelling as a hobby has so many different options, which is great, especially as these options allow many different people to enjoy the hobby in their own unique way that can change with the individual as they wish. 

[Marly51]

I loved model railways from the minute my cousin set up his immaculate Hornby clockwork trainset on my granny’s kitchen floor, then my dad took my brother and I to our first model railway exhibition in a small hall off the Royal Mile in Edinburgh in the early 1960s, where we were fascinated by a ‘rabbit warren’ continental layout winding and twisting through snow covered mountains. My cousin’s Meccano Magazines had little diorama settings for the latest Dinky Toy vehicles, so when the Triang trainset arrived one Christmas, with the obligatory 6ft x 4ft Sundeala baseboard, we knew we wanted to create a miniature landscape to bring it to life. I appreciate the skills of the miniature engineer, the planning and running of layouts from the simplest ‘inglenook’ to the more ambitious and complex. But for me, I mostly love a layout which tells a story, either accurate historical/contemporary or imaginative representation. Whether the modelmaker is a beginner or an expert the joy is in the making and we, the observers can enjoy the results.

Marlyn

[tamperman36]

I would start with a layout that runs well with no input from above, working automatic couplings.

 

Next would be well modelled scenery, structures and trackwork including associated  lineside equipment.

 

Following this would be the addition of the population, if you don't get the figures right then you might as well start again.

 

And finally the trains. Certainly have to be weathered and run well. I'm not that bothered with the stock being 100% accurate, just give a close idea, I'm not to bothered with the train consist being 100% accurate but of the correct era.

[Zomboid]

One you enjoy.

That concludes the discussion.

 

It doesn't matter if it's got integrated scalextric and playmobil buildings, if the owner enjoys it, that's job done.

[MarkSG]

One you enjoy.

 

 

That concludes the discussion.

 

It doesn't matter if it's got integrated scalextric and playmobil buildings, if the owner enjoys it, that's job done.

 

Ah, but what makes it enjoyable, for you?

[Harlequin]

"What makes a good model railway?"

 

Hmmm... I assume you mean a model railway that a large number of people consider to be "good", otherwise the answer is subjective to each individual.

 

In that context I think the answer is: A model that has a clear idea behind it and that successfully expresses that idea in a well-rounded way that delights the viewer at every level, from the broad landscape right down to the tiny details.

Edited January 2, 2018 by Harlequin

[Chamby]

It’s difficult to define. There are some layouts that impress through scale and scope, such as ‘The Summit’ or ‘Gresley Beat’... but others that are less impressive at first glance can just have that certain something that makes you stop and pay special attention. They can draw you in and make you linger.

 

I think ambiance plays a big part in drawing you in. Creating a stage setting that looks right, is in the right context and is well executed. But this also has to be accompanied by frequent movement and smooth running... something needs to be happening. But jerky running, frequent derailing or impromptu uncoupling will break the spell.

 

Bath Green Park I have seen a couple of times. A superbly built model, one I admire a lot, but on both occasions it would have held my attention for a much longer if there had been more happening on it. For much of the time it was a static model rather than a miniature world.

[Junctionmad]

For me , the greater the emphasis on fidelity to the prototype the better the model , after all we are creating a " model " of a " railway " are we not. bizarre unprototypical track layouts smack of " toy trains " .

 

After that , it doesn't matter about track gauge or rivet counting , more that the overall standard is enough to ' carry the premise " ie it's believable.

 

but I do recognise it's a very broad church and rule 0 always applies

 

( Rule 0 = foremost , it's your model railway )

[HillsideDepot]

Bath Green Park I have seen a couple of times. A superbly built model, one I admire a lot, but on both occasions it would have held my attention for a much longer if there had been more happening on it. For much of the time it was a static model rather than a miniature world.

 

I've only seen Green Park once, and agree that it is a superbly built model, one that held my attention for a long time, and got repeat visits during the show as gaps opened at different places in the barrier line allowing different views.

 

But, and this made me stop and think, I don't really recall much about the trains, whether they were running or static! However, I only have a vague knowledge of S&D/Midland trains being a diesel modeller and focused on the other line through Bath. So, whilst I could spot straight out of the box RTR, I wouldn't know if a loco withdrawn in 1955 was hauling something in 1960 livery. The trains are less relevant to my viewing pleasure. They are just part of the overall scene. For all I know all the rolling stock might be spot on for the second Thursday in July 19-hundred-and-whatever; I wouldn't recognise it if it was! But I can, and did, admire the cohesion of the scene, as well as the small details within the whole. I also know Bath pretty well, so having a 3D history lesson in front of me was fascinating in itself, but that was additional to enjoyment to be had from the quality of the model.

 

Of course movement is important, but having had it raised in the context of a layout I too have enjoyed viewing I realise that, actually, movement can be an irrelevance. I've not seen it like that before.

[Allegheny1600]

Any layout that transports you, in the imagination, into the time & place being modelled.

[bike2steam]

Or where there has been a serious attempt at realism, in appearance and operation, and not looking as tho' something had just been thrown together.