298 Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 Good evening Prof/Pete After its first outing back in March I noticed the layout didn't seem stand out anywhere near as much as Haston did Without a frame or lighting it just seemed to blend into the layouts behind me. Having added both of these I will still be able to operate the layout from the back and not get backache from bending over the back scene. As the photo below shows I've tried to blend out the back scene Not sure if it will work or if ill have to add a blue curtain across the back of the layout I brought a length of blue material with the intention of creating a continuous sky backscene for a previous layout, the idea being it would avoid having distracting joints but in the end used pieces of painted MDF with a strategically placed chimney to hide the gap (plus I couldn't work out how to support the curtain over a long length without it sagging. Thenext layout was the maximum length I could get away with building on a single board, so there is no need to try to disguise any joints. There is a theory that the mind soon focuses out any backscene clutter and if anything, a badly disguised or painted backscene is more distracting than nothing at all. Some layouts seem to manage very well without them, but usually have a row of high buildings or tall scenery along the back instead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prof Klyzlr Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 Dear 298, I wonder how that theory links-in/is-affected-by layout height? Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
298 Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Dear 298, I wonder how that theory links-in/is-affected-by layout height? Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr From memory (but without going too off topic by cluttering Chris' thread with photos of other layouts), a higher layout height will lessen the impact of not having a painted sky backscene, but it's too much a subjective issue to be explained in 2D photographs over the net. Layout height seems to have grown over the last few years, and now you rarely see an otherwise good one at table height. It's also possible to take the view that some of the elements seen are so good that otherwise missing ones are easily forgotten- an example of this are the US Freemo setups we have over here, where the continuity between sections disguises the fact that modules rarely have backscenes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Scottish Modeller Posted November 17, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 17, 2012 Hi all, Sorry.... For optimal realistic viewing....... Viewable height = Eye Level Height Now - lets be honest - I've never managed to achieve this - but it's still what I believe. I would like to achive this - but it would upset such a hight percentage of the public who turn up at shows. For that reason I have marked it down as 'Achieveable but not desirable' from a public point of view. I have the same attitude to '1D' layouts! Just because you want the viewing public to look at the layout from one point does not mean they will do! Stick POV into google for all the options on this attitude! (Put Safe Search on first!) fyi - Even a lower level laout can work! All you have tp do is provide seats that match the 'lower level' of the layout. Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Gilbert Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share Posted November 19, 2012 The main stars of the show are ready Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Very nice set - and if anybody who is going to Warley is wondering why they can't find it on the Floor Plan - it is listed on there as "CTU Spur, Alaska" on Stand E07 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Gilbert Posted November 23, 2012 Author Share Posted November 23, 2012 Dear Prof Photos of the layout packed in the car earlier today All packs in rather neatly don't you think? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Gilbert Posted November 23, 2012 Author Share Posted November 23, 2012 But wait there is more My wing man has the rest in his car.... Not sure how I'm going to get it to Scotland ..in one go. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Scottish Modeller Posted November 24, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 24, 2012 But wait there is more My wing man has the rest in his car.... Not sure how I'm going to get it to Scotland ..in one go. Hi Chris, I did wonder about that........ Don't say I didn't ask! Now you know why I was surprised when you rejected my initial cost expectation.................. THANKS! ps - The power and accuracy of my expense calculator has yet to fail me.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Gilbert Posted November 24, 2012 Author Share Posted November 24, 2012 All set up ready to show Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 Quite a different set-up to when it was at TVNAM..!! But flippin' 'eck - having to turn your cars upside-down to fit it all in... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 Jordan, you forget that the Prof is in the Land of Oz, so Chris has turned the photos over so that they will be "right-way-up" for viewing there! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supaned Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 Great to see the layout in person at Warley - I went back and watched several times. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 I wonder if the Florida State Flag fooled the punters who usually avoid American layouts because they have a big Stars'n'Stripes in front of them, giving the game away early.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prof Klyzlr Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 Dear Chris, et al, Chris, I must beg and grovel forgiveness for the following travesty of photoshopping, absolutely no disrespect is intended to either you, the modelling, or the crew in the shot, but I just _had_ to see what it would have looked like with even a simple single-color "sky" backdrop... ("eye dropper" selected from the tiny pieces of "sky blue" support in use already) Again, utmost apologies for any offence, post will be removed immediately if required... Happy Modelling, Prof Klyzlr PS Shortliner had it in one, the upside-down pics came out perfectly down here...!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warbonnetuk Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 Chris Great to see Florida City in the flesh and to chat to you and a number of other RMWeb notables. Your layout and stock really impressed. Dan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 ... I just _had_ to see what it would have looked like with even a simple single-color "sky" backdrop... ("eye dropper" selected from the tiny pieces of "sky blue" support in use already) Interesting 'effect' there, Prof!! Might make the Operator's job hard - seeing the stock and dealing with couplings etc. But I do think a "half height" backscene/sky (as at the ends) would make a big difference!! Just my own opinion, of course! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
298 Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 Interesting 'effect' there, Prof!! Might make the Operator's job hard - seeing the stock and dealing with couplings etc. But I do think a "half height" backscene/sky (as at the ends) would make a big difference!! Just my own opinion, of course! And it gives the excuse to feature a threatening mid-afternoon Florida sky... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Gilbert Posted November 25, 2012 Author Share Posted November 25, 2012 Prof I like it As the layout is never going to fit in my car in one go I may rethink the backscene but like Andy said it will be difficult to operate because I have not fitted any magnets and my KISS point control. I've got about three months to come up with something before Glasgow. I may use a sky blue curtain behind the operators as noted before, may be even get the operators to where light blue shirts too. Anyhow back to this weekend Great to meet so many people. All ran well, passenger operation is a must for all future layouts. Really keep the punters and the operatators interested It's the first time Jack (my son) hasn't left me to go and play with something else, I even had to send him for his lunch so I could have a play. Other projects before its next outing include working headlights/taillights on the cab cars, adding sound to the tri-rail loco. I may also upgrade the Amtrak cars and add some FREDs to some of the rolling. I didn't get chance to take any photos but I did take this video on my phone Prof it's take from the operators side which would never be seen with a full backsecne Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted November 25, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 25, 2012 Chris Sorry I didn't get round to see you but I didn't get much chance to look at layouts due to either operating or sorting stock out. I did sneak a look at your layout before the show opened yesterday though. Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Gilbert Posted November 25, 2012 Author Share Posted November 25, 2012 I Chris Sorry I didn't get round to see you but I didn't get much chance to look at layouts due to either operating or sorting stock out. I did sneak a look at your layout before the show opened yesterday though. Ian I know the feeling Ian I passed yours a number of times but was on a mission I was impress with what I saw. Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prof Klyzlr Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Interesting 'effect' there, Prof!! Might make the Operator's job hard - seeing the stock and dealing with couplings etc. But I do think a "half height" backscene/sky (as at the ends) would make a big difference!! Just my own opinion, of course! Dear Jordan, Purely IMHO, based on working a number of "fully enclosed module" show layouts, it would only pose a problem _if_: 1- "live shuffling" is performed in the staging yard (If the yard is designed as a simple "select-a-train" traverser or sectorplate, as many show layouts are, then no "active fiddling" need occur, and the degree of "eye's on" hawk-eye watching of "hidden staging" movements can be largely eliminated. NB that simple diode-stopping sections on analog can give an added measure of "sight unseen" confidence when operating "Point-2-Point" layouts in such manners. Pity DCC can't do simple/cheap position-related dead-reckoning "diode stopping"...) 1a- there is not-enough operators. An (arguably) optimised-for-single-operator show-work staging system can run a number of trains "onstage, and back again" without needing constant human-intervention fiddling or restaging. (See above) However, once "all the trains are wrong-way-round" (and thankfully, most US freight ops seems to be able to get away with "appearing onstage the wrong way round"), it can be the work of moments with a 2-man show crew (One op out the front "driving", and one out the back "keeping the show flowing"), to "get 'em all turned and ready to fire again". (Side-note: Push-pull passenger ops also open plausibly similar "wrong-way-round" appearance options to passenger stock, whereas earlier-era "passenger trains" may look decidedly weird). 2- the "operator" isn't "out the front" (suggest stand/sitting on a tall barstool at the joint between the "scene" and the staging-yard/info-board area) 3- the staging yard is hidden by a _solid_ viewblock (a curtain/drape slung along a length of aluminium rod allows equivalent visual "foil", while allowing easy "quick peek around" by an solo out-the-front operator. Bonus points, a "curtain" viewblock can be less car-space intrusive than a solid viewblock board) "Brooklyn" hosts up to 4 trains in 2' x 4', in show mode, with virtually all industry carspots represented by "hidden offstage" dropleaf trackage, and yet can be completely and confidently operated by one operator "from the front"... ;-) Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr PS I do take the point that creating simple-to-use "no-brainer" roadcase-ready user-interface controls which allow confident sight-unseen operations of sectorplates/traversers can be a challenge. However, that's a relatively-simple problem-solving issue, which most exhibitors face at one time or another... :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prof Klyzlr Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Other projects before its next outing include working headlights/taillights on the cab cars, ...I may also upgrade the Amtrak cars and add some FREDs to some of the rolling. Dear Chris, I can see some Kadee #5 centering spring pickups, TCS FL2 or FL4s, and 0603 SMD LEDs in your future... ;-) Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 If you watch Chris's video - the guy on the next stand in the first 10 seconds has the answer to the backscene problem - camoflage! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Gilbert Posted November 26, 2012 Author Share Posted November 26, 2012 You know I didn't see him all weekend Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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