fender

well, at 92 votes, that's a pretty good survey I think. 45% of the layouts voted for are modelled on a real location (whether exact or not). I'd say that's more than I expected. thanks to everyone who participated.

very nice layout. lovely scenics and I like the modest track plan for the space. I used to have that station and I still have the signal box somewhere.

hmmm...I would say it depends on what has been rewritten. the poll is really about use of space and how much we are willing to compromise in order to model reality vs have a layout we would like to operate. so if you're operating a station closed in 1920 with modern DMUs, but the track plan is all original for space etc, then I would say option 1, even though it's not technically prototypical. on the other hand, if you've modelled a real location but have changed the track plan so much that it is no longer recognisable in any form from the real thing, then it would be option 3. I would say that modelling a real location but shortening the layout, reducing the number of sidings, and moving a bridge slightly for a scenic break, as others have mentioned, would still count as option 2, as overall it would probably be recognisable enough. I suppose having an accurate track plan but adding more things, such as having a small engine shed/turntable where there wasn't one, would be more difficult to answer using this poll. I hadn't really thought of that! I'd say option 2 in that case. I've often seen layouts with names that are almost correct for reality, thus suggesting the location but at once recognising it is not meant to be exact. one of the many ideas I have batting around in my head is to do a model of Looe Quay and call it Looesly. ---------------------- I must say I'm surprised at the number of option 1s. I would have thought there would be hardly any, if any, there. it's great to see how the choice varies among different modellers.

I think that's true, but probably because of the difference in perspective. viewed from above, a true scale layout of a real place looks like a model, but so does the real thing viewed from a plane. conversely, perhaps the low-angle view of a camera at platform-height would make the layout look more realistic. I appreciate your attempt to alleviate the torture though. I am looking at how to compress various ideas I have.

Gwiwer, you can tick all four as it's multiple selection. I made it that way as I knew there'd be a lot in your situation. btw, I was having a look at your Penhayle layout today. some cracking stuff. I especially liked the beach. looks perfectly Cornish. I suppose when I say, 'based on prototypical practice', I mean the physical layout itself. I know we all might occasionally run a Eurostar into a Newham Goods terminus if we had the opportunity for a bit of fun. Mickey, I see your point, but for some reason I have this irrational obsession with creating exactly that, a tiny model of what is actually there. the only trouble is I know I don't have the skill of a Jim SW, for example, and so whatever I create would be open to criticism from those 'in-the-know'. on the other hand, if I make somewhere real that no one else knows, like some obscure crossing with a siding somewhere, then there's almost no point in making it as no one will recognise what I was trying to achieve. bit of a catch 22! then again, I suppose making up a fake place and developing a long history behind it to justify everything, while basing it all on what might have been, is all part of the fun of designing a layout.

Just out of curiosity, I thought I'd post this poll. I did look at previous polls and could not find one similar, but if I have erred in this regard then I apologise. anyway, it's just a bit of fun. it is multiple choice, so select all that apply. I mean absolutely no disrespect to any type of layout, and fully appreciate that an Island of Sodor layout can be brilliant, while a model of an exact location may leave a lot to be desired, so please don't take this as some kind of hierarchy of modelling or something. I'm just curious to see to what extent people torture themselves to fit reality into their modelling lives (as I'm finding it very difficult!)

lol. I've been wondering the same thing.

very good. looking forward to seeing how this develops. good luck with your new arrival too!

the problem with ballasting like that is you may find the ballast tends to clump together, especially around the sleepers. why not go with the traditional pva+water+fairy solution? (just wondering)

well I looked in my Working With Steam in Cornwall book and nothing there either -sorry. if it's this hard then at least no one will be able to prove you wrong.

http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cyberheritage/saltash/salt6.jpg http://www.cyber-heritage.co.uk/air_far_above_the_clouds_plymouth/coom.jpg any use?

Saltash. connected to England by a big piece of metal.

Western Main Lines: Plymouth to St Austell, Photo #60: Shows the old road bridge being demolished in 1906. May be a little early, but the pic is taken from the goods yard looking Up and some of the trackwork is visible. Also contains a OS map from the same period, but I assume you've already seen that. Past and Present East Cornwall p48: Shows goods yard but much of trackwork obscured by Western Ruler. 1969 To save you looking, I couldn't find any photos in: Cornwall Railway Stations, Illustrated History of the Cornish Main Line, or Western Steam in Devon and Cornwall. I have an idea there may be something in Working With Steam in Cornwall, but I don't have the book with me at the moment.

spent many a summer day at Polzeath. very fond memories and looking forward to seeing this develop.

all I know is, our definition of what constitutes a large layout would be very different from that of our significant other's.

I remember that game between Chelsea and Barca (2009?) in the Champs League Semis which looked horribly fixed. could that be the one referred to by Europol? I cannot see the need to Nani to receive a red card. he was watching the ball. if they are so keen to protect players from high boots then I presume they are going to ban bicycle kicks next.

lovely review and a great model. shame there's no space for it on my layout.

there is a pic of a 45XX at Long Rock on the ramp at the coaling stage in my book 'Working with Steam in Cornwall', so they did go up there. there is also a description of the procedure but unfortunately I don't have the book with me at the moment. iirc, it was basically what LMS2968 said above.

very nice model there. will look perfect when painted.

I've really enjoyed looking through this. good job.

very nice work. *keeps an eye out for that magazine*

I've just read through this thread from the beginning and I have to say I was impressed enough before you got to the buildings and buffer stops. very nice work. I can't wait for the station buildings and canopy to be done.

great project. coming along very nicely.

wow, terrific work. there are so many little gems on this one. I hope you get back in the air to stay, so to speak.

very nice modelling. loads and loads to take in.