A large number of model railroaders have a very limited look at their layouts. They simply see what they're happy with and can't seem to recognize the faults that make different layouts appear better than their own. In the following paragraphs I will explain to you the secret to making your scale model train layout the best it may be.
The real solution to creating a scale model train layout that looks natural in addition to impressive to other people is actually perspective. Not the type of perspective that people make use of for making artificial depth to your layout but instead the perspective which the model railroader requires with regard to how he sees his layout when compared to the real life. To really generate a good layout you need to be prepared to view different elements within your layout as they compare to the outside world.
The basic model train aspects that you need to evaluate are your locomotives, your landscape, your buildings, your people and your roads. Each one of these features possesses crucial features about it in real life that we occasionally fail to carry over in our layouts. We'll look at these one at a time.
1. Trains - Review your trains and think about exactly how train engines and rolling stock can be found in the real world. To start, they are certainly not the unsoiled pieces of equipment that many layouts would indicate. Everyone understands about weathering however lots of modelers experience an unnatural fear of doing anything to their trains that might reduce their value. Why?
Will you be actually planning to sell them off someday? Whose enjoyment exactly did you buy them for? Weather away. Make the most pleasure from your trains by creating the most authentic trains you can have. I even go beyond just weathering and actually will break off or bend a few pieces every now and then. In real life trains are being used and get destroyed.
2. Scenery - Does your landscape seem like the real world? Spend some time and walk out of doors. What do you observe when you look around your neighborhood. You know what I see? I notice that the forest tower over all the buildings. You will find bare areas in the your lawn. You will find wet spots where puddles seem to always develop. The creeks and streams have trees and shrubs which may have fallen over into them. The shrubs don't seem to be perfect in front of each and every house.
3. Buildings - The most apparent thing with regards to buildings is weathering, but in the real world a good number of buildings actually look pretty new for the majority of of their lives. What they are though is messy. Bicycles are on back porches. Garbage containers can be found behind or beside every building in real life. An automobile mechanic shop will have tons of extra parts sitting around outside which they simply have no idea what to do with. Just about every manufacturing facility has a great deal of junk leaning against the structure in areas that the average person will not notice.
4. People - What exactly do people do in real life? They hang laundry in the backyard. Young men socialize in groups on the corner. People sit and wait on walls and curbs, not just park benches. They bring bags with them while they shop downtown. When you're in your car take note to what you see people doing outside along your way. Precisely what do you see people engaging in in your own neighborhood? Replicate these behaviors within your layout.
5. Roads - In real life painted lines fade. The blacktop deviates in hues of grey or black. Car accidents occur. Refrigerators get thrown out along the sides of less traveled streets. Motor vehicles break down along side roadways. They're real things which you see in the real world. Cars or trucks have got dents and rust. You get the picture.
As you have seen, creating some detailed modifications could add a feeling of realism which will make your model train layout differentiate yourself from other layouts and give you significantly more gratification. On top of that, these details may be put into established layouts, they don't necessarily require that you start any of your layout over.
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