Jersey City Industrial Railroad Micro-Layout

[Dave V]

I don't know, man.  I would think that we're not catching on is an indicator...

So you're saying you're always ignoring half the layout because the train is only ever working the visible half only.  Yeah, I get that, but for such a tiny layout, and the fact that you have some trackage cross from front to back, you're almost needlessly tying one hand behind your back.

I'm thinking with some of the top quality small steam coming out you spend a few more hours on Shorpy and go pre-war or World War II.  Or, do some smokin' hawt LV/CNJ in 1975.

[DKS]

So you're saying you're always ignoring half the layout because the train is only ever working the visible half only.

Nope. I'm saying that you can look at almost everything on the layout from one of two directions. What you're "ignoring" is the sides of the buildings facing away from you. As for the track that crosses from front to back, it's two small stretches of "neutral territory" that could go either way.

But maybe you're right. If it's too hard to explain, maybe it's too hard to do...

[wcfn100]

It seems to me that with the way the layout is designed the majority of the viewing angles are the backsides of buildings and a 3-sided view block will only make that more the case.   Even if you did the rear of one building 30 years older than another, would most people be able to tell?  Also, is the effort to do the fronts of the buildings, where you will get the most effect, going to be worth it if it never really shows?

I'd like to see a hard-core 40's no-holds-barred effort.  I don't think we've seen anything in N scale to date that really captures the soot and grime of a steam era industrial setting.

Jason

[Scottl]

I love this layout and can't wait to see you build it.  The dual era thing is a bizarre distraction in my view but of course, do what you like.

[Dave V]

DKS, you sir are a wizard, and three-time Internet champion, but I think a singular focus will only enhance your result.

[DKS]

...is the effort to do the fronts of the buildings, where you will get the most effect, going to be worth it if it never really shows?

Never really shows... until you turn the layout around. Then you get to see all of that effort.

[peteski]

I guess I'm one of the people who can visualize what DKS is trying to accomplish and I would love to see him do it. If not for anything else, just to see how well this idea can be executed.

Maybe I can visualize what DKS is trying to do is because of my N-Trak affiliation.  The modules are normally viewed from the front.  The back sides of the buildings are never seen.  But since I often view the modules from the inside of the layout, I also see the unseen side. If the unseen side of the structures was decorated for a different era and then the module flipped, the viewer would now only see the alternate decoration.

Another school of thought is to not detail sides of structures (or even entire chunks of scenery) that will not be seen on a standard train layout. Why? Because it is unseen.  But if the unseen structures and scenery was then finished for another era and the layout was then somehow flipped, then the original side of the buildings/scenery would now be unseen.  DKS' layout is small enough to be flipped around, or to simply walk around it to the other side. Is this so hard to understand?

[wcfn100]

Never really shows... until you turn the layout around. Then you get to see all of that effort.

From the plan I see, you just get the backs of different buildings.   


Jason

[DKS]

From the plan I see, you just get the backs of different buildings.

Yes, it appears that way, but with one exception, the buildings closest to the viewer are single-story.

[Lemosteam]

Way to think in 3D David.   

[PRRATSF]

Peteski does a great job of describing what DKS is trying to do. +1 on following through with the duel era.

Sam

[Ed Kapuscinski]

DKS, I think you should do the dual era thing. Here's why.

You've already conquered many of the challenges of the hobby. Making stuff look real, making it look right, doing it smaller, then doing it even smaller again, etc... I think you'll be bored with something that's not posing a new set of challenges. Doing the dual era thing, and not getting nabbed by any of the traps that the good doctor mentioned is exactly that, the next mountain to climb.

Also, I think that if you did a really well done layout, and took it to shows, you'd get some interest. If you did something really new, you'll have em stacked 5 deep to get a glimpse.

[DKS]

Ed, you'll be glad to know that I've decided to go dual era. One of the easiest ways to get me to do something is to say it can't be done or it won't work.

[Philip H]

Also, I think that if you did a really well done layout, and took it to shows, you'd get some interest. If you did something really new, you'll have em stacked 5 deep to get a glimpse.

Agree completely.

And, if there are identifiable NZT products scattered about the layout - then a product oriented scavenger hunt can ensue . . . just sayin . . .

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ed, you'll be glad to know that I've decided to go dual era. One of the easiest ways to get me to do something is to say it can't be done or it won't work.

You'd never be able to make another bacon explosion and deliver it to my office in time for lunch.