Trenton Transportation Company

[Chris333]

I like the last plan, but kind of busy. The lower road is a nice feature, but when looking at the plan it takes up space = less buildings. + lots of bridges to build.

I like the original layout because it seems to have a front and back without looking "round".  I put the trestle up front because ( I love em) it was sunk down. And I have since replaced the oil dealer with a team track crane and small brick lot. Trying to make it different and still the same.

[DKS]

I like the last plan, but kind of busy. The lower road is a nice feature, but when looking at the plan it takes up space = less buildings. + lots of bridges to build.

It may seem like a lot of space is lost to streets, but no more so than in the original plan. And in my book, lots of bridges to build is a good thing. But there are lots of things one can do in this space--probably much more than most people realize.

[S Class]

The plans could do with a run around, unless the loop of track was actually to be a feature not a necessity at which point I would forgo the industrial suburb feel and go with a single large industry like a foundry, copper smelter, power plant or something like the American Dock Company: http://members.trainweb.com/bedt/indloco/adc.html in which case the 90 degree crossing in davids plan looks the goods as an "offline" destination.

[DKS]

The plans could do with a run around...

You just had to go and bring up a runaround... https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=32315.msg366861#msg366861

[S Class]

 

But seriously with these micro layouts you need to ask that despite the loop of track: Are you modeling in a very compressed space a chunk of the real world or are you modeling a very compressed chunk of the real world in a small space?

With the former you have to suspend disbelief in the loop of track as a display rather than operating feature and go with the prototype that would have to have a run around or some kind of trackmobile that can get around the cars to shunting.

With the later you're doing a small part of the big picture as a caricature with the loop for operational rather than display purposes.

My layout will be eventually a heavily compressed 3 or so city blocks that matches the feel of my prototype whereas DKS has gone for the big feel of an entire borough in a small space of the former. Just my $0.02 that no-one really asked for.

[OldEastRR]

You just had to go and bring up a runaround... https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=32315.msg366861#msg366861

Sorry, again ....

[OldEastRR]

But seriously with these micro layouts you need to ask that despite the loop of track: Are you modeling in a very compressed space a chunk of the real world or are you modeling a very compressed chunk of the real world in a small space?

With the former you have to suspend disbelief in the loop of track as a display rather than operating feature and go with the prototype that would have to have a run around or some kind of trackmobile that can get around the cars to shunting.

With the later you're doing a small part of the big picture as a caricature with the loop for operational rather than display purposes.

Having a loop is self explanatory: you have chosen continuous running as an important feature of the layout. Otherwise why have it? If you are not interesting in trains running continuously w/o supervision, you'd have no reason to put a loop in.
What I wonder about mini-layouts is how do you make cars look like they've "gone" somewhere once you've worked them? With all open track the cars don't have anywhere to go that's presumably a faraway destination.

[txronharris]

Having a loop is self explanatory: you have chosen continuous running as an important feature of the layout. Otherwise why have it? If you are not interesting in trains running continuously w/o supervision, you'd have no reason to put a loop in.
What I wonder about mini-layouts is how do you make cars look like they've "gone" somewhere once you've worked them? With all open track the cars don't have anywhere to go that's presumably a faraway destination.

Watching these micro layouts with great interest. In regard to your question about the cars being worked or leaving the layout, is it micro layout blashpemy to have a removable staging track (like the european layouts) where the train disappears and reappears? Just wondering and thinking about operations.

[Chris333]

Wondering what grit sandpaper was used on the roads?

[davefoxx]

DKS told me that he used 220 grit.

[jimmo]

Sorry I'm late for the party, but today (June 10) is the first time I have seen this amazing little pike. It's so cool seeing my little Buddy's Waffle Shop kit being used as an office for an oil distributor. Willmodels is honored to be part of a DKS masterpiece.

David, just let me know if I can sponsor any more of your unintentional stunners.

If any forum members are interested, this kit is still available in my ebay store, http://stores.ebay.com/willmodels along with it's older, larger siblings and a few vehicles.

[S Class]

Sorry I'm late for the party, but today (June 10) is the first time I have seen this amazing little pike. It's so cool seeing my little Buddy's Waffle Shop kit being used as an office for an oil distributor. Willmodels is honored to be part of a DKS masterpiece.

David, just let me know if I can sponsor any more of your unintentional stunners.

If any forum members are interested, this kit is still available in my ebay store, http://stores.ebay.com/willmodels along with it's older, larger siblings and a few vehicles.

That is some cool stuff, I'll be coming to you when I need some cars for my layout.

[jimmo]

That is some cool stuff, I'll be coming to you when I need some cars for my layout.

What era do you model, Tony?

[Chris333]

Ummmm so like a month ago I explained that I was innocently working on a small Nn3 layout when I realized the TTC wasn't much larger at all so I drew up a full sized plan:


I had a dream that I wondered what it would look like so:


Some tossing and turning later this happened:


I had that Hardwood kit built long ago that I cut to fit in the back left, but everything else didn't exist 29 days ago. Didn't plan to copy another DKS design it just sorta happened, sorry. So when I was asking about the plan I was really looking for ways to make it different from what you built.  I like the way it has a front and a back and I won't have to keep spinning it around like "the other industrial layout". Still a while to go, but I figured I'd let the cat outta the bag    Some more pics here: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=33110.msg378632#msg378632

[robert3985]

Very COOL!  Only 29 days eh?  You mean it didn't take months and months to hand lay your turnouts????   

I'm liking the track work a LOT.  Although DKS's use of Kato Unitrack looks about as good as I've ever seen Unitrak look, this already looks way better...even at this unfinished stage.

Looking forward to progress shots...