Input time for the next forum contest

Stewart I really think you should set a limit on the size of the project - say 4' X 4'.  That would really stretch creativity.  Also it would pretty much assure the everyone starts from scratch and not just modify something that already exists.

You need s set of parameters. For example:

• Square footage of the layout deck limited to 32 square feet (single sheet of plywood)
• Minimum number of industries (say two)
• No single dimension to exceed, say 10 or 12 feet.
• In keeping with Carl's tradition of an industrial focus, no loop-running.
• Minimum curve radius 36" (O-72)

Just a few thoughts.

Just a couple of things that came to mind:

 

Without a size limitation, judging will be difficult. Judging a tiny 2'x2' or smaller micro vs. a 4'x8' (which is by no means micro) would be like comparing apples to oranges.

 

Why not a loop on a micro. In fact, being able to find an ingenious way to provide continuous running on a tiny layout may be an important factor in judging.

 

With a December deadline, anything bigger than last year's door-size would be a real challenge. I work fast, but if I were entering, I know I couldn't do justice to a 4'x8' unless it were a postwar or tinplate style with limited scenery using mostly commercial products that I already had on hand.

 

I'll think of more later.

 

I like the micro idea, perhaps with a size limitation of the same width as the door layouts (30"), but only 4' or so in length.

 

Jim

 

 

 

By the way, the current issue of Railroad Model Craftsman magazine has a neat little micro called Carl's Troutateria. It boasts the world's smallest train, the world's shortest covered bridge, the world's biggest fish, and a less than fine dining establishment whose specialty is trout! All this on a narrow gauge tourist RR in 24" x 32" in G scale!

 

Jim

 

Why a theme?  Why must we be directed towards a "purpose" for our railroads?  Isn't "fun" enough?

 

To me, this is another example of forum peer pressure.

 

Pete

 

 

 

 

Pete,

 

I agree, but for a different reason.

 

The neat thing about a micro is that it is pretty difficult not to have a theme. On a tiny layout, you probably only have room for one industry. There's your theme.

 

Or, maybe the layout is nothing but track going in and out of tunnels. In that case, your theme is mountain railroading.

 

So I don't think that the "theme rule" is really necessary if the size is restricted to true micro dimensions. 

 

Jim

Whuddayawin?   I busted my buns meeting a deadline for another publication's contest about two years ago, and, this is gonna sound like sour grapes, but I was

underwhelmed by some of the winners, which looked like main line photo sections of

probably pre-existing layouts much larger than that contest's, also prescribed 4' x 4'.  That contest was for "scenes" of that size.  I also thought I saw a product "theme" in judging that was not prerevealed, but that could have been coincidence.

Rules do need to be specific.  The "new creation" one is good.

Keep in mind that once some guidelines (rules, if you will) are established, I will be happy to feature one or more of the entries in the magazine, which will earn the layout builder $400.  And if the first place winning entry is suited for the purpose, it will also grace the cover of one issue.  Just a bit of extra incentive for participating.

Allan thanks for offering the incentive.

If your looking for a contest "input," here is mine. I think a small scaled contest would bring a lot more participants and would give a majority of the forums members a chance to get in on the fun. What was the last contest, was it the door layout? That was cool and I loved to see the finished products, but the 'average' visitor here is not on that commitment level to start an entirely new project. 

 

I think a majority of the visitors to this forum are working on their layouts, so how about a contest that maybe motivates everyone to get something accomplished.

 

For example, one of my favorite things to see: Who can do the best most accurate recreation of a scene. Such as post a real life photograph, and then recreate that scene on your layout. Pretty much no rules needed. Whoever can recreate history the best wins. This way everyone can showcase their individual strengths, some may recreate an entire scene including track, switches, trees, power lines, and workers. Some might just replicate an as-built engine or car picture, for those that specialize in weathering or custom modding freight.

 

The popularity in the hobby right now is SCALE model railroading, so how about a contest to cater to that crowd.

 

Just my thoughts.

As Jim noted, this article is a Must Read!  Absolutely beautiful modeling and a detailed and very creative story to go with the modeling.  Excellent in every respect, and a perfect example of what can be done in even the smallest of spaces.

 

If I had seen that article before writing my column for our October issue (the one with Steve Phetterplace's "Rail Tale" article), I most definitely would have made note of the RMC article as another superb example of story telling with model trains--and all this in just 24" x 32".

Any further discussion? Sounds like fun!

 

Ed

I agree that there needs to be some defined size limits. One person's definition of a micro is not necessarily someone elses.

 

"Square footage of the layout deck limited to 32 square feet (single sheet of plywood)"

 

When I put "micro" and "O gauge" in the same sentence, I think more like layout limited to 16 square feet (half sheet, or 3' x 5', or 2' x 8', etc.)

 

... or a slightly smaller 12 square feet (3' x 4', 2' x 6", etc.)

 

Just my $.02 $.01 !

 

Ed

Hi guys, is narrow gauge allowed? It surely is the obvious choice for a micro layout.

I would tend to lean toward the sizes noted by Ed, but even those dimensions are somewhat greater than what would normally be considered "micro" in size, regardless of gauge/scale.  Carl Arendt pretty much set the "specs" for micro, and you'll find numerous examples on his site that are built in scales larger than O.

 

The challenge, of course, is to come up with something truly creative in a very compact space.  Keep in mind, too, that a micro pike could be a something designed for some sort of operation rather than for continuous running.

 

And as I see it, O scale narrow gauge should also be eligible--On30, On3, or one of the other possibilities.

 

Such a project most definitely would be a major challenge in 3-rail, in particular, but that's where the fun comes in.

Go for it guys. As for me,in the attic I have all I can procrastinate over already underway.

One more vote for 32 sq ft.

 

Gilly

Good Day,

 

Contest Idea: How about the best designed 4’ long building front. Any height you want to build! City skyline or warehouse district!

I would suggest fitting it on a door which could be 30 x 80, 32 x 80 or 36 x 80

I would say 3'x5' max.

Frank, you suggestion could be a sub-category option, with a separate prize for those up for the challenge. What do others think?

Oh Great! You suggest that AFTER I built a 4-foot long warehouse. Now I have to do it all over again. 

Good Day Matt, 

 

Where's the pictures? What warehouse? Sounds like a great remodel project to me!

 

Thanks for play'n.

 

Best regards,

Frank 

Good Morning Dave,

 

How is Australia? I still wish MTH or Lionel would make this SD70ACe!

 

Best regards,

Frank

 

 

Originally, I had started the build with the warehouse being 24 inches tall (less crown) but we felt that was a bit too high. I cut it down to 20 inches. I also narrowed the building as it would have been too close to the tracks leading into the staging yard after the planned location was moved further north along the layout.

 

It's a "covered dock" style warehouse inspired by the old warehouses that used to stand on Alameda Blvd. near downtown Los Angeles (we lost them after a couple of big earthquakes.) The dock will support three forty-foot cars. I need to put in the dock and put a crown on it (still looking for just the right mouldings.) This is the fourth structure I've done as part of an article I'm working on called "Modeling on the Cheap -- Monolithic O Scale buildings for under $100."

 

By the way, I'm planning to build another large building -- looking at a packing house since I have so many reefer cars, but I'm still looking at prototypes for just the right one.

 

Warehouse with the pilasters in place and gaps filled.

 

Painted (did this at home.)

 

 

Siding applied (Model Builder Software is a great product.) 

 

 

Ready to go back to the club for finishing. Need to put the crown on it.

 

In place in the background on the club layout's harbor/industrial area. The gray warehouse with the black stripe was the first building -- built to cover an access hole with removable sides. The bridges and viaduct will also be part of the article.

Australia's great Frank, I'd love the BHP livery too, they'd be a big seller here.

They look really sharp in that pic.

Dewey....good one...now that's funny. Your attic should meet my cellar. Isn't it fun sometimes to just sit and look and think about all the great things you could actually do to the layout if you you didnt just sit and look and think about all the things you can do to your layout. Great part about this hobby is since layout is never really finished there is no rush to get there.  It's like tomorrow...... always coming but never arrives. 

What about a small Scott Smith type shelf loop?

Or a Superstreets/EZStreets layout?

Hey Gang,

 

First, my apolgies for not being around. The move, work and a pet with health problems has taken up more time than I had inticipated.

 

Thank you for all of the input. The next issue to discuss is the contest timeframe.Would you be more likely to participate in this contest with a December end date or if the contest began in January?

It would probably be best to define what the contest actually will be (still very much undetermined unless I missed something here) prior to establishing a deadline.

From the start, this has always been a micro layout contest. I was awed/appalled at the way this thread moved off topic, but such is life in an uncontrolled environment. I've decided no further discussion is required on this topic and that I will wait until January to run it. I think the deadline with the holidays and amount of modeling required may be too short.

Sounds like a good plan to me! 

 

I do hope, however, that participants here will keep the magazine in mind for their creatively executed Christmas layouts this year and in the future.  I ALWAYS enjoy having a nicely done holiday layout to feature in our December issue.  I was fortunate enough to have a fine one for this December (it's the cover feature), and will be looking for another that can spread some Christmas cheer next year.

 

For that matter, I also like sharing Halloween theme displays with our readers when we're fortunate enough to get them.

I would appreciate a few pointers as to what exactly defines a "micro" layout.  How many sq. feet?  Also, we aren't talking about an O27 circle, are we?

Eric,

 

Carl Arendt, a great pioneer who is no longer with us, has a website dedicated to micro layouts. Mr. Arendt defines a micro layout as such:

 

"Micro layouts are small model railroads, usually less than three or four square feet in area, that nonetheless have a clear purpose and excellent operating capability."

 

Obviously, the three or four square feet was meant for smaller scales than O. Using a conversion scale found at da trains! Railroad Data, converting a 2' X 2' layout from Ho to O, works out to 3.63' x 3.63'. This gives us a rough area.

 

For more ideas, check out articles collected by Mr. Arandt, and Interacting with Miniature Railroading.

Stewart,  Thanks...  I'll check further.  What I have seen so far talks about "connecting several micro layouts together to get a coherent railroad".  It almost seems like we are building a module.

Eric,

 

The difference in modular and micro layouts can be summed up as this: Multiple modules are required to complete a layout. A micro layout is a complete layout in the area of a single module. Confused yet?  While you could connect several micro layouts together, that is not the intent of micro layout building.

 

This is a link to Mr. Arendts Clinic given at the Pittsburgh Jamboree in March of 2005.

 

So now the contest is not going to start until January? If so, can you at least give us a maximum amount of square feet in order to do some planning? I have been planning layouts for this contest since I first saw it posted here in this discussion thread.

 

-Kyle