Alright guys,
I plan to build my first layout over Christmas. I don't have a whole lot of room to build on (Roughly 6x7). I use Fastrack, and have small collection of track, All 12" Straights and 0-48 Curves.
I would like to incorporate some scenery, houses, ect, without the layout being to busy. If someone can give me some ideas on a layout it would be appreciated. I am hoping / looking for inspiration.
Thanks!
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Rebel,what are you into?Rural areas,farms,industrial,city,etc?Some kind of hill area with a tunnel would be good to make it seem that the train in going somewhere.
Ah, yes.
Guess I should have mentioned that, sense mine is going to be the oddball on the site. I plan on doing a halloween theme, with more country stylings than a city look.
Hi rebel,
Keep it simple and get the trains up and running. Astro-turf or poly felt fabric from Jo-Ann Fabric will provide a quick ground cover.
A metal trestle bridge with some back-painted 4mil vinyl for water flat will provide a simple visual effect. A tunnel is always a good element, as rockstars1989 mentioned.especially on an outside turn where the cars are viewed opened up. The train looks nicer on a inside turn. A station is always a good element With a little digging, you can find those used and rattle-can paint them for a quick touch-up if needed.
Some trees add a nice visual effect. A painted pine-cone doesn't look too bad. (Neil Young uses them)
Anything that suits your fancy will look fine. Something that relates to family members...kids toys(people, cars, etc.), any thing the spouse has (Dept 56) .
Get the whole family involved and have fun and get the trains up and running. It could even be on the floor.
Here's an oval from the free SCARM software.
im doing about that size but in a village and snow mountain style. using white foam for alpine type mountains, etc.
So guys, I want to give you an update....
Still going with 6x7, might be able to stretch it to 6x8. I'm looking at getting some 4.75" thick foam board, that I plan on using for the base for my layout, as well as forming the tunnel and maybe digging out a river/creak for a nice bridge.
So, I've been playing with SCARM, and I like it, its fairly easy to use once you get the hang of it. However, and I can't seem to figure out how the height is measured, is it inches? MM? CM? It just gives me a number and a percentage.
Also, anyone think of something a little more advanced of a layout? I tried doing some switches / extra loops, and I couldnt seem to get everything to align properly.
No! I havent, thanks! Thats got some ideas flowing...
So guys, I want to give you an update....
Still going with 6x7, might be able to stretch it to 6x8. I'm looking at getting some 4.75" thick foam board, that I plan on using for the base for my layout, as well as forming the tunnel and maybe digging out a river/creak for a nice bridge.
So, I've been playing with SCARM, and I like it, its fairly easy to use once you get the hang of it. However, and I can't seem to figure out how the height is measured, is it inches? MM? CM? It just gives me a number and a percentage.
Also, anyone think of something a little more advanced of a layout? I tried doing some switches / extra loops, and I couldnt seem to get everything to align properly.
raggedrebel92,
When SCARM is open, select help at the top and then select SCARM blog. There you can find tips and techniques. Main page or the SCARM website has FAQ's that are helpful.
It is in mm by default. Select Tools, settings, and then the dimensions tab. There you can change it to inches and I use percents on grades. Using inches is a pain when working with the baseboard.
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