Anyone trying to achieve blend of scale & fantasy structures/scenery?

Looks fantastical.  Wish I had that time needed to assemble that world to spare.

I don't see anything wrong with that.  It looks great to me.

Combining scale and fantasy structures/operation has been the foundation of my "dream" layout to engage the 5 grandkids (current ages 5-12).   In fact, this Christmas Santa delivered a nameplate, which I just mounted for the GFRR:  Grandpa's Funtastic RailRoad!!  Here are some highlights of the funtastical features that add some new life to vintage Lionel accessories. First the nameplate and lift up section to enter the center area for most of the operation (viewing area along the half wall with controls for grandkids to operate some accessories).

Next, is the lumber operation (see next photo).  Begins with a log dump into the Log Loader (1) that the operator (grandkid) manages from a stool at viewing point along the side of the layout.  This Log Loader is actually the modern version of the older unit that made more noise than function.  Then the operator dumps the logs one by one down a chute (2) to (hopefully) land in the bin of the Sawmill (3).  After the Sawmill processes the logs, the operator (me) places the logs in the Lumber Loader (4). That unit dumps the logs in a bin (5) so that the original operator can reach down and replace them in the log dump car. Realistic or FUNTASTIC?!

Next is the Rocket Launcher (see photo).  OK, it blasts off the classic rocket, but why not something else - like Fischer/Price people or Sesame Street characters?  The operator (grandchild) selects the item to blast off, which I place on the launcher, then the grandchild operates the control panel from a stool in the viewing area, and I (usually) catch each item that blasted off. Which one went the highest? FUNTASTIC!

Then there are some interesting features in certain areas.  Here's one in the pond, which grandkids helped design and build (see photo).  Look closely under the dock.  Might even see a crocodile peeking out.  FUNTASTIC!

Been working on this for several years.  Also includes the classic cattle car, milk car, and magnetic crane, which grandkids can operate.  After scenery done in last few areas, might even submit it for an article in OGR Magazine.  That's another fantasy!

Michael

Just when I thought this topic went over like a lead balloon, I am only now seeing the updates! Michael - that is really neat, great work and it really looks like a fun atmosphere. I think there are others out there who endeavor to combine fantasy and scale, they just too busy or don't participate in this forum.

To give further perspective on combining scale with fantasy, here's a couple of shots of taking available buildings (from Lionel and Railking) and painting and making them into a blend. My goal is to use such buildings (which take a considerable amount of time to paint, mortar, etc) and use them in the foreground and then use Lemax/Dept. 56 in the background; with overall effect being one of a hybrid modern city that has undergone a Christmas/North Pole transformation. I'd like to do the same with my Halloween buildings but have run out of room - though an underground city is possible in that genre. Wish I could retire and work on all these projects

How about "Ghostbusters"? The fire house is by Dept.56, the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man is by Playmobile. His arms are moveable.

Who ya gonna call???

Paul, I've got a blend of buildings and accessories that will try to occupy the layout at the same time.  Lemax and Dep't 56 ceramic buildings and accessories; Lionel operating accessories; Lionel, MTH, Plasticville, Walthers built ups and HO buildings, ERTL Farm Country 1/64, LEGO buildings and structures.  Since my layout won't be big enough for all of it I'll be rotating vignettes but I believe every vignette will be a combination of different types.  Hopefully I can blend them together as well as you did.

My son has worked some of his Lego models into our layout with good success.

Absolutely! I added a small scene using Lego Creator buildings and it is one of the more interesting backdrops on the layout.

Always fun!

Big Jim, love the Marshmellow Man!

Paul, I also have a small layout.  You might consider switching buildings to include your Halloween items for that time of year. I attached 2 more photos of a winter scene - with and without the Christmas additions.  Maybe you could do the same with different  buildings that have similar footprints.

Maybe I should do a trivia game to see if folks can identify all the items that are changed!! 

Michael

Don and Chris, knowing some forumites have used LEGOs on their layouts I started a post "O" gauge trains and LEGOs here on Scenery and Structures.  Maybe you could post some pics on that post.

Long ago there was a guy on here who had a really futuristic fantasy layout. IIRC he lived somewhere near Chicago.

Looking forward to seeing your work Paul. Lots of great input so far.

The Lego items are neat. For the Stay-Puff Marshmallow Man - an O-scale city scene with him walking down would be awesome.

Michael - your winter scenes blend well. Excellent foreground and background.

While the O-gauge hobby has a very big tent with no real boundaries - which is why I like it, I have to admit, for my attempts at integrating scale items with fantasy, "successes" sometimes have multiple failures. For example, in this corner of my basement, I wanted to blend in a fantasy winter scene on the higher ground that is elevated above the mainlines. The winter scenes below are 1st and 2nd iterations, both of which are now history as I am yet again re-building this area. While I enjoyed both of these scenes, and at night the lights were spectacular, the "snow" effects eventually stuck out from the rest of the "un-snowed" layout in this part of the basement. FWIW: the re-build in this area will be all O-scale structures with no blend of fantasy. The aforementioned planned Christmas City will incorporate these structures and scenery - and it will be accessed via the tunnel under the steps on the other side of my basement

some really incredible stuff guys. very impressed

I don't think there's a "wrong" way to do model trains, any scale. When you get right down to it, all the modeling (engines, cars, scenery, if any, vehicles, structures, etc) only has to please their owner. That's it.

Some of us would like for others to appreciate our efforts, but the bottom line is that we personally have to be satisfied with what we're seeing coming to life before our eyes.

IF one's effort is fulfilling that criteria... then you're "there" and should be having fun with your effort.

Enjoy!

Andre

I found an Ernie Race car and made it into Ernie's Used Car Lot. The car spins around on the roof while Burt & Ernie haggle about Used Car prices in the office.