IMPLIED MODELING
Something that has really struck me over the course of my many years in this hobby is this very common question: “What should I put on my layout?” People are so intently focused on their future physical layout that they lose sight of something equally as important. And that is: what isn't physically modeled on your layout, but yet is a critical design element that directly impacts your overall scheme and operations.
If you don't remember anything else I'm writing today, tuck these two words into the your future bag of tricks:
IMPLIED MODELING
Implied modeling requires no special equipment, tools or money! It is strictly an illusion. This illusion may be supported by objects that are physically visible on your layout yet are not focal points. This subject is specifically discussed in the book: Model Railroad Custom Designer. Implied Modeling involves creating the vision in peoples' heads that a layout extends far beyond the physical boundaries of the layout space. This technique works in any scale or gauge!
One example of Implied Modeling would be to place a refinery tank on the periphery of a layout situated in such a manner that it gives the illusion that the balance of the refinery is just out of sight. Another example would be a track leading off the edge of the space—implying that the track continues onward and is connected to the rest of rail network. There are a number of other examples as well.
None of us, including those with entire basements, ever have enough space to physical model every feature we would all like to see on our layouts. A common mistake is trying to include everything. How many of you have seen layouts that run from sea to shinning sea? There is no way reasonably to depict a transcontinental operation on an eight by four sheet of plywood. Many of us have such grand dreams that can't possibly be realized without significantly compromising scene integrity.
In a smaller area, which includes about 99% of us, we are all striving to create our rail kingdom. Our goal is always to maximize our limited space. How can we stretch an inch into several miles or hundred miles?
The answer is IMPLIED MODELING.
On that same eight by four sheet of plywood, a small section of a transcontinental railroad may be modeled reasonably by using the Implied Modeling concept.
Consider this:
Hypothetically: a person wants to have a BNSF layout. The person selects North Dakota. North Dakota is primarily flat with stretches of track running relatively straight for hundreds of miles on level ground—perfect for a flat sheet of plywood! Crude oil, fertilizers, ethanol, coal and grain are common commodities carried by the railroads.
In Grafton, North Dakota, the Dakota Northern Railroad, a very small regional railroad—about 72 miles of track, interchanges with the BNSF. On this eight by four plywood, the track could be arranged in a manner to simulate this interchange. One strip of track could travel from one side of this plywood to the other in a straight line representing the “through” main-line. The other track-work could be arranged to allow for switching operations and interchange.
At each “end” of the straight main-line, an off-stage (beyond the layout) fiddle area would be in place to add or remove interchanged rolling stock from the layout. This inter-change operation could keep two to three people busy for a long while actively participating in the exchange between rail carriers. Switching these cars around and on and off the layout would serve to keep operations fresh and ever-changing—like real life.
A model railroader should utilize Implied Modeling techniques in an effort to stretch people's imaginations making this operation seemingly go far beyond the physically modeled portion of this surface. Doing so would assist in helping to provide a layout with: plausibility, purpose and participation for those who will inter-act with it, making it fun, challenging and interesting to operate.
In closing, when DESIGNING a future layout (NOT via track arranging) be certain to give equal consideration to what's NOT on the layout as well as what will be on the layout, because it will assist a builder in providing more interest and engagement overall. Designing a layout is far more than just fitting track to fill a particular space.
Even toy and display layouts would benefit from the Implied Modeling concept by giving the impression a layout is far more than just what meets the eye! Food for thought! Check out and “like” The Glacier Line's YouTube Channel! There are and will be more tips and tricks on future videos to improve your layout!
