Looking for Landscaping Ideas and Some Inspiration!

A slightly mounded topography between the track and table edge will not only give the area some visual interest, it will also supply some protection from trains wanting to head towards the floor. It happens on curves more often than people realize. You could raise the ground from the table edge getting higher towards the track, then make the side near the tracks look like a rock cut. Adding some trees would add more crash protection and more visual interest. Hills and trees - guardians of the toy train curves.

Jumijo, thanks for responding to my post.  Using that very limited space to create some visual interest is exactly what I am looking for.  Some where along the long curve I would like to have an embankment, something below grade, but I do appreciate your idea of raising the terrain up above track level and creating a rock cut. 

Your cautionary note about using the area to create ground that would also serve to protect the trains is also noted.  I agree its probably a wise thing and will definitely be taken into consideration.  I say this very very quietly, not wanting to disturb anything, but to date I have never had a train go over the side of the table. I probably should not have said that.  I'm not really wanting to temp fate.  I will note that I tend to run my trains at a fairly slow speed and to move with them as they work their way around the layout.  I'll usually stay up with the locomotive, but sometimes drop back to the caboose.  In any case I'm always there pretty close at hand.  I do appreciate your suggestions.  It gives me some ideas.  Thank you, Bo 

You can see my website Bo's Trains at http://www.bostrains.com

Just a few ideas as they pop into my head

- Playground ( I realize it probably doesn't fit the theme of the surrounding area, but they are always good for filling small spaces.)

- A segment of road that cuts one of the corners. It would be very small, but it gives the sense there is a world beyond...

- Billboard or other type of signage

- light or water tower, maybe some type of silo

- Edge of a creek or pond.

MichMikeM, some good ideas!  It's early in the planning process, but I'm starting to lean toward perhaps using a small embankment then the ground rising above the track to create a cut supported by a cut stone retaining wall closet to the track and above it some rock face.  I like the idea of a road.  Perhaps, a road crossing with crossbucks on either side of the track.  Could also have a small creek running between the track and the stone retaining wall and then down the embankment some how, maybe to the edge of a pond?

It is hard to see, but in the last (3rd) photo above I actually have an MTH water tower sitting on the right side of the track.  I think that is a pretty good location for it.  I am not sure if that is the kind of water tower you were thinking of.  I had not thought about a billboard.  That could be interesting.

Thanks for the suggestions.  That's what I needed.  They are helping me to begin to create a possible vision of what the space could look like.  Bo 

You can see my website Bo's Trains at http://www.bostrains.com 

A slightly mounded topography between the track and table edge will not only give the area some visual interest, it will also supply some protection from trains wanting to head towards the floor. It happens on curves more often than people realize. You could raise the ground from the table edge getting higher towards the track, then make the side near the tracks look like a rock cut. Adding some trees would add more crash protection and more visual interest. Hills and trees - guardians of the toy train curves.

I totally agree with Jumijo's statement. Just look at this Leigh Valley highrailers module!

And this one as well!

prrhorseshecure, I hear you and agree with Jumijo's statement as well.  I liked Jumijo's phase "Hills and Trees - guardians of toy train curves."  I also like what was done in both photos.  Thanks you, Bo 

You can see my website Bo's Trains at http://www.bostrains.com

Looking good. I checked your web site. Enjoyed the pictures & videos; nice job.

My area was prime for folks to put their hands onto the layout to see everything going on. I decided to place some railings here to facilitate that and yet try to blend in with the rest of the scenery. So, there are small mounds to "hide" the supports, a small wetland area allowing a few great blue herons to feed, and other scenic things. I have a step stool at that point so younger children can see and use the handrails. Of course "older kids" 50 and over use them too!

Rick

Thanks Spence and Ranger Rick.  I appreciate your comments.  Spence, I took a look at your web site and enjoyed the tour of your railroad.  You have made some good progress.  Enjoyed the video train ride around the layout in it's early stages.  I hope to do an update on my progress soon and plan to do something similar.  It gives the viewer a nice perspective of the railroad.

Ranger Rick, I like what you have done also.  I wanted to include some kind of water element in mine as well, couldn't seem to make it work to my satisfaction.  You worked it in very well.   I really like your trees between the tracks in your first photo.  The heron is a nice touch too!  Thanks for sharing your photos!

Thanks again guys.  When I get my railroad back up and going I'll post another picture or two.  Bo