What do you feel is the "wow factor" on your layout? (Pics)

Chessie,

They are mostly carved Styrofoam with a thin layer of Structolite plaster. A complete description of their construction was featured in OGR Run 230 - Aug/Sept '08.

Jim

Marty, it is this!

Brian & Marty - If that station isn't the perfect example of the "wow factor" I don't know what is. 

Art

Gilley - I love that bridge and with it's location it looks like you can't miss it.

Laidoffsick - Your roundhouse scene just keeps getting better.  The attention to detail and lighting creates a very realistic and impressive scene.  Great job.

Art

One of the scenes that I am developing may become a "wow factor" and that is my Midwest grain elevator complex.  I am trying for that massive look that I remember from my days of living in Wichita, Kansas.

Art

Art, what a great thread you started!!!!!!!!!

Here's two of my favorite area's on my layout. I also have one more, my amusement park area. I don't have a picture of it right now, because i'm away on vacation.

I don't know if I'd rate this a "wow", however, it certainly is the centerpiece of my layout. This transfer table uses scratch-built rails and sidings, and operates completely under DCS.

It was also the subject of an article I wrote for OGR Magazine in Run 236, June/July 2009, "Creative Extensions for Lionel’s No.350 Transfer Table". Some of  the pictures below were taken by Jim Barrett for the magazine article.

While much iof the layout has changed and grown over the past 5 years, the transfer table engine yard has remained as it was in 2009.

Mostly, it's the "Wow! This thing still works!" every time I fire it up.

Farm

Alex - You have so many great scenes on your layout that it is hard to narrow it down.

Barry - That transfer table is definitely a "wow factor" in my book. 

Mike - I love that first picture with the colorful engines going through a curve with the hoppers behind.  Your bridges really have a WF factor for me.  I really love your farm scene too.

Great shots guys, keep them coming.

Art

Mine is the fact the trains and accessories actually run and that I actually built the thing.  

--Greg

Aside from what visitors to the layout have express as their WOW factor, here is my personal choice. This would not have been possible were it not for the wonderful work of Alex Malliae. And Art, you are very correct.

Brian - I love that picture!  It has both your beautiful bridge and the station in the same shot.  There are so many lights and activity in that shot, just breath taking.  Very nice job.

Art

Mt wow factor is the size of my trains. Great pics all!!!

Ray Marion

Art, That grain elevator is definitely a WOW factor of 10!! It really captures the massive scale of those things.

Right nice of them to do that for you.  

Doug, I really like this shot. You should send me this one

So far when I have visitors they seem to be most impressed with my small Midwestern town of Spencer. 

Art

Art,

What an amazing scene, this look's fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Art please post a few more pics of this area.

Thanks,

Alex

Wow is right!

All of you guys are making this post great.

I would be too, Art. That is one great looking small town scene.

PTC, when did you add that to your layout?!?

Chipset:

The South Station is not on my layout (though I wish it was). This photo came from our recent trip to Marty Fitzhenry's layout. He is the proud owner of this marvelous train station.

When Marty posted to this thread, he commented that in his opinion his CAT system was the standout feature, and it is really nice. But for me, his South Station pictured above is it.

Thanks Alex.  here is a little different view.

Art

Brian,

I thank you for the kind comment's, the station looks fantastic. So does your beautiful layout, it's a must see on my bucket list.

Thanks,

Alex

Art,

It just keeps getting better and better, this is the type of scenery that draws your eye in more and more. Simply awesome.

Thanks,

Alex

Well...I am coming in a couple of days later to the party since this weekend was busy...but I really don't know which part of my layout has a "WOW" factor.  Art, thanks so much for mentioning the skyscrapers at the start of this thread as perhaps that is a WOW factor for some folks....so....I will post some pictures that most have seen already but let you all determine if any of them creates a "WOW" ...  Art, sorry for so many pictures...

Thanks,

Alan

Alan, you have too many WOW factors to limit to one.

I don't have a large layout, but I do have a couple of "wow" factors. The first photo shows the steps to my station made by my friend Richard Fleischer. I sent the photo to one

non toy train railroader and she said "you can't fool me, that's the real Back Bay Station".

The second factor is my use of a 45 degree crossover to make the layout look larger than it is.  

Visitors always admired our vintage Hellgate Bridge flanked by a beautiful stone arched viaduct spanning abut 15'. The viaduct was built off site by Tim W of 'I Love Bridges' from my crude drawings and measurements. He shipped it to us in 1 foot sections and went together just fine.

Another area of interest was the waterfall under the large MTH arched bridge. Most feel that our technique really captured the effect of a real waterfall. There was a second fall beneath the Hellgate bridge but was not easily seen by visitors due to being at the rear and behind the multiple bridges

Alan, you have the dream layout we all wish was ours.  The pictures are beyond WOW.  Dotty and I will see it one day.

Alan your layout is beyond WOW, i would love to see it some day.

Ken M

Brian....thanks so much.  You are correct, the layout has too many WOW factors...like:

WOW...I have to get this ballasting done!..or...WOW....I don't have my turntable area done after a couple of years!..or..WOW I don't have my weathering done!..and...the biggest WOW is....WOW I've got too much to do!!..LOL!!

Marty....LaKeeta and I are looking forward to the time you and Dotty are our guests!!

Ken...thanks!...hey, you are not far from my part of the country so PM me anytime you want to come!

Alan

I totally agree with the others Alan. The whole layout is a WOW factor! 

Gee, Alan. Had the question been "What do you feel has the least wow factor on your layout?" you would have nothing to post.

Pretty amazing stuff.

Sam:

You also had many WOW factors on your previous layout. Thanks for the photos.

Alan - Your layout is the one that most of us think of first when we talk about "wow factors".  You understand the value of creating a scene that makes people say wow when they see it.  I always think of your large city buildings first and your magnificent custom train station and shed, but as has been pointed out you have many WF's on your layout. 

Sam - It is sad that your beautiful layout now exists only in pictures, but we can continue to enjoy it through them.

Lewrail - Looks great!  Thanks for sharing.

Art 

The Run Room size is the first wow factor.

The helix joining all levels is fun for runners.

See my fun toys at my Run Room Trackside Industries Tour .   (Operating accessories are set up for all visitors.)

The complete Run Room Photo Tours are available for runner's viewing.

here's the look from the top of the stairs i was talking about.  almost everyone makes some sort of exclamation at this point.