What's your favorite layout theme

Adriatic,

Glad you posted this, as maybe it will help clear some things up.  Don't think you're characterizing my initial post (on what I would find interesting) as "derogatory" but for what it's worth:  I never said anything negative about anyone's layout. In fact, I am amazed by so many layouts shown here and in the magazines to which I subscribe, including OGR.  But as the last sentences of my post indicated, my initial reply was in response to what I thought the OP was discussing - ideally, what we would like in a layout.  As I said, this country is so vast with an endless variety of beauty that I for one would prefer to see more layouts that capture some of this (rather than the layout I described that so many seem to model).  This isn't a comment on the level of workmanship of anyone's layout. Rather, it's a statement of taste.

Look at it this way, when the first Taurus SHO was released in the mid-1980s (?) it raised the bar and most people were wowed (evident from the accolades and sales figures). But if 85% of all cars manufactured for 30 or more years looked almost identical to it, some folks might start to look at other cars as more interesting. 

If others don't agree with my sentiment, that's certainly their prerogative. But disagreeing can be done tastefully.


Peter

no theme for me I just build what I see in my head for an area. then move on to the next area and do the same.

 

Trains remain the focus but my secondary focus is mainly on rural settings,  trees are always a big part.  I have three corner areas to work with on the ACCR ceiling RR,  one has a hotel, another a rural passenger station and the third light industrial but all three have as much trees as anything.   The custom painted mural on one side is all country with a river in the middle.............

 

Mark

All of my layouts have centered around a yard.  A yard with engine service facilities, and mostly populated with a certain type of industrial rolling stock. I really enjoy switching and other yard activities.

 

The particular industry has changed a few times ..... timber, coal, ore, pipe and other steel products. Now ..... chemicals.

 

I'm sorry. But I just can't let this go unchallenged.

 

PJB, Did you give any thought to the possibility of making a whole lot of people feel badly because of the negative, derogatory, disrespectful points you have made here? There is certainly quite a significant number of fellow hobbyists who have used these products, modeled them with their own hands and imagination, or purchased them with satisfaction, and integrated them into their layouts with pride and satisfaction, and modeled such cityscapes.

 

What point was it that you felt you just had to make by saying all this?

 

What helpful, positive purpose did your negativity serve in this conversation?

 

You may have previously noticed that many posters on this forum are encouraging to each other and laudatory in our replies, hoping to add in a pleasant way to the thread at hand and to the overall discourse about our trains.

 

Positively every thought that forms in a person's mind is not necessarily golden and worth inflicting on others.

 

You could have made your other, fine points about alternative scenery - all of which I thought were interesting ideas -  without the bashing of what "so many layouts" (your words) have done and/or utilized.

 

So, I am taking strong exception to the bashing part of your posting.

FrankM.

The theme in o-gauge is to run trains and have fun

there was a layout photo I seen when I got back into the hobby a few years ago. it was of a gentleman's layout he had rolling hills nice green grasses very sparse on the buildings and such. the only things I remember about the post of what I had read was the owner had tore the layout down and went to g scale  if I remember correctly also I remember one persons comments about the layout was it gave the look of the trains climbing and descending rolling hills but it was all an allusion because the track was level I wish I could find the photo's again I have looked for them a few times in the past few years maybe someone knows of the layout I am talking about. one other thing I remember was either a windmill or water tower being the only structure on the whole end of the layout. if anyone knows what layout I am talking about I would like to see the photos again. it was a very nice layout.

 

 

At first the theme of my layout was Postwar trains running my version of the N&W in my version of the 1950's American South. My version of the 1950's South being best described as what would happen if Ward Clever and Perry Mason were more like Larry the Cable Guy, or some of the History Channel Swamp People. A BBQ joint, a sportin' goods shop selling guns and fishing supplies and a few trailer houses and lots of pickup trucks.

As my interests have broadened into tinplate and Prewar trains I have begun to slowly replace the conventional model structures with tinplate inspired versions of same.

 

 

Monsoon - I'm sincerely sorry you feel that way.  You'll note, however, that even in the excerpt you've taken from my initial post, I state that I am stating my opinion.   If you or anyone else has modeled a small suburban town and a rural area, and my opinion (someone you don't even know) sends you into a tizzy or hurts your feelings - then it sounds like you’re doubting your own decisions and projecting this disappointment onto me.

I created a large memorial painting of someone very close to me who was a victim of September 11^th.  Many people liked it but others said, ‘that doesn’t look like him.  Why didn’t you do [this or that] instead?  I don’t understand the symbolism – why didn’t you do something more meaningful?’  If personal opinions by others get me angry because they don't agree with mine, then that's on me. I've never been angered by other opinions nor have I ever regretted my composition and finished painting because it's exactly what I set out to do - and regardless of what anyone else thinks or says, I'm happy with it.

I plan to do a thread with layout updates as we slowly develop our layout. Feel free to chime in and tell me how much you abhor what we're modeling and how much you prefer XYZ.  I will appreciate both pro and con opinions, as they might lead to a better overall product.  But rest assured that no opinion is going to get us upset, as we’re happy with what we’ve decided to model.  And ultimately isn’t this what it’s all about?  Creating your own little empire as you see it, regardless of what anyone else thinks?

At this point, I'll just bow out by saying - sure, whatever you say.

Happy railroading.

Peter

I'm late to this party, but would like to add my two cents worth.

 

I am trying to model a Midwestern layout.  I have a small section of the big city (Chicago) and my big city passenger terminal (Union Station) and at the other end I have my small towns (Spencer & Ruthven).  In between I am trying to keep some country side and tall grain elevators. 

 

Art

I like them all, I just love trains.  Keep the rails polished.  Jim R.

Don't try to make me sound like you.

 

But speaking for myself, I do not abhor any layout. That's NONSENSE. Each one makes somebody happy. I wasn't expressing a preference for any type of model railroad scenery; rather, suggesting you be more considerate of others when you pontificate.

 

Regarding layouts, I'll stand on my reputation on this forum, in that regard, no matter how you might try to twist that around. 

 

And I can see there is no further conversing with you, as you are far too tricky and slippery for me. I'm not even sure you read what is in front of you.

 

P.S. "Monsoon" is a rainy season. It's not raining here.)

 

P.P.S. Oh, and here are a few of those tedious streets with a few of the kits you find so "disapointing".....(Look away; it's too horrible to behold.)

 

...just for fun....

My layout "theme" has morphed in to a mixed bag of old Marx, Lionel, and AF tinplate buildings with a few I made(one about 70 years ago) and several other bought at antique shops.  My vehicles are another mix from Model As to a 69 Z28 Camaro which is silver with black stripes like the one I had. It's my layout, I'll do what I want.

My layout is built according to the 2 official model railroad rules;

 

Rule 1: It's my layout and I'll build it and run it as I please; and

Rule 2: For all other situations and questions refer to Rule 1.

 

So, I guess my theme is running trains and having fun. Definitely no rivet counting or nit picking. Lots of buildings and lights, smoke and sound. Nothing really fancy, just fun.

My favorite are the realistic layouts. One of a certain time like Neal s, Bob b, Norm c, etc.