Backwoods NE in Florida

[cuse]

Thanks John...I remain excited about the vision and ready to get to it...but nothing much to show. Too much life lately!

(not in a bad way). As the NNGC approaches, I'll assuredly have goals and decisions clarified. I always like to justify having "needs" for the NNGC 

John

[GPdemayo]

Great start John, looking forward to seeing what you come up with this time.....

[cuse]

I haven't been completely inert...

[PRR Modeler]

Progress is progress!

[Rick]

That's a nice manageable sized layout to build.
I'd never be able to finish a giant basement filling one.

[cuse]

Here's a little CPR for the thread...been sidetracked by lots of stuff, most notably the arrival of my new granddaughter and making plans to ride the Glacier Express through the Swiss Alps this summer...plus, y'know, work and life in general

I'm currently leaning towards an N scale "upper level" far far in the distance roundy round (mostly hidden)...probably between a mine and something like a stamp mill. The track and minimal structures and trees, etc will be around 66" off the floor with the main HOn30 level at about 46". Also an HOn3 loop somewhere around 52" or so...lots of hidden loops behind the backdrops (which will largely be covered with tall mountain peaks nearly to the valance.

pages of notes and scribbles poured out of me as I pondered this...so I think it'll work.

I was tormenting myself to try to connect the whole thing as a giant loop(s) with me in a crawl-under operating pit (I cannot fathom not being able to just let them go round and round), but hiding the loops behind the backdrop enables me to use the front section as a dead-end peninsula, largely as a structure "showcase", so I can use the back areas for the looming peaks and forced perspective I'm seeking...gears are turning, hammering soon to commence as the vision becomes clear.

Notice the N scale mockup "terminus" in the upper (way upper) left- that will be a mountaintop...with another one on a yet-to-be-built one to the far right. I hope to get a rough layout plan (track is always secondary to me  ) to help visualize what the heck I'm talking about...

I have had some success with the HO/N forced perspective in the past (when I was changing scales). If the viewing angles are carefully considered and controlled-it's a cool effect.

[elwoodblues]

John,

This should be an interesting project.  years ago I learned that big isn't always better.  I had already started on my 12' x 16' On30 empire when the Mrs said that I could have the rest of the basement.  I had dreams of grander, drew multiple plans and then realized, wait a minute, I'm more that satisfied with what I was building.  The only expansion I made was a staging yard in my modeling room.

Looking forward in following along with this adventure.

[cuse]

Well, I busted through my "paralysis by analysis" wall today...I actually built some benchwork and even laid some track...the HOn30 main level track has been down for a while, but the upper level(s) had me really stuck and unsure about construction and scenery opportunities.

I simplified things and decided to focus on getting the HOn3 upper loop running and track plan somewhat finalized. I lowered the HOn3 loop a few inches because it was becoming clear that my 'not that deep' layout would make it very difficult to have any kind of viable scenic transition between the track levels. 80' stone walls running the length of the layout seemed questionable. I originally decided to add the HOn3 element so I could take advantage of DCC sound in those beautiful Blackstone locomotives - for my grandson's benefit (my kids all resisted, but I'm taking a swing at the next generation).

I decided to forget about the N scale loop higher up the mountains but may still work in some structures if it makes sense and looks right, once I get to the stage of raising mountains. It's tough to describe this layout, even with a track plan that I'm working on, but each module is 4' tall with the idea that tall mountainsides will climb way up to dwarf the trains appropriately. The two gauges are independent loops that disappear into tunnels and circle back on shelves along the back wall. I am all about scenery and really don't have any interest in operations beyond having two trains slowly creeping through the scenes on different levels...but never say never - I'm also a believer that at least appearing to have a "purpose" makes for a more realistic appearance, even just as a side effect. Ultimately, I'll attach larger upper facia panels to further enhance the shadowbox effect and viewing angles - but that'll be some time away as I'll want to get much of the upper scenery done first...still agonizing about whether or not to go with a photo backdrop or just paint it that awesome winter dull gray sky and build 3-D scenery nearly to the top.

I rediscovered Mike Confalone's modeling video and that took me down a deep YouTube rabbit hole. If you're not familiar, check it out, he's unbelievably talented and his layout might be the most realistic one I've ever seen...he's got an amazing knack for capturing New England's "mud season" where most of the snow is gone, but it's still cold and mostly leafless. Muddy log-loading yards and quarries are done so well and he does a uniquely great job at allowing simple scenes to have all of the space they really would occupy, instead of the very natural practice of shrinking scenes to fit our layouts. His "in between" scenes are basically just muddy, wet-looking ground cover, melting snow piles, and trackside details and they are spectacular.

...as long as I'm running off at the mouth, check out Tom Johnson's Cass County RR...absolutely amazing detail and perfectly captured the colorful brilliance of Autumn without looking toy-like. For you SBG'ers...Tom's in Kissimmee and welcomes visitors.

[PRR Modeler]

John great to see you're back at it again.

[friscomike]

Howdy John,

Congratulations on successfully climbing the wall. The focus on HOn3 sounds like a good plan.

Have fun,
mike

[ACL1504]

John,

Great to see you have recovered, some what, from the paralysis. You have to admit it feels good to be modeling again.

It is looking good as well. Is that hole in the backdrop a future tunnel portal?

Tom

[Zephyrus52246]

I would have thought the Narrow Gauge convention would give you a larger burst of action on the layout.     Good to see you back at it. 

Jeff

[Dave Buchholz]

The officers of the North Coast Narrow Guage Railroad went into executive session over the weekend,and by unanimous boisterous approval,  after several rounds of tequila and jelly shots, sends their absolute encouragement to go light up the boilers and crack the throttle open to go full speed ahead ion plans for the narrow gauge portion of your empire!

( They would have encouraged you more, but in an untimely twist of fate, they ran out of tequila, and a few wives showed up with rolling pins to drag their sorry butts home)

Fifth Dave to the right.

[cuse]

John,

Great to see you have recovered, some what, from the paralysis. You have to admit it feels good to be modeling again.

It is looking good as well. Is that hole in the backdrop a future tunnel portal?

Tom

Actually...former tunnel portals. I've lowered the HOn3 track level for more realistic scenery...and I removed the hypothetical N scale level. The holes in the backdrops will be behind mountains, so not a problem...in fact they might help with a "reach in" point for any derailments or track cleaning etc.

[cuse]

thanks for checking in guys...yes, Dr. Jeff, the NNGC is always a kick in the pants, but I've got a LOT going on at work - primarily getting out of it - for good - going on.