What makes a good layout?

[raetiamann]

Following on from MG's question further down the column, it got me thinking about what we look for and appreciate most. Let me start by saying I am at best an average modeller and I can enjoy seeing both tailchasers and end to end layouts.

Of the top of my head, I will list a few of the areas I find make me want to stand and watch the action

● I like to see trains running through the landscape, not simply on a flat board, although for something like minories maybe that can't be avoided.

● Transition curves, make a layout so much more realistic. I hate to see trains running at speed along long straights then hitting r2 or r3 curves. Think of where the coffee would go!

● Slow acceleration and deceleration. Some trains seem to have take off like that of a Porsche, or brakes like a F1 car.

I may add other things as and when thoughts reach the brain, but be good to hear just what other model lets like.

[Walkingthedog]

In a slightly different context one of the things that makes a good layout is a good controller.

I agree with everything you have said.

[Mountain Goat]

I agree that dead stops and starts are best avoided as well as sudden accelerations, though with the odd locomotive it may not like gradual acceleration, but in general a smooth acceleration is preferred. I do however, get bored of very slow trains that are supposed to represent a through express train where there are no logical speed restricted areas in sight. Also very slow speed shunting. If shunting was done at the speeds I've seen on layouts thing would get done on the real railways!
Regarding sharp curves, to be honest anything less then 4th radius really should have a checkrail. However, in regards to transition curves, I partly agree. It all depends on the prototype line one is modelling. Some narrow gauge lines were built using ex WW1 sectional track, and there are the odd cases where's due to local restrictions in space, transitional curves are not possible. A reduced speed limit will apply to such cases.
When I look at exhibition layouts, some I look and move on. Others I look and look at. The ones I tend to move on with are the "Yet another 00 gauge layout using static grass and all buildings are made from card kits or purchased ready made..." Theres nothing wrong with doing this, but to me I find myself thinking "Been there...Done that! (Except for the electro static grass)" I look for something unusual where there's been effort to make their little railway stand out from the rest.
Movement is important. I would rather see a tailchaser then see a large layout with only a single shunter crawling very slowly at one end.... Speed it up a little so at least others at the other end of the layout get to see it!
One of the best layouts I've seen of late was a little 7mm narrow gauge layout using 9mm or 14mm gauge track. I think it was 9mm gauge. It wasn't finished at one end but what was there kept me looking and looking for ages. I hardly noticed the locos or the stock. It had so much to see in such a small space. It even had a home made barb wire fence! I was actually surprised it didn't win best in show.

To sum up. What attracts me is to see something interesting, especially when its been scratchbuilt. Another thing that attracts me is layouts designed in such a way that the operator's have fun as contrary to what I've said above about "Yet another same old" type of layout, some have a clever set up which creates fun and the fun element does attract viewers, myself included! (I once saw a lovely USA H0 wild west layout where the operator's were having so much fun it was great to watch).

[Malcolm 0-6-0]

For me I find layouts that are just not trains moving, but trains moving in a landscape of vignettes that are the reason for the rail way to be in existence which provides the most interest. Also to me a model railway is actually a diorama with movement so its parts, the vignettes, should showcase the modeler's ability as a modeler. To me that is where the real satisfaction lies. I designed the layout and created the reasons for its operation in the way it does so the associated parts should reflect my skills.

If a RTP building is suitable I will use it but if I feel that I can do a better model then I will. There are some awful RTP structures offered, just as there are some excellent ones. The other day I noticed in an advertisement from a prominent manufacturer of model trains a new RTP structure that if it was translated into 1 foot to 12 inch scale could not function as the design intended, yet I am willing to bet that it will turn up on many layouts simply because of the maker's name. Also making one's own models if one has the ability is a hell of lot cheaper than buying them off the shelf.

As to the question of train speed that IMHO should be at scale and also properly matched to what the track layout makes reasonable. A small layout is not the best place to run a typical inter city express, but it can be the place to run a small goods train or autocoach passenger service. Whereas on a large layout that might be lost in the expanse however the big express would fit well. But sudden starts and stops with frantic pace in between just looks silly whatever the layout size.

From the operating side of things one needs IMHO to understand the various performance quirks of each individual locomotive so that when one is running them the best performance can be obtained. Despite all the modern gadgetry we are still driving a small locomotive with its own complex individual characteristics along a track and that is our prime concern. I have several multiples of some of my locomotives and despite being examples of the same design with the same parts I can say that they are all have their own individual characteristics.

[Mountain Goat]

I have several multiples of some of my locomotives and despite being examples of the same design with the same parts I can say that they are all have their own individual characteristics.

That's rather like the real thing.

[RSR Engineer]

Surely it's a matter of what the layout is/was built for. I designed my layout to be both entertaining for visitors and fun to play trains with. How far I've succeeded in those objectives, I'll only be able to tell once it's up and running but whatever, the emphasis is on operation. Here in Germany I've seen enough exhibition layouts with the most beautiful scenery and exquisitely modelled half-timbered houses but often a quarter of an hour or more will go by without turning a wheel, so people drift away. On the other hand, there are layouts where you'd think the builders have shares in the LED industry. You may as well go to the Oktoberfest. These layouts tend also to be "modern image", as we used to call it. Then you get the makers' demo layouts, with a four-coach Intercity and a four-wagon goods, usually both diesel-hauled and tearing round at a scale 130mph, which simply remind you that the maker is still in business. (Bemo is a praiseworthy exception.) But it's their layout and they're not answerable to me. To put it another way, a good layout does what its owner wants it to do.

[Mountain Goat]

Consistency is the key for the general look of the layout and the stock. Here the individual does have a slight advantage over a model railway club as the individual will build the whole layout to his or her abilities, which give a consistant look, while a club has many members who all have different levels of skill, so on the one hand a club has a lot more talent and skills to fall back on, the co-ordinating of the skills and talents can be a delicate task to get the required results.

I think that fun is key though. I've seen too many take their efforts so seriously (Been there and done that!) that they have forgot to realize that it is all about fun. I have been at the point of abandoning the hobby as I wasn't having fun until I decided to try other scales and gauges to keep my interest fresh. I find so much joy in scratch and kit building or bashing in 7mm narrow gauge that I dont see myself changing.

Something to think about regarding a model railway operation is "Do the trains look as if they are going somewhere?" This aspect can be created into both an end to end or an oval layout. With an oval, by including a passing point on and behind the scenes, one can create a feel of trains passing through rather then a train going round and round! An end to end, one can keep changing stock to make it seem like it is larger then it is. One doesn't need that much stock to do this as few viewers will watch long enough for you to have gone through a large supply of stock. The funny thing is, narrow gauge does have an advantage for British based layouts in that many didn't have a huge amounts of stock on their railway to begin with. One or two locos. About fifty or more waggons and about eight coaches. One doesn't need so many waggons as just one train of the more numerous examples (E.g. ten or twelve waggons) and a few of the odd ones which were less frequently used...

[Bandit Mick]

Some very good points made here. I like to see movement - but not trains hurtling past. Something a little different always catches my eye and as someone else has stated, a consistent standard of modelling. My only pet hate - gaps under buildings.

[footplate1947]

The most importent things must be good attention to track laying. Taking your time to get it flat and smooth, no kinks. Followed by keeping it all clean of course. If the track is not layed well nothing will work properly will it. It will not matter how good the controllers or how much you have spent on the new DCC outfit, will it. After the track laying it will be as good as your skills can make it. Hope I have not repeated the centiments of other as I have not read all the posts. ............
Lest we forget those who fell for us.....................John

[Montfort]

A few wise guys gave me this very good advice: "Never despair and work until you'll be happy with the result."