| HOME THE CONCEPT CONSTRUCTION: BACKGROUND LIGHTING TRACKWORK SCENERY STRUCTURES LOCOMOTIVES and ROLLING STOCK LINKS CONTACT Contact has been disabled: With the site inactive, we haven't gotten much besides spam from this link for some time. |
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NOTE: We've returned to the world of On3. It seems that after getting most of the benchwork completed, we were able to visualize how the lilmited space could be used for modeling limited portions of a very small loging operation. Since that's our primary interest, a decision was made to once again begin modeling in 1/4" scale. Since modeling time is extremely limited, it is all but certain that this site will not be completed. Because the site has been helpful to some even with its incomplete status, we will not remove the site for the forseeable future. We have, however, disabled the contact links since with the inactivity here, the little genuine mail received has been severely outweighed by the amount of spam received. --Ron For those finding this site before it's officially announced: We're still in the bare-bones stage. While the very nature of the project indicates that it's a perpetual work in progress, we have some photographs to create and a bit more text to add in the immediate future. In the meantime, this page (even without the photographs yet to come) is a good introduction to the project. THE CONCEPT This project will focus on developing all aspects of the layout to a high level of realism and prototype accuracy, and integrating them--equally, for the most part--to end up with a Proto:87 layout. The appearance of reality and prototypical correctness is of paramount importance, however, so they will take precedence over operating considerations whenever necessary. Along the way, we'll go against conventional wisdom a few times to achieve our goals. But before we get deeper into the concept behind the project, let's briefly differentiate Proto:87 (or P:87) from "Prototype Modeling" for those who may not be familiar with the terms. Prototype modeling attempts to get as close to prototype realism and accuracy as possible. It really isn't strictly defined--there are no "standards" that define how much one can deviate from the prototype and still be considered a prototype modeler--so let's call it a "state of mind". Obvious no-nos would be to put C&O Progress decals on single-sheathed box car: since such a car never existed in real life, as a prototype modeler, you wouldn't do it. Neither would one run a Southern Ry steam locomotive with a string of Southern Pacific passenger cars. And you don't letter any steam locomotive for Amtrak! It's usually a lot more subtle than those examples however, having to do with "rivet counting" and all that. You get the idea, I'm sure. Prototype modeling usually applies mostly to locomotives and rolling stock, although it can easily be expanded to included everything about a layout. Three Yahoo groups that are based on prototype modeling are Mike Brock's Steam Era Freight Cars group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stmfc,it's sister group, the Passenger Car List at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PassengerCarList, and Jim Six's Railroad PROTOTYPE Modeler group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RPM-forum. Proto:87 is a set of track and wheel standards for HO scale that are scaled closely from prototype track and wheel dimensions--much closer than normal HO. The typical HO wheel is grossly oversize in width and flange depth when compared to a prototype wheel. Since the gauge is nearly the same, a lot of commercially available flex track is usable. A problem comes when we get to switches, however, where the typical flangeway clearance is too wide for a Proto:87 wheel--they just drop into a frog and derail. This is where the new Central Valley track system comes into play: The tie strips are probably the most realistic currently on the market, with both a uniformly spaced mainline tie strip and more irregularly and wider spaced branchline/yard tie strip. The ties are pre-gauged with grooves in the tie plates for the rail, and the matching switches are scaled from the prototype. Therefore, it is essentially only the frog that needs to be replaced to make a Central Valley switch Proto-friendly. Proto:87 Stores sells a replacement Proto:87 frog for the CV switch. In fact, Proto:87 Stores is a complete source for just about anything one needs in the way of Proto:87 wheels and track--they carry the complete CV track system as well as the appropriate rail, and also have a specially packaged CV switch kit that includes the replacement proto frog instead of the regular HO frog. The Stores also carries Northwest Short Line replacement wheelsets, etc. We'll cover more of the specifics when we get into the subject of trackwork. Until then, there is a Yahoo Group for Proto:87 at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proto87/ that you might want to join if you are interested in having exceptionally realistic trackwork. The Space Problem: Selective Compression, Friend or Foe? One problem we face in modeling is that of space. Perhaps, it is the one largest obstacle to truly achieving realism in most modeling situations. There is almost always more space required for completely accurate modeling of any given scene than we could afford to give it, and this is where the time-honored concept of "selective compression" comes to the rescue. Or does it? If you look for it, some of the biggest giveaways in modeling are those having to do with space--too-tight curves, and too much compression of structures and the areas that surround them. But one can't have everything. We're usually more than willing to compromise in order to gain more railroad and/or more operational possibilities, since it's almost always an either/or situation when attempting to balance scenery and structure space against operational needs. But you'll recall this was referred to as a "diorama-style" layout on the splash page, and that implies there may be priorities that differ from what might be held most dear if building a more conventional layout. And so it is. When we visit a layout we've never seen before, at the same time we are admiring skillful modeling and great scenery, we also automatically and without question accept that the curves are probably a bit sharp, and the buildings or the plots they're sitting on may be a little too small. This has a subtle effect of dampening the feeling of realism, but probably not much since we're used to seeing it, we expect it, and we therefore don't give it a conscious thought. But it also stands to reason that if we've grown accustomed to seeing compression, anything that goes in the opposite direction would allow for a more realistic impression. That's the nail I've decided to hang my hat on, and in a couple of years, we'll see if it was a good choice. But for now, the broadest curves possible will be used--probably with easements--and the longest switch frogs possible, too, and enough room will be allowed around structures to provide for things often not included, such as employee parking, storage, company vehicle servicing, fencing, etc. All this probably still won't be enough if compared to the real thing, but in comparison to the norm for operational layouts, it should appear more spacious and open. The conclusion? Selective compression is a friend to modelers who need to conserve space, with what's probably a minimal impact on realism. But it's also a friend to modelers who want to play off the norm established by space-saving measures like selective compression, and increase the feeling of realism by doing so, and we can achieve this without having to go all the way to a fully-scaled out version of that being modeled. The Givens. The primary space for this project is just over ten and a half feet wide, and comes to just over 900' x 200' in real life. That has to encompass the main portion of the scene itself, and the curve approaches on either side where track has to enter the scene from side extensions. Depth-wise, it also has to contain two mainlines, run-around tracks and a two-track interchange yard, plus a team track, freight and passenger stations, and somewhere to put some locomotive service facilities (no turntable, though!). And don't forget we have a background to transition into. Because the space is so small, the side approaches (except for one side of the B&M mainline) will be part of the scene, and not hidden. (If hidden, curves could be tighter...too bad, huh?) To alleviate a bit of the congestion, the actual interchange point itself and the very beginning of the interchange yard trackage, as well as one road's passenger station and a portion of the run-around track, will be located on a 12" to 15" wide by 10' long extension along the right-hand wall. (The opposite wall will have a hidden trackage extension for trains to disappear into.) But even with the help that the right side extension provides, there is still the problem of getting mainline curves to look convincingly real in a tight space, plus the fact that one mainline that has to make a visible, 180 degree turn within that scale 900'--something that one rarely ever sees in real life. Oh yes. I should mention that this is all located in a bedroom, which has to retain that function. So, given all this, how does a prototype modeler reconcile these problems to model a prototype scene? Well, it probably isn't possible. No prototype scene can possibly fit these requirements, and if one could be found that did, chances are extremely unlikely that it would be on the B&M. The Sell Out: Fiction Mixed With Proto Modeling. So here's where I make a compromise. The solution is to model a fictional interchange at a fictional point along the B&M. (Although it's not too hard to guess the general location of Dalton Mills as being somewhere along the Conn River line, north of White River Junction.) The foreign road (The Strafford Valley RR) is also fictional, since a real road would require modeling a real interchange... and then we'd be back to fitting a prototype scene into the available space. There's a photograph on the Fallen Flags site in the MEC section, which shows a relatively compact yard at Lewiston, Maine. This yard has much of the compact feeling I'm looking to replicate in the fictional road's yard, although the surrounding town area will be more evident. It will also look a little more alive. Net etiquette prevents direct linking to the image, but look toward the bottom of the MEC page in "Other Photos" for "Yard - Lewiston ME". Keep this one in mind, and we'll see just how close to that we end up. Be sure to visit the Fallen Flags site in any event. It's well, well worth a vist! Damage Assessment. Since major compromises are being made in prototype accuracy by establishing a fictional location and fictional foreign road, what damage has been done to our prototype modeling philosophy? Strictly speaking, Frodo has crossed into the land of Mordor (proto-freelancing), but overall, I think the prototype modeler philosophy remains mostly intact: All the rolling stock and the locomotives modeled will be true to prototype as per June 1953, except for the foreign road's equipment, which will still adhere to prototype practice for the era. Even reweigh and repack stenciling on all freight cars will be correct for the time limits imposed in 1953. The only thing not prototypical will be the paint and lettering of the foreign road--and of course, the fictional town of Dalton Mills, and Dalton Mills Junction itself. Everything else on the layout will be done as the prototype would have done it, and the details of the town and everything about it will be as realistic for its date and locale as yours truly can make it. What's Next? While there is a basic track plan in mind, things can't really proceed any further in that direction until the space needed for the trackside structures is known. As of January 2004, the main benchwork has been built (no side extension yet), covered in plywood (since the geography will all be relatively flat), with the background installed and the basic blue sky color applied. The lighting needs to be completed before going much further, as the layout is sandwiched vertically between a row of cabinets on the floor, and a drop ceiling over the top, giving only about 24" between the layout surface and the ceiling. The lighting needs to go in now, too, before anything delicate gets installed on the layout itself. The advantage to the eye level viewpoint is that one can't take in as much in a glance as from a higher viewpoint. This helps with the space issues, making the scene feel larger. Progress will be slow, so there will be no such thing as regular updates. Because of this, there is a form in the right column to request email notification of site updates. The background and lighting need to be completed next. After that, a track plan must be finalized, which will involve building some of the primary structures or mockups of them to assist in visualizing some options. (As you can see, we're already digressing from the way things are usually done design-wise.) I've also been working on some freight cars and locomotives here and there, and have done some custom decals for the SV. Tyin' Up. I hope the direction this is taking, and the thought process behind it is of interest. From here on out, things should mostly be on a more practical level. Stay tuned for updates, and thanks for visiting! Ron January 2004 |
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