I have an N scale layout that I have been working on. I wanted total realism and now I can have it.
For the last 20 years I have been inventing, refining and perfecting a method of reducing objects in size. I won't go into perticulars until I have a patent but the basic idea is that I am able to make the atoms and molecules in an object come closer together. Picture it like the solar system. It is very similar. There is a lot of wasted space out there. If you could move all of the planets in the solar system closer together....... well you get the idea. Anyway, back to the layout. I have taken a real, full size CSX locomotive (to be specific it was an AC4400CW and was #23) and reduced it in size to N scale. CSX has it listed as destroyed but it's actually on my layout. You remember that gasoline tanker that was listed as missing in Texas a couple of months back? It's on my layout. There was a old timey depot in Aberdeen Maryland that was slated to be torn down. This depot was totally cool. Had that old time look and effect. Well, I saved them the effort of destroying it. Yep...it's on my layout. The effect is very good. I could never get this kind of realism with models, the layout is my best ever and I am quite proud of it. I'll post some pictures. I mentioned the tanker truck...well the fuel remains viable. I was able to fuel the CSX loco and I reached into the cab with a straight pin, fired it up and added some throttle. It went around the layout just fine. Made the proper sounds, smoke...the whole bit.
It remains for me to populate the layout with people. For now I am using the Priesser (sp?) scale people. It seems that I can only reduce non-living matter to a smaller size. I tried it on organic matter and it didn't work. Actually, I should clairfy that. I can shrink plant matter but not insect or mammal matter. I tried it on the wife's cat and it was a real mess. She liked that cat and she's still mad at me. I'll get it worked out. Once that is accomplished the layout will be really the best that I can do. I can picture it with little people going about their business on their own. With the reduced plant matter and some small livestock it will be a totally self supporting culture. I'll keep you posted with details as they progress. Pity about the cat, though.