Modelling aesthetic

Would look like 3rd Plan it software views then. Such as seen on pics at the below address:

Paul Newhouse wrote:

Many years ago (1960s?) MR featured a layout that used O scale locos on S gauge track, simplified scenic features, stage-style lighting, and so on. Awesome - it captured the effect and impression of bigtime railroading in the mountains wonderfully well. It was designed and built by a painter, IIRC. Can't remember his name, sorry. Not "realistic" in the usual sense of the word here, but "lifelike" all the same.

I believe most modelers will agree that it is the very visual complexity and mixture of textures, colors, and details on a layout that makes it interesting and eye-catching, serving to draw the observer into the scene. While I could accept the use of large, sterile and featureless, white or grey towers as structures in a background for, say, a highly complex, urban scene, I definitely wouldn't care for a more typical, lower density, layout done this way in its entirety. Such a concept harkens back to Dave Barrow's short-lived "minimalist" approach to "layouts", if you want to call them that!

Now this is, admittedly, a hobby of to each his own and if the idea tickles your fancy, so be it, go ahead and try it. But I honestly think very few hobbyists could get enthusiastic over the end result.

CNJ999

Quite lively and colorful compared to the image Bob's post created inmy head.

What about the latest rendition of David Barrow's Cat Mountain? He's an architect who is concerned about the look and feel about the entire layout room. I recall from the pictures (in MR I think) that both the layout and the room housing it are aesthetically very 'clean' looking.

Regards, Gordon.

That would be the May 1962 issue featuring the "Great North Road" of Francis Lee Jaques One of my all-time favorite MR features. Not realistic at all, but yet, outstandnigly effective and impressive.

Where've you been? it already IS monolithic and dull.

layout and

lasted less than a year, was torn out, and Barrow's has moved on to a new, more realistic layout. Incidentally, it's difficult to understand Barrow's statis as a preeminent model railroader, since it appears that he simply designs trackplans and has others do all the work on building the layout itself. In such a situation I have to wonder exactly whose's ideas/appearances are actually being executed in the final rendition?

CNJ999

It sure isn't you!

If HE designed it and HE selects others to build it (I'll take your word on that) then it's HIS ideas which are being created.

I've already got that! And it looks pretty good on my plywood table top, which is a minimalist impression of the rolling hills of the Midwest!

lasted less than a year, was torn out, and Barrow's has moved on to a new, more realistic layout. Incidentally, it's difficult to understand Barrow's statis as a preeminent model railroader, since it appears that he simply designs trackplans and has others do all the work on building the layout itself. In such a situation I have to wonder exactly whose's ideas/appearances are actually being executed in the final rendition?

CNJ999

```````` Torn out, eh? GOOD! That layout reminded me of the the story of The Emperors New Clothes.

I see the new edition of MRP-2005 has another Barrow article on lighting the layout. I immediately had the thought of a single light bulb hanging from the center of the ceiling -- now THAT'S minimalist!

Paul - "The CB&Q Guy" Modeling 1960's in HO.