I build plastic models and dioramas. Realism is something Istrive for. Am curious why layout designs I see often disregard this. I was googling for info on HO trains as I am thinking of starting up the hobby. What I saw kinda bugs me and I would like to know if this is how its done in this hobby or was it just bad design?
The layout I found was full of buildings but they were all clean and shiny - you could tell they were plastic. No attempts were made to weather or age anything. And right next to the track on the other side were a crammed in park and a lake with boats. I got the feeling that the designer wanted to get everything he owned in the layout. And well, it looked ridiculous. I see this a lot with model dioramas too. A scene with a tank with
3-4 soldiers can tell a better story at times instead of 3-4 tanks and 20 figures and buildings, debris, etc. It can be hard to hold back your stash.In your experience have you all found that a lean layout looks empty and unfinished? I'm just not sure why they always look so busy. Are you trying to offer a city/country, etc scene all in one layout?
If I get this train disease I hope to build in the 1800's era or WWII era; in the western US. From earlier posts I have discovered that there most likely are no 4-4-0 HO engines or cars so that idea may be shot. Do not know what is out there for WWII era cars.
Hope you all can shed some enlightenment my way.
Best - Craig