Saturday, December 24, 2011

Birds Eye View of Marias Pass

I stood up on a ladder with my camera to shoot this birds eye view of the Marias Pass.  It's a very interesting perspective especially with mountain scenery.  It reminds me of the satellite images found on google earth. 

This also illustrates the overall dimensions, configuration of the the table, track plan, and positioning of the backdrop.

6 comments:

  1. Hey NSA,
    I like your approach of serial layout building. Building small layouts has clearly allowed you to develop your techniques without the commitment of a huge construction project or being stuck with approaches or design elements that were "not fully baked yet". Do you plan to stick with the small layout format, or are you progressing toward a larger layout at some point? I'm wondering where you see operations factoring in on your layout(s) as a design consideration?

    Cheers,
    Coxy

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  2. Coxy, thanks for the note. I don't have any plans for a larger layout at this time since the family pretty much trumps the model railroading space. I don't mind however since I have found a niche in building portable layouts that offer advantages that you pointed out in your comments. I'm not big on operations yet and like the simplicity of my track plans, especially since my focus is on scenery and construction. My interest in operations will probably grow as I evolve in the hobby, but for now I am happy watching a train roll by. Thanks again

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  3. Yes, space and time are key. Have been living that for a while but I'm starting to get more time and I now have a basement. It's a bit overwhelming actually, after years of having no space for a layout!

    As a suggestion for your Donner layout, consider including the helper station at Colfax. This would provide a taste of operations without taking up much space on the layout.

    I love Donner. It's a great place for railroad photography. It almost has it all - single/double track, mountain scenery, two major railroads, tunnels, bridges - it just lacks much in the way of switching. However for your project, I think it will be great and I'm looking forward to seeing your progress.

    Cheers,
    Steve

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  4. Great layout I love it. I was hoping maybe you could provide the track plan I would love to build it myself.
    Gary

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  5. Gary, the track plan is in the Nov/Dec 2011 N Scale Railroading.

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  6. Hello! One of the best layouts I've ever seen. Much landscape, less tracks - it looks really perfect. The wide double track curve seems very realistic. For the future I like to build a similar layout for me, with a little modern town at the station. Greetings from city-n-town.com!

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