I have a small 4x8 layout that I consider a prototype theme or concept layout for Southern Pacific in the 70s 80s time period. Nothing is exactly prototype except for some excellent Athearn and Walthers SP diesels and cabosses. It represents what the SP might look like almost anywhere on the system that was flat (no mountains LOL). I also named my very non prototypical station for the Pomona/City of Industry area because it lets me use Union Pacific and Amtrak equipment as well. I just switch stuff out when I want.
That sounds like a pretty good concept. My last permanent layout was kind of similar, it had a California central valley kind of theme, but it wasn't really supposed to be any particular place. Thanks for watching!
Yeah... I failed at layout... I'm an HO scaler wanting to build a layout centered around CPR operations around Sherbrooke Qc. in summer 1989... My layout is N scale proto-freelance CPR set in the mid 60's just because I got an N scale S3 switcher in the tuscan and grey scheme. Mind you, the whole space situation in the house is not condusive for my plans of grandeur... 8"x8' is a perfectly valid N scale switching layout size... it actually feels huge!! Love it!!
N is a great scale. I started in N, and still have quite a bit. It sounds like you're having fun and enjoying the hobby, which is what it's all about. Thanks for watching!
I totally appreciate what you are doing. The wife has pretty much signed off on a ceiling loop in ho/On30 , i have a portable ho imagineered Durango flavor very whimsical and planning a 70s ish Santa Fe branch 60-70% prototype southwest switching shelves around the train room in the future. 3 completely different concepts. Maybe make a place in the garden for some G that i have equipment for.
It sounds like you're kind of doing something similar to what I'm doing. I like having different layouts with different goals, as it keeps things interesting. Thanks for watching!
I feel that protolance is the best medium. I'm currently planning a broadly prototypical C&NW layout with the very broad '1980s' timeframe. The layout itself is going to be as prototypical as I can manage as far as trackage and scenery goes. The freelanced aspect comes in from some of my motive power, because there are some locomotive types that I like that the Northwestern never owned, particularly first model SD60Ms, SD45-2s, and CF7s. Additionally, there are some operational liberties taken because I like cabooses, however CNW finally discontinued use of cabooses in 1986, and as such things like Dash 8s and SD60s never really ran with them. Overall, best practice in my mind is to do what you like, and if you can realistically explain some of your freelance decisions all the better, but it's not necessary.
I think most prototype modelers are proto-freelance to some degree. It's almost inevitable due to space constraints if nothing else. It sounds like you're having fun with some what-if scenarios with CNW motive power. I am a bit of a CNW fan, too. I'm not super knowledgeable about the railroad but I like the paint scheme. Thanks for watching!
@DanielCortopassi If I might be bold enough to give you a video idea, I think you should talk about selective compression as a concept, and some good guidelines for doing it. Some things like cutting down the multi-mile stretches of nothingness between towns is obvious, but what's less obvious is when and how you should compress the track layout itself. Personally, I've been trying to figure out a way to include the locomotive facilities and car shops at Clinton, Iowa. I know approximately where everything should be oriented, but it's a lot of trackage that will be costly to model accurately.
I found myself to be in a mix of two mindsets. Firstly a complete free-lance mind. I don't care what comes onto the layout as long as it takes my fancy. Then prototypical...let's just say, if you ever Google earth Rapid City, if you cut out the old CNW Right Of Way from the area, Rapid City makes for a very interesting N scale shelf layout if done correctly...it's three yards operating as one...though someone local might be able to answer this, but when I was a kid it was three yards...so I'm curious on why the RCPE stopped using the collection of spurs that run on the northern part of Steel Ave. Park, and cross Rapid Creek. I think I might try and set up some rules regarding integrating the tracks in Rapid City into my N scale railroad...with rules such as that only RCPE, CP, DM&E, or CNW engines can only serve those yards. (BTW that's in order from current operator to oldest)...ohhh...that gives me ideas....maybe I can sneak my current location's track plan in too...so ex-CNW RoW mixed with ex-B&O/NYC RoW....
I like to use prototype track arrangements sometimes. It sounds like you found a pretty good one. Even if you're freelancing, chances are the prototype track layout will still work well. That sounds like a cool mix of railroads. Thanks for watching!
I’ve seen each side of the spectrum. No wrong way to go about it as long as your goals are met at the end. I’m suprised you never mentioned the Utah belt which is a very famous free lanced layout that I know of. Then you have La mesa Model railroad club on the other side for strict prototype modeling.
Those are great examples. I have visited La Mesa, but I didn't think of it when I was recording the video. It's a really impressive layout! The Utah Belt seems very cool, too, though I have only seen that one in pictures. Thanks for watching!
I think my personal favourite layout (if you can call a detailed garden railway a layout) I’ve ever seen is the Peckfordton Light Railway, which is proto-freelance; all the equipment is period-correct, there’s a realistic timetable, and the names of all the people and businesses are taken from real historical census data - but the line itself never existed. It’s a historically-plausible what-if, basically. In my own modelling, I don’t really fit into any of the common categories; I guess I’m also proto-freelance, or possibly just a weird sort of freelance, in that I’m trying to model something specific, but the prototype is entirely fictional. It’s not meant to be Earth or anything - it’s a totally fantasy setting with its own worldbuilding and history. I’ve had to bodge some things to make it all work but getting to model a world I created is very fun :)) Overall I have a lot of respect for anyone who puts a lot of effort into modelling; I think you’re absolutely right that there’s no wrong way to enjoy this hobby :))
That sounds like a very cool garden layout. Your concept is intriguing. I am also a sci-fi and fantasy fan, and though it's very few, some of the stories I've read include trains. Modeling something in a completely fictitious world could be awesome. Thanks for watching!
I want to make a small yard around the grain elevator similar to track arrangements I've seen in the real world, which will probably be a good place to keep grain cars. Thanks for watching!
My layout is a 4.5x7.5 HO freelance roundy-round spaghetti bowl porcelain pacific (it sits on a nice porcelain tile surface, not plywood). You could say I haven't gone full commitment to the hobby yet and the space I have available for it has some limitations that discourage benchwork, complex wiring, and a fully sceniced layout. Ultimately I just wanted trains back in my life so I'm working within some constraints that still allow me to get back into the hobby. Basic DC control, Nickel Silver Bachmann EZ track, 18 in radius curves, 18 in diverging radius turnouts, #4 turnouts, and a 30 degree crossing gets me a flat twice around with a small 3 track classification yard and 5 industrial spurs for continuous running and some switching ops. I grew up in south San Jose, so I like to think that it is inspired somewhat by the trackage that in the '60s was known as SP's Gilroy Subdivision. I have adjusted the location names to protect the innocent and call it the "Gilcrest Sub" running south from "Santa Carla," through "Morgan," to "Gilcrest." In this case "Santa Carla" is supposed to represent the city of San Jose, not the neighboring Santa Clara or Santa Cruz on the other side of the mountains (fondly remembering the Lost Boys movie fictional beach town of Santa Carla)
It sounds like you're having fun and finding a way to participate in the hobby, which is fantastic! I am familiar with the area south of San Jose so I can relate. I think it's a great concept. Thanks for watching!
Good discussion.
I’m proto-freelance. My motto is: “My World, My Railroad, My Rules”.
That's a good motto! Thanks for watching!
I have a small 4x8 layout that I consider a prototype theme or concept layout for Southern Pacific in the 70s 80s time period. Nothing is exactly prototype except for some excellent Athearn and Walthers SP diesels and cabosses. It represents what the SP might look like almost anywhere on the system that was flat (no mountains LOL). I also named my very non prototypical station for the Pomona/City of Industry area because it lets me use Union Pacific and Amtrak equipment as well. I just switch stuff out when I want.
That sounds like a pretty good concept. My last permanent layout was kind of similar, it had a California central valley kind of theme, but it wasn't really supposed to be any particular place. Thanks for watching!
Excellent review !!!!!
Thanks for watching!
Yeah... I failed at layout... I'm an HO scaler wanting to build a layout centered around CPR operations around Sherbrooke Qc. in summer 1989... My layout is N scale proto-freelance CPR set in the mid 60's just because I got an N scale S3 switcher in the tuscan and grey scheme. Mind you, the whole space situation in the house is not condusive for my plans of grandeur... 8"x8' is a perfectly valid N scale switching layout size... it actually feels huge!! Love it!!
N is a great scale. I started in N, and still have quite a bit. It sounds like you're having fun and enjoying the hobby, which is what it's all about. Thanks for watching!
I totally appreciate what you are doing. The wife has pretty much signed off on a ceiling loop in ho/On30 , i have a portable ho imagineered Durango flavor very whimsical and planning a 70s ish Santa Fe branch 60-70% prototype southwest switching shelves around the train room in the future. 3 completely different concepts. Maybe make a place in the garden for some G that i have equipment for.
It sounds like you're kind of doing something similar to what I'm doing. I like having different layouts with different goals, as it keeps things interesting. Thanks for watching!
I feel that protolance is the best medium. I'm currently planning a broadly prototypical C&NW layout with the very broad '1980s' timeframe. The layout itself is going to be as prototypical as I can manage as far as trackage and scenery goes. The freelanced aspect comes in from some of my motive power, because there are some locomotive types that I like that the Northwestern never owned, particularly first model SD60Ms, SD45-2s, and CF7s. Additionally, there are some operational liberties taken because I like cabooses, however CNW finally discontinued use of cabooses in 1986, and as such things like Dash 8s and SD60s never really ran with them.
Overall, best practice in my mind is to do what you like, and if you can realistically explain some of your freelance decisions all the better, but it's not necessary.
If I may, what's your region of inspiration?
@BattleshipOrion Eastern Iowa
I think most prototype modelers are proto-freelance to some degree. It's almost inevitable due to space constraints if nothing else. It sounds like you're having fun with some what-if scenarios with CNW motive power. I am a bit of a CNW fan, too. I'm not super knowledgeable about the railroad but I like the paint scheme. Thanks for watching!
@DanielCortopassi If I might be bold enough to give you a video idea, I think you should talk about selective compression as a concept, and some good guidelines for doing it. Some things like cutting down the multi-mile stretches of nothingness between towns is obvious, but what's less obvious is when and how you should compress the track layout itself. Personally, I've been trying to figure out a way to include the locomotive facilities and car shops at Clinton, Iowa. I know approximately where everything should be oriented, but it's a lot of trackage that will be costly to model accurately.
I found myself to be in a mix of two mindsets. Firstly a complete free-lance mind. I don't care what comes onto the layout as long as it takes my fancy. Then prototypical...let's just say, if you ever Google earth Rapid City, if you cut out the old CNW Right Of Way from the area, Rapid City makes for a very interesting N scale shelf layout if done correctly...it's three yards operating as one...though someone local might be able to answer this, but when I was a kid it was three yards...so I'm curious on why the RCPE stopped using the collection of spurs that run on the northern part of Steel Ave. Park, and cross Rapid Creek.
I think I might try and set up some rules regarding integrating the tracks in Rapid City into my N scale railroad...with rules such as that only RCPE, CP, DM&E, or CNW engines can only serve those yards. (BTW that's in order from current operator to oldest)...ohhh...that gives me ideas....maybe I can sneak my current location's track plan in too...so ex-CNW RoW mixed with ex-B&O/NYC RoW....
I like to use prototype track arrangements sometimes. It sounds like you found a pretty good one. Even if you're freelancing, chances are the prototype track layout will still work well. That sounds like a cool mix of railroads. Thanks for watching!
I’ve seen each side of the spectrum. No wrong way to go about it as long as your goals are met at the end.
I’m suprised you never mentioned the Utah belt which is a very famous free lanced layout that I know of.
Then you have La mesa Model railroad club on the other side for strict prototype modeling.
Those are great examples. I have visited La Mesa, but I didn't think of it when I was recording the video. It's a really impressive layout! The Utah Belt seems very cool, too, though I have only seen that one in pictures. Thanks for watching!
I think my personal favourite layout (if you can call a detailed garden railway a layout) I’ve ever seen is the Peckfordton Light Railway, which is proto-freelance; all the equipment is period-correct, there’s a realistic timetable, and the names of all the people and businesses are taken from real historical census data - but the line itself never existed. It’s a historically-plausible what-if, basically.
In my own modelling, I don’t really fit into any of the common categories; I guess I’m also proto-freelance, or possibly just a weird sort of freelance, in that I’m trying to model something specific, but the prototype is entirely fictional. It’s not meant to be Earth or anything - it’s a totally fantasy setting with its own worldbuilding and history. I’ve had to bodge some things to make it all work but getting to model a world I created is very fun :))
Overall I have a lot of respect for anyone who puts a lot of effort into modelling; I think you’re absolutely right that there’s no wrong way to enjoy this hobby :))
That sounds like a very cool garden layout. Your concept is intriguing. I am also a sci-fi and fantasy fan, and though it's very few, some of the stories I've read include trains. Modeling something in a completely fictitious world could be awesome. Thanks for watching!
Or "car storage" for that grain elevator too..
I want to make a small yard around the grain elevator similar to track arrangements I've seen in the real world, which will probably be a good place to keep grain cars. Thanks for watching!
My layout is a 4.5x7.5 HO freelance roundy-round spaghetti bowl porcelain pacific (it sits on a nice porcelain tile surface, not plywood). You could say I haven't gone full commitment to the hobby yet and the space I have available for it has some limitations that discourage benchwork, complex wiring, and a fully sceniced layout. Ultimately I just wanted trains back in my life so I'm working within some constraints that still allow me to get back into the hobby. Basic DC control, Nickel Silver Bachmann EZ track, 18 in radius curves, 18 in diverging radius turnouts, #4 turnouts, and a 30 degree crossing gets me a flat twice around with a small 3 track classification yard and 5 industrial spurs for continuous running and some switching ops. I grew up in south San Jose, so I like to think that it is inspired somewhat by the trackage that in the '60s was known as SP's Gilroy Subdivision. I have adjusted the location names to protect the innocent and call it the "Gilcrest Sub" running south from "Santa Carla," through "Morgan," to "Gilcrest." In this case "Santa Carla" is supposed to represent the city of San Jose, not the neighboring Santa Clara or Santa Cruz on the other side of the mountains (fondly remembering the Lost Boys movie fictional beach town of Santa Carla)
It sounds like you're having fun and finding a way to participate in the hobby, which is fantastic! I am familiar with the area south of San Jose so I can relate. I think it's a great concept. Thanks for watching!