UK-based newbie

EsPeeMEC

New Member
Greetings from England. I'm modelling HO, with biases towards the Southern Pacific/Rio Grande and Northern New England - BAR, MEC, B&M. At present I'm in collecting mode, but a layout is under construction, so there will be movement in the new year.....LOL

I've got the usual kit - Athearn, Kato, Stewart - plus some older brass units like a GP40X and a DD35.
 

EsPeeMEC

New Member
This could present a problem in choosing your layout location, I think.:mrgreen: Which is it going to be?

As we say in the UK - "It's MY trainset". Seriously though it'll be based on a Motive Power Depot with feeder tracks - problem solved. I reckon that, by swapping buildings around and using a modeller's licence that is available from all good model/hobby shops, I can handle the geography challenge.
 

baldwinjl

Member
As we say in the UK - "It's MY trainset". Seriously though it'll be based on a Motive Power Depot with feeder tracks - problem solved. I reckon that, by swapping buildings around and using a modeller's licence that is available from all good model/hobby shops, I can handle the geography challenge.
Modeler's license is a good thing! (And I can spell it either way, I lived over there for three years, and find some words impossible to spell!) Rather than trying to have the same terrain represent two very dissimilar areas, I'd be tempted to have two separate, distinct scenes on the railroad. I think it would be especially fun over there to be able to show the difference between New England and the West, scenically. If you try to use the same area and be convincing, you quickly find that the 'ruggedness' of the terrain and the colors just don't match! NOTE: Of course it is your trainset! I just think that as an overseas modeler it would be really neat to be able to show the differences across the country.

Jeff
 

EsPeeMEC

New Member
Mo Rather than trying to have the same terrain represent two very dissimilar areas, I'd be tempted to have two separate, distinct scenes on the railroad. I think it would be especially fun over there to be able to show the difference between New England and the West, scenically. If you try to use the same area and be convincing, you quickly find that the 'ruggedness' of the terrain and the colors just don't match!

Jeff

That's probably not such a bad idea, though the British Region of the NMRA does a good job of bringing the US scene to UK-based modellers.

I was planning to set the depot in an urban setting, so the terrain would be less of a problem - first thing is to look at the books: "Meet the Maine Central" Page 41, or John Signor's books on the EsPee for inspiration. And the songs of Harry Chapin for the businesses' names.
 

baldwinjl

Member
I find that there is a big difference in the whole feeling of New England urban areas and Western ones. Part of it is the buildings, but part of it is the spacing, and the general layout. The New England are much more European feeling, narrower streets, things closer together, roads at odd angles, etc. The western cities are more gridlike, generally more spaced out, and regular. I'm sure you can make it work, though.

I like the Harry Chapin idea. Throw in some Spanish names in the SP areas, though.

Jeff

EDIT:
While we lived in England, and in Germany, it was interesting to see how many people had no concept of the size and diversity of the US. The scale is so different, and a lot of people just didn't have the personal experience to make it real for them. It sounds like you've got a handle on that, though!
 

EsPeeMEC

New Member
I like the Harry Chapin idea. Throw in some Spanish names in the SP areas, though.

Jeff

EDIT:
While we lived in England, and in Germany, it was interesting to see how many people had no concept of the size and diversity of the US. The scale is so different, and a lot of people just didn't have the personal experience to make it real for them. It sounds like you've got a handle on that, though!

Thanks Jeff. I've skied in both New England and the Western States: CA, UT, AZ, CO, WA, OR, NE. We did Colorada, California, Arizona and Utah in one, three-week holiday and I'd love to come back. It's the flights that do for the good lady wife, and the security that really is a PITN (Neck). But I've got fond memories and lots of books for reference.
 
Top