How Close Do You Look?

My outlook is very much the same as your's.  The traditional sized equipment looks good on a smaller layout with tighter curves.  I enjoy operating the many post-war type accessories that are on my layout along with running the trains.  Some imagination is in order with a layout like mine and perhaps yours.

I believe Dan is correct "some imagination is in order," just as we used it when looking at the Lionel catalogs of the 1950's.

To me, it is all imagination. I imagine what my layout will look like, and  I build it that way. Scenery, engines, freight cars, passenger cars are all bought and set up the way I imagine. I suspect each of us here uses "some imagination," as Dan said.

For better or worse, I am a two-footer - and very hard to please. I scrutinize everything closely - my scale-sized trains, the layout, my posts on the Forum. It would be easier to be a five-footer... Oh well...

MELGAR

I'm with MELGAR.

MELGAR posted:

For better or worse, I am a two-footer - and very hard to please. I scrutinize everything closely - my scale-sized trains, the layout, my posts on the Forum. It would be easier to be a five-footer... Oh well...

MELGAR

But, now, if we were on an N scale Forum, a "five-footer" would be equivalent to the view from a small aircraft. Yeah, I don't care either, but it needed to be said.

 I like O scale on O gauge track,  If I wanted smaller trains I would go to a smaller scale.

Hi Bob....nice to see a new picture of you....Gene

Im with MELGAR and NUMBER 90!

Gentlemen,

    Being mostly an O Gauge Tin Plate Train Runner, I never worry about such things as exacting Scale.  A Tin Plate child like wonder land, should have all the sizes of O Gauge Tin Plate, from all over the world, especially at Christmas time.

We do have some Scale Legacy/TMCC Engines pulling some of our Tin, way cool stuff no doubt about it.  Not mandatory by any means.

PCRR/Dave

I guess you would consider me a 29' kind of guy!

I'd call myself a 1 footer, the smallest imperfections bother me and I try my best to make them right. I run mostly 3 rail scale.

For details, I'm probably at least a five footer.  (Example, one recent post I read regarding something that was supposed to be 40 feet actually scaling to 37.5 feet is something I would never notice, nor likely care about even if brought to my attention.)

For defects, I'm a less-than-one-footer.

-Dave

Count me with the 5 footers, I am much more interested in the overall impression the layout gives.  Does the layout bring back memories of Factory Display layouts or variations or even dreams of places and things that make you feel good?  If so, mission accomplished.

Chris Sheldon

I'm all over the place! If it's O-Gauge I like it! Pre-War, Post-War, Tinplate, Modern, Traditional, Scale, 2-Rail or 3 - doesn't really matter to me!

-Greg

Somewhat close...

When I purchase a new train thingee, 5" close examination, that's when I like & appreciate the details , same goes for when i put thingee on track or operate by button. When playing with trains i take off my bifocals slip on  my train goggles and a  10'  rule is at hand.  Age softens hard edges.

Def: thing ee.  Midwestern term for something you buy, probably didn't need, had to have anyway, and enjoy owning it.  Usually associated with playing with and or collecting, a hobby item. Known to put a smile on face and a warm fuzzy feeling all over.

Bobby,  like you I run MTH RK.  All steam.  I like the look of semi-scale equipment on curves that are unrealistically tight anyway.  I also like steam details.  My MTH RK PRR L1 is currently in the "shop" receiving a detail treatment with Precision Scale parts and a repaint.  Not sure where a semi-scale guy who likes details fits in this conversation, but thats what i roll

My criteria is:

1) Did the RR it’s painted for actually own it or something very close

2) Steam engines - Does it have the domes in the correct location. Most other appliances can be moved, removed, added

3) Passenger Cars - Are the window patterns correct for the type plan and RR

4) Rolling stock - Are the doors, roof, ends, side panels, and trucks correct as per prototype

I try to adhere to this list, but sometimes (like correct trucks) it’s difficult to achieve ( o-scale needs a better selection of trucks!).

I’d rather have less detail on a model than have it way over size or in the wrong location.

When I view a layout, my primary focus is on the scenery, especially the cars, people, and buildings. If you have a background, it better be printed, or painted by a talented artist. I have no problem with postwar trains running on this layout. I cringe when I see detailed/scaled trains running with shoddy scenery. But that's just me.

Joe H,

   Our White Tin Plate Train Room must make you cringe and drive you crazy!  With the Ceramic villages and old metal people in different sizes.  Nothing scale to the cars either.

Just a little boys imagination run wild.

PCRR/Dave

I consider myself a "Moving 2 footer".  The details don't have to be perfect, but reasonably close.  If it looks good from 2 feet away while moving at approximately 20 scale mph, then I'm okay with it.  My only criteria are:

- The railroad actually owned a particular locomotive.                                                                                                                                                                                        - The railroad actually owned similar rolling stock.                                                                                                                                                                                              - The paint scheme was actually used by the railroad.                                                                                                                                                                                        - The road numbers are correct for the particular piece of equipment.                                                                                                                                                            - Major details are present and in the proper location (or reasonably close)

I've learned that if I can live with the third rail and lobster claw couplers, I can overlook minor detail deviations.  The main thing is that a  knowledgeable visitor agrees that the equipment is reasonably correct.  

Tom

All depends how old she is...

As a 3 railer I have to say I'm a 5 footer. I run Rail King passenger cars and mostly Weaver 40 foot box cars and 2 bay hoppers. Good from far but far from good. I wish I had the skill and time to be a 2 footer.

I'm a Frank-footer.  I play with Toy Trains, mostly Lionel, Postwar, colorful, and 3 rails.  They make me smile, and remind me of my childhood.