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MichaelWinicki
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 Posted - 11/05/2009 : 19:44:12
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Anyone have any thoughts on David's layout?
It's good sized– It seems even larger than the space it occupies, 16 1/2' x 24' due to the mainline passing back on itself, which creates a pretty long main.
150 switches and this is one that gets me... 275 structures! That's a huge number of buildings.
From looking at the photos he really likes bright colors too. There a several buildings in the photos that sport purple roofs, trim or in a couple of cases entire buildings.
A few of the buildings look weathered, but many are not, which causes the bright colors to "pop" even more so.
In one thread not long ago, we were discussing the "crown" found on many streets and one person remarked how in N-scale, the crown wouldn't be noticeable. Well I can say on at least one of David's streets it is a very easy to notice.
Obviously he's put a ton of ton into building it. One thing I didn't see is if it was DCC or not.
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Country: USA
| Posts: 568 |
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peteski
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Posted - 11/06/2009 : 04:50:24
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Since you've asked...
I think that overall it is a very nice layout. Execution is sometimes spotty (some photos show unpainted track next to nicely weathered track for example). Although that might be a turnout which was left unpainted on purpose. I suspect that the purple coloring is due to the lighting (not really purple). However there seems to be a purple building with green windows in Tunnelton.
My favorite is the barn being rebuilt and the muddy water in Tukap Creek.
David also mentions (couple of times actually) that his Alps printer is antique. That is just not true. Alps MicroDry printers are still being manufactured and there are thousands of users still out there (even including some N scale manufacturers).
Also a bit odd is Dave's "train parking lots" terminology. Why not call those "yards" just like everybody else calls that type of track arrangements. Or "staging tracks"? Parking lots seems to imply automobiles to me rather than trains.
I don't recall DCC being mentioned.
Speaking of DCC, Loren Perry seems to have aversion to DCC for some reason (in another article in that issue). I just don't understand why someone could be so set against something. Did DCC burn up one of his favorite brass steam locos or something like that? I can't come up with a reason why someone would be so dead against DCC. DCC might have some quirks but when using DCC one can concentrate on running (and switching) trains instead of constant juggling of blocks and throttles. We live in the 21st century for goodness sake!
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| Peteski |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 709 |
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Switchlock
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Posted - 11/06/2009 : 11:36:59
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David Petty has been modeling since the late 70s early 80s. I remember several articles by him in Model Railroader, one I believe was about a marble or limestone quarry. Some of us don't want or need DCC or the expense relative to it.
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Country: USA
| Posts: 218 |
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H Lee
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Posted - 11/06/2009 : 13:54:24
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quote:
Originally posted by peteski
Speaking of DCC, ....... I just don't understand why someone could be so set against something.
For the exact same reason that some people think everybody should use DCC.
The N-scale world has many people that think their preference is the only acceptable way of doing things.
This applies to both the pro and anti DCC camps!!!!!!!!!!!
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Country: USA
| Posts: 131 |
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Chris333
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locomcf
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Posted - 11/07/2009 : 09:37:53
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My layout is DC, and is usually left in 'continuous run' ('roundy-round') mode when I'm not holding an operating session. There's normally at least one, and sometimes two or even three trains sitting on the mainline, and I can start them all rolling (admittedly in the same direction) simply by throwing one switch. I then use a second throttle to run a local, or to switch a yard.
I don't mind having to throw block power switches. I feel it simulates real RR operations in that I can't drive a train into a block until the block is clear of other trains - just like a real RR would operate. Throwing the block power switch is somewhat like getting a track warrant for that block.
Regards,
Ron
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Edited by - locomcf on 11/07/2009 09:39:32 |
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Country: Australia
| Posts: 196 |
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Brakie
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Posted - 11/07/2009 : 10:15:58
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On a 1 horse ISL the start up cost of DCC isn't justified even with sound one can use a Atlas QE.
I have used simple DCC operation and returned to the simple DC operation for my ISLs since both required 2 wires to the track-no I do not use blocks on my ISL and on the majority of my ISLs I didn't use any feeder wire.
Back to topic..I thought Dave's layout was nice overall and enjoyed the article..
As far as "train parking lot" I never heard that termed before so,it may be a local thing like ISLs which I picked up at a Advance Layout Design sig meeting I am a member of.
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Atlas,Please do a N Scale SW1500.
Larry
Columbus & Hocking Valley Ry.
Serving The Industries Of The Hocking Valley. |
Edited by - Brakie on 11/07/2009 10:20:35 |
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Country: USA
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Doug Gosha
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Posted - 11/07/2009 : 15:39:43
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Ron hit it right on the head re DC.
I don't WANT to just drive the locomotive. I want some time taken up with throwing switches and whatever. And the occasional  mistake simulates real mishaps on the protoype.
Too many buttons to push with DCC anyway
EDIT: OK. I fell into the trap. Another thread turned into a DC vs. DCC "discussion."
Doug
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Edited by - Doug Gosha on 11/07/2009 15:42:18 |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 196 |
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Calz4
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Posted - 11/07/2009 : 21:10:01
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I found David's 'Midwest Central' to be a nice layout. There are probably some buildings which have been in David' previous layouts and some newer ones built for this latest version. There are probably some techniques David has refined over the years on the newer structures... and some which he has not reworked since they were originally built. Still the overall effect is pleasing to the eye. 
No sense beating the dead horse of DC vrs DCC on this thread.
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Grandpa Joe,
BRG&P railway, Zephyrs through the Rockies. |
Edited by - Calz4 on 11/07/2009 21:13:45 |
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Country: Fiji
| Posts: 791 |
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inprinter
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Posted - 11/07/2009 : 23:17:16
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Nice article on David's layout. There are lots of purple trimmed houses in rural Indiana, specially southern Indiana like Tunnelton and Oolitic(real places, been there). I've had the pleasure of seeing David's layout a few years ago and it is quite extensive for being in a relatively small area. At that time, the layout did accomodate DCC.
Inprinter
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| Just another day in Paradise. |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 2 |
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hal
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Posted - 11/08/2009 : 01:24:25
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As mentioned Petty is one of the regular n scale authors in Model Railroader from the 70s. If memory serves me, he wrote articles on hand laying code 55 or code 40 rail. kitbashing structures, and of weathering freight cars. His original concept was the bud line. The midwest central was a refinement of the concept.With 30 years or so of building and collecting structures, it's not so surprising that he has a large number of them. I still remember the article for the shakey chair company..."A Shakey chair is a good chair"
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| More!!!!! In Nscale, please. |
Edited by - hal on 11/08/2009 01:26:46 |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 69 |
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