Just came across this collection of photographs.  Not much in the way of narrative, but take a look at the spectacular scenery and attention to detail :shock:

HOn3 Layout

That's just stunning Tim - well found :wink:  :wink:

Petermac

WOW :shock:

I'm sure the Americans are the best in the world at this kind of thing. When you have looked at the above link and if you haven't strayed from the first page then have a look at this and tell me it isn't real.

http://www.rbadesign.net/TERRAPIN/CD_LocoShed.htm

Tim wow what a model and Bob that is real is it not  :shock:
How come when you look at the US models and ours the US always seem to be better?. Is it that the models, materials etc are more cheaper or what. Just amazing these US layouts.
Phill

phill said

Tim wow what a model and Bob that is real is it not  :shock:
How come when you look at the US models and ours the US always seem to be better?. Is it that the models, materials etc are more cheaper or what. Just amazing these US layouts.
Phill

Quite amazing.  To answer your question, Phill:  

1.  No, I don't think that the US layouts on thre whole are necessarily better.  It's just that there more super-detailed high profile layouts out there.  

2.  Yes, the market for modelling scenery 'kit' is much bigger, but most of  the materials can be found in Europe under non-branded labels.  Americans rely more on 'off the shelf' materials, rather than use what is actually in the local hardware store.

3.  There are many, many excellent UK/European/Australasian layouts!  (At least two in Spain, I hear)

4.  Although you don't see them, the majority of American layouts are actually, what's the word, ah yes - it rhymes with clap :wink: (Especially the all-popular O scale/gauge.)

Sorry - bit of a long sermon there.  I just want to dispel the myth that US modellers are beter :!:  :!:  

Tim thanks, i was not suggesting they where better than us, just their layouts are well detailed but i supose being Americans as per they have to be bigger and it just looks better, where ours are more condensed and well i reckon alot better as the attention to detail is more detailed on ours.
Phill

i think a lot of it is space and materials. you could build a small barn in the US for the cost of a small shed here in the UK. and i think we are restricted here in the UK as to what materials are available in the shops. one online store is much the same as the next apart from the price varies.

Bob, that is truly amazing, I would probably say more here, but since I'm from the US and very afraid that you all expect that from the US, well, I'm just going to leave this thread right now!!

Wayne    

Both REALLY inspirational layouts :!:  Loved the wheels in the 2nd,good grief they did look real :!:  :D

You say whatever you want to say Wayne. As far as I am concerned you are the 'horses mouth' and know far more about the current modelling scene in the USA than those of us on this side of the pond.

rector said

4.  Although you don't see them, the majority of American layouts are actually, what's the word, ah yes - it rhymes with clap :wink: (Especially the all-popular O scale/gauge.)

 I'm going to moderate myself here, as I think my words were a bit harsh and could be misunderstood.  Must have been having a bad day or something, ballast not setting, using four wires instead or two, etc :roll:

What I was trying to say was that the vast majority of layouts that I have seen or heard of in my part of the USA are little more than enhanced train sets - the sort of Triang Hornby Mat variety.  They give many people a great deal of pleasure, but hardly constitute serious modelling.  The featured models we read about in books and magazines are truly quite rare

Yet I must acknowledge that the space factor is important.   :roll:

Robert said

You say whatever you want to say Wayne. As far as I am concerned you are the 'horses mouth' and know far more about the current modelling scene in the USA than those of us on this side of the pond.

Did you see that, Wayne :?:  He called you a horse :!: Bob called you a horse :!: Honestly :roll: I wouldn't stand for that - neigh :!:  :!:  :wink:

He also said Wayne knows more about USA modeling than anyone on here, well our Tim live's over there, discrimination that in my book Tim. So what you going to do about that Tim  :D
Not trying to stir things i just was observing that was all Bob.
Phill

I don't think there's any danger of Tim not saying what he wants to say Phill, as for stirring things up, well the thought never occurred to me.
Oh, by the way Phill I'd keep an eye on the number of stars on your award if I were you.  :wink:

Point taken Bob, sorry. Took me a long time to get those stars, not losing them now thanks.
Phill

Where is the moderator for this topic when you need him ???


Seriously, the USA narrow Gauge layouts in the main are better than standard gauge in my opinion & we too here down under have some fanatasic narrow gauge modellers. One link is here
Layout Tours - National Model Railroad Association

I am sure Tim will agree that a big percentage of large layouts that appear in the USA model press are not one-man bands but have many helpers to build them.

Excellent link Sol, some fine work there.

Sol said

I am sure Tim will agree that a big percentage of large layouts that appear in the USA model press are not one-man bands but have many helpers to build them.

Absolutely, Sol - yes they are :!: Great link by the way :!: