My first US layout had a city scene with elevated track based on the High Line in New York. I rescued that elevated section and used it as a feature in my current layout.
The whole side starts with a mill complex – the NEBISCO (New England Biscuit Company):
and runs down a hill to the city section:
In between the front city section and the rear is the main line in a cut as it rises from the storage level. Â This will be faced in Wills stone sheet eventually. In front is the bikini car wash, a garage and a diner:
It rises at the end though a complex based on the New York High Line:
There’s a bit of work needed 🙂
And finally runs into a raised corner:
Now here’s the question:
What do I do behind the Main Line Cut? Â It’s only a few inches deep.
I was planning to do a series of roads at right angles ending at the cut with side on buildings like this:
Now I am wondering how realistic I can make that.
The High Line complex is huge so I can make it take up more space along a bit and be a more imposing structure. Â If I do that, should I just put a series of backs of factory buildings along with the odd bridge across.
I could add fire escapes and a narrow path before the actual cut. Â The odd taller tower could jut up as a photo.
I’d move the existing buildings into the corner to add a more city section:
At the moment it’s a blank canvas but I’d love some feedback on ideas to ensure that I get this right.
What do you think?
To me, it seems there’s always a section of scenery space that is too narrow ,some where along the way, to make realistic. For me, I try to draw the eye away from any short comings. Usually, super detailing, weathering and lighting will do nicely to have a viewer notice everything except, the “not quite right perspective”
Tony
You are so right about those awkward spaces and this is one. It doesn’t help that it’s the lower level so a standing viewer looks down on it which also draws attention to the perspective.
I need to look on it as an opportunity to do something amazing: all the detailing etc that you mention.
Thanks for the input.
Kathy
Hi Kathy
Its looks like the same old real estate problem is giving you grief too. I went through this phase around 25 to 30 years ago on my East Texas Terminal layout and I solved it by cutting a heap of my apartment structures in half at a mid way point and used them as low relief buildings, where the backs faced onto my tracks. At a wider part of the layout I placed the fronts of the buildings with a street between them and the tracks. Don’t credit me with the idea as I got the idea from the late Mike Scott from the Tyneside area here in the UK. He said the idea came from one of the editors of Model railroader.
I also model UK outline and I used a Walthers Synagogue kit as a country house but left off the rear two thirds of the building. The rear part of the kit I used as part of a factory complex on a different industrial themed layout. It was too deep to go on any of my layouts but as two low relief structures the kit served in a very important way.
Tom Jenkins
from the UK’s
lovely Lake District
Thanks Tom
I think you are right, low relief is the way to go. I do like the idea of detailed backs of buildings, a bit like you see on the way into major cities, such as Euston.
I’ll have to dig through all my building kits again to see what is available.
I hope your weather in the Lakes is as beautiful as it is here today.
Kathy
Kathy , are you deliberately naming the Nabisco company , the Nebisco company , got me confused and thinking I had it wrong on my entire website?
Jan Van Gerwen
Hi Jan
Yes, I have renamed it from the National Biscuit Company to the New England Biscuit Company.
Hope that clears it up.
Kathy
Thanks , you had me googling and sweating 😉
For the most part if you look west at the High Line from half a block away it’s about all you see unless there’s a building blocking the view. The only cross streets go under it and would require very little modelling space. Where did you get the “New England Biscuit” company from? It’s NABISCO, the “National Biscuit Company.” That former phone company building that the trains used to pass thru is where Nabisco invented the famous “Oreo” cookie!
Love your posts – keep it up!
Hi Rodney, I’ve pulled out all my kits trying to find some that are tall enough factory style to suit that kind of background. I’ve a few and a lot of Walters modulated so I’ll see what it looks like when I’ve had a chance to mock them all up.
I just fancied something different to NABISCO, it’s a fun play on it, that’s all.
Kathy