Commission: Green Mountain layout design…

You would be forgiven for thinking that I’m a one trick pony when it comes to layout design - but beyond the shelf lies a world of opportunity for those with more space…

Dave Blazejewski photo (Flickr)

However the same challenges apply - the most important being matching your space and prototype. In this commission I worked with my customer to develop some ideas on representing his favourite railroad, the Green Mountain in New England. From initial dreams of an 8’x4’ table top with every station represented we worked through the layout design process to determine that an ‘around the room’ would be not only possible but the best way to get the feel of his beloved railway. 

Otto Vondrak photo (Flickr)

Then, working through wants and limitations I steered us to include just two locations linked by some indicative scenery - giving end to end running and/or a continuous run. Those familiar with the prototype will appreciate the nods to prototype but also the compromise in many aspects - this is a layout full of caricature and deliberate composition - to evoke Bellows Falls and Chester in such a small room was a real challenge but a great deal of fun.

Dave Blazejewski photo (Flickr)

The final scheme calls for an open bench work, or at least the trackbed on risers to allow the rivers to drop below the surface. The gorge pictured above is actually quite deep, a very spectacular location. I’ve drawn the scheme with flowing curves to the baseboard edge which softens the constructions’ visual impact in the room and with thin hardboard or flexible thin MDF is easy to achieve. The scheme will give many hours of fun with operation, which as Lance has written about in the latest Model Railroader, getting trains up and running quickly and then taking the rest of the project at a more considered pace is a good way to ensure success and enjoyment.

If you would like to work with me to create your own dream layout, any size, any scale, any gauge - then get in touch to discuss. Prices start from £180 for the design brief process, but can vary if the scope is much larger than typical. I can advise, and look forward to working with you to bring ideas and real life to a marriage of success, not a compromise but a winning design that tells your story.

Until next time, more soon…

Thank you to Dave and Otto for making their photos embeddable via Flickr. Something I myself do, but many don’t - they bring these design posts to life.

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