Category:Discussion Topics

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1. DESIGN ELEMENTS

1. Trackage Design
• Challenges of small spaces
• Second generation
• Walkaround
• Peninsulas
• Track alignment for character & esthetics
• Staging
• Non-Operating tracks
• Schematics
• Multi-level layouts
• Beyond the benchwork design
2. Track & Right of Way
• Cross sections
• Banking
• Right-of-way as scenery
3. Control & Electrical Systems
• Radio/Carrier/Conventional control system selection
• Computer applications
• Signalling
• Sound System
4. Scenery & Landscape/Manscape
• Topography
• Ecology
• Roadways
• Waterways
• Vegetation
• Vehicles
• Pollution
• Signs
• Trees
5. Structures
• Architecture
• Landmarks
• Building combinations
• Design standards
• Industrial commerce
• Residences
6. Locomotives & Cars
• Systematic roster planning
• Systematic roster detailing
• Non-operating equipment as scenery
7. Operation
• "Beyond the benchwork"
• Interchange
• Mainline & industry traffic
• Mental challenge
• Realistic movements
• Stress reduction
• Special handling equipment assignment
• Train makeup & Yard procedures
8. Other
• Diorams
• Modules
• Art
• Sound
• Railroadiana

2. CHARACTER & PERSONALITY

1. Locale
• Geographical area
• Natural environment
• Manmade environment
• Compass direction
• Settlements - towns
• Neighborhoods
• (Names)
2. Traffic
• Volume/Tonnage
• Composition/Types
• Sources-Destinations
• Routings
3. Competition
• Railroad
• Truck
• Bus-Auto
• Waterway
• Air
4. Corporate Relations
• Affiliations
• Interline agreements & equipment sharing
• Track-sharing
• Non-Railroad relations
5. Identity
• Objects labeled
• Graphics
• Design
• Names
6. Management
• Progressive/Conservative
• Competitiveness
• Market orientation
• Cost-consciousness
• Labor relations
• Public relations
• Maintenance attitudes
• Organizational structure
7. Era
• Century
• Decade
• Year
• Season-Month
• Day of the week
• Period of railroading
• Economic boom or bust
• Peace or war
• (Names)
8. Wealth/Prosperity
• System performance
• Line/Segment performance
• Profitability
• Investment return
9. Chronology
• History
• Future
• Natural cycles
• Manmade cycles

3. THEMES

1. Popular modeled themes have included:
• Appalachian Mountain railroading
• Rocky Mountain railroading
• Helper operations
• Industrial images such as coal or logging
• Branchline or shortline railroading
• CTC signalling & operation
2. Themes with neglected broad appeal:
• Dieselization
• Progressive railroading
• Modeled railfanning
• Over-the-road, realistic train running
• Sharing track among railroads
• Right-of-way history
• Heyday/Twilight of steam or Passenger service
• Mergers & consolidations
• World War II
• Passenger operations
• Ports and boats
• Suburbanization
• Standard era (1920's) railroading
• Streamliner era (late 30's)

4. PERSPECTIVES

1. Prototype Roles

1. Railroad Employee

1. Engineer-Train Crew
   Mainline-freight, passenger
   Helper
   Local freight, passenger
2. Yard Managers
   Yardmaster - freight
   Passenger terminal director
   Motive power foreman
3. Train Controller
   Dispatcher
   Towerman/Station agent
4. Superintendent-Trainmaster
5. Engineer/Designer/Consultant
6. Accountant/Financier

2. Shipper/Traveler
3. Railfan/Spectator

1. Viewer-Photographer
2. Listener-Recorder
3. Historian-Collector-Preservationist
4. Researcher

2. Hobbyist Roles

• Host-Hostess
• Entertainer
• Educator
• Promoter
• Fund raiser
• Relaxer
• Family unifier
• Mental challenger
• Craftsman
• Artist
• Author

3. DESIGNER CONSIDERATIONS

1. Engineering
• Environment
• Accessibility
• Safety
• Security
• Communication
• Stress reduction
• Layout Space Expansion
• Guest accomodation
• Utility handling & relocation
2. Design Objects (Complements & Supplements to Layouts)
• Layout
• Layout room(s)
• Graphics & Paper Items
• Dioramas & Modules
• Layout Support
• Home and Beyond
• Railroadiana
• Displays
3. Design Principles

1. Selectivity
   Compression
   Compactness
   Omission
   Expansion
   Exaggeration
   Versatility
   Flexibility
   Multiple Images
   Types of Objects & Details
2. Clarity (without narration)
   Typicality
   Imagineering
   Repetition
   Reinforcement
   Specialization
   Continuous
   Highlighting
   Visibility
3. Naming & Labeling
4. Simplicity
5. Levels
   Balance
   Layers
   Good enough
   Subtlety
6. Illusion
   Beyond the Benchwork
   Beyond the operating session
   Perspectives
   Composition
   Connections along & within
   Weathering
   Unification
7. Style
   Prototype
   "Proto-Freelancing"
   Fantasy

Copyright D. Gurin, 1982

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