Elevating the layout room experience.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

The flooring thread brought up an interesting question. We mostly focus on our layouts and not it’s surroundings. So my question to you is, what makes the best layout room?

I remember seeing a layout in MR years ago where the guy put a real engine cab into his basement empire. It was a cool idea, but what really got me was how well put together the layout room was. The layout featured wood trim that matched the flooring and door trim.

When I start to design my basement layout, I have a few ideas in mind. First, I was a crew lounge room that is in the style of a 1950’s style train station. Look out one window into the layout room and you see Boston Beacon Park Yard. You see this through some potted shrubs placed outside the window to give the atmosphere of the outdoors. Likewise, look out the other side of the lounge and you will see Worcester yard. The Worcester yard would be seen as if viewed from a condo tower nearby. Same goes with Boston.

This got me thinking. A normal wall would not look right. I mean if the train room was “the” real world. Then the station should look like a station from the train room. So I have decided that the station should features exterior styles walls, windows, doors and siding.

That leaves another problem… what about sky? A wall-ceiling joint when photographed ruins too many layouts. I want to add a large transition curve from the walls to the ceiling. Well that looks good, that also means the ceiling must be a fairly deep blue. I could just stop the blue ceiling at the valence lighting and use black ceiling tile over the walkways and open space. I think this would help achieve that museum/real world appearance. In essence the layout would be a 3D basement sized picture box and everything that does not enhance the idea of it being real (ceilings, walkways, standard interior walls would be minimized.

Maybe I am over thinking this whole thing.

What have you guys done to produce the right atmosphere in your train room?

[wm3798]

You're over thinking it, Daniel.
First off, your crew lounge sounds like it will consume an awful lot of real estate.  It should complement and support the layout area, not compete with it.
As for the ceiling, consider that most photos are taken from a low angle, so that's generally not an issue unless you're taking a wide angle shot.  Going overboard to "correct" that would not pass my cost/benefit ratio.

My layout room took several years to finish, and if push came to shove, I could move out the layout and have a nice bedroom.  It still serves somewhat as attic storage, so underneath the layout is at this point unfinished, and sharing the room with my son's bedroom also adds a bit to the clutter.  My vision is that when it's done, and he's back in the other room, I will install a drape below the layout, or perhaps some finished paneling, and trim out the layout, fascias and valences.  When I renovated the room I did use beadboard plywood panelling which gives it a nice railroady feel, and painted all the drywall areas (roof and ceilings) sky blue.

As for creature comforts, in the next room I set up a "crew lounge" which has room for a TV running train videos, an old computer desk that holds snacks, a micro fridge from micro brews, and an Air Hockey table.  At last week's session this seemed to work out pretty well.

I think it's important to have a comfortable environment for running your layout, but don't let the tail wag the dog.
Lee

[3rdrail]

This room was specifically designed for an around the wall layout. The staircase comes up in the middle of the room and the windows are skylights on slanted upper walls.

[img width= height=]http://lh3.google.com/Gregg.Mahlkov/RltpVr3tc7I/AAAAAAAAAWk/VChtqLaauBo/s800/Layout-one.jpg[/img]
[img width= height=]http://lh4.google.com/Gregg.Mahlkov/Rltn373tc6I/AAAAAAAAAWc/DRGBk08nEpY/s800/Layout-two.jpg[/img]
[img width= height=]http://lh4.google.com/Gregg.Mahlkov/RlsnS73tb-I/AAAAAAAAAOM/0OWLIhIWS0c/s800/layout-twelve.jpg[/img]

[asciibaron]

this is how i've always envisioned my layout looking... some excellent ideas in these photos

http://www.cliftonforgediv.com/construction.htm

-steve

[wm3798]

Wow!

Lee

[Denver Road Doug]

That leaves another problem… what about sky? A wall-ceiling joint when photographed ruins too many layouts. I want to add a large transition curve from the walls to the ceiling.

That is what photoshop is for.  Seriously.  I don't advocate major photoshopping of model railroads for publication, but I think sky is probably fair game.  Major construction for something like this is pretty low ROI in my opinion.

I do like your overall concept.  I think it should all tie together at some level.  Largely it depends on what your goals are.  Personally I think the locomotive cabs and elaborate reconstruction of station interiors are a little over the top.  It also depends on audience.  If you expect a lot of non-MRR visitors, then a "Disney" experience is probably better.  If it's mainly your operating group, they probably care that there's a fridge, functional/comfortable flooring and a/c, and that's about it.

[Dave V]

I've heard it said that one should avoid a ceiling color other than white.  Otherwise it absorbs, rather than reflects, the light.  Now, of you wanted to paint the ceiling outside the valence with a dark color just to set the layout off even more, that's probably fine.  But the idea of continuing the blue from the backdrop to the ceiling is probably problematic.

Just my 2c.

But I really like that C&O layout.

My idea would be black fascia and maybe a small black valence, but otherwise somewhat light colored carpet tiles on the foor.  I thought about skirting...  but not sure if I'd go black.  Too much black could be overwhelming.  But the skirting should also be a dull, solid color so as not to distract from the layout.  My wife suggested skirting made of a fabric with railroad heralds and crossbucks and stuff on them, but I think that would look way too busy.

[tom mann]

You can do anything with a couple hundred grand to spend on a railroad room.

As for photos, the sky is less of a problem than the lack of foreground scenery.

[chuck geiger]

When you have a few rail heads helping too. Those photos are the best I've ever seen.

[lock4244]

this is how i've always envisioned my layout looking... some excellent ideas in these photos

http://www.cliftonforgediv.com/construction.htm

-steve

Sigh. Makes me wish I had a basement  :'(

Just needs cupholders for the beer 

[Ian MacMillan]

My entire basement was designed for the layout.... Hell the whole house was. The basement has a section for a layout and dispatchers office, but no crew lounge. I wanted off duty crews to be as far away as possible so they go upstairs. The layout room is totally dark except for the layout. This gives the layout a museum look, and draws your focus to the layout. Its kinda like the one Steve posted, all black upper and lower fascia boards. There is lighting for safety in the aisle ways, but they are only on when working on the layout, not op sessions or while showing it off. Also all the walls are wired for internet and LocoNet to make things easier.

[chuck geiger]

Off duty crews need to go to the corner watering hole and get calls by cell.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Ian, can you show some photos?

[asciibaron]

When you have a few rail heads helping too. Those photos are the best I've ever seen.

i know of more layouts like this... very well thought out in terms of room design, layout access, and aisle space.  my PRR Panhandle will be very much like these once we relocate in 2028...

-steve