Wisconsin Central - Heritage Division

[nscalemike]

+1!  I regard this as one of the most successful and enjoyable Engineering threads on the forum.  By all means, do what works for you, but I'm quite sure that all of the comments offered here begin with the utmost respect for your work.

-Gary

Another +1 here!  This layout is on the short list of first to read, really enjoy seeing what you do, plus it's along the lines of my more modern midwest type layout that I always enjoy . . . (no offense to you Pennsy steam fans!)

Mike

[wazzou]

I read and enjoy every update.  I think that you have to expect some feedback.  That just comes with the territory.  Otherwise, how would you even know people are looking at your thread.

[w neal]

Me thinks I was a bit touchy.
I owe you an 'pology. No bananas
for me.

[MichaelWinicki]

Don't worry about it W.

We all have bad days.

I think your work is pretty top notch.

But none of us are perfect and the nature of the board (as opposed to the MR board which seems no matter what someone posts they get an army of "atta'boy's") is to help push each other forward to creating better layouts and scenes.

And think most on this board are pretty respectful when it comes to critiques.

[w neal]

My apologies to you all. All the feedback has been very nice. Thanks for the advice. You have all been very kind and tolerant.

It just hit me that my attempts are not to the level they need to be. I dont feel that I should be posting until I have something better to show. My modeling is just not up to the standards it should be. I think I need to withdraw for a time. My skill set needs more improvement.

Please do take care and thanks for everything.

[LIRR]

I think the road crossing looks great. Perfect? No, but what is? The problem is we study our work. And photos always bring out any flaws or shortcoming. I have some scenes that don’t stand up to such intense scrutiny. The key is to stop studying them. I find when a train is moving thru the scene, you’re watching the train and the background is a realistic backdrop. When the train isn’t running thru the scene, you’re watching something else anyway. Put a broken down car on the side of the road in the foreground. That will draw ones eye away from the background.

[MichaelWinicki]

My apologies to you all. All the feedback has been very nice. Thanks for the advice. You have all been very kind and tolerant.

It just hit me that my attempts are not to the level they need to be. I dont feel that I should be posting until I have something better to show. My modeling is just not up to the standards it should be. I think I need to withdraw for a time. My skill set needs more improvement.

Please do take care and thanks for everything.

W.,

I'm not sure who's skill set you're comparing yours too, but your skill set is very high.   But in some instances others are going to see things that you don't... And that's why we share on here.

Secondly it doesn't matter what anyone else's skill set level is... higher, lower or whatever.

Your work is very good and I hope you continue to share.

[mcjaco]

I think the trap some of us get in, is wanting to appease the masses on forums, and post updates as soon as possible.  Even if it's a minor update.  Kind of what I sensed here. 

Take your time.  I've loved watching this layout develop (I'm a closet WC fan).

[mark.hinds]

Build it, and they will tear it down.   

I think I need a break from the online world.

Talk to you in a few months.

Hope this isn't a reaction to my immediately preceding post, which was basically saying that your original road scene was fine as it is (i.e. it is better as it is with the road not exactly straight, as it needs to be viewable from the side as well).  Actually, I even liked it in it's original form with only the trees and shadows.

Keep up the good work.   

MH

[Rabidchipmoose]

This layout rocks.  Critiques are a good think as they help us notice things we may not have seen ourselves.  And if turns out its something that really is off in some way, "its N-Scale. We can just re-do it."   Regardless, I love this layout immensely.

[cv_acr]

I think roads+backdrops are probably the hardest thing to handle scenically. This probably came out better than my attempt would be.

Perspective is always a problem when translating roads, rivers and buildings into the backdrop, as it's hard to make it look right from all angles. (As you've noticed by screening some buildings on the backdrop with foreground trees to disguise the perspective - a neat trick; I think that worked pretty well.)

You might think some of your work isn't up to standard (what standard??), but I think you're selling yourself short. You've got a very nice layout going on there.

As noted above, "atta-boys" on this forum are earned more than on other forums where they're handed out like participation ribbons at a grade school track meet. And I think you've earned a couple.

[pedro]

Since we're on page 14 and the person (me!) who is supposed to be working up a track plan hasn't done so....Let me just chime in and say that in Mr. Neal's defense this is a very large undertaking. My notes have the layout at roughly 38' x 13' (double deck) with an additional 18' x 13' staging "bunker" (Also double decked) The earliest under-construction photos I have (after things were well underway) are from 2006, so it's been a long time comin'. I'm guessing you're probably in some stage of mid-layout "crisis" or burnout!

Hang in there, dude! It's looking really good. Just about time for an early spring field-trip to rejuvenate your interest!

[Specter3]

W,

I also want to say that I always look forward to your posts. And your hit a little here, a little there approach is pretty much exactly like mine when I get the chance to model. (Which I don't at this point, but thats another story). Plus in N scale, pictures are viewed at sizes that are larger than they are in real life. So very few things ever hold up to the scrutiny of a simple picture, even by camera phone. I hope you are not gone long as I have truly enjoyed your railroad's progress.

[w neal]

Thanks as always fellas. No offense taken. As was said, I am my own worst critic. It just hit me...




I don't:

"lower all my freight cars."

"use proper facia."

"weather everything."

"superdetail"

"work in an orderly manner"

"listen to my wife"

So its time for a break from all this. I'll have more later. Maybe next month, next year. I dunno. As for trips, I have plans for springtime...

Thanks for the support.

(actually building things with styrene as we speak...)

[basementcalling]

Looks like you picked the wrong time to stop sniffing the glue.   

I am blown away by the quality of your modeling. Hope you get back to posting more updates soon.