Kitbash ideas for Standard Steel

[DKS]

You can buy a little more hill and tree space by cutting down on the outbuildigns. You can also make the long building paralleling the mainline look like it's part of a different industry when viewed from the back.

[Chris333]

I like that last plan. You could have the hill butt right up to that trackside building and have a complete view block. All those odd buildings can be pretty small and full of character. Plus lots of clutter around. I think the hill can still be pretty high and keep the rock face.

[Dave V]

So, some thoughts on that...

I would prefer to swap the long and short Vulcan parts so that the crane yard is visible from the road.  As for the building along the mainline...  I'm not 100% sold.  It needs to be corrugated if it's to look like part of Standard Steel.  I wonder if I could cobble together enough mine parts to make something that doesn't look too FrankenMill.  I might find myself completely changing geography again.  Right now that tower and shelter are labeled for Spruce Creek, which was about as isolated and rural as you could get on the Pennsy.  Except for a little interplay with roads, there's nothing out that way but farms, trees, and bridges...and of course the Middle Division's only tunnel.





Ya know, one of the many thing that amazes me about you, DKS, is that even though you haven't seen the JD in person, you have an incredible feel for it, as if you know it as well as I do.     

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I just wonder how much this would fundamentally change the whole nature of the layout.  I don't mind, as long as it's "same or better."  Right now it's still pretty rural, even with the JC Blair building.  A steel mill makes it pretty industrial.  Will it look silly that compressed?

That's actually the primary thing I was concerned with when you started this thread. I think it may have more of an effect than you think. Looking at the plan DKS posted (which does a great job of capturing the place), the layout will quickly turn into a steel mill layout, instead of a Middle Division layout.

Also, remember, Standard Steel isn't on the mainline, it's a ways up the valley.

[Denver Road Doug]

Time for door #3. 

[Rich_S]

That's actually the primary thing I was concerned with when you started this thread. I think it may have more of an effect than you think. Looking at the plan DKS posted (which does a great job of capturing the place), the layout will quickly turn into a steel mill layout, instead of a Middle Division layout.

Also, remember, Standard Steel isn't on the mainline, it's a ways up the valley.

I agree with Ed. Since you're not happy with Enola, why not change Enola into the branch line that runs to Burnham. Then build a larger Standard Steel plant as the focal point of that branch?

 

[Chris333]

So what you said. Keep the ridge and less buildings:

[Dave V]

I agree with Ed. Since you're not happy with Enola, why not change Enola into the branch line that runs to Burnham. Then build a larger Standard Steel plant as the focal point of that branch?

 

Hmm...............................................

The entire Milroy Secondary...

Hmm...............................................

I could do in N what Jerry's doing in HO...

[crrcoal]

This is a pretty darn good idea Rich has.

I agree with Ed. Since you're not happy with Enola, why not change Enola into the branch line that runs to Burnham. Then build a larger Standard Steel plant as the focal point of that branch?

 

[Philip H]

Hmm...............................................

The entire Milroy Secondary...

Hmm...............................................

I could do in N what Jerry's doing in HO...

No you can't - that will take another 34 pages of waffling and we don't have that kind of time

[DKS]

To be honest, I've always had a preference for JC Blair right where it is--it fits comfortably, both physically and thematically. It's your layout, naturally, but shoehorning a steel mill in there--as others have said--will radically alter the layout's overall tone, and the space available really doesn't let you do the industry justice. I'd sooner look at ways of working the steel mill into the extension.

[Chris333]

But JC Blair is going 2 doors over on the other side of the room   

[DKS]

[crrcoal]

Now that is COOL!

[Dave V]

OMG!!!  Winnnnnnnn!!!!