European Cityscape

European Cityscape

The Essential Model Railroad Track Plans

While there are many different model railroad track plans you can choose from, there are some which most model railroaders will consider the base models. These track plans are something which most every modeler has built at some point, or has seen built in many different ways. Some prefer to stick to one kind of layout rather than switching back and forth between different types. This is a decision you will have to make for yourself in order to decide which is best for you.

The railroad terminus is one of the basic model railroad track plans you will see repeated over and over. This will include such design features as a ladder upon which multiple trains will be parked as they are organized on the train tracks. This is a fairly easy design to accomplish as the buildings used are generally not in great condition and there is usually no water involved. The only thing you will need is to be able to have multiple tracks with an exchange to handle moving trains from one track to another and then back to the main track. Since the terminal is at the end of a track, you will not have to create somewhere for the train to go on the other side of the station.

A cityscape is another common model railroad track plan which is pursued by many model railroaders. A very common way to approach this is to choose a cityscape in which it is very common for trains to travel through. New York city is a very common cityscape to create as well as many European cities. These may require a little more planning, as you will need to purchase buildings which will represent those found in the actual cityscape. More figures have to be purchased in order to create a layout which will not look like a ghost town. You will also need to purchase cars which are the right scale and appearance to be representative of the time.

The desert landscape is one of the simpler model railroad track plans to construct. You can design a track which will pass through a layout including sand dunes and sand weathered buildings. You can also make your train appear as if it has been through the desert many times by giving it the same weathered look as the rest of the buildings in the layout. Using famous names of trains which pass through the desert will give a lot of authenticity to your track plan.

One of the more fun model railroad track plans to create is the mountain landscape. Using different staging methods, you can create a track which will loop ever higher up the side of a mountain and through the mountain itself. You can include such things as snow to the side of the mountain and grades which are realistic to how a train will gradually travel up a mountain. With fairly sparse trees, you will not need to plant many trees in the landscape going up the side of the mountain.

About the Author

David Blackburn has had a passion for Model Trains for over 20 years. His enthusiasm and knowledge on the subject of model trains can be found in his writing and his new book. For more great information on model railroad designs visit his site at: http://www.modeltrainsadvice.com. While you are there don’t forget to sign up for his FREE "Secrets To Successful Model Railroading" Mini Course.

Is there any Warhammer 40k LARP's out there in the U.S.?

Me and my friends want to participate in a LARP but we don't have the funds nor do we want to do a fantasy one we wish to do a Warhammer 40k one. But all the ones I find on the interwebs have been in European countries. If there is any out there inform me or if their are people who would possibly want to do this email me. Oh and btw we want something more like forestball paintball but with a Warhammer 40k theme and out in a place like Tonto Creek or somewhere in the wilderness not a cityscape ech! XP

I suggest you take your search to the Fantasy Flight Games community forums. Organized sci-fi LARP is very much in its infancy and groups tend to rise and fall rapidly, so by the time you track one down it may well have evaporated (or imploded under the weight of all the egos declaring each other excommunicate traitoris).

Probably the best approach would be to start something yourselves, as you've already got an interested group locally. I suggest running it as an investigative LARP, with a GM planting various maps, clues and hints in the selected play area and splitting into two teams to see who can track down the objective first (bring Nerf guns, suitably painted, for when both teams converge at the same time!). Take photos and post reports and pics on a website, then post links on the various 40k community forums - especially ones interested in 40k RPGs. Hopefully, your group will grow so that you can have a few NPCs wandering around and maybe have three, four or even more teams all competing.

If things grow large enough, then eventually you'll be able to split it into a true individual LARP game, with each player operating independently with the usual rules for advancement and development along the way.