I have thoroughly enjoyed myself building the layout. I tend to be a creature of habit but have learned alot from the project, trying out new methods and ideas. The mechanism for the sector plate is one and the smoke generator for Odams chimney was another. In Fact the whole concept of a 'Cameo Layout' is new to me. I have seen plenty at various exhibitions in my time and have always thought, One Day!
We have had a few interesting moments, one was filling the lounge with a strawberry flavoured mist while experimenting with the smoke machine. I needed to turn the layout on its back on one occasion forgetting that there was still a tin of Humbrol 113 on the layout, the sky backscene became a very nice rusty brown colour, EEK! My heart sank in realisation.
I'm sure that there are aspect that Iain Rice may not agree with, Cobalt point motors for instance or Sprat & Winkle couplings, i have used them a lot in the past and they work and are reliable, we get on well with each other. At the end of they day it has to work.
The only aspect i am struggling with, and i get the impression that other people are as well, is the, "viewing height"
so this is my take on it.
Please note that these are my views on the subject.
Everyone is equal on there own prognosis of this long discussed, well documented and drawn out affair
Are you ready for a science lesson?
I have just looked it up and it appears that the average height for a man these days is 5Ft 10ins, average height for the ladies is 5FT 5ins. Mum, you never put enough manure in me boots then, when i was growing up!
5ft 10, so, at least a rail height of 5FT yeah, that's not happening is it. I won't be able to see a dam thing.
We have had a few interesting moments, one was filling the lounge with a strawberry flavoured mist while experimenting with the smoke machine. I needed to turn the layout on its back on one occasion forgetting that there was still a tin of Humbrol 113 on the layout, the sky backscene became a very nice rusty brown colour, EEK! My heart sank in realisation.
I'm sure that there are aspect that Iain Rice may not agree with, Cobalt point motors for instance or Sprat & Winkle couplings, i have used them a lot in the past and they work and are reliable, we get on well with each other. At the end of they day it has to work.
The only aspect i am struggling with, and i get the impression that other people are as well, is the, "viewing height"
so this is my take on it.
Please note that these are my views on the subject.
Everyone is equal on there own prognosis of this long discussed, well documented and drawn out affair
Are you ready for a science lesson?
I have just looked it up and it appears that the average height for a man these days is 5Ft 10ins, average height for the ladies is 5FT 5ins. Mum, you never put enough manure in me boots then, when i was growing up!
5ft 10, so, at least a rail height of 5FT yeah, that's not happening is it. I won't be able to see a dam thing.
At a recent exhibition, i and my fellow operator ran an experiment and we came to the conclusion that the average viewer spends not much more than around 4 minutes looking at a layout. So, with this in mind and forgetting the general public for a moment.
I think this is more relative to the person operating the layout comfortably. I am 5ft 4ins in height so not the tallest of people . A Two day exhibition, its good if you can sit down from time to time. I've even had a little experiment of sitting on ones stool, quite a nice, comfy folding one at that, and measuring one's 'eye level', for me, this comes in at 4ft 3ins, ideally rail level needs to be just below this to stop one from straining looking slightly upwards all the time. I have come to the conclusion that my Rail level needs to be set at 4FT or 48 inches or 1220 of those 'mm' thingies. This means i can sit comfortably at the left hand end of the layout in front of the fiddleyard and see all that i need to see, interact with the viewing public without getting in their way, Nothing worse than having to say " excuse me mate i just need to push, pull or prod that switch down there" This is my prognosis on the subject. Men have backs that bend, children seem to love running around with these plastic stools these days and it just seems a good height for the ladies. I suppose we have to take one other thing into consideration, lets be honest, we are never going to please all of the people all of the time.
Sorry for wasting anyone's time with these rambling. Its Saturday Morning, Raining and no Frasier on TV.
Colin
I think this is more relative to the person operating the layout comfortably. I am 5ft 4ins in height so not the tallest of people . A Two day exhibition, its good if you can sit down from time to time. I've even had a little experiment of sitting on ones stool, quite a nice, comfy folding one at that, and measuring one's 'eye level', for me, this comes in at 4ft 3ins, ideally rail level needs to be just below this to stop one from straining looking slightly upwards all the time. I have come to the conclusion that my Rail level needs to be set at 4FT or 48 inches or 1220 of those 'mm' thingies. This means i can sit comfortably at the left hand end of the layout in front of the fiddleyard and see all that i need to see, interact with the viewing public without getting in their way, Nothing worse than having to say " excuse me mate i just need to push, pull or prod that switch down there" This is my prognosis on the subject. Men have backs that bend, children seem to love running around with these plastic stools these days and it just seems a good height for the ladies. I suppose we have to take one other thing into consideration, lets be honest, we are never going to please all of the people all of the time.
Sorry for wasting anyone's time with these rambling. Its Saturday Morning, Raining and no Frasier on TV.
Colin
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