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Ideas Wanted For Rural Layout

Keith seeks some suggestions:

“Hi everyone, I am relatively new (4 years) to this and have an unfinished 8.5ft x 5ft layout based around a rural theme. The track is in place with basically two ovals running around the perimeter with a couple of sidings and a passing track. I still have space for more structures (towards the center) and scenery features so am looking for ideas. I already have a small train station, a couple of farm buildings, and a small lumber yard. Just wondering what to add next to bring life and activity to my small-town rural community? Good to get some thoughts.”

3 Responses to Ideas Wanted For Rural Layout

  • Nigel says:

    A lake or a stream with a bridge over it always looks nice and you can put a couple of fishermen there too – they’re ideal because, even in real life, they don’t move much so would look completely natural.

    People will, of course, bring life to the scene but I think that the trick is to build little cameos around the fact that they don’t move. Groups of people standing still having a chat or even a window cleaner or house painter up a ladder look completely natural because, even in real life, their movement would be limited. Trying to model people running for a bus wouldn’t because they’d look like they were in suspended animation!

  • John Moore says:

    A good rural building could also be a small 2/3 tower silo. Depending on your rolling stock or theme it could be used for anything from cement, grain or whatever you want. Also allows for additional offices, sheds etc.

  • Marklin ed says:

    Silos and different kinds of farms, pig, sheep, milk cows, beef cows, bank, small stores, Main Street.

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