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Mixing OO, S, and HO Scale Scenery Elements
John posted this question:
“I have an S gauge 1:64 train/track layout. Can I mix and match various gauges such as OO, HO and S interchangeably in my scenery? There are more OO and HO gauge buildings to choose from in the market and to me, I do believe it is ok if it simply looks authentic … what are your thoughts? Thank You”
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Plastic buildings can’t easily be adapted but structure plans like the ones advertised on this blog can be downloaded or printed in all 3 of the scales you mentioned.
thank you Mike .. will look into your suggestion …. enjoy the day!
Hi John: I have a 11′ X 9.5′ HO, HOn3, HOn2 1/2 (running on N gauge track) with a Z scale in the far back corner. I did this for the effect of distance with larger size (scale) buildings in the front of the layout and the smallest in the background. This is a work in progress and it all looks great (to me), even with most of the buildings only semi built and blue taped together. I have some “plastic” buildings that were not exactly in scale with others and have ‘successfully’ (adapted) (cut down) (remodeled) them to fit the layout and has actually been a lot of fun doing so. It is a bunch of work but worth the eye appeal. Enjoy, have fun and build “your” world as you want it. . . it is your layout and world. J
so true … I like your idea of mixing for the effect mentioned .. and you are right .. its my layout and if it looks good to me than go for it ! thanks J.E. appreciate your thoughts .. have a nice day!
This is called “forced perspective”. Here is my technique – –
Consider how wide your benchwork at a scenic location is – -lets say it is 36 inches.
Along the foreground closest to you where you are standing should be the scale that is the same as the train.
Locate 1/2 way back to the backdrop – in this example it is 18 inches. Drop down one scale in this zone.
Locate the backdrop and a few inches towards you. Drop down another scale..
Another trick – -on all models the door is the important element. Say between S and O.
Take a S scale figure and test fit it to a doorway in a building. If it fits, you can most likely use the structure, say it is O, in the same zone. The back zone would become the HO area.
Your eyes look upon the world like a triangle going to the distance.. that is why a full grown tree over your head next to you looks like 4 inches in the background. For elements way in the back or up a mountain road could be scaled in N to get the great illusion of depth.
Drop all scenic elements in this fashion. Tall, medium,small trees, etc.
Again your actual scale next to you, drop a scale half way back, and another scale. drop at the back
I’m sure the finescale brigade will have something disapproving to say but, for the rest of us, if it looks OK, it is OK!