Beitrag
von Saphira123456 » Montag 14. Juli 2014, 06:20
Guys; I realize I haven't been around; nor have I been at the exhibition as of yet. I will, though probably within a few years. Right now; though, there have been some... developments... in the world of O-Scale. Thus; I've made some preliminary decisions. This post is a list of said decisions, and reasons for them.
1. Track: 3-Rail track, such as Lionel's. I know what you're gonna say: Lionel tubular isn't exact-scale. It's not even called scale. It's called Hi-Rail. I disagree. With Lionel's newer track; called FasTrack, all you need to do is weather it. It already has a plastic base which gives the appearance of a roadbed; complete with ballast. Ties are molded in; and the center "rail" really isn't that obvious unless you're really looking hard for it. That's due to it being nothing more than a flat; metal strip, not a rail! In other words; it's not your grandpa's tubular track anymore! The facts are; I prefer 3-Rail O-Scale; aka Hi-Rail over 2-Rail O-Scale track, because it makes trackside animations, such as the ones at most grade crossings, easier to do. My goals are realism; but one of the few things that will not be realistic is the 3-Rail track. But other than those who are reading this post; no one will ever know.
2. Train control: Lionel has released their operating protocols for their second-generation DCC system; called Legacy, into the public domain. You can now use a computer with a Wireless Network Adapter to control your Lionel trains; accessories, etc. Plus; Legacy has excellent backwards compatibility! With the right equipment, you can control any train made by Lionel or any of its' competitors. No matter the age. To run it via computer; you need a wireless-capable device and 2 modular LCS (Legacy Command System) components: a SensorTrack; plus an LCS Wi-Fi Module. (If you only want to run only the latest Legacy Control-fitted devices; not conventional locos (extra purchase required,) original, first-generation Lionel Command Control-equipped locos [white memory modules labeled with "TMCC 1 Steam" or "TMCC 1 Diesel"] or even the earlier Legacy locos [orange modules labeled with the corresponding locomotive's type (or nickname for some) and road number] that's all you need. [All Legacy locos from 2014 forward are designed to just roll over the SensorTrack instead using of a memory module in order to be "installed" into the Legacy System's OS. That means no more fumbling around when you want to install a new loco! However: you need to keep the modules you have; if any, just in case.]) The Wi-Fi module receives the commands sent by your wireless device; and then sends it to the Legacy Command Base; which then broadcasts the commands via the outside rails. Each locomotive has a unique 2-Digit ID number; usually the last two digits of the road number. Each locomotive "listens" for its' unique ID number; and responds only to the commands sent to that specific ID. (All Lionel command control-equipped locomotives come with an initial ID of 1; however it's easily changed to whatever you'd like. Lionel recommends you set it to the last two digits of the locomotive's road number.) Normally; you only need one remote/base set (the #990) per layout. (The exception is if you have more than 98 locomotives. Mine is a case-in-point example.) As I'll probably have a lot more than 98 locomotives; (and that's a severe understatement!) I'll probably need a large number of computers, etc.
3. Other vehicle controls: Legacy works for the trains; but for other things such as trolley stops; along with planes, ships, cars; etc., I'll need stuff similar to what you use: the Faller Car System, Delphi and other programming tools/languages, knowledge of things like infra-red transceivers, and of course; blueprints, photos, and scales from places like aircraft manufacturers and shipyards; as well as building plans, etc. I'll need to access tools like Google Earth and more. There's a lot to do; and I have to gather up quite a few people to do it. And I have to get off my butt and "get down on the shop floor" so to speak; and "get my hands dirty" from time to time.
4. Corrections and improvements: I'm going to have to be creative if I'm going to beat you all at the realism game. After all; you guys have one BIG lead; and you've got the realism factor pretty much in the bag! Only a few missing pieces and inaccuracies, plus at least 1 thing that is just absurd and will never happen in a million years, stands between you and complete realism. (I mean, c'mon! A rail tunnel from the US all the way across the Atlantic and into Germany? Even if it just went to England; we'd never finish drilling before we suffocated down there! And even if we did finish; many people would suffocate! In the Steam Era; which is what I'm modeling, it never would have been suggested, much less attempted! A tunnel of that length, at full-scale, would be crazy; even with today's equipment!) In general; when going for realism, inaccuracies are not tolerated; nor are mistakes. Any mistakes. If you have unrealistic items which are THAT big; your realism grade's an instant F, for Failed, in my book. Do you REALLY want an impartial; INTERNATIONAL judge to give you an F after just a cursory glance at the FLOOR between your first two sections? One look; and if he sees that tunnel, no matter if it's hot and he's sweating bullets from waiting outside, he'll enter but then he'll go straight to a sitting area, cameras still rolling, and you'll get a report-card grade: A big; fat, F. With just one F, he'll leave. No tour necessary. Your percentage grade for the entire layout: If he sees it, no matter how impressed he is with the other areas, it will be a VERY major issue. So; your percentage grade for the layout, if he sees the tunnel or its effects, will be 0%; no matter how impressed he was otherwise. If your "international fan community" saw a ZERO for an overall percentage; they'd be like, "I'm sorry I even liked the place. That tunnel needs to go; or I'll just stay clear." Then, Miniatur Wunderland will slowly become become "Miniatur Deserted-land." No more crowds; and no more expansions.
5. Theme = character requirements: Character requirements mean a great deal for realism. You don't put a firefighter with a hose in-hand and breathing apparatus on, at an open beach without a flame in sight! That's just not correct! Putting him at a building fire; preparing to charge headlong into the flames, heroically clearing a path for the other rescue workers by battling the blaze, and keeping them safe from the raging inferno, would be perfect. In order for a scene to make sense; you have to put stuff where it belongs. Also; if you want to get away from real, do it in a clearly marked area. (An example: you have a model of the mysterious Area 51; right where the REAL Area 51 is. You use it as an alien launch pad. Area 51's contents are Classified; but please. Aliens? I highly doubt it. UFOs maybe; but it's likely that many "UFOs" are just experimental military aircraft being flight-tested. We have had no contact; so as far as I'm concerned; aliens belong in the "Sci-Fi" or "Futuristic" section.) The same would be true for fantasy. It's not real; so put it in a marked section, just for fantasy. Of course; if you're modeling a place like Disneyland; then by all means, include fantasy creatures like dragons and the like. However; they are limited to dragons that Disney created, like Maleficent. If you do a straight Fantasy section you can include anything in the realms of fantasy that you wish. You can do an all-dragon section; plus add dragons of your own design. If you do a Futuristic section; it's a bit more restricted. Futuristic means it could really happen, just in the future; thus, you can't put things like an "X-Wing Starfighter" in there. Star Wars is more fiction than science. But you CAN put Star Trek's original USS Enterprise (Gene Roddenberry's design) in there; for example, because the basic principles have already been proven scientifically; and all we're missing is the Warp Drive.
Zuletzt geändert von Saphira123456 am Dienstag 15. Juli 2014, 02:28, insgesamt 1-mal geändert.