Customer Reviews

Realistic Model Railroad Building Blocks: An Introduction to Layout Design Elements (Model Railroader)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I did not quite get what I was looking for in this book. Since I am looking for a place to build a BIG layout but have not yet found it, I thought I would learn about ways to start building now in a series of small blocks that could be transported to the new site when the time comes. There is some of that but that is not the basis of the book. Instead, it talks about an approach to designing a layout.

This book talks about a design philosophy, about designing a layout built around specific design elements such as a yard, junction, city scene, industry or even a maritime scene. It examines how the real or "prototype" railroad operations can be selectively compressed to fit in a model space and how the rest of the layout can be designed around a few signature scenes.

Towards the end, there is some discussion of designing a layout as a series of "dominoes" but this is for grand planning and not for modular building in the sense of planning for a move.

The book was informative and worthwhile but what I will take from it is mostly background information.

One of the newest additions to the "Model Railroader" book list, Realistic Model Railroad Building Blocks: An Introduction To Layout Design Elements by model railroading expert Tony Koester focuses upon how to apply Layout Design Elements - that is, visually and operationally recognizable models of small parts of a full-sized railroad - to create a more realistic and aesthetically pleasing model railroad. LDEs work for full-sized railroads; and so they work just as well for hobbyists. Chapters cover how to select and model towns, junctions, yards, engine terminals, industries, ports, bridges, "signature" scenes, and much more. Offering practical techniques that break down the steps of using LDEs to the simplicity of assembling a picture puzzle, Realistic Model Railroad Building Blocks is enthusiastically recommended for serious model railroad connoisseurs.

Tony Koester continues to be THE most prominent driving force in Model Railroad Design today. He began where John Armstrong left off and continues to take the design phase of the hobby to new heights. "Building Blocks" is a concept that thousands of modelers have used for years, but until now, no one has ever compiled a true action plan for intergrating these ideas together to achieve a complete model.
Great job, Tony!

It took a while to locate this book. It was being offered for sale at outrageous prices when you could find it. It has some helpful ideas, but I find Tony's books a little verbose and anecdotal. I don't come away with a sense of having picked up a lot of information to help.

The book is well presented but lot of the coverage is very ambiguous and situational to real railroading not focused onthe aspects of model railroading. I would have expected to see more coverage of layout building, tips and trick, experiences from fellow modelers, but none of that kind to suit my pallate. Rather dissappointed, I must say.