Here’s a map of the prototype area I finally chose to use as the basis for the LAJ switching layout.  It took quite a few hours of (enjoyable) virtual rail fanning via Google Maps and Bing Maps to finally settle on a location.  I’m satisfied, however, that I’ve finally found an area that embodies the look…

How do you learn how to compose a scene?  It’s a very pertinent question and one that was asked by a visitor that dropped by today.  It was also a hard one to answer because it’s more art than science, more of “I know it’s right when I see it” sort of thing.  Scene composition…

  Since finishing the bench work for my LAJ switching layout I’ve been playing around with scene composition and a variety of design ideas.  Nothing really got me excited enough to commit.  The reality is that the vast majority of the modern day LAJ just doesn’t make for a compelling modeling subject.  Like much of…