The Spirit of Retro Modeling
The layout had been sitting in storage for close to a year when, in February 2021, I had a long conversation with the modeler who'd inspired the layout in the first place. Without directly making any recommendations, he inspired me to return to work on the sadly neglected little layout.
Before I got down to any modeling, I re-examined my motives: the goal of the layout was to have fun. At the outset of the project I'd established some ground rules that I came to realize were interfering with that goal. They were simply too restrictive: originally I'd wanted to use genuine period kits, track, rolling stock and scenery materials exclusively. I'd even wanted to utilize period construction techniques, as well as avoid any kit modification or bashing.
The modeler with whom I spoke has been working on a retro layout for quite a while, and to my knowledge has no such rules. Once I let go of my own rules, I saw all sorts of opportunities to enjoy the layout much, much more.
The first thing I did was look at the rolling lift bridge anew. That butt-ugly control cabin had to go! In its place I decided to use an ancient Kibri switch tower, and the original control cabin became the yard office. With that, the floodgates opened...
The next major change was to get rid of the massive, misplaced machine factory (save for the powerhouse). In the sprawling empty space that resulted, I envisioned a gravel works utilizing an old favorite Pola kit for its originally-intended purpose. That meant I was going to need a lot of rockwork and retaining walls, and suddenly I was raiding an enormous stockpile of Chooch goodies as well as a bunch of leftover Cripplebush Valley rubber rock.
Seeing the Chooch stuff also convinced me to ditch the plastic tunnel portals and stone walls. Then I started sifting through my scenery supplies—I had enough ground foam and other stuff to finish several small layouts. And from there I began unearthing the surfeit of LEDs I have with an eye toward lighting many of the buildings.
Things kept snowballing from there, all because I let go of some silly rules and instead embraced the spirit of retro modeling. It's not about the age of the materials used; it's about capturing that feeling of returning to one's modeling roots, ignoring any assumed overarching edicts about realism and accuracy, and just having fun.
Some modelers have wondered why I didn't return to work on the The Mountain Vista Railroad. The principal reason? It's become somewhat stressful worrying about realism and accuracy and such. Plus, with failing eyesight and shakier hands, it's getting more difficult to accomplish things. I just want to have fun in the ever-decreasing time I have left, and that layout wasn't providing me with enough. This layout, on the other hand—well, if the glue shows, so what? Code 80 rail? So what? Besides, the Mountain Vista isn't a roundy-rounder... JFRTM!
Thank you, Lee!
—DKS, 10 February 2021