- 6 July, 2006 -

It?s all in the details We've all seen it. The chattering throng of young people at a railroad display walk right past the sets of exacting detail and stop at the table with the carnival on the layout, or the one with the cat in a trash can. Are they missing something, or are we? The answer has something to do with marketing. If you want to intrigue the casual viewer with your layout, you need to offer them something. You don't have to compromise on quality or craftsmanship. There is still an audience for that. But if you want to share your layout with your nephew or take your neighbor on a quick walking tour, you have to think about what they'll remember. A little whimsy or a realistic vignette will be recalled much longer than the rest of the details. If you focus one area of your layout on "eye-candy for the masses," it leaves the rest of the area for your own preferences. Here are a few products to help you add the details that will delight the passersby and make your layout the one that gets remembered. Building A Scene Start by looking for a structure that will fit with your layout and at the same time add that certain pizzazz. A drive-in movie theater, a cemetery, a hot dog stand?they all fit this description. A few specific examples to check out are the Walthers Clayton County Lumber set from their HO Cornerstone Series. The four separate buildings can be split up and used on your layout, or can conform to a curved siding. Add a few simple details and you have instant interest! The Branchline Trains Farm Set features enough small red buildings to create a memorable rural scene. Model Power's Building Under Demolition Kit brings action to your scene. Who could help but check out the wallpaper and bath tubs included with this hand-weathered kit. This kit is easy to build and brings a new dimension to an otherwise pristine layout. Paper Creek's Randsburg Stores are based on actual structures still standing in Randsburg, CA. There's an interesting detail to share with viewers that will keep them coming back for more. The Power of the People They're small, but mighty. The tiny townsfolk of your layout tend to get a lot of attention. If you know that to be true, play up this feature. A few new offerings from Woodland Scenics make it easy to have a few little stars. The HO scale Youth Football Players features a set of 10 kids playing a game of five-on-five in full uniform. A linebacker covers the wide receiver, a cornerback takes after the quarterback, with a blitzer on his tail. An assortment of offensive and defensive linemen mean you'll have people "in the game" in no time. It's as if this set was specially made for filling an empty lot in your town. The Fly Fishermen set has all the right moves to bring your layout stream to life. Six fishermen stand with lines whipping and one has a net ready for the big catch. Streams are scenic, but add a few fly guys for a lot more excitement. Woodland Scenic's AutoScenes Sunday Drive is a group of two couples in a convertible. The simple addition of a few townfolk adds a great deal to your roadway. It sure beats the deserted vehicles that don't seem to fit the scene. Willie's Warning AutoScene from Woodland Scenics is sure to get a chuckle. Far too many can associate with the "last warning" this depicts. For a few bright spots on your layout, look at Model Power's Peel and Stick Lights. These prewired powerhouses can be placed almost anywhere ? on locos, in buildings, or in cars or boats. Anywhere you need a little light, these kits work. They're available in packs of four or 20. There are thousands of items out there to add a little spark to your layout and make it one of the memorable ones for all of your audiences. HobbyTown USA

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