hmmm - okay, so what do people want - single board yards, double (at most), detailed trackwork, not so detailed, steam/diesel era...the list is endless.
Muliebuck, if you really want to do this, i have a few suggestions for your consideration:
Size- I would not go any larger than two boards; three as an
absolute maximum! Anything larger than three boards can be a right pain to texture and populate; depending on the area being depicted.
Era- That would be up to you, however, if the aim s for people to be able to customize a near-blank module to suit, it shouldn't be too hard to add/remove track & infrastructure to suit.
Trackwork- I would place what trackwork you see fit, as, again, it shouldn't take too much work to bring the route in line with whatever era is being depicted. If you wanted to depict a modern-era yard, with rusty, weed covered track, then all the end-user has to do is remove the weeds and replace the track with something more appropriate, and it's good to go.
Infrastructure (Lineside)-Again, up to you; however as a minimum i would provide point-work, and basic facilities to suit traffic envisioned. For instance, at a small yard with just a loop siding, all you need is a goods shed and/or loading bank, and station. The rest of the detail (crates, trucks loading, people) would be up to the person customizing it.
A lineside fence (area appropriate) would also come in handy, to define the railway boundaries.
Infrastructure (Towns)- This is where route size would play a part in how much you add. If, for example, you create a large marshalling yard, covering 3 boards, with industries like a mill, oil depot or container sidings, then, as an absolute minimum, i would place three roads: the main drag through town, plus two roads off of that, to the main industries, and over the tracks to the other side of town.
For a module this size, i would also consider adding a few factories, houses and shops, to flesh out the town, and give an idea of where to lay the various residential/commercial/industrial areas.
If, on the other hand, you go the single board, small town with passing/goods loop only, the main road would be as much as you need to add; the rest would be up to the user.
If i have gone to far,
Muliebuck, just let me know. I'm only adding some input into an idea that has some merit. As you can see, i've put a little thought into it, having considered at one point releasing a few modules along similar a design premise.
Also, if anybody else has anything to add to this list, feel free! I think i might start thinking about a basic modular design project again; i have a few unfinished routes that i could start with!:hehe:
Matt.
...but they are there (esp 2nd shot).
