A thread on my HO scale home layout....
Don't forget.....we love pictures! ;D
First, an overall view of one end of the layout (from a stepladder!) - mostly an effort to remember how to imbed photos.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-230614130601.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-230614130601.jpeg)
Quote from: GPdemayo on January 15, 2015, 02:17:42 PM
Don't forget.....we love pictures! ;D
working out the process....(see below!) ::)
Okay, that seems to work. By way of background (if you want a LOT of background on the theme/inspiration for the layout see Model Railroad Planning 2000 - a previous layout (similar) theme - was the cover story in that issue.
Basically, it's a combination of "might have been" - if the fabled "Titanic Railroad" between Palmer, Mass. and Providence RI had been completed and several prototype-based scenes from various points on the Central Vermont Railway. Setting it "late steam era" - essentially the mid-1950s but I fudge those dates a fair bit from time to time - and the season is "fall."
Most of my "runner" steam locomotives are RTR plastic engines - mostly Bachmann and Broadway Limited. They've been repainted and weathered and decaled with my custom "SNE" lettering - which from a distance looks a lot like CN/CV/GT/ et al. lettering.
Trees are Supertrees flocked with a variety of Noch and Scenic Express leaf flocking. Grass is a mixture of static grass. The ROW fences and telgraph poles are made from witches brooms.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-150115140540.jpeg)
A quiet view of a bridge - most of my railfan shots are like this - I always seem to be waiting for the train...
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-150115140302.jpeg)
I've posted most of these photos on other blogs and forums, but wanted to have a thread on this forum as well. Here's a view of a caboose crossing a country road - the road in the distance is a photo I took very near Camp David in Maryland last fall.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-150115140203.jpeg)
I model a north-south railroad. One thing I thought would be kind of neat would be to recreate the differences in fall scenery between the "south end" of the railroad - where the trees really haven't peaked, through the "peak" colors (the section of the layout I've been showing thus far in this thread) - and finally through the "past peak colors" and even, if I go far enough north, mostly bare trees.
Here's a view of a grove of oaks that represents the start of the "past peak" section
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-150115140601.jpeg)
Marty McGuirk
You're off to a great start Marty, thanks for sharing. 8)
Love the fall look to the layout.
Marty,
This is fantastic and I really like the differences in the trees. Beautiful layout as well.
Tom ;D
That is some great scenery Marty. I can't wait to see more.
Only thing I see missing is the dogs. Raymo
Quote from: Raymo on January 15, 2015, 04:51:30 PM
Only thing I see missing is the dogs. Raymo
Who, us?
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-150115181837.jpeg)
Thanks for the kind words to all,
Will keep plugging away at it and post more pictures as I go.
Marty
Quote from: CVSNE on January 15, 2015, 06:19:48 PM
Quote from: Raymo on January 15, 2015, 04:51:30 PM
Only thing I see missing is the dogs. Raymo
Who, us?
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-150115181837.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-150115181837.jpeg)
I'm a happy boy now,everything's good
Marty
It looks great! Looking forward to following along. The dogs look great too! All we need is a rabbit for them to chase.
Love your scenery , those subtle undulations are great.
Hi,
Marty,nice to see this layout here...Great work on the changing trees.....Scenery looking fantastic
Regards,Chris
thanks!
Some of you may know Norm Wolf.
Before he moved to the wilds of southern Virginia Norm dropped off a couple of structures he knew wouldn't fit new apartment layout. One of them was this building - a nice factory Norm built called "Laskey Cabinet Co." (I think Scott Mason did the kit, but I'm not sure).
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-160115084950-57272037.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-160115084950-57272037.jpeg)
I liked the basic look of the building, but knowing that it was wasn't a prototype structure from the CV Norm mentioned "..If you can't find a spot for it don't worry" or words to that effect. My attitude was this isn't the CV - it's the Southern New England - which in my mind is "how the CV should've looked..." Besides, the building has one thing going for it most of my other structures don't... - it's finished!
I've played around with installing this structure in various spots but none were working well. Last night I moved some other things out of the way and placed it on a siding at the north end of Randolph. (to go back to the tree coloring discussion, this is further south on the line so there's still a fair number of green trees visible!)
The main structure is in pretty good shape, but the flashing on the office building looks like it's lifted a little - likely a result of differences in humidity and temperature between Norm's old basement and mine and the change of seasons. So I have to fix that.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-160115084950-5752692.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-160115084950-5752692.jpeg)
Obviously I need to do something about the gap between the ground and the walls. I think it looks good here but I'm going to let it sit "unplanted" for a few days and see if it takes root...
Thanks Norm!
Glad to hear Norm is doing well and still modeling.
Tom ;D
Marty, It was great to see you after all these years. It was nice to meet Chris also. Sorry that you did not get to see Val. If you are down this way again stop in any time. PS I enjoyed your clinic at Prototype Rails.
Take care,
Tom Wilson
Quote from: TomW on January 21, 2015, 06:59:55 PM
Marty, It was great to see you after all these years. It was nice to meet Chris also. Sorry that you did not get to see Val. If you are down this way again stop in any time. PS I enjoyed your clinic at Prototype Rails.
Take care,
Tom Wilson
Thanks Tom,
It was great to see you as well, and have a chance to visit your layout.
Chris really appreciated the birthday cake, after all, you only turn 29 once, don't you?????
Best to Val, and we hope to see her on our next visit.
Marty
Been making slow, but steady, progress on the White River Junction station scene -
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-120315131848.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-120315131848.jpeg)
White River Junction station platforms completed - and the ball signal ready for weathering, track, and scenery.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-060415143145.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-060415143145.jpeg)
I've also been working on the Derby & Ball Co. in Waterbury -
The prototype of the "main" building (in it's current configuration, so some windows, etc.. have been added when the building was "repurposed":
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-060415143334.bmp) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-060415143334.bmp)
Current status of the model. I went back and forth with the color to paint it and decided since I (1) Couldn't determine exactly what color it was painted in my era and (2) I like the barn red/cream trim it's currently painted I'd go with that:
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-060415143656.jpeg)
The second building in the Derby & Ball Complex was the woodworking shop, seen to the left of the locomotive in this photo (the two story building is obscured by the smoke!) :
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-060415143516.jpeg)
Current status of the model (actually, that "box on stilts" has been covered with corrugated panels and the roofs are installed - I just didn't take a photo last night to show progress!)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-060415143228.jpeg)
Another shot of a different section of the layout - this one along the White River just north of the CV yard.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-060415150418.jpeg)
Hi,
your buildings are looking great.Fantastic work on those...and your scene along the white river looks very nice...
Cheers,Chris
Quote from: Twist67 on April 10, 2015, 03:05:19 AM
Hi,
your buildings are looking great.Fantastic work on those...and your scene along the white river looks very nice...
Cheers,Chris
thanks Chris!
I need to post some updated photos - actually got a few of those "in progress" things finished!
Marty
Beautiful looking New England layout.
Very nice modeling !
I love fall color trees too.
Tom
Quote from: tom.boyd.125 on May 08, 2015, 05:11:10 PM
Beautiful looking New England layout.
Very nice modeling !
I love fall color trees too.
Tom
Thanks Tom!
Back from the Collinsville, Conn. RPM meet.
Pierre Oliver (Elgin Car Shops) built this Funaro kit of a Central Vermont milk car for me - (long story short, I bought the thing at Naperville last October and found I couldn't fit it in the bag to take on the flight home. So it was easier to give it to Pierre and have him carry it home and build it!)
Coupled to another CV milkcar I scratchbuilt years ago:
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-010615121302.jpeg)
Stayed inside as much as possible over the holiday weekend - it was just too rainy and muggy to spend much time outdoors (well, I did play some golf....)
Anyway, finally put the finishing touches on the hay barn on my Griffiths Farm area - still need to blend the foundation into the ground and add some additional pieces of farm equipment/junk/old trucks etc...
I also finally "dug" a hole and planted the wire oak tree!
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-080715110858.jpeg)
Got several RS-3s painted and decaled for my Southern New England Ry., including this one -
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-080715110819.jpeg)
Next project -
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-080715110752.jpeg)
Managed to get some time on the layout this weekend. Decided to focus on getting the BEST Trains store planted in place between the track and fascia in Williams Creek. This proved a little more involved than I had originally planned since some of the layout framework got in the way. Nothing a jigsaw couldn't handle! I also found I had to cut out some of the road since it had a significant "hump" that would interfere with blending the parking area in front of the store into the road.
Once I had the benchwork framing out of the way, I cut a rectangular section of scenery out of the layout making sure it was large enough for the store and the landforms immediately around the structure. Then I cut a piece of Gatorboard as a sub-base for the structure, and positioned the brick foundation in position.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-220915092159.jpeg)
I used hot glue to attach florists foam to the sub base. Once that was done, I carved the foam to shape, blended it into the surrounding area with Sculptamold. Added sifted dirt for the ground cover around the structure and some ground up leaves for the areas behind the store that will be covered with trees.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-220915092132.jpeg)
Next step is to measure and cut the porch support posts.
Note there's a fair amount of space between the store and the road. My plan is to include a gas pump and sign in front of the store. I remember many of these old country stores would have one (maybe two) pumps in front.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-220915092041.jpeg)
Marty,
The layout is beautiful. I love the Fall scenery, something we don't get here in the deep South.
Tom ;D
Thanks Tom, appreciate it!
Marty
Looks great Marty. I'm looking forward to the feature.
John
Marty
The latest photographs look great - the scenes are wonderful. I especially like the static grass in pasture near the barn.
The first project of 2016 on the SNE is to finish up the mill stream -
As you can tell, up to this point the river surface is nothing more than flat black paint, and the embankments are simply covered with sifted dirt. Actually the water level is going to be increased in this section of the river since it's up stream of the falls, which will be located just out of this frame to the left.
The project will involve adding an old wooden mill building and the associated dam, falls, and mill pond. I also want to "dress up" the water surface.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-060415150418.jpeg)
As anyone who's built a water-powered mill knows, it's a little bit of a chicken/egg dilemma. You want to get the scene finished and then plant the completed building in place, but you also need the building - at least the basic footprint - so you know how to arrange the waterways.
So, here's the shell of the basic building (not shown in place on the layout)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-030116174921.jpeg)
Wow, that's a good sized building, looks great.
8)
As I was positioning the mill building on the layout I found it really didn't fit terribly well and the bend in the river didn't look right. I also needed to increase one end of the river to create the mill pond and falls.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-080116081759.jpeg)
So I decided to widen the river somewhat (the pencil marks show the scenery I cut away - it won't all be river but I also need to add some terrain sloping down towards the river.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-080116081826.jpeg)
Once I got the basic locations of the mill, the river, and the falls locked in I built the terrain (made by stacking 1" thick foam pieces) around the plaster foundation of the mill.
Here's the structure placed on the foundation for reference. Next step is to blend in the riverbanks and add some rock outcroppings to the river bank and the "woods" areas. And obviously to paint everything.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-080116081923.jpeg)
In the last couple of days I've had trouble finding time to get into the basement - lots of work-related stuff going on.
But I did manage to get some rock outcroppings and "exposed rocks" in place - a combination of plaster rocks (from Sterling Scale Models molds) and Cripplebush rocks.
I then blended all these, and the foam landforms, together with Scultamold - trying to minimize the amount of Styrofoam I covered with the stuff.
To get an idea of what the rocks looked like I hit the plaster rocks with a combination of Hunterline Blue-Gray, Light Brown, and Sepia - in the end I think they look decent for a first pass.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-150116122619.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-150116122646.jpeg)
I no longer bother painting the green florist foam if I know it's going to be covered with sifted dirt/leaf fall and then planted with a solid mass of trees - but a quick coat of tan paint on the "ground" and black paint on the "water" and the result is this:
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-150116122727.jpeg)
I'll admit the whole thing looks like a hot mess at this stage, but the next couple of steps will begin to bring everything together... at least that's the plan!
Marty
Marty,
Great looking. I also have been using Cripplebush cast rubber rocks. They are quick and easy to install and after you paint it, you are done. I also use it along the edge of the layout to prevent edge wear from leaner's and larger's. The only problem I have has was forgetting not to use cotton gloves. Burnt my finger. My immediate response was to put it in my mouth to cool it down. Very Bad decision. Keep post those wonder pictures. Thanks.
Frank / Erieman
Update -
I'm awaiting some additional material to finish the dam for the mill stream so instead of working on the mill stream itself I've been spending some time with the static grass applicator over the last few days. In some areas like this section just north of Randolph, the static grass had gotten pretty beaten up during the course of building, and rebuilding the layout.
A quick squirt of hairspray, a misting with water to create some relative humidity, and a few minutes with the static grass applicator and the refreshed grass (left) looks much better than the old, dusty faded stuff (right):
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-260216093645.jpeg)
I had several visitors from Richmond last Saturday - two of them hadn't tried using static grass so we had an impromptu hands-on clinic. They did some grass around the highway underpass just north of Waterbury and in the Derby & Ball wood yard - they did a great job. I hope they picked up a useful tip or two!
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-260216093704.jpeg)
I also realized that I'd never shown the outbuildings I added to Griffith's Farm. In addition to the hay barn, "Ol' Man Griffith" now has a corn crib and a small tractor shed. Looks like there's some activity in the barn yard.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-260216093729.jpeg)
The last stretch of static grass I've done is along the mill stream - which I'll show in a future post - and in the area behind the curve between the mill stream scene and Randolph. Since this was in the background I was careful to use the shorter (2mm and 4mm) grass instead of the long stuff I tend to use in the foreground scenes.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-260216093748.jpeg)
Marty
Marty, it is really looking good. I like the fall colors, they really catch your eye.
8)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-290616095535.jpeg)
Putting the finishing touches on the Demeritt Cannery building for Waterbury. I wanted a fairly large structure that looked like it needed rail service - but I also didn't want something that would completely block the sight lines across the open space on the peninsula.
Entire structure is styrene.
Painted with a base coat of Vallejo Blue Grey, with individual boards "streaked" with other shades of gray to break up the completely even look of the painted surface.
Weathered with a combination of light gray, Payne's Gray, and black Pan Pastels. Some rust color Pan Pastel on the door hardware.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-290616095558.jpeg)
Great progress Marty.....good looking grass. 8)
That's one impressive structure.
Jeff
It's great to see styrene finished as wood done so well!
Suggest darkening the bottom board or two a bit, even with a 1' tall foundation, there's still some water and dirt that collects there.
dave
p.s. why does this forum add extra line feeds in my posts?
Marty ....
Where ya been ????
Cool building.
Thanx
Bob
Quote from: bparrish on June 29, 2016, 01:15:05 PM
Marty ....
Where ya been ????
Cool building.
Thanx
Bob
I've been around Bob.
I just point post much on here since it often feels like I'm barking at the moon. ;D
Some small subset of an "in crowd" seem to get all the feedback and replies. The rest of us, um, don't.
Kinda weird energy if you know what I mean.
I do post on my blog regularly - and I do look at this forum and enjoy it - but oftentimes it doesn't seem worth the time to post anything.
Marty
Quote from: deemery on June 29, 2016, 12:32:48 PM
It's great to see styrene finished as wood done so well!
Suggest darkening the bottom board or two a bit, even with a 1' tall foundation, there's still some water and dirt that collects there.
dave
p.s. why does this forum add extra line feeds in my posts?
Thanks Dave.
Good point about the heavier weathering on the bottom - I plan to do a final weathering blending when I get this thing planted on the layout.
I can review how I treat the styrene walls if there is any interest - have to admit I picked up a lot of it from talking to (and watching) Paul Dolkos.
Although you do have to add some "tooth" (I hesitate to call it "grain") the effect depends much more on "paint/coloration/shading" and than on "staining and texturing" like with wood.
Marty
Great building Marty , goes to show Craftsman doesn't mean wood perse.
Quote from: CVSNE on June 30, 2016, 08:18:03 AM
...
I can review how I treat the styrene walls if there is any interest - have to admit I picked up a lot of it from talking to (and watching) Paul Dolkos.
Although you do have to add some "tooth" (I hesitate to call it "grain") the effect depends much more on "paint/coloration/shading" and than on "staining and texturing" like with wood.
Marty
Please do so!
dave
As always you do a great job with your layouts. Jim who used to live in Herndon(Occupied Virginia) and now near Charlottesville.
Marty,
The revitalized grass(static grass) looks great. I must be doing something wrong as I can't get my static grass to stand up. Maybe I need more water/moisture on the area. I'll keep trying though.
Looking very good my friend.
Tom ;D
What are you using as an applicator Tom, I bought a 35KV one , cost me 150 euro's but it works so much better then my homemade one. With the homemade one I had to be very specific where I planted the ground pin, it had to be in the glue/paint wet spot. With the 35KV I only have to be within a foot of the wet spot and it will work, I see my static grass just shooting down.
Thanks Tom!
Can't imagine it's a lack of relative humidity - it might be possible you're over wetting the glue?
I prefer to use Ailene's Tacky Glue (from the craft store) - but have had good success with regular Elmer's/
I apply the grass with a Heiki Flokstar - and have been very happy with it. I had a cheap one several years ago and never got satisfactory results - the Heiki one has always worked well.
Jan and Marty,
I'm using the NOCH Gras Master. I'm using 50/50 matte medium and water. I think it could also be a weak 9v battery. I'll try a new battery next time.
I'll let ya'll know.
Tom
Marty,
I'm curious to hear how you use Tacky glue...do you just brush it on full-strength (seems like it'd be awfully thick and expensive)? Does it disappear like Matte Medium or White Glue?
Looks great!
John
I apply my static grass with acrylic paint, why first paint the surface , let thge paint dry and then use glue or matte medium, when you can apply the grass directly in the wet paint. The acrylic paint is a leftover 2 liter can of tan colored paint. The paint when dry secures the grass at least as well as glue and it is the right wetness right out of the can.
Jim Elster (Scenic Express) recommends Elmer's White School Glue (that's not quite the same as Elmer's White Glue.)
dave
Quote from: CVSNE on June 30, 2016, 08:13:18 AM
Quote from: bparrish on June 29, 2016, 01:15:05 PM
Marty ....
Where ya been ??? ?
Cool building.
Thanx
Bob
I've been around Bob.
I just point post much on here since it often feels like I'm barking at the moon. ;D
Some small subset of an "in crowd" seem to get all the feedback and replies. The rest of us, um, don't.
Kinda weird energy if you know what I mean.
I do post on my blog regularly - and I do look at this forum and enjoy it - but oftentimes it doesn't seem worth the time to post anything.
Marty
Marty,
I hope this was just "down" moment. I enjoy seeing your layout progress on buildings and scenery. You might want to include a link to your blog occasionally so more of us can take a peak. There is just so much to see and do with forums and blogs, it is difficult to get anything else done. So, cheer up and keep posting your wonderful work. More pics please. especially overall shots so we can see the total progress. All the best.
Frank / Erieman
Quote from: Cuse on July 01, 2016, 05:19:58 PM
Marty,
I'm curious to hear how you use Tacky glue...do you just brush it on full-strength (seems like it'd be awfully thick and expensive)? Does it disappear like Matte Medium or White Glue?
Looks great!
John
John,
Since the goal is not get a "golf course" look I usually just dab the glue (slightly thinned since it brushes better that way) onto the sifted dirt base. The only trick is to make sure the subsurface is really dried completely.
I've also used Elmer's in a pinch - but after my last experience with what I thought was a "fresh" bottle of Elmer's not sure I'm going to use it again - see my last couple of blog posts for more detail....If I'm using Elmer's I usually wait a few minutes before applying the grass to let the glue start to tack. Don't wait so long that the glue "skins" over or the grass won't stick.
To answer Tom's question - I don't think the matte medium has enough "body" to hold the longer fibers straight - they hit the wet glue with a charge and then they fall over. the glue has to have enough tack to hold things up until the glue sets.
Quote from: Erieman on July 03, 2016, 12:21:36 PM
Quote from: CVSNE on June 30, 2016, 08:13:18 AM
Quote from: bparrish on June 29, 2016, 01:15:05 PM
Marty ....
Where ya been ??? ?
Cool building.
Thanx
Bob
I've been around Bob.
I just point post much on here since it often feels like I'm barking at the moon. ;D
Some small subset of an "in crowd" seem to get all the feedback and replies. The rest of us, um, don't.
Kinda weird energy if you know what I mean.
I do post on my blog regularly - and I do look at this forum and enjoy it - but oftentimes it doesn't seem worth the time to post anything.
Marty
Marty,
I hope this was just "down" moment. I enjoy seeing your layout progress on buildings and scenery. You might want to include a link to your blog occasionally so more of us can take a peak. There is just so much to see and do with forums and blogs, it is difficult to get anything else done. So, cheer up and keep posting your wonderful work. More pics please. especially overall shots so we can see the total progress. All the best.
Frank / Erieman
Not totally a "down" moment. There's definitely an "in crowd" on this forum - and that's fine. I do enjoy sharing what I'm up to though, so will likely keep posting. I maintain the blog fairly regularly. I appreciate the comments I get (well, except for the obvious spammers!) and try to reply to same. But mostly I write the blog so I have a record of what I did!
I should add the link to the blog for those who haven't seen it -
http://www.centralvermontrailway.blogspot.com
Marty
Quote from: ACL1504 on July 01, 2016, 02:05:01 PM
Jan and Marty,
I'm using the NOCH Gras Master. I'm using 50/50 matte medium and water. I think it could also be a weak 9v battery. I'll try a new battery next time.
I'll let ya'll know.
Tom
I should add that I shared everything I know about static grass and fall foliage (and it's not much...) in the article I wrote that was published in the November 2015 issue of MR.
After some major issues with gluing the ballast in place I got the cannery installed on the layout and added trees to the hillside behind it. I need to install some additional lighting in front since the current lighting is not hitting the front of the scene. Always something....
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-110716085548.jpeg)
Marty,
Great scene and tree color. I really like the distant scene behind the trees.
Tom ;D
Thanks Tom,
The pasture in the opening through the trees to the right is actually part of this barn scene:
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-080715110858.jpeg)
The trees beyond that actually mask the mainline curving around the end of the peninsula (the track is in a shallow cut).
The trees to the left background form the back drop behind the creamery:
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-010615121302.jpeg)
The tan hill painted in the far background is actually the far wall of the basement behind my current staging yard. This extreme vertical view shows how the pieces fit together:
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-230614130601.jpeg)
I try to position the hills and trees so they form fairly deep scenes for photography and (less effectively) viewing in person. The red unfinished mockups are the location of the cannery. You can see the staging yard on the right and the barn in the foreground. (Between the barn and mill building I've thought on naming the area "Bollinger's Corners" as there are three BEST kits - these two and a country store that's not visible in the overall shot - in this immediate area of the layout!)
Long-range plans call for relocating the staging yard and adding another town in the staging yard's present location. If and when I do that I need to be careful that the full-scale (HO) buildings are not visible from the viewpoint of the cannery photo or it will ruin the "distant view across the valley look."
Luckily I don't particularly like building structures so I'll never risk having an "over populated" look to the scenes I create.
Marty
Marty,
I see now. Great scene overall. Very well done.
Tom ;D
Hi,
He cannery scene is looking great. It´s nice to see an overall shot how all is coming together.
Fantastic work.
Regards,Chris
Thanks for the kind words Tom and Chris,
I'm in the middle of a major rework on the other end of the layout (far end of the basement in the overall pic - once that mess is somewhat cleaned up I need to shoot a new 'walking tour' of the entire layout and update the blog. Will include some of those photos here.
Marty
Quote from: CVSNE on July 11, 2016, 08:57:49 AM
After some major issues with gluing the ballast in place I got the cannery installed on the layout and added trees to the hillside behind it. I need to install some additional lighting in front since the current lighting is not hitting the front of the scene. Always something....
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-110716085548.jpeg)
Marty,
Really nice job on the Dermeritt Cannery build ! Need to pick up some of that Evergreen styrene material you used. Like that Randolph Coal & Ice on your blog too. Should make great additions to the CV RR.
Tommy
Thanks Tom,
Here's the Randolph Coal and Ice Co. Tom was referring to:
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-140716205621.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-140716205700.jpeg)
Hi,
wow,that´s a fantastic looking structure.
Regards,Chris
i love it
Marty,
Very nice structure indeed. More pics please.
Frank / Erieman
Thanks for the kind words everyone.
I'm still in the middle of reworking the far end of the layout. Believe I've rounded the corner and I'm now doing more adding than subtracting, if you know what I mean!
Will post more photos once there is something worthy of being photographed!
Marty
Marty,
Randolph Coal and Ice is stunning. Absolutely beautiful!
Tom ;D
Marty........
That area would look great with a traveling hopper in it. Put your name up with John to have George's hopper to come by.
see ya
Bob
Hi Marty:
that's quite a structure. Nicely built. Like the colors you used.
Karl
Thanks Tom, Bob, and Karl!
I need to weather the roof panels and I also want to weather and shift the tone of the concrete support structure before planting this thing in the layout.
The building will end up on a slope - so the trackside (with the lettering) will have little or no foundation exposed. The rear of the building is almost fully exposed.
Marty
Neat structure & great job Marty..... 8)
After two weeks of evenings spent working through the track arrangements in Essex Junction I'm going to spend some time at the bench today building a model. If anyone is interested, I posted a video showing my layout progress on YouTube yesterday. Link:[/size][/font]
My video skills have a long way to go!Marty McGuirk
Nice work Marty. :) 8)
Stay cool and run steam..... 8) 8)
Marty,
Damn fine progress update! Layout is coming along very nicely indeed. I really like how you're building and adding large structures to the overall layout. I like to see Fast tracks switches are still being built. Keep going brother, we need more layouts to view trains running through! Thanx Thom...
Marty,
Wonderful video and update. Your video editing skills are way ahead of mine sir.
I'll get on that when I'm not busy with the layout. Time, time and more time is all I need. ;D ;D ;D
Thanks for sharing.
Tom ;D
Thanks for the kind words! The video editing is fun but it does take time.
I was inspired to do this by Mike Deverell (see his Colorado Front Range YouTube channel), but the real inspiration came from Gerry Leone's Bona Vista update videos (also on YouTube).
Mike's are long, extremely well done shows (they're almost broadcast quality) - while Gerry's updates are a little more "shoot from the hip."
We'll see how this evolves over the next few months.
But, hey, I had fun doing it and have some ideas (improvements!) for the next one.
Marty
While I've been engaged in the (seemingly) never ending process of laying track and wiring same, Bernie Kempinski came by yesterday and finished up the Main Street backdrop in Essex Junction, Vt.
He painted the distant treeline and basic landscape.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-060317125321.jpeg)
Then he added buildings that he drew up in Adobe Illustrator based on vintage photos of those from the prototype scene.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-060317125344.jpeg)
Next step is on me to add the foreground scenery, structures, and trees.
Outstanding scenery.
Nicely done Marty. :) 8)
Stay cool and run steam........ 8) 8)
Marty,
The backdrop looks really good.
Tom ;D
Very nice backdrops.
thanks for the feedback to all!
I took the afternoon off work yesterday and managed to complete the mainline. Then I spent more than an hour cleaning up the mess the top of the layout had become.
Some of the local gang are coming over tonight to hook up the new NCE wireless system. Things are moving along.
Marty
The Monday after the Springfield show, Stic Harris, Bernie Kempinski and me journeyed west through the Massachusetts countryside to pay a visit to Dick Elwell.
Here's photo proof of the visit (Bernie is behind the camera).
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-080317095850.jpeg)
One of many of the excellent running, and sounding, locomotives running on the Hoosac Valley for many years has been a remotored, regeared, and sound-equipped Custom Brass Model of a Central Vermont M-3-a class 2-8-0 - specifically No. 450.
Dick made sure she was out for our visit. You can see her here about to start what would be her last run over HV rails.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-080317095819.jpeg)
I was so impressed with the model that I decided it would look much better on my layout than Dick's, so I took it home with me (I'm hiding it behind my back in the photo of Dick, Stic and myself, which explains my uncharacteristic big smile ;) )
Seriously, I'm thrilled to be able to give this model a good home - my only problem is deciding what I do with my other no. 450...
Marty
Awesome looking layout.
I haven't posted in this thread for a while - a few months ago my wife and I decided to build a new basement (I think there's a house on top...) and sell our current home - which meant the layout had to come out of the basement - one way or another.
In the end I opted to not try and save the layout - so here is the last photo of I took of the Manasas version of the Southern New England -
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/112-010917100931.jpeg)
I'm looking forward to the new basement - I'm not looking forward to moving....
Regards,
Marty
Ouch!
I feel the pain. But the new layout will be just as awesome.
Tom ;D
That looks painful. Good luck with your future home and layout endeavors.
Sad to see it go, hope the next one progresses well.
Felt that bit of pain last year, hope you get started on a new journey soo .
Thanks all.
Yes, it certainly wasn't fun, but I'm sure (hope?) I have at least one more layout in me.
The next one is going to be built in stages/sections up through completion.
I also toy with other themes/prototypes etc...
No decisions as yet, and it's entirely likely that practical factors will see me stick with the Central Vermont and New England in general, but it might be a different era, or a new region of the country entirely.
At least such daydreaming keeps me out of trouble when we're packing...
Marty
Wow - good luck with the new space.