Starting fresh by tearing down to the support frame, downsizing dimensions, height and even the theme. The old TMB&N was about 15 x 8 and the lowest track height was at 48 inches, making the highest scenery simply too high to appreciate.
The new TMB & N is 12 x 6 and 36 inches high, making it much more accessible all around. It will be a single-track continuous run dogbone with a few spurs, an engine facility at the near end (in the photo) and small towns at both ends.
The near end is 3 x 6, the far end is 3 x 4 and the connecting bit is 2 feet wide.
New theme will be a backwoods portage railroad between two waterfront / canal towns.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-041020105419.jpeg)
Improvements:
Walls thorough-sealed, painted and will sport a sky and clouds motif soon, courtesy of my wife.
Ratty insulation in the rafters removed.
Floors cleaned
Aisles widened
I can now reach everything easily
Small size means it will look "finished" sooner with the built kits I already own, but still plenty of room for more.
Lower means my grandsons can see it and can run trains
Fortunately, nearly everything came off of the old layout intact. I only lost some hard-shell scenery, plaster walls and rocks--all easily replaced with fresh castings when I need them. Every craftsman kit came up with no damage. I was hopeful, but even I was amazed at how nicely they parted from their old location.
Most of my old flextrack came up in good enough condition to re-use.
All is looking full steam ahead.
--Opa George
Very nice George, and looking forward to following the journey of the new TMB&N RR!!
All the best,
--Paul
Seeing as you've brought it down to the bare wood , this would be a good time to reaccess whether the present subframing is going to be adequate for what you want to do. Not saying its not right but just a suggestion. It's so much easier to mold an open grid to making lakes ,bridges and trackbed to your imagination. :)
George,
With your wife painting a backdrop on the walls, I'm curious why you decided to go with an island style layout rather than around the walls. Obviously, more depth of field and multiple viewing angles, still, inquiring minds and all that.
Looking forward to your progress.
Quote from: Lynnb on October 04, 2020, 11:38:59 AM
Seeing as you've brought it down to the bare wood , this would be a good time to reaccess whether the present subframing is going to be adequate for what you want to do. Not saying its not right but just a suggestion. It's so much easier to mold an open grid to making lakes ,bridges and trackbed to your imagination. :)
I'll certainly be considering that, Lynn. My goal is to have between half and two-thirds of the layout in "water," meaning open flowing water or swampy marshland. The majority of the track will be on a causeway or low trestle with most structures either right at water's edge or actually on wharfs and pilings.
--Opa George
Quote from: jerryrbeach on October 04, 2020, 12:21:13 PM
George,
With your wife painting a backdrop on the walls, I'm curious why you decided to go with an island style layout rather than around the walls. Obviously, more depth of field and multiple viewing angles, still, inquiring minds and all that.
Hi Jerry,
It might just be my preference for island design--I really enjoy seeing everything from as many angles as possible.
--Opa George
Hey George:
Sounds great. Are yoiu modeling any particular canal area. This should be very interestings.
Karl
Hi Karl,
No, this will be completely free-lanced. Since I am more interested in structure building and scenery than operations, this will be more like a very large diorama with a continuous running loop.
--Opa George
A man with a plan.....I'm looking forward to seeing your new concept come to life George. :)
George
I like your approach - A great design means I understand why I'm designing this way. When I designed my layout I wanted to be able to take a photograph of a locomotive or train on the trestle with 7 different mountain ranges as a background. I like your idea to be able to view structures from as many angles as possible. Remember that you can mount a camera on a train and view your structures from the railroad tracks like we did with the F&SM. I will be following your progress.
Hey George:
Sounds just great to me. Looking forward to photos.
Karl
A check-in to let everyone know I haven't dropped off the face of the Earth. Although I haven't gotten a tremendous amount done on the new layout either.
But some progress. Below is the future location of the layout's main town, Old Head. The mainline emerges from either a deep cut or a tunnel (still undecided) and circles the town on a causeway. About 90% of the town is in the middle of the circle, mostly on pilings, Venice-like. My two major builds from the old layout, Bandits Roost and Watt-Moreland Waxworks, will flank the center support column, representing higher and drier ground.
To the left is the town's only major industry, the car ferry from the mainland. The TMB & N, as a portage line, has the job of moving cars between the ferry, through the swamp to the canal at the other end of the layout.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-011120154523.jpeg)
--Opa George
Looks good George. Good to see you posting again.
I like that very much George.....Dennis
Thanks, Curt and Dennis,
It's good to post again. Work has kept me quite busy, but am able to work some time in on the new layout. Now that I have a substantial start on the sub-roadbed, I'm thinking it will start to move along quickly.
--Opa George
George,
Looking forward to seeing you back to working on the layout.
I love the sound of this layout. I'll be watching...John
Thanks for following along, Jerry and John.
Nice thing about taking your time is the daydreaming that brings up new ideas on how to do something. The opposite return loop of the dogbone is "rural" backwoods swamp, and I've been thinking about how to lay the flex track through that type of terrain. I like the idea of multiple spans of low trestles and piles, interrupted by small stretches of fill.
The solid fills will be strategically located where I need to anchor my loop to the surface to maintain proper radius and height of the flex track. Everything in between will have the piles or trestles built in place to support. I think it will work.
--Opa George
Way to go George! It will be interesting to see how you design your track plan.
Hey George:
Looks like A little more progress. I'm following along.
Karl
Should be an interesting journey!!
I'll follow the tracks as you go forward!
Jerry
A snow day from school, and a chance to get some work done. I finished the main line on the new TMB&N. Below is an overall view. We're looking from the "big city" end, the port of Old Head, toward remote and lonely Ragged Edge (in the back). Overall dimensions of the layout are 12' x 6' in a dog-bone shape.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-171220135939-470072428.jpeg)
The near end, Old Head, sits on the wider end, at 6' x 3.5' and accommodates the town's main industry and link to the mainland, the car float, below, a Walthers kit. Today I just completed the subroadbed for the spur from the mainline that accesses the ferry.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-171220140246-470331306.jpeg)
Here we have the smaller end, at 4' x 3.5' and the hamlet of Ragged Edge, a backwoods town and eventual home of the line's engine terminal. Not much happening here yet. Great shot of the very messy workshop. When I tore down the old layout, I stacked everything wherever I could find room.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-171220140247-47034269.jpeg)
Another shot of Ragged Edge showing the mainline winding it's way through the swamp. I'll be building up pilings, trestles and small trestles where the flex track is hanging out with nothing underneath.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-171220140248-47035746.jpeg)
And finally the line's main motive power for the moment, an old 0-6-0 from my early days in the hobby. I don't even recall the manufacturer, but it's from the 1970s and runs great. Here it is on the Thursday morning run, delivering a few cars of perishables and a coach from Ragged Edge to Old Head.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-171220140248-470361917.jpeg)
So that's where we're at. The line's Board of Directors just authorized the laying of rail to the new ferry, so that will commence after a coat of flat brown paint on the plywood.
--Opa George
Everything looks great George. Is all the track going to be elevated?
Thanks, Curt. Not all, although at the moment, it DOES all exist about two inches from the layout base. But the base (painted a swampy green) represents my water level throughout. Some of the landforms will be built up even with track level, and a little bit will rise above and even well above track level (i.e. will surround the basement support column).
But a lot, maybe about 80%, will represent track elevated above or next to the wetlands and waterfront that it services. I finally had to acknowledge that I have a nasty and unrelenting addiction to buying waterfront structures. Instead of fighting it, I decided to just start over and make the entire layout a waterfront/inland waterway layout.
--Opa George
George, That's a Beautiful job there sire....Dennis
George looking forward to this just really like waterfront RR.
Looks great so far.
Jerry
Thanks, Jerry.
I painted the subroadbed that goes to the car ferry. While waiting for that to dry, I started bringing back my structures from the old layout, and playing with placement.
Below are several pics of various portions of the new layout with the major structures "in place." Some are elevated to an approximate height on wood blocks while many others are "sitting in the water." Nothing is fixed in place yet. Just getting a feel for what looks good where.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-181220163906-47055352.jpeg)
The Bandits Roost build will likely stay in this approximate position. It fits well and creates good lines of sight.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-181220163907-47056257.jpeg)
Seaside Symphonium complex will probably anchor the Ragged Edge end. This will be the more "rural" part of the layout and represents a destination from the town of Old Head.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-181220163907-47057553.jpeg)
Locomotive service facilties will be in this corner. Need to run the rails down to this area.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-181220163908-4705891.jpeg)
The busiest section of Old Head will be this commercial neighborhood that borders the ferry area. It will be elevated up slightly higher than the ferry and dock area.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-181220163909-470591681.jpeg)
Just playing around at this point.
--Opa George
Love the car barge.
Lots of fun, George.
I like the look of the Bandits roost and seaside symphonia area. Is the trestle over a small lake? It seems to be higher up than the other water areas.
Cheers, Mark.
Thanks, Mark. Yes, the Bandit's Roost module has a water area incorporated into it's base, which, being elevated on wood blocks, is now about two inches higher than the surrounding water. I looked at ways to remove it from the base but decided to make it an elevated water feature (perhaps an industrial retention pond) that will waterfall down to the inlet.
--Opa George
In setting out the old structures onto the new layout, I found that I have an abundance of structures that will not work or will not fit. I always knew I would not use all of them--some are older and represent modeling work of which I am not proud. But even though the new layout is about one-third the size of the old, it still surprised me how many leftover structures I now have.
In addition, the 18" radius curves will keep my larger motive power idle and in their box. That is the nature of compromise. In return I have a simplified track plan that allows either continuous running or simple operation at a width I can easily reach, wide aisles that encourage viewing by family and visitors, and a low height that allows my grandsons to view and operate it without stools--and also shows off the high level of detail that I worked so hard to achieve, yet was lost at eye level layout height.
It's not everyone's cup of tea, but I've been incredibly happy re-arranging and planning scenic areas, knowing I have enough finished structures to give the entire layout a somewhat completed appearance. Yet I still have room to add the extra kit here or there, and plenty of details to add at my leisure.
Over the winter I'll be working on roughing in the landforms to make the various modules (Bandits Roost, the Waxworks, the FSM Tribute kit) look a natural part of the landscape. I'll also be creating the swamp/river/wetlands that surrounds and gives the layout its theme.
--Opa George
I have begun building up the landforms around my "floating" track. While waiting for paint to dry, I unpacked and tested more locomotives on the tight curves. So far, no real surprises.
Below are what I expect will be my roster of workhorses on the line. The aforementioned 0-6-0, a kitbashed Porter, and the Erie 2-6-0 Camelback. The Camelback is my more recent acquisition of the lot--acquired used on eBay. It has issues, though. The pilot wheels lack a spring and have a tough time remaining on track, but the bigger issue seems to be a worm gear going bad. I'll dismantle and have a look later.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-221220125137.jpeg)
In the rear is a bit of a surprise. The Athearn EMD DD-40 was only in my collection for nostalgia. My step-father bought it at a local hobby shop circa 1969 or 1970 (I think). He lost interest in our family in '72 but left the locomotive behind. Long story cut short, it came into my hands last year. I cleaned it up and got it running. Turns out this behemoth negotiates 18" radius curves like a champ.
Of course it's completely wrong for my era, but fun to know it might make the occasional appearance.
By the way, I understand it was not based on a prototype and is pretty much a complete fantasy from Athearn. This is the powered 2-motor model, and cost $24.95 new (price tag on box).
--Opa George
Now I've had some time to work on getting a few landforms roughed in. I decided to start on my most "awkward" spot, which was the front of the layout where the Bandit's Roost module looms over the return loop of mainline. This is the Old Head town area, which is also the main point of commerce for the portage line.
Below, I built out the edges of the Bandit's Roost module so that the mainline below will enter a tunnel to run beneath the module, as well as beneath the Rust Rock Falls module, which will be built around the basement support pillar. The elevated water area will flow out from a low but wide stone culvert, not yet installed and to be placed just behind the line of where the murky green water borders the as yet unpainted white area. A low culvert will preserve the line of sight for the viewer into the Bandit's Roost area.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-291220134140-472031947.jpeg)
If you recall my Bandit's Roost build from earlier, the murky green industrial canal flows underneath the mill complex through smaller culverts where it empties into a retention pond at the base of Bandit's Roost. This pond can be seen where the lighthouse rests for the time being. (The lighthouse will be installed out beyond the mainline track a bit later--it is sitting in the pond for temporary safe keeping, as I have already knocked it over once!). The retention pond will in turn waterfall down through large rocks into the main water level below.
This view shows how the mainline loops around Bandit's Roost and squeezes between the rear of that module and the car barge. I'll be using a tunnel on the rear as well (track to the right) to emerge on the other side of Rust Rock Falls.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-291220134140-472041603.jpeg)
Here is where the retention pond will cascade down over rocks into the backwaters below. The old narrow gauge line will need to cross on a trestle over the waterfall to reach the waxworks spur.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-291220134140-472052225.jpeg)
We're still in the town of Old Head, here, but now showing the old town and transportation center, on a pier just above the car ferry.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-291220134141-47206192.jpeg)
Last view is of the other end of the layout, the hamlet of Ragged Edge. I shifted the piano works to the other side of the return loop for better lines of sight. It also places it next to the engine facilities and allows me room to create the backwoods swamp within and around the other end of the loop.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-291220134141-47207613.jpeg)
So lots and lots to do. It looks quite roughed in at this point, but since most of my structures are already built and awaiting placement, I think the scenery will start to come together quickly.
--Opa George
George,
Very nice job of fitting all those great structures on the layout. Well done.
Tom ;D
Quote from: ACL1504 on December 29, 2020, 02:22:13 PM
George,
Very nice job of fitting all those great structures on the layout. Well done.
Tom ;D
Thanks, Tom. I think before going much further, I should get my light fixtures back up. That should help me get better pics, too.
--Opa George
Everything looks awesome George.
Looking good, George.
You sound like a man with a plan. BTW - I think those basement support posts are overrated! (Oh - and before I get into trouble - no, don't cut it out.)
Cheers, Mark.
Quote from: mark dalrymple on December 29, 2020, 04:40:43 PM
Looking good, George.
You sound like a man with a plan. BTW - I think those basement support posts are overrated! (Oh - and before I get into trouble - no, don't cut it out.)
Cheers, Mark.
Thanks for the support, Curt and Mark. Don't worry, that post is not going anywhere, regardless of how vital it may or may not be. ;)
--Opa George
I see TJ Reilly's in the background there. Love that building and it is on my must-buy list.
Great work George!
A lot going on in a small area.....looking good George. 8)
Quote from: Rusty Robot on December 29, 2020, 06:04:47 PM
I see TJ Reilly's in the background there. Love that building and it is on my must-buy list.
Great work George!
Thank you, Craig. Indeed, TJ Reilly's is a fascinating structure with the rambling look and the rooftop chemical tank. I was fortunate to be able to build it as part of the entire Bar Mills tribute kit #1. My build thread is here, and might offer some helpful tips: http://modelersforum.com/index.php?topic=3998.0
Opa George
Quote from: GPdemayo on December 29, 2020, 06:11:26 PM
A lot going on in a small area.....looking good George. 8)
Thanks very much, Greg. I'm planning to build in some view blocks to "compartmentalize" some of the scenes and make it appear larger. We'll see what I come up with.
--Opa George
Thanks George. I was sore to miss out on this kit — I'm glad you changed your mind to buy it! It's a great thread and I'll continue reading today.
George,
Thanks for sharing the photos of your empire.
See a few hours of your structure building too included in these photos.
Makes you feel proud of all the time spent building them and having all the builds on display to admire.
Have a Happy New Year too !
Tommy
Thanks, Tommy, and a very happy and healthy New Year to you, too.
Today I had time to continue to rough in a small portion of Old Head harbor. Below are two views of the "old town," which was built over extensive limestone caverns. The early settlers found the caverns useful for storing perishable foodstuffs in summer and one of the town's earliest businesses was the cold storage facility on the waterfront.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-020121190604-47321934.jpeg)
The mainline return loop takes advantage of the caverns as well, running beneath old town via one particularly large cavern.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-020121190604-473362310.jpeg)
In order to help disguise the basement support pillar that divides the layout in half, I decided the pillar would represent the mountains that give the line it's name. Therefore my track passes by the pillar through tunnels under the twin mountains (each side of the pillar is a different "mountain." :)
Since derailments sooner or later always happen in tunnels, I planned my benchwork to leave the aisle side of the tunnels open for easy access. Wild imagination soon got the upper hand on good sense and inspired me to fully scenic the interiors of the tunnels to represent the local caverns. While I accept that limestone caverns are probably the least likely terrain over which anyone would place railroad tracks, the muse would not be otherwise persuaded, so there it is.
Cheers to all!
--Opa George
Looking good George.
George,
Unlikely there would be a railroad in a limestone tunnel. Not true! When driving tractor trailer I picked up a load in Missouri. Due to the constant temperature, perishables were stored in loaded refrigerated trailers inside limestone tunnels. Right in the middle of one of the series of overhead doors to access the trailers were railroad tracks. I was told by one of the employees that the tracks were no longer in use but in the past freight cars were stored inside just as the trailers were currently. It was so long ago that I'm not sure exactly where I was picking up in Missouri, though Springfield comes to mind. It was somewhat disconcerting to be inside such a large expanse of limestone, the sheer size was somewhat overwhelming. Definitely not far fetched at all...
Quote from: jerryrbeach on January 02, 2021, 11:03:59 PM
George,
Unlikely there would be a railroad in a limestone tunnel. Not true! When driving tractor trailer I picked up a load in Missouri. Due to the constant temperature, perishables were stored in loaded refrigerated trailers inside limestone tunnels. Right in the middle of one of the series of overhead doors to access the trailers were railroad tracks. I was told by one of the employees that the tracks were no longer in use but in the past freight cars were stored inside just as the trailers were currently. It was so long ago that I'm not sure exactly where I was picking up in Missouri, though Springfield comes to mind. It was somewhat disconcerting to be inside such a large expanse of limestone, the sheer size was somewhat overwhelming. Definitely not far fetched at all...
Jerry, extra special thanks for backing up my premise with that note. I should know by now, with the wide expanse of real world examples, that there really is a prototype for everything.
--Opa George
Starting to take shape George nice work!
Jerry
George,
This is coming together very well. I love all the different angles of the structure placement.
Very nicely done.
Tom ;D
More pics of Old Head harbor. Got a little more work done on it.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-080121164337-474831234.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-080121164337-475011265.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-080121164337-47502335.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-080121164338-475031332.jpeg)
We're still at the "roughing it in" stage, but each day it looks a little less rough.
--Opa George
Looks great George.
Thanks very much, Curt!
Got lots more done filling in the landforms for the old town section of Old Head. I forgot to resize my pics before upload, so I'll use thumbnails.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/thumb_779-140121153016-475732074.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=47616)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/thumb_779-140121153017-476162319.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=47617)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/thumb_779-140121153018-47617731.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=47618)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/thumb_779-140121153018-476181608.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=47619)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/thumb_779-140121153019-476191900.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=47620)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/thumb_779-140121153137-47620321.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=47621)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/thumb_779-140121153138-476211424.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=47622)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/thumb_779-140121153139-47622283.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=47623)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/thumb_779-140121153140-47623136.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=47624)
--Opa George
So much character packed into these scenes. Well done George.
Thanks very much, Craig. I am certainly enjoying this layout, perhaps more than any other. I need a better camera, though. I have a very early digital version and I think the quality has degraded through the years.
--Opa George
Below are some progress shots as I continue to work in the modules from the old layout into the new. Below are two views of the FOS kit The Terminal as I relocated it next to the car ferry pier. Across the street is another few FOS kits, the steakhouse and a freebie, the taxi stand. Car ferry is visible in the background (Walthers car barge and dock) and the Watt-Moreland Waxworks from Master Creations is on the hill above the ferry to the right.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-240121072307-477681787.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-240121072308-47769774.jpeg)
This is the other side of the waxworks, looking toward the town of Old Head, near the inlet. The bait shop structure is part of the Builders in Scale "the Waterfront" kit. Those structures are no longer grouped together as in the original diorama, but relocated to different areas of the inlet and backwater areas. Good bit of unfinished scenery (wood and plaster) is visible in the lower left. Lots to do.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-240121072308-477701553.jpeg)
The Old Head docks attached to the limestone storage caves, the oldest part of town, are nearing completion. The mainline as it passes over the inlet is still floating in air in many places. The FOS kit Bandits Roost is visible in the background near the top.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-240121072308-47771680.jpeg)
A long view across the inlet with the town of Old Head (Bandits Roost plus some Bar Mills kits), the narrow gauge line station, and Watt-Moreland Waxworks (the terminus of the narrow gauge line) in the far back.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-240121072308-47772531.jpeg)
Panoramic view of the entire Old Head / inlet area. This is the area of the layout that is showing the most progress.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-240121072400-47773961.jpeg)
The point at which the standard gauge mainline passes under the narrow gauge line, next to the waterfall. The narrow gauge line is non-operational and a scenic bit. This is the return loop of the standard gauge mainline, where it passes under the stone arch to exit Old Head on its way to wind through the swampy back waters of Twin Mountains.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-240121072400-477741092.jpeg)
--Opa George
George,
I like how you've sited all your wonderful structures with a large dominant one complemented by smaller structures that lead to the larger ones. I envy your artistic sense of composition. I do wish you had better lighting. The way your photos kind of "dark out" along the edges is distracting.
Quote from: jerryrbeach on January 24, 2021, 08:23:58 AM
George,
I like how you've sited all your wonderful structures with a large dominant one complemented by smaller structures that lead to the larger ones. I envy your artistic sense of composition. I do wish you had better lighting. The way your photos kind of "dark out" along the edges is distracting.
Thanks, Jerry. The small size of the layout allows me to really concentrate on composition. Lighting for photography is less than ideal, though. It's all LED shop lamps. But on the other hand, in person it's nice and bright to these old eyes. I think the flash on my camera contributes to the dark edges. I can try some without the flash to see if it works.
George
Great scenes George. I really like the tracks almost on top of the water.
Time for some progress pictures. I have the the main structure (more of a multi-structure) for the Old Head Inlet station mostly done. The station at Old Head Inlet also functions as a transfer point to the water ferry for workers and tourists. Below is the approach to the station. A few passengers are on the lower ferry dock, waiting for the launch to show up. At right, barely in the shot, is a new Rusty Rails tug boat, with only primer paint at this point:
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-310321072926-48590707.jpeg)
This water-level view shows the rear of the station and the access from the track-level station to the ferry docks.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-310321072926-485912466.jpeg)
A view across the inlet showing the old town portion of Old Head, built above massive limestone caverns, in the background. The red and white boat at the cold storage dock is a Rusty Rails lobster boat.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-310321072926-48592239.jpeg)
Here is the front of the inlet station, showing off it's multi-deck construction. Inspiration here came from Jason Jensen's Eagle Landing diorama. I'll be continuing the multi-level theme (although not as grand as the main station) across the remainder of the main dock, which stretches out to the left of the shot toward the harbor master's building.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-310321072926-48593338.jpeg)
An overall view of the inlet. This area is about 3-feet square and except for a structure being scratchbuilt to anchor the other end of the station dock, is nearly complete with regard to structures. Lots of detailing, figures, and scenery to add.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-310321072926-485942491.jpeg)
Those that have followed my structure builds may recognize the top deck of the main station as my build of Bar Mills Saulenas Tavern with 4th Street Bail Bonds--kitbashed into the tourist-trap Mermaid Gems. When I downsized to this smaller layout, I discovered there would be no room for this structure in my plan. I have only one town and it was already "full." There was no available real estate for a block-long tourist-centered retail store.
While contemplating what type of structures to scratch build for the top deck of the inlet station, my eyes settled on this orphaned build and just out of curiosity sat it on top of the track-level buildings, to discover that it fit perfectly. Even better, the tower part of the tavern fit almost exactly what I was envisioning as the crowning feature of the top deck. All I needed to do was remove the sidewalk and replace it with a wooden deck base.
All for now.
--Opa George
Wild building George, especially the mermaid, fits perfectly on the waterfront.....the signs are great. 8)
Thanks much, Craig. Apologies for the poor pic quality. I will have to have my grandsons take some pics with their phones to post. My old camera can't handle the basement lighting.
--Opa George
Hey George:
Very well done all I can say is WOW!!!
Karl
Quote from: postalkarl on March 31, 2021, 10:56:19 AM
Hey George:
Very well done all I can say is WOW!!!
Karl
Thanks very much, Karl!
--geo
The main town on the Twin Mountain Barge & Navigation railway is Old Head. Strange name but with a rather upright origin. A dozen years ago or more I earned my living as a substitute teacher in an inner city school district. Of the dozens of ways that urban students have of torturing subs, being referred to contemptuously as "old head" was one of the milder iterations.
The Urban Dictionary defines "old head" as
"1. Someone who has been in the scene before you or your group.
2. Someone who is still in the scene beyond the 'acceptable' or expected age."
OK, so that definition is charitable. But I took to the phrase and ended up applying it to one of the towns on my larger TMB & N a few years ago. It is one of the few town names I have kept over the years. The others are "Ragged Edge," "Cold Bottom" and "Potters
End."
There is another story about the name's origin, though. I'll relay that one in the next post, and let you be the judge of which version is true.
Except taken from "The Annals of Lower Gumstump Township, with Notes Historical, Geographical and Biographical, Part II: European Settlement to the Great War," by Professor Eustace Avery Philpott-Greene, DD, USA (Ret.), MLS, AGAS, MAAA, CGL, CMC, D. Jur., Esq. 1919, Ragged Edge Publishing Co.
How Old Head Got Its Name
The resplendent and august town of Old Head was established more than 150 years ago by Levi Bucklestoss as a trading post and ferry on the headwaters of the Gumstump River. Bucklestoss, according to family lore, hailed from one of the myriad but unspecified royal houses of Western Europe, although attempts by family, local historians, and government officials to pin the wily trader down on exactly which noble house were consistently and spectacularly unsuccessful.
Bucklestoss' trade thrived and very soon a small settlement sprang up like summer mushrooms around the outpost. To honor, and perhaps remind, locals of his patrician heritage, Bucklestoss dubbed the hamlet Prince Alvin. As with the trader's lapse of geographical specificity, no one has ever been able to establish exactly why the name Prince Alvin was historically or genealogically significant. Nevertheless, the name stuck.
Decades passed, and in 1773 patriotic ardor was raised in defiance of King George's unjust taxation. News of a "tea party" in far Boston town reached the usually sleepy but now abnormally aroused denizens of Prince Alvin. A hastily organized brigade of "minute men" marched on Widow Spoonhaven's house to seize her meager supply of English Breakfast and fling it with great ceremony and hearty huzzahs into the frozen Gumstump. But, alas, the valiant dissidents were scattered helter-skelter by an equally indignant and rolling pin armed Widow Spoonhaven. The erstwhile rebels returned, greatly dispirited, to their homes.
As luck would have it, the very next day, an agent of the county excise office visited Prince Alvin on official business, intending to inventory the local population of sheep, cows, swine, chickens, horses and goats. Within minutes of the arrival of his majesty's ignoble agent, the intrepid insurgents organized on the square and advanced shoulder-to-shoulder to the inn to confront the villain, stopping only briefly for fortification at the Edgewater Inn, the Buzzard and Crow, the Golden Swan and of course the Five Stars, all pubs of great renown.
Arriving somewhat less organized but not one whit less determined, the patriots seized the tax man and his clark, soundly berated them for their temerity, and ushered them unceremoniously downhill through the January mud to the limestone caves along the sluggish Gumstump, where they imprisoned them for the duration, or at least until they could get word of their heroics out to the greater Gumstump Township countryside.
Little known to them, a turncoat among their ranks slunk quietly out of town to the county seat to report the incident to the sheriff. Upon hearing of the imprisonment of his majesty's servants, a company of the finest royal foot was dispatched posthaste to the scene of the outrage. Arriving in Prince Alvin just before lunch and unwilling to confront a riled-up mob on empty stomachs, the loyalist militia descended instead upon the Buzzard and Crow, where the not-so-obliging innkeeper was forced to exchange many flagons of John Barleycorn's finest for the King's IOU.
When finally the well-lubricated foot soldiers made their way rather ungracefully down the muddy hillside to the limestone cavern, they found that the minute-men had vanished. Into the cavern they sallied, torches ablaze and pistols drawn, but neither the insurgents nor the tax collector could be found. The militia commander and imbiber-in-chief, having spent his salad years in Prince Alvin before venturing to Cold Bottom to make his fortune, led his men down tunnel after faintly remembered tunnel, but soon their voices only echoed back at them from the now unremembered labyrinthine walls.
Night fell on Prince Alvin, and only silence emanated from the caverns along the river. Soon after cock crow, genuine concern and more than a little sheepishness gripped the town. By reason of short straw, local tinsmith and former rabble-rouser Horace Hoffman was elected to venture into the caves in search of survivors. Soon after stepping into the mouth of the cave, Horace detected a feint buzzing, which he followed to find the loudly snoring warriors, the excise man and his clark, and three mostly empty kegs of Innkeeper Stoltfuss' Old Hale and Hearty.
Upon reports of the happy rescue, the county sheriff recalled the militia, the tax man, and the remaining unconsumed kegs of Old Hare and Hearty, and announced that all was forgiven. The residents of Prince Alvin, meanwhile, would not be chastised, even in the absence of penalties. They decided to renounce all ties to England and all of Europe to boot, and voted to change the name of the town from Prince Alvin to the more American "Headwater," or "Head" for short. Since it was the oldest settlement in the township, they added "Old" for balance, and that is how the town formerly known as Prince Alvin became Old Head.
Fun story George.....those ole' boys were certainly of stout heart and spirit. ;)
Wonderful story George !!
All the best,
--Paul
Thanks very much, Greg and Paul! Creating a colorful and funny back story is as much fun as the modeling itself. I think that's most of the reason I still rank the layouts of John Allen, Malcolm Furlow and John Olsen as my all time favorites.
Regardless, time to push on. Below are two in-progress shots of the structure that will anchor the west end of the pier. Like the station, it will straddle the track. I haven't figured out what type of industry or business it represents yet. I'm sure the muse will visit soon enough, though.
--Opa George
This side:
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-010421121435-486161155.jpeg)
The other side:
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-010421121435-486171998.jpeg)
Man, I love that!!
So interesting. I imagine a visitor could spend a good long time "discovering and decoding" the whole harbor arrangement. Very nice!
John
Quote from: cuse on April 02, 2021, 10:53:40 AM
Man, I love that!!
So interesting. I imagine a visitor could spend a good long time "discovering and decoding" the whole harbor arrangement. Very nice!
John
Thanks, John! I'm enjoying adding in lots of hidden fun things. I'm also trying to increase the play value for my grandsons by keeping as many details "loose" as possible. Cementing scale people to clear plastic bases instead of directly to the scenery, loose piles of freight, vehicles and small sheds means they can arrange details to suit their idea of operations.
--Opa George
My grandsons enjoy operating the TMB & N. Their idea of operations is slightly different than mine, but we're all having fun so who's to say which is preferred?
Below, the party train at the end of the session: the two cars have army tanks, picnic tables, a hot dog cart and a double outhouse, among other things. The kids enjoy taking people on and off at various stops, adding or removing details and running the train to the next stop to do it all again.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/779-030421144839.jpeg)
Through all of this goofiness they are learning how to couple and uncouple cars, fix derails, throw switches, start and stop slow enough to not knock everything off, and more.
I do tend to keep the more delicate items (Jordan vehicles for example) off limits for play at the moment.
--Opa George
I am loving this layout George. It is my kind of railroad fantasy I intend on building some day!
Good job getting the grandkids hooked on model railroading!
Hey George:
Looks just great so far. An'f wait for more pictures. Very interested in seejbg what you do with this.
Karl
Bet the kids were having a ball.....atta boy Grandpa. 8)
Thanks much, Darryl, Karl and Greg,
It's got to be a very personal and individual decision for everyone, but for me, downsizing to a layout I could get significantly scenicked and 100% operating in a short amount of time was the best choice. I also lowered the base level to 36 inches so the little guys could view it at their eye level.
The middle portion is really the only part still in flux. That is reserved for the FOS Rust Rock Falls super kit, which I intend to start soon (and will post a build thread). Once I see how that fits in, I will be able to finish basic scenery over the rest of the layout by next winter.
So for now, it's play time. The little guys are coming over tomorrow, and I just got my Broadway Limited operating water tower hooked up again. They love that thing.
--Opa George
Glad to hear the kids are enjoying your layout as much as you are.
Jeff
Hey George:
You are quite welcome.
Karl
George,
I love this layout. All the bright colors and different structures are amazing to view. All that is missing are the persons of Popeye and Olive Oil.
Tom ;D
Quote from: ACL1504 on April 04, 2021, 08:24:02 PM
George,
I love this layout. All the bright colors and different structures are amazing to view. All that is missing are the persons of Popeye and Olive Oil.
Tom ;D
Interesting you should say that, Tom! Popeye and Sweethaven are one of my inspirations.
Opa George
George,
Glad your can share the hobby with those grand kids.
It's all about having fun. The layout looks great too.
Tommy
Hello George, when looking at your layout photos, I kept thinking that they looked familiar. Now that you said that the town from the Popeye movie was your inspiration, I totally get it, You're doing a great job and I love that you and your grandkids are enjoying it together. Jeff