Among all the intricate structures and incredible scenery, there are many modelers who've injected some humor, whimsey. Sillyness and other "I can't believe what I'm seeing" elements into their miniature empires.
So this thread is dedicated to exactly that.
Please post pics of the silly stuff incorporated into scenes, vignettes, signs, business names etc
Yes. They can be from other people work. But try to give the creator credit when possible.
LET'S HAVE SOME FUN!
Here's a few of my favorites.
Kyles Empire features "Bubbles" the Railroads apparent mascot 020.JPG
Here is Howard Zane's subliminal health reminder.
24-230415183218.jpeg
Some of you may remember Ralph DeBlasi ("MegaRalph") from previous forums. He was often in the middle of back-and-forth talking about "The Springfield Crud", "hair fungus", etc. I made this for him:
deblasolene.jpg
There were turn of the (last) century tank cars lettered for Emery Mfg Company, an independent oil refiner:Emery-mfg-small.jpg
(No direct relation, but i suspect there's a common ancestor in there somewhere in the 19th century. That's in part because the owner's name was Lewis Emery, and that was also my father's name. First names do tend to run in families.)
dave
If you don't know LVRalph, he's been follicularly challenged since I first read his layout and signal threads on RR-Line more than 15 years ago.
jbvb..
Perhaps you missed the aspect of posting pictures, but suspecting that many here are also "follicularly challenged", pictures might bring waves of tears, remorse and longing for the past instead of laughter!
You probably chose the wiser course.
Fifth Dave to the right
Hi guys.
I like to use signs to add humor to my layout.
IMG20251108181510comp.jpg
And here is one I photographed while walking across the Brooklyn Bridge on our holiday there in 2015. This sign will definitely make it on to the layout one day soon...
IMG20251108181642comp.jpg
Cheers, Mark.
,😅😂🤣
The link below illustrates the wide variety of industries served by the Atlantic and Southern Railroad.
The train captured in the video is hauling a truly rare earth mineral called Grip-u-tite. It has been the subject of much research by big pharma because it can be used to combine milk of magnesia and Kaopectate, which the military uses in psychological operations. Swallowing the stuff makes you want to go but you can't.
The stuff is so valuable it is transported by armed convoy with a troop carrier, artillery for protection, and two mobile military police stations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsy1Nn9PbBE
Well, one of the most famous pieces of model railroad humor was John Allen's Gorre & Daphetid Loco #13, "Emma"
Screenshot 2025-11-09 at 19.35.33.jpg
But we need to keep Bubbles far away from Emma... Incompatible motive power, kinda like steam and diesel.
dave
Dave the image as a .jpg file isn't opening.
Anyone else have that problem? I am trying to view from my cell phone.
Quote from: Dave Buchholz on November 09, 2025, 07:52:31 PMDave the image as a .jpg file isn't opening.
Anyone else have that problem? I am trying to view from my cell phone.
Try again in 10 minutes, I think you got hit by the "it takes time for the forum to process images" situation.
dave
Yup you were right. Apparently loading was slower than Emma.
Howard Zane layout.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/24-270415160907.jpeg)
Some of my scratch builds, these characters or play on words always made me chuckle.js1024_acme manufacturing 003_Fotor.jpg
js1024_undertaker 062_Fotor.jpg
js1024_bakery 031_Fotor.jpg
Keep 'em coming folks!
Have some fun with this!
Recently I posted this enlarged photo of Rich's machine shop interior. A photo I like to call "Turds in the toilet"
Knowing Rich's skills and preferences to use real materials. Stone for stone, wood for wood, makes me wonder if......Screenshot_20251105-082546.png
YB Fardy, a customer of the Franklin & South Manchester. (Photo by John Siekirk)
IMG_2381.JPG
dave
😅😂
Quote from: Dave Buchholz on November 10, 2025, 12:02:49 PMRecently I posted this enlarged photo of Rich's machine shop interior. A photo I like to call "Turds in the toilet"
Knowing Rich's skills and preferences to use real materials. Stone for stone, wood for wood, makes me wonder if......Screenshot_20251105-082546.png
I'll never tell! ;D ;D ;D
Rich
Found this one for sale on Evil Bay recently...
I love this stuff! Thanks to all who are sharing some modeling humor.
Keep it coming
Dave Meeks layout.
If instead of a goat. It could easily have been "Pop goes the Weasel"
( Ok, more like BOOM, but you get the idea)
😅😂
LOL
I just re-added the photo in full resolution for better viewing.
As an historical note: Explosives storage buildings were often heavy stone walls and door, with flimsy wood roof. The idea was to vector any accidental explosion upwards, rather than in all directions. Someone (Guts, Gravel & Glory?) did a nice cast plaster explosives shed with an open roof.
dave