Rollin I really like the work you have done with this kit. Can you let me know how you cut the corrugated roofing and how easy it was to work with? I am working on a kit where I want to use this type of roof and have ordered the sheeting from Campbell. Yours looks like it came out looking great.

Thanks for the feedback and compliments folks  .  And John you put a smile on my Bosses face! It has been a long road but she has been a fighter, suspect yours is too. We had good news today, looks like we will get to head back to FL in a little over a week. I better wrap up work on the Holland Odessa R.R. For the season!

However, I really love learning the history of the two areas we live and learning how to model a miniature rendition. Word has it the Railroad is planning to expand to the Florida house too!

I want to thank everyone for the comments and feedback. Up till now feedback has consisted of my wife (she likes it I think because I'm out of her hair (well wig at the moment) and our grandkids who ask, when is it going to be done?


Lighting:
I decided on a small layout (6 x 4) early on due to available space. One of the YouTube people I follow is MarklinofSweden. He published a great short video explaining lighting a layout, specifically LED lighting. I never understood why the LED lights are too blue or too yellow, too bright, not bright enough and so on. He covers it all quickly:

From this video I knew what to look for and found it on Amazon. Brighttech Sparq Arc LED Floor Lamp. It provides 3000 Kelvin color (3,500 would have been perfect but 3000 works) and 2000 lumens. The layout is on castors so I can move it from the wall and work on all sides. The lamps cover the entire layout, easy to move and cost $73.00 each.

Oil Derrick:
It is the Campbell Scale Model #354. I put it next to the canal because they often were found near it in those days. Oil and gas were the top industries in the state. starting in 1880 and going until about 1920.

Layout Design:
The table was designed following a Model Railroad free video about 'your first layout' video. I upgraded to poplar wood for looks. The directions call for a 1 inch sheet of foam insulation. However, I wanted a canal.  As I was using Atlas solenoid turnouts the thickness of the foam did not matter. I went with two sections of 1 inch foam, glued to each other and the table with liquid nails. This gave me about 16 HO scale feet and the canal was possible. The control panel was hinged so I can have it down while working on the layout.

Well enough for now. I do have a few more cool pictures. One is  an oil rig in Lake Mary, another is a picture of a real canal boat I looked at when making my version. The others are layout pictures.  :

The Holland Odessa Short Line Rail Road started ten months ago. My wife and I retired after I sold the family business of thirty-three years in 2012. Until ten months ago we traveled, played with the kids and grandkids, golfed and enjoyed Holland Ohio in the summer, Odessa Florida the rest of the time. Then my bride was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer. So we stayed in Ohio as the boss (wife) and doctors got rid of the uninvited guest. I am glad to report we are about done with the eviction. One more surgery and we can again travel back and forth on our terms. Given what she went through doctors say 99% cure rate.

As we were stuck in Ohio through winter (I grew up in Upstate NY so I knew what is coming) I decided to indulge a thought I had for some time, my own hobby, specifically model railroading. We had a small loft with an open area near my desk. I decided to learn the hobby and put a HO scale layout in that area.

I found this Forum when I bought a small kit from Railroad Kits as much for the 'how to' DVD that came with it as the building itself. Written boldly on the box was; "Check out modelerforum.com". I had found the mother load of knowledge.  Since then I watch, read and learn. In the couple of months since finding this site my ability to model (and enjoy) this hobby dramatically improved. This forum has nothing but experts and now me, the complete beginner. I've posted twice once asking about a Jorden model, the second  just to say thank you and show off the scratch built canal boat I had finished. The first time I was given a great welcome and the knowledge I needed. The second again I was welcomed and this time asked for more pictures.

Frankly I had to think about it. What could I possibly share? You folks really are light years ahead of most, even the pros (actually you are the pros). Then I realized what I could share; a fresh look. I don't have the forty years of knowledge or even one good original idea on modeling. But the hobby has changed in many ways, the internet being the root of most change.  What I am hoping to gain is even more knowledge from you talented people.

So welcome to the Holland Odessa Railroad, a fictional short line set in two vastly different parts of the country, NW Ohio (Holland just west of Toledo) and west central Florida (Odessa, just NW of Tampa). It is September of 1908. The left half of the layout will be Ohio while the right will transform into Florida. At the moment all work is essentially happening on the Ohio side of the layout.

I'll stop here for now, some pictures, two showing reality, the others my little world. Future posts will be less talk more action, promise.

Thanks appreciate it. They are tricky but fun. I have three more teed up when time permits. A member sent me a DVD so hoping to be better on next one. It is fun to learn as you go. I post when I do the next one.

I'd like to see your pictures, hope you post them.  It would be a shame if Jordan molds are destroyed, once gone I doubt anyone will design replacements. I've been able to get three Jordan's that will fit my layout perfect to go with the one built. One was bought from a gentleman who saw my need on another forum.  He saw a picture of part of my layout I'm building and surprised me by including a Campbell bandstand kit, saying it would look good on my layout (it will!). I am really enjoying this hobby and the people that make it happen.

I have patience, just wish the hands would listen to the mind better. In the meantime bought two "helping hands" and better magnifying glasses. They will have to do.

Thanks to all for the input and comments.  I reviewed the Jordan's in the D & N thread, amazing. I have my work list from the tips including glass sheet for working on,  use fast glue and apply with fine tip brush REALLY FINE, get organized, all tools needed available and reachable (I tend to miss that one), also getting another 'extra hands' holder so will have 2 to help these 62 year old hands.

Again thanks, good advice and comments. I will post when next I put on the magnifiers and work on a car 1.5 inches long.

I am modeling an HO layout set in 1908. As part of that I am attempting to put in realistic carriages, wagons, cars and trucks of that time. Jordan produced several kits that are exactly what I like to have on the layout. As they are out of business I have had to buy a couple from e bay.

I built a buck board wagon as my first try.  It proved very challenging. I have a carriage, a 1911 delivery truck and a 1904 Oldsmobile waiting to be built. However before doing so I need to get better.

This is my first post and am hoping other members have built Jordan models. If so I would like any suggestions on best methods found to make these kits look the best they can.  I am attaching a picture of my first attempt. The barrel shown in the back will be replaced with something better. The model was airbrushed with parts still attached to the tree or while on masking tape. First a soft gray coat and then either green or brown where wanted. Bed was left gray.  While making it I had to fix the front axle I accidentally snapped. These small models are hard with 62 year old hands.



Thanks for the help.