Stu's new layout continued

I have added  figures, cars, trucks, details to some of the scenes.  we just watched the movie about PT Barnum so I had to add the circus at the town pier.  

Stu, You have been quite busy!  I like the waterfront, lake and, hikers along the stream!  Now that last one is something I don't think I have seen on a layout before, seen though I did a good bit of hiking in my earlier days, and hope to again a bit once my back issues are under control.  The circus scene is great as well.

Layout video link.    Here is a link to  a video of the layout.

https://www.facebook.com/13516...eos/768607126976504/

The layout looks great, Lou.  The trains run great too.  Thank you for posting!!

Stu what did you do to the USCG rescue boat to make it sit flat?  I know it's not a waterline model.

coach joe posted:

Stu what did you do to the USCG rescue boat to make it sit flat?  I know it's not a waterline model.

Joe,

I sanded off the bottom using a bench top belt/disk sander.    I did the same to the cabin cruiser in some of the pictures.  It is also a plastic kit that you can still find.    I have also sanded off the bottoms at an angle of some of the small row boats to make them look like they sank.

Salem  Union Terminal RR video.   This is the same video as posted above but that one was on Facebook.   This is for anyone who does not or will not do Facebook.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArJ63KQq7rE

Do you operate the gantry crane to load coal/ore into waiting hoppers/ore cars or is it just for show?  I ask as I'm thinking about doing the same thing with my crane but wonder how well it works in practice.

Regardless, thanks for sharing - your layout looks great!

-Greg

@Greg Houser posted:

Do you operate the gantry crane to load coal/ore into waiting hoppers/ore cars or is it just for show?  I ask as I'm thinking about doing the same thing with my crane but wonder how well it works in practice.

Regardless, thanks for sharing - your layout looks great!

-Greg

Greg,

When i first got the crane I did use it to load coal from the barge to the bunker.  I did not load the hoppers but if set up right it should work.    Unfortunately the belt that rotates it has been replaced twice and after the 2nd time I stopped using it.   It still goes up and down so I could just rotate it by hand.   The coal I use is cork so light weight and picked up easily.  At this point it is just for looks.

Thanks Stu!

-Greg

Overview pictures of the layout up to date.

Looking Great Stu!!

Everything on the layout looks great, Stu!!

Great stuff and  continue to learn by other's examples.  I really like how you used carrot tops to make trees in the pond - they are carrot tops, right?  What did you do to preserve them?

@Bob Golfs posted:

Great stuff and  continue to learn by other's examples.  I really like how you used carrot tops to make trees in the pond - they are carrot tops, right?  What did you do to preserve them?

Bob,

The carrot tops were put on the layout as a joke because I liked the look of the greens.   They were not preserved and are back on the window sill in water to enjoy.    I did once go to a layout that had moss planted on the layout and a sprinkler system to water it.   He would cover the track and let it rain.   great affect.    If you look you might be able to find instructions for using glycerin.   here is one link to start with.  https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/nu...nt-foliage-glycerine

Stu,  Thanks and I'm still chuckling!  But they did look good as palm trees!

These were taken with my phone to see how it would work.  I did not clean up the trains or table so you will see some clutter and dust (weathering)  Using my phone allowed me to put the it in places that my camera would not fit.  Generally I like the pictures but the poor quality of the figures distract from the picture.  Looking back in this thread where the pictures were taken from further away the quality of the figures is less noticeable.  Please feel free to add your comments good or bad.  I consider  these as a learning lesson and to share my layout.  As a side note the garbage truck back was scratch built from pictures and placed on a purchased pickup  truck base with the back removed.

Stu, truly amazing work and really inspirational. Thanks for taking the time to get and post all those great pictures.

Tom

Stu, Those are some great action scenes!  Yes, the people look a bit rough, but from normal viewing distance they would look great.  Instead of suggestions, I just find inspiration!

Nice Stu, I appreciate your craftsmanship.

I just added another tug to the fleet.    The Everett Ryder is made by Sylvan and is resin cast so goes together in a short amount of time.  The Elliott Rose is by Frenchman River and is a combination of resin cast hull and laser cut deck house.

Great looking tug boats! JohnA

Stu:

I noticed you are using Atlas O switch motors. I have not taken a full inventory as but I have about 7 used (functional) and 3 unused (still wrapped) motors. Let me know if you are interested - we can agree on a price for the 3 unused and throw in the used ones for piece parts.
I also have an O72 wye if you need it.

Joe

@Joe Fauty posted:

Stu:

I noticed you are using Atlas O switch motors. I have not taken a full inventory as but I have about 7 used (functional) and 3 unused (still wrapped) motors. Let me know if you are interested - we can agree on a price for the 3 unused and throw in the used ones for piece parts.
I also have an O72 wye if you need it.

Joe

Joe,

Thank you for the offer but I have tmcc so will walk around and hand throw the switches.

Very nice layout, Stu! I love the New England urban vibe, and that you gave the waterfront center stage and so much real estate. You don't see that very often.

I just read the whole thread, and I see @TMack hasn't checked in in a few years, but if he does, I want to tell him I really enjoyed his video from 2011. Great use of sound effects, I'll have to try that.

How did you make the boat names Stu?  They look great.

John

@Craftech posted:

How did you make the boat names Stu?  They look great.

John

pick friends or family first and middle names.    If you look up some of the large tug companies you will see the names of many family members.    here is a link to the Moran fleet.    https://www.morantug.com/fleet/

@Stu Gralnik posted:

pick friends or family first and middle names.    If you look up some of the large tug companies you will see the names of many family members.    here is a link to the Moran fleet.    https://www.morantug.com/fleet/

I was wondering how you fabricated he name placards.

John

@Craftech posted:

How did you make the boat names Stu?  They look great.

John

John,   I just read your comment again and realized you were probably asking a technical question.  These signs were printed on paper using  Word with white letters printed on a black background.   These were then cut to fit a cast name plate that came with the kit.

@Stu Gralnik posted:

John,   I just read your comment again and realized you were probably asking a technical question.  These signs were printed on paper using  Word with white letters printed on a black background.   These were then cut to fit a cast name plate that came with the kit.

Fantastic Stu.  Amazing looking.

Thanks

These are pictures of an RC 1:48 tug boat and the barges I made for it.    The tug was originally  built by Eduardo Arini.   I did additional painting, weathering and added details.   I then scratch built the dredge work barge, hopper barge and covered barge.   The original covered barge was wood so I will be adding details to make it look like a wood barge and not a steel barge.    I also plan to build an On30 train barge.  The train barge will be around 24" long with 2 tracks.   I have some freight cars but am still looking for 2 more.    I also included pictures of the tug and barge on a pond.  When not on the pond the barges are on my layout with some smaller waterline tugs.  Please take a close look and the anchor logo for the Salem Terminal Union.    The name is a take off of Stu.  The anchor is made up of the letters S,T,U

Stu,

I can't see any of the images.

That makes two of us!

Chuck

Stu

The lighthouse building at the harbor is great!  I've never seen one like that. Is it lighted with a rotating beacon? Does it have a sound effect (fog horn)? If not, those visual and audio enhancements could be a "rainy day" project. At a previous layout, I installed a Lionel Lighthouse. It had a rotating beacon and sound, but that accessory is a runner-up to your magnificent lighthouse!

I considered installing a Lionel #97 Coal Loader at the edge of my layout with a siding to it. A coal dump car could unload at its lift-up tray, and The exit chute of the accessory could be positioned over the edge of the layout -- as if there was a harbor dock below with a coal barge parked and ready to receive the flow coal for shipment down river. But medical issues intervened, so that project was never attempted.

Keep on building ...

Mike M.    LCCA 12394

Mike the light house is by Crow River   https://ogrforum.com/...9#157547622875476149

the light pulses no sound but that would be a great addition.   I like your idea of the lionel coal loader.

I just reloaded the pictures.   not sure how to remove the bad links.    scroll up past the bad links to the good pictures.

Well done, Stu!!!!

Peter

I just added a 24"   On30 train barge to the fleet.

Stu, your harbor scene is incredible!  I find the dredge barge most interesting, the details make it pop.  Your scratch building skills are really on display.  I was working backwards up the page and went through the pictures before your text and saw the STU in the logo long before I read about it.  looks like you're having fun building the new layout.

The tug Emerson Rhys has joined the fleet in a very crowded harbor.