Down By The Station, Post Passenger Station Photos

poniaj posted:

Randy Harrison posted:

Jerry:

Your model has the potential to be STELLAR! Keep us posted on the progress of this future work of art.

Randy,

When I called this a "VERY long term" project, I wasn't kidding!  With my job and keeping up a 87 year old house, plus playing with grandkids, I don't have the time I would like to have to work on trains.  However, some progress has been made since the photos were taken about a year ago.  I added outside details on the upper portion of walls, plus the turret on track side:

Also rain gutters that are copper on the prototype.  I used styrene shapes:

The fireplace on the women's side of the lobby was a focal point, and is still in fantastic shape.  Here's the model with the only interior photo I could find, taken somewhere around 1900:

The ornate ticket booth will be added "sometime"

I've made the roof removable, as well as the second story's floor.  So here's where I had to imagineer what it may look like.  As stated before, the present day's owners won't let anybody upstairs due to the HVAC equipment there:

The second floor access stairway is tricky to ascertain, but I think I have it.  I was able to open a door that was unlocked to see the beginnings of the stairway before I was discovered.  I also made the turret accessable as it would have been back in the day:

Making measurements of the actual depot, the baggage building and freight building was fun.  I drove there in my pickup before the restaurant opened up, and the staff was preparing for the day's customers.  I donned an orange vest, hard hat, and carried a clip board with a 50' tape measure.  I proceeded to take measurements of all three buildings and nobody questioned me.  The staff even waved.  As did the Amtrak engineer when his train rolled through after picking up passengers at the next door Amtrak station.  Carry a clip board, and everybody thinks you're official.  I learned that in the Army.

I don't mean to take up thread time, so I hope you guys find it interesting.  This is a great thread, and the work involved in making all the passenger stations is amazing.

Jerry:

You have made major progress. This model may turn out to be museum quality. Bravo! Keep the progress reports coming.

poniaj posted:

Randy Harrison posted:

Jerry:

Your model has the potential to be STELLAR! Keep us posted on the progress of this future work of art.

Randy,

When I called this a "VERY long term" project, I wasn't kidding!  With my job and keeping up a 87 year old house, plus playing with grandkids, I don't have the time I would like to have to work on trains.  However, some progress has been made since the photos were taken about a year ago.  I added outside details on the upper portion of walls, plus the turret on track side:

Also rain gutters that are copper on the prototype.  I used styrene shapes:

The fireplace on the women's side of the lobby was a focal point, and is still in fantastic shape.  Here's the model with the only interior photo I could find, taken somewhere around 1900:

The ornate ticket booth will be added "sometime"

I've made the roof removable, as well as the second story's floor.  So here's where I had to imagineer what it may look like.  As stated before, the present day's owners won't let anybody upstairs due to the HVAC equipment there:

With all the clear, transparent parts to this station, light might create a stunning effect, albeit in a much smaller scale, like it did in the original Penn Station in NYC. Arnold

   An expensive suit after work, and a cigarette outside a sold out theater where I could see the MCRR station and hear, got me in by invitation from security... "commin' in before I lock this sir?". George from Brass Ring wasnt glad about anything other than it was me (I coulda called him to get in anyhow, I never cared for backstage views or chasing folk I knew for seats all the time. If I meet ever meet the artists I saw while "hiding in plain sight" paying them cash then, personally, will be much more of an ice breaker. I'm not a foamer or a practicing con )

  Another time suited up and looking down & walking, in an after work daze, I was late, and went to the exit by mistake. I nearly walked right into the 500lbs worth of bouncer, both in plain clothes. I scowled at them and began to push my way past thinking they were just two big idiots haveing fun with me. They then opened the door for me and I nodded in thanks. When it shut behind me, I realized I was past the ticket window line, ropes, and turnstiles to my left. The band then started; I went right. 

  A long haired pal, only when carrying two beers, can say "move" to any ushers and they let him and whomever is with him go past.... right to the front row, and sometimes back stage.  Being with him is hilarious. 

  Alone, and especially when in a suit,  I'm the small, no fear, no nonsense face you don't notice or usually mess with. Those are just my favorite two times folks assumed I was someone they needed to worry about bothering, and the Fox/MCRR  as close to a railrod tie-in among them. 

I think I might have actually had access there about 15yrs ago Jerry. It wasn't my account, but I think I know who installed at least some of that hvac and maybe maintenance after that. After I traded my good ties for a toolbag and a set of gauges out of boredom and contempt, that was my gig, industrial hvac/mechanical. (That would be kinda small really. "Busy work")

Oh, very cool work, very cool choice. I think I posted a picture of the prototype myself as well. (groggy.. this humidity has had me sleepless for a few days now)

Some of you are familiar with the "Station" vs. "Terminal" debate -- Grand Central "Station" actually being Grand Central "Terminal" because the tracks terminate (stub-end). Likewise, LA Union "Station" (it has been referred to both ways for decades) was actually LA Union Passenger Terminal (Southern Pacific and Santa Fe had stations nearby prior to 1939 with through tracks). Well, LAUPT is planned to technically become LAUS (they call it that anyway, now) as they're planning a $2 billion project to put in through tracks (and interior improvements) after 80 years. The purple section on the right will allow trains to run through, plus they're adding a reversing loop for trains coming in from points [compass] North of the station. Trains approaching from [compass] South of the now-station will utilize the throat tracks by the old Mission Tower to loop back [compass] South. The yellow tracks are for the Metro Gold Line and replaced tracks 1 and 2 of the 15  boarding area tracks (14 are used including the light rail).