I have sufficient "whimsy" on my layout, that, when Lionel offered the smaller GCT, i leapt at the opportunity to get one. When it finally arrived, i realized it was just a little too small to have the impact i was looking for; it was sort of overwhelmed by the other structures. i played with the idea of building some sort of base for it, but quickly realized anything i could to do raise the building would still leave it "less" that the surroundings.
When Brian (Passenger Train Collector) proposed a base constructed by celebrated modeler Harry Heike, I once again leapt at the opportunity.
It arrived last week and i have been working at incorporating it into the layout. This was not a small task. Recent health issues have diminished my abilities somewhat and a couple of surprises challenged me, too. Key among these was the fact that my terminal building did not fit into the space intended to receive it on Harry's base. Turns out my terminal building was not quite square.
I really appreciate Brian facilitating the project and I enjoyed my first interaction with Harry. It was fun to collaborate with him on the lighting package.
Harry, "What about this?"
Me, "Yes!"
Harry, "What about this?"
Me, "Yes!"
Personally, I am thrilled with the results. This gives the facility the presence a city railroad terminal should have. The eye is drawn to it, but it doesn't dominate the scene.
I modified the lighting in the Terminal with some structure LED's from Royztrains.
Some things you may notice.
It is in Central Florida, not NYC
It is operating as a station, not a terminal.
Trains arrive and depart from in front instead of behind.
WHO CARES? I certainly don’t!!!
Have some details to fix (the Union Station sign, for instance) and will work on doing additional photography in the days to come. A night shot with a passenger train on one of the tracks comes to mind.
