Lionel Boulevard lights modern, Junk yards, electrical substation

My very modest junkyard has a #165:

Avanti, that looks great!

Avanti,

Thanks, it is modest, but looks great. I see we have many of the same accessories from Lionel, Bascula Bridge, the temperamental Barrel Loader, ubiquitous coal ramp and many others.  You have good taste in collecting and running the trains.  My Dad gave me my first Lionel set in 1945 when I was five and I still run them and play with them.

Thanks again,

Ed

Ed, having worked for two power companies I purchased a Walthers HO substation kit.  I think it is a great representation of a power distribution station.  In real life, transformers etc can be a variety of sizes, so the kit will work for me.  I didn’t build it yet.

https://www.walthers.com/north...2-quot-21-6-x-31-8cm

Mark,

Thanks for getting back to me so promptly.  I looked at the Walthers  Substation kit and I was think of trying to replicate it with Plastastruct products or use the HO kit as is.  Do you think the HO scale would be too off putting or it wouldn't make a difference?  It would be next to the Lionel Sawmill which has a low profile. The Woodland Scenics new substation is perfect like much of their other products, but I will not lay out that kind of money unless it was rolling stock.   I have also taken several photos of substation in my area, but don't know if I could tackle the job of building from scratch. These old fingers aren't responding like they did 30 years ago.

Tanks again,

Ed

Ed, here are some photos of one I built from scratch

transformers made from wood, plastruct beams and fencing from old window screens and insulators from beads

Sidehack,

You guys make me feel so incompetent.  All of you are so talented and creative.  Thank you so much for the photos.  You are one talented guy.  I especially like what you did with the beads.  I went to a hardware store and found some very small grommets.  All I have to do now is to get off my backside and do it.

By the way your detailing really makes the scene pop.

Thanks a bunch,

Ed

Ed, I will have to take a look at the Woodland Scenics model even though I’m going to stick with my walthers model.  Trainman2001 scrathbuilt one that is superb.  I gave him ideas and directed him to websites then he went wild in research.  He has honed his skills over the years though.  I have lost my dexterity as well and haven’t scratch built for years myself.  I plan to have mine in the middle towards the back of my 30” shelves,so I think it will work.  The Walthers should work near your sawmill as I have one.  Sidehack’s (Ray) is really nice, I remember seeing his photographs before.  It is more achievable to you or mine than Trainman2001’s (Myles)

Mark,

I purchased the Walthers Sub-station as you suggested. I did a quick dry layout of the facility and it looks really good where I am placing it.  It will be more of a hybrid substation as I am adding some parts to it such s the Wood Scenic wire fencing and other tidbits  that I have accumulated over the years.  I just started priming it so it will be awhile until its finished.  These old fingers don't move too fast.  This ought to be fun.  I will start the junk yard after this is finished.

Thanks for your suggestion,

Ed

Ed, that sounds great!!  Do you think the size of the parts look realistic enough for O scale?

At first glance they do.  I will send a photo when completed.

Thanks for your help,\Ed