Long Island Rail Road-Oyster Bay Branch

I agree completely Bob. I’ll head up there in a month or two.

Andy

I’m working on the slab that will go under the pavilion. I primed it, then painted with a base tan. I added some aged concrete paint, and dry brushed a few lighter colors. Then I gave the whole thing a black wash, and finished up with a light coat of weathering powders. The slab is Masonite. The last two pictures have the slab in place temporarily. I want to clear the grass and ground cover so the slab sits flat. I’ll add some small weeds and grass around the slab to “anchor” it, like it belongs.

Andy

Nice looking concrete, Andy!

Thanks Mark! I was going for aged concrete, but not too old. I can always adjust if I don’t like it. It’s actually slightly darker in person.

Andy

@Steamfan77 posted:

I’m working on the slab that will go under the pavilion. I primed it, then painted with a base tan. I added some aged concrete paint, and dry brushed a few lighter colors. Then I gave the whole thing a black wash, and finished up with a light coat of weathering powders. The slab is Masonite. The last two pictures have the slab in place temporarily. I want to clear the grass and ground cover so the slab sits flat. I’ll add some small weeds and grass around the slab to “anchor” it, like it belongs.

Andy

The slab, at a distance, is a good color. Very nice job and that is a unique use of the space. Are you going to consider some lighting for inside the pavilion and possibly some park type lighting?

Jay

Thanks Jay. The pavilions did not have lighting at that point. I’m going to look into the park lighting. Great idea, thanks.

Andy

The pavilion slab is in place. I added ground cover around it, and will add grasses and weeds here and there. Once I’m happy with the look I’ll add the figures. In the fourth picture I’m starting to check the fence that will separate the park from the Oyster Bay yard. I’m going to need 192” of fence. I also ordered the back drop for this area. I look forward to adding it and giving the scene some depth and a more finished look.

Andy

Andy this has turned out to be to be quite nice. You have got to be pleased. Where did you get the fence?

Well done, Andy!  The fence, people, weeds, a few odds and ends, and the backdrop will make quite a nice scene!

Thank you Bill. The fence is from Woodland Scenics.

Thank you Mark! I like how it’s shaping up.

Andy

I have decided to expand the Theodore Roosevelt park a little. I squared the area up in order to have more space to accommodate a volleyball area and horseshoes or maybe bocce ball. I added the plywood and Homasote. I need to add the foam board and then ground cover. All materials for the expansion are leftovers from other parts of the layout. Total cost = $0. I like being able to repurpose materials for a new project whenever I can.

Andy

Great idea, Andy!  I like using leftovers too!

If only I could expand my layout that easily......

Nice scrounging Andy.

@Steamfan77 posted:

I have decided to expand the Theodore Roosevelt park a little. I squared the area up in order to have more space to accommodate a volleyball area and horseshoes or maybe bocce ball. I added the plywood and Homasote. I need to add the foam board and then ground cover. All materials for the expansion are leftovers from other parts of the layout. Total cost = $0. I like being able to repurpose materials for a new project whenever I can.

Andy

Andy,

I love the use of leftovers and I love expansions, both large and small. Warrenville's most recent expansion was about 8 square inches, needed to accommodate the foot of an Arch under bridge.

Please share the park's completion pics when done.

Warrenville has been expanding since 1983 from its original 4 x 8 (which still exists near its center) to approximately 265 square feet. See: About | WarrenVille RailRoad

Thanks Mark! I’ve been toying with this for a while, and decided to pull the trigger.

Thanks Bob, I wish you could too, but you’re maximizing what you have, most efficient use of space.

Thanks John, that 8 square inches were important and necessary. That’s quite an expansion on your part! Thanks for the link, I’ll go take a look.

Andy

Great outcome with the pavilion and slab!! Expansions are always fun. You can get carried away like me and start building the layout into the closets. LoL. I think the horseshoes would look great! Thanks for sharing Andy!

I placed the foam board, taped the seam, and painted it. It’s now ready for ground cover. I will decide how to position the volleyball area and horseshoes. With this little addition, I’ve almost doubled the park size.

I also ordered the backdrop for this area. Just getting the Masonite ready to cut for the installation.
My next steps for this project are:

Install the backdrop.

Make the volleyball area and horseshoe court. Add the figures, and last but not least, install 192” of fencing.

Andy

Thanks Rich! I’ve been thinking about this ever since I started this area. Originally this scene didn’t exist. I was just going to add the fence and call it a day. Glad I decided to add this, it’s been fun.

Andy

“There’s so much room for activities!“

quote from Step Brothers 😂 LoL

Andy,

Very creative move to make in this area. You're the man with the plan. The backdrop will make a HUGE transformation. It will bring all of the details in the area to another dimension that always exceeds what you actually had in your mind. This is exciting to watch.

Dave

Thanks Dave, I’m really enjoying this project. It has grown in scope as I’ve added details, and I’m happy with the addition. It only took about an hour to cut all the pieces and install everything.

Andy

I had some sand in the shed that I’m never going to use for anything else. Getting it ready for the horseshoe area in the park. I sifted twice and now it’s spread out to dry.

Andy

My late brother loved playing horseshoes  so I’m really looking forward to this scene Andy. I’m planning to incorporate a set on my layout. Are you going to have anyone flying a kite?

Sorry to hear about your brother Rich. I think the kite is an interesting idea, I’ve been thinking about all kinds of scenes. Hard to pick just a few.

Andy

Because my benchwork is already built, and I’m late to the backdrop scene, I will attach the backdrop to the Masonite and then mount the whole set up to the wall. I’ll use paint friendly double stick tape to secure the Masonite to the wall. It’s got a pretty strong tack but doesn’t peel the paint off when removed (I already tested it). Knowing that I would mount the backdrop to the Masonite first, I bought one continuous 10’ piece from Railroadbackdrops.com

Andy

Looking good Andy! 

LIRR lives on...

Andy, that will be great.  Steve’s looks great!

@SIRT posted:

Looking good Andy! 

LIRR lives on...

I know this is Andy's build thread, but a great scene Steve.

Us LIRR guys need to stick together.....

Maybe that building sign should read "Carl Hoppls" or "Raynor's Cabin". Throw Bigelo's Seafood in for good measure!

Bob

Steve, the backdrop is outstanding. Really ties the scene together.

Thank you Mark

Bob, those names bring back some great memories. My Father’s Place, Oak Beach Inn, All American in Massapequa…

Andy

Andy

Adding a backdrop ties everything together, makes the layout stand out even more.  It will look great Andy when finished.

Mike

@RSJB18 posted:

I know this is Andy's build thread, but a great scene Steve.

Us LIRR guys need to stick together.....

Maybe that building sign should read "Carl Hoppls" or "Raynor's Cabin". Throw Bigelo's Seafood in for good measure!

Bob

Bob, since I run over 15 different roads of diesels with caboose combinations, I can’t be too specific in properly naming buildings. Sometimes some things need to be general. Thought it needed something, so I picked the faded white lettering from an earlier time. Company was long gone in history and in many cases, names were never removed.

Just inspiring Andy and others with a semi-finished look. I’m certain he is on the right path as we all can see.

Thanks Mike, I’m trying to get a more finished look.

Steve, I appreciate the kind words. And yes I am inspired by what you’re doing and have done. Lots to learn from and work with.

Andy

@SIRT posted:

Bob, since I run over 15 different roads of diesels with caboose combinations, I can’t be too specific in properly naming buildings. Sometimes some things need to be general. Thought it needed something, so I picked the faded white lettering from an earlier time. Company was long gone in history and in many cases, names were never removed.

Just inspiring Andy and others with a semi-finished look. I’m certain he is on the right path as we all can see.

I get it. It's a great looking backdrop regardless.

I always like this building that I see on Virtual Railfan in Galesburg Ill.

Andy- yea- lot's of great food memories along the LIRR row. I stumbled out of MFP and OBI occasionally too.....

Bob

My wife and I installed the backdrop in the Oyster Bay yard. I removed some trees in order to slip the backdrop in, all 10’ of it. The backdrop changes the look of the area, gives it more depth. I’ll start the process of blending the backdrop and scene. If it looks half as good as Sirt’s I’ll be happy. Lots to do to get it to that point. After that, I can put the park scene together and then add the fence.

Andy

@Steamfan77 posted:

My wife and I installed the backdrop in the Oyster Bay yard. I removed some trees in order to slip the backdrop in, all 10’ of it. The backdrop changes the look of the area, gives it more depth. I’ll start the process of blending the backdrop and scene. If it looks half as good as Sirt’s I’ll be happy. Lots to do to get it to that point. After that, I can put the park scene together and then add the fence.

Andy

Magnificent!

Peter

Andy,

This is an immediate/instant transformation. However, your previous creative work had to be done to allow it to do what it does for a complete scene. Your vision is coming alive and I can't wait to see more.

Dave

Thank you Peter!

Dave, thank you for your insightful response and input. I can’t wait to work on this scene and add more to it.

Andy

That’s a tremendous improvement to an already great scene!

Thank you Mark! I went to the basement before and found myself staring at the backdrop. I wish I had done this sooner.

Andy

It looks great Andy. Really puts the cherry on top.

Bob