My Steam Servicing Facility/roundhouse is now complete/adding details

Trainchief posted:

So Norm; If you had Black Beauty before construction, you would not have used the sand? Where do you get the black ballast media?  What source on the web?

The turntable and the yard look great; although I sort of liked the debris in the pit. Great work Norm!

Be careful using Black Beauty, it has bits of iron or steel in it.  After spotting one I pushed a magnet around it and pulled out a fair amount of ferrous material.  This doesn't do well in locomotive gears, especially if you have any magnetraction locos!

The whole vignette looks terrific. How are those doors operated?

Outstanding Work Norm.  Very nice!

I think when Norm adds all the little details like castoff pieces of wood, cans, barrels, and other junk to his scene it will be impossible to tell that it is Memorex.

Jan

Norm,

Quick question - how far out / how far do the tracks extend out the round house doors / base before you ties them into the tracks leading to the pit? Looks like 4~5 inches.

Kevin 

I cut the roundhouse straights down to 33 1/8" long, they stick out about 3 1/8". The TT connector tracks are 11 1/4".

Thanks for all the kind words. Sorry I didn't take any more photos. After installing the roundhouse, I cleaned up the shop and then did a lot of wiring under the layout to provide power for the roundhouse lighting and the floodlight towers. I will get into detailing this out after York. 

I started putting some details in tonight. Could probably use some more, but I'm in no rush now. I really want to pull out some of my engines that are still boxed up.

Very impressive!

It will be great to see a couple of engines in the roundhouse.   Nice work, as usual.  Thanks

Norm,  

That's crushin'!  

We are planning a trip up your way whether you want us or not.  We will send a beer list.

Dave

That would be awesome man! We'll have a good time!

Already got Kurt's:

Nice job NORM!!!!

Norm Charbonneau posted:

<snip>   I really want to pull out some of my engines that are still boxed up.

Oh, you make me feel better!

Congratulations - truly impressive model making skills.

Always appreciate seeing well done turntable/roundhouse combinations on any model railroad layout.

Hope to see more photos when finally done..........

Wow, impressive work!

Outstanding!!!

You did a great job!!!!!

Norm,  really nice work!  Really have enjoyed watching your progress.  Nice to see trains running.....

Norm,

I love the photo angles you chose that maximize the spaciousness of the structure and the 3D impact of the details. Camera placement was great. Now, I want to see the locos in place.

BTW, I ordered my roundhouse for October pickup. Bob is very accommodating. I asked my wife, Ginny, if we could sell the pool table and the home entertainment system so I could add 12 stalls to the roundhouse, but she went for the machete and I demurred.

Scrappy

Great job.

Outstanding Norm, Saved all the images to a folder on the desk top. Spoke to Bob of AMW at Chicago O scale meet . Hope to order one of these kits in the future. Your images will provide guidance and inspiration. 

Regards Mike

Norm,

Could not make York due to a work issue so I had a friend pick my RH up from AMW. Can Wait to get into building it. Unfortunately, it is going to have to wait for  while. second I am thrilled I got the 5 bays. Little larger than expected. Can't wait to work on it.

Kevin 

Fabulous!!

Norm Charbonneau posted:

That would be awesome man! We'll have a good time!

Already got Kurt's:

I want to look at the great pics of your work. I can't get past this one without laughing!

Pulled out a couple engines last night. Here's some quick shots and a short video.

Outstanding Norm!

Beautiful work! Great job.

Just fantastic. The concrete floor as well as everything is colored and weathered just perfect. The roundhouse is a thing of beauty. Really like the post and supports painted white. Most roundhouses need the roofs in place to hide the lighting system. Yours with it off it looks like the real thing with everything like it's in conduit. Altoona should use a shot of this in their ads.

The video piece shot from the floor of the roundhouse is as good as it gets. I don't see how it could be more real than that. Perhaps a removable window allowing a small video camera or DSLR to shoot from slightly farther back would provide an additional perspective. As it is, astoundingly real and an enNORMous accomplishment for three rail trains. 

I felt as if I was standing trackside and that is amazing.

Eliot "Scrapiron" Scher

Norm,

I'm not sure I can come up with any new superlatives for your work  (that have not already been used during the post) perhaps other than to say it is truly stunning!!!  Could you please explain why you're not in Hollywood working on models for major motion pictures.

Barry

Hello Norm, Barry mentioned above theres not more than can be said that has not already been said.

I agree with Eliot, watching that Hippo come into the roundhouse at ground level, don't get much better than this !!!

I can imagine the clinking clanks and other steam sounds that came along with an engine like this as it is pulled in for a quick maintenance and service before returning to work.

Great job to say the least !!!!!!!!!!!!

Norm !!!!

Norm,

 Exceptional realism that you have there. I always enjoy your videos. 

  Tom 

Bravo Now how do I get on the list for your first full documentary video

Glad you guys like the way the roundhouse turned out. Thanks for all the kind words. I have been using my iPad mini for most of my photos and videos now. 

That interior looks awesome!  Enjoyed the short video too.

Excellent, Norm. 

Norm Charbonneau posted:

Pulled out a couple engines last night. Here's some quick shots and a short video.

That video is like a step back in time.  Excellent details.

Thank you.

Norm,  I feel like I owe you a beer.  I was showing your video to a friend of mine and I told him this was you O gauge train layout.  He bet me $5. that it was real.  When I proved it was your train layout it blew his mind.  Your talent is unbelievable.  So realistic.  Just awesome.... Wow! You are so talented & gifted....

Fantastic pictures and video Norm. Very realistic. Easy to think you were looking at the real thing.