Alan,

You captured the big city look. I missed seeing pictures of this layout. Thanks for posting.

The reflections of one building in the mirrored glass of the neighboring building is a spectacular effect!   Always enjoy seeing this skyline on this amazing layout!

Incredible!

MELGAR

WOW!

Beautiful! Really cool.

Great view Alan.

Looking awesome Alan!!!

Hi Alan,  your article in Run 326 on Urban Expansion was well done as well.  It has given me some ideas on how to swap out some buildings in my relatively small layout to create a new scene.  Best, Dave

Really well done. Great job.

Ron H

Ahhh city life!!!👍

Gorgeous!

Peter

That's a lot of little windows to clean!

Great pics - thanks for sharing!

-Greg

Having grown up in New York City I have a love for the look of cities on a train layout.

Yours is one of the most impressive I have ever seen Alan.

John

Alan,

I especially like the lift-bridge in your first photo. It reminds me of the lift-bridge over the Harlem River between the Bronx and Manhattan over which Metro-North trains cross on their way into Grand Central Terminal in New York City. The bridge was built by the New York Central Railroad. From the bridge, there is a spectacular view of the skyscrapers of mid town Manhattan. Another of your structures in that photo looks like the Empire State Building on 34th Street. And the station at the right of that photo reminds me of the original Grand Central Station prior to the opening of the current building in 1913. Also, at the right side of your last photo is a structure that looks to me like the United Nations building. It may just be my imagination but, for me, the scene on your layout conjures up the countless times I have ridden the train into New York City.

MELGAR

Excellent work!

Truly stunning! When I look at it,all I keep hearing is "There are a million stories in the naked city...this is one of them"

Although only an extra in these shots....

Only Alan can out Disney Disney's train station

Thanks for all you do as a hobbyist and professionally 

I agree with Melgar's post regarding the lift bridge.  It is positioned in a very realistic way. 

wow'  now that's a city'...

@OGR CEO-PUBLISHER were you able to find other layouts with cities to draw inspiration from? Or did you have to go off real cities and your own memory/vision?

The results are outstanding!!!

@BillYo414 posted:

@OGR CEO-PUBLISHER were you able to find other layouts with cities to draw inspiration from? Or did you have to go off real cities and your own memory/vision?

The results are outstanding!!!

Bill....without going into a long answer, I wrote about the inspiration behind the layout theme in previous issues of the magazine over the last couple of years.  Check out my "Publisher's Corner".  A shorter answer to your question above is memories of growing up in the Chicago land area...no specific attempt to model a particular city.  Thanks!

I thought some of the buildings were familiar in some way.   Chicago is a great city and I have visited many times.   Nice train ride from Cleveland for a Cubs game.  Although not after 2016's World Series.   ;-)

Alan, do you see materials while visiting stores that inspire buildings?   

@OGR CEO-PUBLISHER posted:

Hey Guys and Gals!  Got up this morning to some beautiful natural sunshine coming in the upper windows of the layout so thought I would snap a couple of shots.  There are a few new skyscrapers that I have not shown here on the forum.  Click on the picture to get the best view.  Thanks for looking!

Thanks! I needed that. ( some motivation)

Great photos of your city scenes, Alan.

Your layout must be something to behold when seen in person. Arnold

@VistaDomeScott posted:

I thought some of the buildings were familiar in some way.   Chicago is a great city and I have visited many times.   Nice train ride from Cleveland for a Cubs game.  Although not after 2016's World Series.   ;-)

Alan, do you see materials while visiting stores that inspire buildings?   

Absolutely Scott!  When I am on the active lookout, one can see me in Home Depot, Lowes, and other hardware type stores checking out when can be used in alternative ways to create a structure.  A careful examination of my photos reveals a lot of everyday items being used differently than intended!

@OGR CEO-PUBLISHER posted:

Absolutely Scott!  When I am on the active lookout, one can see me in Home Depot, Lowes, and other hardware type stores checking out when can be used in alternative ways to create a structure.  A careful examination of my photos reveals a lot of everyday items being used differently than intended!

I see what looks to be a florescent light diffuser or ceiling return vent on several buildings with the tiny squares.

@MartyE posted:

I see what looks to be a florescent light diffuser or ceiling return vent on several buildings with the tiny squares.

Correct Marty!!

@OGR CEO-PUBLISHER posted:

Hey Guys and Gals!  Got up this morning to some beautiful natural sunshine coming in the upper windows of the layout so thought I would snap a couple of shots.  There are a few new skyscrapers that I have not shown here on the forum.  Click on the picture to get the best view.  Thanks for looking!

I just want to bring my sleeping bag over and move in to this room, LOL!  Absolutely fantastic urban layout!

Alan, all the awe inspired replies already posted are well earned by your magnificent layout.  I always enjoy any views of your layout, whether posted here, in publishers corner, or in articles in the magazine.

Tall Building Tuesday

Not to steal any of Alan's thunder, but there is this post from a bit ago which has kind of gone a little silent, not a lot of activity. It was started by Skip, but there have been a good number of contributions over time including more of Alan's layout of the city scenes since that is why the post was started. There is a lot to see there, Skip's city skyscape, Alan's, NJ HiRailers, some from TW TrainWorx and many more. Have a look.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Tall Building Tuesday

Not to steal any of Alan's thunder, but there is this post from a bit ago which has kind of gone a little silent, not a lot of activity. It was started by Skip, but there have been a good number of contributions over time including more of Alan's layout of the city scenes since that is why the post was started. There is a lot to see there, Skip's city skyscape, Alan's, NJ HiRailers, some from TW TrainWorx and many more. Have a look.

Yep!!  It is a great thread.  I had hoped that Skip would keep it running but I know he is a busy guy.

Here is one I took this morning:

I always love the natural lighting that comes through the windows at this time of the year.

The Electroliner coming in for its first stop this early sunny morning...

@OGR CEO-PUBLISHER posted:

Yep!!  It is a great thread.  I had hoped that Skip would keep it running but I know he is a busy guy.

Yeah he is. I know the one time I had messaged him it was during baseball. He was busy coaching and had no real time. Maybe soon he'll post more since baseball is over. See what comes.

Very nicely done city scene.  Simple the best I've seen to date.  Job well done Alan!!!!

A fine mist in the air this morning as the city comes to life ...

You can just make out a boat down below.

It may have been awhile, but it was worth the wait!