Photos from the Pittsburgh Independent Hi-Railers layout at 2017 Kennywood Holiday Lights

That layout is HUGE!!! Your walk around video really shows how impressive your group is in displaying high end scenery with your modules. 

Here are some shots from this past weekend.  Some of these details were added just this weekend.

Andy

Cute.

Very nice sense of humor.

Moonson posted:

Cute.

Very nice sense of humor.

The second MOST expensive way to produce electric power now taking Santa out along with eagles.

Funny!

Ron

Thank you for many more good photographs, Andy!!  The altercation between Santa and the windmill is great!!

Andy Hummell posted:

Here are some shots from this past weekend.  Some of these details were added just this weekend.

Andy

Andy; 

I am continually amazed at the artistic whimsy of your group's layout. I am particularly impressed by the Godzilla vignette. But tanks, cannons and infantry don't mix well with Sunoco... to quote Captain Ramius in Hunt for Red October, "be careful what you shoot at. Most things in here don't react too well to bullets"   

Keep up the good work!!!

Andy,

  As usual the layout is incredible, Merry Christmas buddy!

Incase nobody has said it, thanks much for all you and the guys do to make it all happen at Christmas time!

PCRR/Dave

Hey Andy, I see Godzilla made an appearance. It looks like he is lighted(back scales look like it, maybe the flash?). At first I thought he was moving, but I guess he paused for the photo op 

Apples55 posted:

Andy Hummell posted:

Here are some shots from this past weekend.  Some of these details were added just this weekend.

Andy

Andy; 

I am continually amazed at the artistic whimsy of your group's layout. I am particularly impressed by the Godzilla vignette. But tanks, cannons and infantry don't mix well with Sunoco... to quote Captain Ramius in Hunt for Red October, "be careful what you shoot at. Most things in here don't react too well to bullets"   

Keep up the good work!!!

Paul,

A command decision was made to try and stop Godzilla here at the storage tank facility,   even if it meant "lighting him up" with the available storage tanks contents.   Can't let him get to dahntahn Pittsburgh and destroy the city.

Nick

Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Hey Andy, I see Godzilla made an appearance. It looks like he is lighted(back scales look like it, maybe the flash?). At first I thought he was moving, but I guess he paused for the photo op 

Dave,

You never know where Godzilla will show up!    Yes,  his back scales do light up(powered by 2 sr44 button batteries).   I like the classic old style version of Godzilla-he was totally misunderstood

Nick

Too bad you all couldn't get the real Godzilla, though I think he may be a little out of scale(smaller or larger, I don't know).

Here are some more shots that include some details added since opening night (we are constantly adding and changing little details around the layout so that our repeat visitors can always find something they haven't seen before).

Andy

Apples55 posted:

Andy Hummell posted:

Here are some shots from this past weekend.  Some of these details were added just this weekend.

Andy

Andy; 

I am continually amazed at the artistic whimsy of your group's layout. I am particularly impressed by the Godzilla vignette. But tanks, cannons and infantry don't mix well with Sunoco... to quote Captain Ramius in Hunt for Red October, "be careful what you shoot at. Most things in here don't react too well to bullets"   

Keep up the good work!!!

It's the secret non explosive M-471B "Cantaloupe Cannon" to knock the wind out of him right?

On Sunday, before we began tear-down of the layout, I shot a couple of experimental videos with two different cameras on my new homemade camera flatcar (just an old K-Line plastic flatcar with holes drilled in it for bolting the camera to it).  The first video is lower-definition and is a good approximation of a passenger's view from the train, and the second video was done with a higher resolution camera, and due to the height of the camera, the view is more of an approximation of the view of a brakeman walking on top of the train.

Note:  Keep the sound volume low or off -- the wheels on the flatcar were squeaking, and I didn't have time to oil them.

Andy

Andy,

   As usual a great Christmas Season layout, simply fantastic again Andy.  You and all the guys do incredible work!  Your Kennywood layout has become a Pittsburgh area Tradition!  Special thanks for the big Merry Christmas sign in the 2nd ride video, I loved it.

All the Best,

PCRR/Dave

Andy Hummell posted:

On Sunday, before we began tear-down of the layout, I shot a couple of experimental videos with two different cameras on my new homemade camera flatcar (just an old K-Line plastic flatcar with holes drilled in it for bolting the camera to it).  The first video is lower-definition and is a good approximation of a passenger's view from the train, and the second video was done with a higher resolution camera, and due to the height of the camera, the view is more of an approximation of the view of a brakeman walking on top of the train.

Note:  Keep the sound volume low or off -- the wheels on the flatcar were squeaking, and I didn't have time to oil them.

 

 

Andy

Andy;

Great job. Fabulous videos of your spectacular layout. I loved the "passenger's view" - it really felt (and sounded!!!) like you were riding on an old steam headed passenger train - all you need now is to add smell-a-vision!!! One of my favorite parts was when the train went "underground" and passed a parked passenger train. It reminded me of when I was commuting on Metro-North... I forget how many tracks go into each level of Grand Central, but every day, you would pass numerous other trains as they were routed in or out of their appropriate tracks.

Could you tell me what types of cameras you used - I've been thinking of getting one.

Thank.

Andy, Unfortunately my streak is still alive!!  I am still ‘oh for...’ on Kennywood setups!  Too much came up this past 6 weeks.  Thank you very much for capturing the layout, trains, visitors for us to see!  Everyone did a great job!!!

Very cool and lots of neat ideas!   I truly enjoy watching videos and looking at layout pictures!   Amazing! 

Jim 

Apples55 posted:

Could you tell me what types of cameras you used - I've been thinking of getting one.

The first video was done with a point-and-shoot camera -- a Canon PowerShot A1000IS, and the second was done with a Kodak PlaySport (1st gen) -- a video camera that also takes stills.

Andy

Godzilla and oil refineries go together like hotdogs and a coke.

Great job, Andy.  Thanks for posting the pictures so those of us that couldn't make it can enjoy it too.  I miss Pittsburgh, great city.

Art

Andy Hummell posted:

Apples55 posted:

Could you tell me what types of cameras you used - I've been thinking of getting one.

The first video was done with a point-and-shoot camera -- a Canon PowerShot A1000IS, and the second was done with a Kodak PlaySport (1st gen) -- a video camera that also takes stills.

Andy

Thanks Andy. Since they appear to be older cameras, I'll have to look for a newer model with similar features.

Sad to see it go, wish I could have seen it. Too much always goes on in December and January. Well, I can look forward to some more Pittsburgh goodness. How about the Steelers winning this coming Sunday? Wish them luck.

Andy Hummell posted:

Here are some more shots that include some details added since opening night (we are constantly adding and changing little details around the layout so that our repeat visitors can always find something they haven't seen before).

Andy

Where did you get the Mobile station, my friends dad owned a station just like it, would look great on my layout

Andy, You folks did a whole lot of thankless, selfless work for the enjoyment of others during their Holidays. I respect you and offer enthusiastic applause for committing yourselves to such kindness.

FrankM

Going through some of the pics I took. Here's my brother at the helm of my work train, clearing the right of way before the gates opened

Training your brother right, Keith!!

ENichter posted:

Andy Hummell posted:

Andy

Where did you get the Mobile station, my friends dad owned a station just like it, would look great on my layout

In case anyone else was wondering, it was made by Danbury Mint (and modified a bit for this module).

Andy

Theres a lot of work, Talent, Artistry, Electrification, Imagination, Inspiration, Technical, and Time consuming.  It’s a labor of love and friendships.  Many many hours of hard work, sweat and tears of building scenic modules to make this display the Fantastic Fully Functional Classy Model Railroader For Young, Old, simply Everyone, to ENJOY, who loves trains and the three diminional art these trains run through...Andy, It’s Wonderful! Thank You and the team members who built this wonder model wonderland....Great Thread..

I second all Larry said!!  Having seen the layout at several venues, but not Kennywood, I can really appreciate all that goes into pulling it off!  Sometimes I just watch the kids and adults who are fascinated by the layout and trains.  Also, the Pittsburgh Independent Hi-Railers are just a great group of nice guys!  I consider Andy and so many others to be good friends!!  Keep up the good work, and I will try to see you again soon in Monroeville!!