Put What You Love on Your Layout

Arnold,

It seems to me that this may be a guiding principle for what we do put onto our model railroads. Whether it's a particular railroad, locomotive, passenger car, boxcar, caboose, automobile, truck, house, structure, place, business, or home town, it's usually something that we love or that has sentimental value. On my own layout, the Ameritowne building pictured below is a very close representation of my wife's family business in Bridgeport, Connecticut, which sold heating and plumbing supplies from 1913 until it closed in 2018. Grandpa Maury is looking out the window waiting for some business to walk through the door.

MELGAR

MELGAR posted:

Arnold,

It seems to me that this may be a guiding principal for what we do put onto our model railroads. Whether it's a particular railroad, locomotive, passenger car, boxcar, caboose, automobile, truck, house, structure, place, business, or home town, it's usually something that we love or that has sentimental value. On my own layout, the Ameritowne building pictured below is a very close representation of my wife's family business in Bridgeport, Connecticut, which sold heating and plumbing supplies from 1913 until it closed in 2018. Grandpa Maury is looking out the window waiting for some business to walk through the door.

MELGAR

Very well-stated, Melgar. I bet Grandpa Maury did not have to wait too long before business came his way. Arnold

See that boy riding the bicycle:

When I placed him on my layout, I thought of the lyric from Paul Simon's moving song, My Little Town: " . . .riding my bike past the gates of the factory." 

Come to think of it, the same My Little Town song describes other things that may be on some of our layouts. How about this lyric from that song: " . . . my mom doing laundery, hanging out shirts in the dirty breeze."

Arnold

Good post. My layout has many memories of my past in it and also memories dedicated to people I met in life.

The gas station were my father stopped to fill up every Saturday at Joe Oaks gas station in his then new 56 Ford.

The B.L Taylor lumber and fuel Co. were we bought fuel oil, coal, and building material set along the tracks.

Having worked in the Movie and TV industry and carrying a SAG card starting with my first job as a teenager on a Sea Hunt episode and later meeting my heroes of my youth, I dedicated a Hotel as in my town and re-named it the C Walker Hotel after Clint Walker, one of my closest friends till his death.  The Pool Hall building with Richard Diamond Detective Agency above, after David Jansen also a friend who gave me much good advise. The IGA Store were I worked while in High School. I could go on, there is so much that I try to cram in for memories and to remember.

Melgar has stated it nicely, as have you Arnold. Your respective examples are very nice to see. Good sharing!

For me, to begin with (because there are several examples of such modeling on my layout,) I modeled this homestead of my wife's. That is she, as a little girl in a favorite red outfit of hers when she was a child, on the front porch, reaching for the doorknob, and that is a figure representing her father, standing behind her, protecting her, as he did throughout her young life. Even his hat counts as a memorializing since he often wore a fedora like it.

The model of her house is an exact replica of their actual house, crafted for me by an architect friend.

I modeled the trolley into the neighborhood because of my maternal grandfather having been a motorman when I was a boy, of that exact type of trolley, for he always let me aboard for a free ride when I was around any of his stops...Even the Chevy parked at curbside is a sentimental mentioning of her first car as a young college-graduate, parked there ready to take her into her future of success and prosperity.

The milkman and milk-truck are present to honor a dear friend, in our adulthood, who owns a milk delivery company and delivers milk, to this day.

FrankM, a sentimental guy

Moonson posted:

Melgar has stated it nicely, as have you Arnold. Your respective examples are very nice to see. Good sharing!

For me, to begin with (because there are several examples of such modeling on my layout,) I modeled this homestead of my wife's. That is she, as a little girl in a favorite red outfit of hers when she was a child, on the front porch, reaching for the doorknob, and that is a figure representing her father, standing behind her, protecting her, as he did throughout her young life. Even his hat counts as a memorializing since he often wore a fedora like it.

The model of her house is an exact replica of their actual house, crafted for me by an architect friend.

I modeled the trolley into the neighborhood because of my maternal grandfather having been a motorman when I was a boy, of that exact type of trolley, for he always let me aboard for a free ride when I was around any of his stops...Even the Chevy parked at curbside is a sentimental mentioning of her first car as a young college-graduate, parked there ready to take her into her future of success and prosperity.

The milkman and milk-truck are present to honor a dear friend, in our adulthood, who owns a milk delivery company and delivers milk, to this day.

FrankM, a sentimental guy

Frank, you have taken Put What You Love on Your Layout, to the nth degree. We both have models of our wives' homes. Now, you have given me the idea to go on a hunt for my wife, as a child or teenager, in O Scale. LOL

I was hoping, Frank, that you would chime in on this post. By the way, do you have laundry hanging from a clothes line on your layout? I think I remember seeing a photo of that on this Forum before. In Paul Simon's song, My Little Town, he sings: "My mom doing laundery, hanging out shirts in the dirty breeze." That will be a future modeling project for me.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to this, as endless as one's imagination. 

We all, as model railroaders, at all different skill levels, and artists of all different kinds, see beauty in the mundane. Arnold

 

I was hoping, Frank, that you would chime in on this post. By the way, do you have laundry hanging from a clothes line on your layout?

Arnold, like this?  This is the model that I made of my parents' house in Port Vue with models of them that I had made.  Monday was hang up the close day 

- walt

Moonson posted:

Melgar has stated it nicely, as have you Arnold. Your respective examples are very nice to see. Good sharing!

For me, to begin with (because there are several examples of such modeling on my layout,) I modeled this homestead of my wife's. That is she, as a little girl in a favorite red outfit of hers when she was a child, on the front porch, reaching for the doorknob, and that is a figure representing her father, standing behind her, protecting her, as he did throughout her young life. Even his hat counts as a memorializing since he often wore a fedora like it.

The model of her house is an exact replica of their actual house, crafted for me by an architect friend.

I modeled the trolley into the neighborhood because of my maternal grandfather having been a motorman when I was a boy, of that exact type of trolley, for he always let me aboard for a free ride when I was around any of his stops...Even the Chevy parked at curbside is a sentimental mentioning of her first car as a young college-graduate, parked there ready to take her into her future of success and prosperity.

The milkman and milk-truck are present to honor a dear friend, in our adulthood, who owns a milk delivery company and delivers milk, to this day.

FrankM, a sentimental guy

What an awesome, awesome layout! How could it get any more personalized? This, to me, is the epitome of a fun design, to bring elements of your own life and family into … I hesitate to call it a layout - it's more of a lifetime diorama. Really neat Moonson, fantastic modeling, and just plain fun! As I move into my new home this fall, I will aspire to create something with similar elements.

George

I have a few things personal on my various Christmas layouts.  Don't use each one every year though.  Here are some that I found images of:

This drivein scene with a tribute to my sister who passed away unexpectedly that year.  THe sign is MIller's "Gone with the WInd" cause my sister was a known national expert on both the book and movie:

Here's a scene showing the 6 family member houses that I made exact models of:

Here's a model of the North Park pavilion where I met a special someone:

On the layout:

and finally, since you brought up special cars, like the Mustang that you featured for $6, here's one where I didn't quite get so lucky on the price.  I looked for this '49 Nash Ambassador for a LONG TIME and when I found one the $125 price I reluctantly accepted deeming it a must have once in a life-time find.  Only 100 were made.  THe people are figures of my family members that I had Marcie at Trainsformations make:

- walt

walt rapp posted:

 

I was hoping, Frank, that you would chime in on this post. By the way, do you have laundry hanging from a clothes line on your layout?

Arnold, like this?  This is the model that I made of my parents' house in Port Vue with models of them that I had made.  Monday was hang up the close day 

- walt

Walt,  you did it: laundry hung on clothes lines. Arnold

walt rapp posted:

I have a few things personal on my various Christmas layouts.  Don't use each one every year though.  Here are some that I found images of:

This drivein scene with a tribute to my sister who passed away unexpectedly that year.  THe sign is MIller's "Gone with the WInd" cause my sister was a known national expert on both the book and movie:

Here's a scene showing the 6 family member houses that I made exact models of:

Here's a model of the North Park pavilion where I met a special someone:

On the layout:

and finally, since you brought up special cars, like the Mustang that you featured for $6, here's one where I didn't quite get so lucky on the price.  I looked for this '49 Nash Ambassador for a LONG TIME and when I found one the $125 price I reluctantly accepted deeming it a must have once in a life-time find.  Only 100 were made.  THe people are figures of my family members that I had Marcie at Trainsformations make:

- walt

Wonderful

I relate to what Walt said about "must haves" when you find them.

That happened to me at the Choo Choo Barn 25 years ago when I found my Kramer metal O Scale baseball figures team for $150. My wife gave me the greenlight to buy them knowing I would treasure them, which I have.

Arnold

My best memories growing up were of trains, watching them and riding them. That is why Lionel's version of the Royal Gorge makes a daily run on the Plywood Empire Route. Among fond memories some of the best are of my rides on the D&RGW up the Arkansas River and over Tennessee Pass.

The model.

The real thing, working it's way up the Arkansas River.

Rather than scenic backdrop I chose to cover the train room walls with photos my Dad took and which I helped process in our darkroom:

There are about 100 photos on these walls, most of trains, and every one of them triggers a fond memory of some adventure.

Lew

See this:

Do you think I love diners? You bet I do, don't we all?

I think this is a Department 56 item. I bought it 20 pus years ago at a gift shop. Not a hobby shop or train show. It wasn't cheap, but I had to have it. It was love at 1st sight. LOL, Arnold

GeoPeg, Really excellent and gratifying to read that from you, sir. I'm glad you liked what I have done.

And my Thanks, also, to the folks who sent me "Likes" for my posting here: PRRronbh; geysergazer; Arnold D. Cribari, and you.

There is another personal touch in the scene, too. It is something of a metaphorical figure, representing me, through time, making my way to my wife's childhood (and young adult) home... as a jogger, which I used to be... sometimes actually passing by her house, in the past. You can spot the figure making its way along the street near the parked cars...

FrankM

Moonson posted:

GeoPeg, Really excellent and gratifying to read that from you, sir. I'm glad you liked what I have done.

And my Thanks, also, to the folks who sent me "Likes" for my posting here: PRRronbh; geysergazer; Arnold D. Cribari, and you.

There is another personal touch in the scene, too. It is something of a metaphorical figure, representing me, through time, making my way to my wife's childhood (and young adult) home... as a jogger, which I used to be... sometimes actually passing by her house, in the past. You can spot the figure making its way along the street near the parked cars...

FrankM

 

"Like" is a gross understatement, Frank. I absolutely love this: your photos and comments are emotionally touching and splendid modeling. And, I totally relate to your post.

I never thought of putting myself in O Scale on my layout. Now, I will be on the hunt for myself. LOL.

I used to jog too, as a teenager through my late 40s, then it was golf for 7 to 8 years (played 3 times per week carrying my bag for 18 holes each time, and went to driving range and putting/chipping green to practice on the other days, getting my handicap down to 7), and now I walk athletically for 1 hour at a time, 3 or 4 times per week. It's like I never stopped going to gym class.

So, I may go on the hunt for O Scale joggers like those you have, Frank, and maybe golfers and walkers.  

It's fun being on the hunt for all these O scale things that are meaningful to us.

When it comes to figures, I find that Arttista figures are among the best. Arnold

 

I never thought of putting myself in O Scale on my layout. Now, I will be on the

Here's 2 samples from my stuff.  Both are taken on the side porch of the model of the house that I made.y 

This first one shows five family members that were made for me by trainsformations.  Left to right: my daughter, her husband, my son's wife, my son, ME.  I wish I had a way to show you the picture of my daughter in that exact sweater that I sent to Marcie when requesting the model figures.  It's dead on perfect!

Here's another showing the model in the case that I keep it in when not on the layout.  That's me on the porch in a Pirates tee (again, an exact image of the tee that was in the picture that I sent to Marcie - BTW I sent 2 pictures that's why I'm in beige top in the above image).  That's my son carrying his son on his shoulers (which he did all of the time) and his wife:

I so wish that Marcie would have kept trainsformations going.  She was the only person that I knew would make EXACT models from pictures sent to her.

- walt

I have had a model made of the house my wife and I bought. Though not on the Layout yet. I would love to get figure of my wife, me, and my son. Haven't figured out a way to do that yet.

walt rapp posted:

 

I never thought of putting myself in O Scale on my layout. Now, I will be on the

Here's 2 samples from my stuff.  Both are taken on the side porch of the model of the house that I made.y 

This first one shows five family members that were made for me by trainsformations.  Left to right: my daughter, her husband, my son's wife, my son, ME.  I wish I had a way to show you the picture of my daughter in that exact sweater that I sent to Marcie when requesting the model figures.  It's dead on perfect!

Here's another showing the model in the case that I keep it in when not on the layout.  That's me on the porch in a Pirates tee (again, an exact image of the tee that was in the picture that I sent to Marcie - BTW I sent 2 pictures that's why I'm in beige top in the above image).  That's my son carrying his son on his shoulers (which he did all of the time) and his wife:

I so wish that Marcie would have kept trainsformations going.  She was the only person that I knew would make EXACT models from pictures sent to her.

- walt

Walt, your above photos and models of you and your family are awesome. I honestly thought, at 1st glance, that your 1st photo was one of real people on the porch of a real house.

I had no idea that there are modelers/artists who can make figures like these. I bet to hire someone to make models of real family members isn't cheap. Arnold

tcochran posted:

I have had a model made of the house my wife and I bought. Though not on the Layout yet. I would love to get figure of my wife, me, and my son. Haven't figured out a way to do that yet.

I suggest you contact Walt Rapp and/or Google Trainsformations.

After reading Walt's post again, it may be that Trainsformations no longer exists. Perhaps that was a unique modeling entity. Arnold

Arnold, I absolutely love this thread! I am starting my first permanent layout, all the track is down and trains are running. Now I am trying to plan buildings, people etc that mean something to me and family that will see it! This thread has given me great ideas and incentive to do this! Thanks everyone for sharing!

Hi Arnold, Here's the golfer in the neighborhood. I'm not sure if you can see him clearly enough, but he is practicing his putt in that backyard behind the children on the swings and their playhouse....

FrankM

Moonson posted:

Hi Arnold, Here's the golfer in the neighborhood. I'm not sure if you can see him clearly enough, but he is practicing his putt in that backyard behind the children on the swings and their playhouse....

FrankM

Frank, I see the golfer. He's wearing a red shirt or sweater with a white stripe.

Delightful, so much fun. Arnold

play trains posted:

Arnold, I absolutely love this thread! I am starting my first permanent layout, all the track is down and trains are running. Now I am trying to plan buildings, people etc that mean something to me and family that will see it! This thread has given me great ideas and incentive to do this! Thanks everyone for sharing!

Play Trains, I'm so glad you are enjoying this thread, and that it has given you some ideas for your new layout.

Our hobby, OGR magazine and this Forum are all about having fun, creativity, learning, helping others, and connecting with others who share our passion for the trains and layouts. Arnold

Arnold, first: "thanks".

Secondly, you are correct.  Sadly Marcie shut it down about 10 years ago, which explains why I don't have figures of my 4 grandkids.  Believe it or not I tried to convince her to charge MORE!  That' right, MORE.  She was only charging me $5 and on a rare instance $6.  She lived by me and I've been to her house and she insisted that to her it was a fun thing to do and wasn't in it to make a ton of money.  Based on the house, she didn't need the money

- walt

Going off what has been stated here, and since I haven't seen anything that would allow me to outsource it. I would imaging I would have to try to figure out a way to do it myself either by repainting existing people. That could be an interesting project.

Here you go:

https://www.instructables.com/...using-FREE-software/

There are also lots of services that will print you.