Sunday Scenic Showcase November 1,2020

Hey guys. I am continuing my tour around the layout. Today we are moving into the “high plains” area (at least that is what I call it). Here we can focus on 3 levels of track. That high line makes a constant loop around my basement walls and is a “set it and forget it” track. Any visitors that want to run a train gets that assignment since there is only one passing siding on the wall where I have all my shelves.

I tried to make the scenery the main focus in this area. All the retaining walls and portals I made from different thicknesses of MDF. The upper arches are laser cut by Roger at Trainworx. There was no way I was going to cut 30’ of curves (with a keystone) consistent with each cut. The embossed stone and brick sheets are a foam product supplied by Scenery Express. On the lower level there is a hobo camp near the tunnel portals. One of my projects this winter is to add a “flickering fire” to keep them warm. In the upper corner is a logging camp for lumberjacks clearing away all the dead timber. Apparently, the moonshine is flowing freely. I made an attempt to replicate the high plains backdrop scenery with a ubiquitous corner mountain.

Finally, at the lower level interlocking plant, is a Walthers tower controlling the action with a fully detailed interior. This one was also resurrected from the old layout, got a coat of fresh paint and an interior. A tool shed, some figures and a pickup truck complete the scene.

The signals are all by Custom Signals (now out of business).

Enjoy the pics and have a great Sunday!
Donald

Here is the latest on the buffalo.  Windows and lights are next.

Donald, I simply love your Walthers tower.  Reminds me a little like ATSF Tower 19 that stood about a 1/2 mile south of the old Santa Fe East Dallas Yard in sight of the Trinity River bottoms, protecting the train movements of T&P, SP, SSW, Katy, and Amtrak.  Great days, almost gone forever, if it wasn't for the fact Tower 19 now stands tall and proud at the Museum of the American Railroad (former Age of Steam) in Frisco, TX, north of Big D.

David, great work on your hybred Baldwin.  Takes me back to my roots in Texas and the ones Katy had rebuilt with EMD power plants, all decked out in Deramus red, with the simplified Deramus KATY herald under the cab windows.  Homesick?  No, not really, but I do retain fond memories when I started to railfan in earnest way back in 1961.

What's the future for the layout in Mercer Junction?  Please be sure to keep us up to date when time permits.

Thanks guys for the Sunday presentation!

Railroadingly yours,

Joe

Keeping Schenectady's history alive! The Edison Hotel by TW Trainorx. And yes he stayed there!

Wow! Nice turret dk1221trains!

Don,

I have been watching that on FB.  Pretty nice build!

Here are a few scenic shots from the TMB CLubs prior location:

@3rail posted:

Hey guys. I am continuing my tour around the layout. Today we are moving into the “high plains” area (at least that is what I call it). Here we can focus on 3 levels of track. That high line makes a constant loop around my basement walls and is a “set it and forget it” track. Any visitors that want to run a train gets that assignment since there is only one passing siding on the wall where I have all my shelves.

I tried to make the scenery the main focus in this area. All the retaining walls and portals I made from different thicknesses of MDF. The upper arches are laser cut by Roger at Trainworx. There was no way I was going to cut 30’ of curves (with a keystone) consistent with each cut. The embossed stone and brick sheets are a foam product supplied by Scenery Express. On the lower level there is a hobo camp near the tunnel portals. One of my projects this winter is to add a “flickering fire” to keep them warm. In the upper corner is a logging camp for lumberjacks clearing away all the dead timber. Apparently, the moonshine is flowing freely. I made an attempt to replicate the high plains backdrop scenery with a ubiquitous corner mountain.

Finally, at the lower level interlocking plant, is a Walthers tower controlling the action with a fully detailed interior. This one was also resurrected from the old layout, got a coat of fresh paint and an interior. A tool shed, some figures and a pickup truck complete the scene.

The signals are all by Custom Signals (now out of business).

Enjoy the pics and have a great Sunday!
Donald

Beautiful work Donald.  You have a great looking layout. Amazing attention to detail.

@Trinity River Bottoms Boomer posted:

Donald, I simply love your Walther tower.  Reminds me a little on ATSF Tower 19 that stood south of the old Santa Fe East Dallas Yard in sight of the Trinity River bottoms, protecting the train movements of T&P, SP, SSW, Katy, and Amtrak.  Great days, almost gone forever, if it wasn't for the fact Tower 19 now stands tall and proud at the Museum of the American Railroad (former Age of Steam) in Frisco, TX, north of Big D.

Hey Joe. Thanks for the history lesson. If you do not mind, I would like to use your story when I describe the layout to visitors. I think it is pretty neat. Of course, I will give you credit!

Donald

@third rail posted:

Beautiful work Donald.  You have a great looking layout. Amazing attention to detail.

Thanks Bill!

Donald

@David Minarik posted:

Here is the latest on the buffalo.  Windows and lights are next.

David, if my memory serves me correctly, I believe your trains and layout were featured in a recent OGR video that I bought around Christmas time last year. IMO, your trains, layout and scenery are spectacular. Arnold

Arnold,

Thanks man!  The layout has changed quite a bit (for the better) since that video. 

I scratch-built this small factory from styrene, although the roof shingles are paper and the loading door and corner-boards are basswood. I prefer to build models of wood buildings from basswood to get a more realistic texture. This is the only structure I have built from styrene except for Ameritowne “brick” buildings. On my 12’-by-8’ layout.

MELGAR

Had a rough work week so rewarded myself with starting a new (old) kit purchased from another Forum member.  Monon Shop 1920 gas station.  Very much a craftsman kit with lots of good parts but basically a scratch build with instructions.  I am improving it as I go mainly with extra structural pieces.

EmpireBuilderDave,

I like your approach. To me, model railroading means building as much of the scenery and structures as I can by myself, whether it's from kits or from scratch. I'll be interested to see how your 1920s gas station turns out.

MELGAR

Turning a Bar Mills "Wicked Wanda's" kit into a crab shack that will be located on the beach near the Port Anne waterfront:

Donald, I went back to my reply and edited the  added the "s" to Walthers tower.  I just dislike making typing errors...

You're more than welcome to use the story.  I'm not worried about any credit.  It isn't registered anyway...LOL

www.railhopeamerica.com will connect you with the Railroad Evangelistic Association.  Links permits you to read back issues of All Aboard, the official publication of the REA.  Editor Joe Spooner did an artical about me in the Summer 2015 issue.  It can be found on page eight and nine.  My late best friend, Robert Taff (RIP) of Tampa, Florida, took the picture of me on one of our railfan outings while I was visiting family and friends on my annual vacation away from Germany and my employer, Deutsche Bahn.  Fact is, it's one of the best photos ever taken of me.

Editor Joe is now including a model railroad page in All Aboard and is looking for articals to share with fellow railroaders.  Take a look at REA and All Aboard.  It's all free in 2020 too!  Not many things are anymore you know.

Joe

@David Minarik posted:

Here is the latest on the buffalo.  Windows and lights are next.

Dave

Excellent weathering on that Diesel !!!

Working on our 12x15 modular group display layout.......

We have this beautifully detailed Menard's building on one end.......I had a stray D&H HO hopper without trucks....and, a can of green spray paint......we now have a dumpster.....

The trash is from a built up wooden building kit.....

Peter