The destruction of Bay Ridge Harbor

How do you do it Roo? pulling things apart and starting over, in just a week or so I have to start. I'm finding it hard!!       cTr...( Choose the Right )

Have faith Stephen,....the Phoenix arises!!!!!

Was a great layout, Roo. I like the backdrops (tenement houses, factories) and loading structure. Looks just like Brooklyn. How about some pictures from when it was intact?

MELGAR

Roo, followed your layout for years, great work!

Miketg

I appreciate your interest but....This is really in the past I don't normally like looking back it's gone.  Today and tomorrow is where the excitement is.

This is what I called "South Brooklyn" district it's gone to, in fact most of it went I will show you another day what is left of the Old Railroad. (about 3 metres!) That yard below is divided into two yards so two operators one on each side could work half each it was and still is DC. It was fun I admit. I am having trouble finding the "action at the float bridge pictures" maybe they are on a separate hard drive in the cupboard and not in this computer. I'll have a look soon. Today, I spent most of the day buying stock from a hobby shop that is closing down mostly scratch building items like plastruct and evergreen and lots of paint blades etc, he gave me a good deal, sad I know the owner would rather he stayed in business and I buy at the normal price than see him closed not happening.

Here is a couple. The first photo has some track work happening there were many changes in the float bridge yard it was a busy place goes back nearly 15 years ago. We loaded the floats the same as the prototype at one stage I was going to put the whole yard under catenary like the Pennsyvania RR had and use "Rats" BB-1 electric switchers I had them from Sunset but decided life's to short!

Fantastic atmosphere. Too bad it got destroyed.

Yves

Perhaps I missed it somewhere, but why the dismantling?

Andre

Wonderful homage the to the New York Connecting Railroad and exquisite modeling by a true craftsman!

A sad-but-true title for this thread. And I agree with you that "This is really in the past I don't normally like looking back it's gone.  Today and tomorrow is where the excitement is." But this layout is worthy of a look back. And then there is the steel mill...

MELGAR

Thanks for sharing. your photo essay is a lot of fun to peruse. That layout spur was a great use of space, and the emptiness it leaves behind is inspiring in its possibilities!

ROO, thanks for all those great historical photos. I lost them in one of my computer disaster meltdowns! I have always been thankful for your float bridge, without it and the premier article in 0scale/48 ft I would just have been day dreaming.   I dismantled my waterfront  layout  as well and  sold gave away so much O scale as I thought I was moving to France then,  did not happen, plans dismantled!

Your Bayridge Harbor Railroad was (still is) really inspiring while living in the present...

All my best for 2019

Pierre (Leroof)

Mate! I did find this one!  Hope it's ok to add to your post.

I am a bit overwhelmed by this, the layout is long gone I didn't think there would be any more interest anymore in it.

Pierre, that photo is really old look where the float bridge is, it's on the other side of the room!

Thank you all for your kind words I like to work quietly by myself most of the time I have two good friends one does most of the electrical now, the other turns up every Friday for the operating session the three of us enjoy the layout.  I have been buying O scale items from America for about 35 years and seen the shipping go from reasonable prices and eight weeks delivery to very high prices and 10 days delivery you just can't have everything!

I will try to find some more photos of the "old days" thank you again. Roo.

Neville,     Hope it's not too warm down there! I remember them all, and your columns in OST, how you built them and things like the crane in that last image above. They were ALL "bloody" well done,  and like fine wine, Neville and his modeling get better with age!

Simon

I remember reading about this RR in the O-Scale magazines some years ago.  I thought the concept of a railroad-carfloat interchange was fabulous both because I recall the NYC area railroad navies of my youth and the idea of interchange via carfloat is perfect for an O-Scale layout.  Sorry it is now gone, but I'm certain it served as an inspiration to many; whether or not we actually went on to build a carfloat RR.

Simon. It's warm but not real hot I have a feeling we are going to be in for a very hot February/March this year.

Bill. I have stopped writing articles even though they were basic articles about modelling for the average modeller they still take time to prepare instead I have decided to spend more time here and show members how I go about building things if the owners let me.

Most of my ideas and inspiration actually come from the American old school, Frank Ellison, John Armstrong, Linn Westcott and lesser known but very clever modellers like Ed Bommer the late Ben Brown and many others, lots of you blokes in the USA have helped me over the years and I have always appreciated that. Every week I still look through Westcott's 101 track plans to me the greatest model railroad book ever printed it just fascinate's me, of course I have many other American books both on the prototype and model but that track plan book still excites me after all these years. I have to admit that my main interest in Model railroading has always been layouts and operation now in my later years I am looking towards doing more work on the bench my eyes are still reasonable I can still read a micrometer! 

Neville,

How did you get interested in American railroading? Did you visit the states? I know very little about railroading in Oz, and what little I do know is via the Net. I'm guessing that avenue was not available when you started out. I've always been curious what caught your eye.

Simon

Roo posted:

Once I built a layout with a tiny part of New York Harbor in the 60's.

 

Neville, 

It has always been wonderful to see and follow your builds. Like the many great builders here on the OGR Forum, the work is both inspirational and educational to see. And how many folks have that persuader mallet! 😁

Nev, it appears you find as much joy in the building as you do in the running.  Why else would one tear down such an astounding layout to build another equally if not more astounding one.

Thanks everyone and yes I like building things but the operating of the trains comes first. Talking of building things and not destroying them here is a couple of small buildings I built years ago where they are now is anybody's guess. The freight house is one of the old "Gloor Craft" kits if you can find one grab it, builds into a nice model the other "grey" building is a kit as well but can't remember the name. I have never treated the hobby to seriously and always enjoyed a laugh even at my own expense. This last photo was supposed to be me as the mad figure painter note the brush someone else added the caption I thought it was funny!  Roo.

Over the years I built many Ice platforms I was obsessed with them and the reefers that go with them. they are all from kits except the curved one which I had to build to suit the track already laid a difficult way of doing things! I am just showing all these photos not to brag but to encourage other O scalers to have a go at anything. My models would never win prizes and I doubt anyone would want to buy them but who cares as long as your having fun I know one day I won't be able to do this anymore and all these 100's of photos will be lost forever there is no one in Perth who would be interested in them including the kids they have their own interests and hobbies. Roo.

Beautiful inspirational work there, past and present.  I've always looked at model railroading as a sort of three-dimensional piece of artwork.  It is kind of sad that so few seem to be interested in carrying on the legacy of our efforts.  The work of our 2 rail O-Scale pioneers has always been of great interest to me.  Apropos of absolutely nothing, I partially grew up one town over from our town named Perth-  Perth Amboy, New Jersey.  Best of luck with your continued model railroading.