First of all, my Thanks to all the voices who sent me "Likes" and posted comments for the several photos I have posted so far along this thread: Rusty Kamel; Briansilvermustang; p51; AZGARY; Ted W; Zeke; trumptrain; delwoodjef; PRRronbh; N5CJonny; Trussman; Lou N; RSJB18; Engineer Joe; albertstrains; gandydancer1950; Mayor Magoo; Tom Densel; varodder; Diverging Clear; c.sam; Bridgeboss Jim;
Approval from ones peers matters.
Thank you, again.
FrankM
Secondly, for today, here are a few more close-up looks into different neighborhoods (something my wife says she likes about the layout - its identifiably different neighborhoods)....
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Moonson posted:First of all, my Thanks to all the voices who sent me "Likes" and posted comments for the several photos I have posted so far along this thread: Rusty Kamel; Briansilvermustang; p51; AZGARY; Ted W; Zeke; trumptrain; delwoodjef; PRRronbh; N5CJonny; Trussman; Lou N; RSJB18; Engineer Joe; albertstrains; gandydancer1950; Mayor Magoo; Tom Densel; varodder; Diverging Clear; c.sam; Bridgeboss Jim;
Approval from ones peers matters.
Thank you, again.
FrankM
Secondly, for today, here are a few more close-up looks into different neighborhoods (something my wife says she likes about the layout - its identifiably different neighborhoods)....
incredible modeling!
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Wow, love this shot! You should re-take this with the calendar out of the way and cropped tighter to the left, as otherwise it's amazing!
yes, yes it does. We're all only human.
Great work, yet again, above!
I especially admire the firewood stacked under the house, something I don't recall ever seeing someone model before (but I've for sure seen in real life a few times over the years).
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PRRronbh posted:Secondly, for today, here are a few more close-up looks into different neighborhoods (something my wife says she likes about the layout - its identifiably different neighborhoods)...
Frank, how big is your layout?
Ron
Ron, Here are a few photos to provide a perspective on the whole layout, approximately. I wouldn't say it was "big" but it does angle its way around the basement, under a good-sized portion of the house...
Here is the first section one sees when hitting the foot of the stairs from the first floor...
Then, walking along the viewing aisle, on the right of the layout, with those louvered doors on the right, is this portion...
...then this RR service yard..
...then the rear section...
...with its valley and Second and Third Levels..
Turn around that pole and you see this on your right..
...and this transitional section, leading into the newer section....
...and this control inset behind you...
...and then this newest section (approx. 20'Lx8'W,) which had been excised from the more than ample 2-car in-ground garage and.. .....added to the trainroom...
Can you make out the level designations and measurements on the diagram? It is missing the section off to the right (seen above)that was added later....
I think the layout is, overall, between 360 - 400 sq ft.
FrankM
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Frank - I believe this is the first time I've seen the entirety of your layout. Very impressive! I really like that you created an entire town and got the trains to blend in so nicely, as opposed to trying pack in too much trackage. Thank you for the tour!
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Frank "Moonson": I always like seeing photos of your layout, great detail, and, very realistic scenery! Your photos tell a story to the one viewing them, in my opinion.
SIRT: I also enjoy seeing the detail you put into your locomotives and rolling stock! Great photos that you've posted this evening, wonderful detail in every scene!
AGHRMATT: I've always liked the C&NW, very nice photos of your SD9 and the passenger train. It would be nice to see more pictures of your layout, it looks great!
GANDYDANCER1950: I like seeing pictures of your layout, too! Always a treat to see, I especially like the one you posted this evening, great detail in that photo!
Rusty
Moonson posted:PRRronbh posted:Secondly, for today, here are a few more close-up looks into different neighborhoods (something my wife says she likes about the layout - its identifiably different neighborhoods)...
Frank, how big is your layout?
Ron
Ron, Here are a few photos to provide a perspective on the whole layout, approximately. I wouldn't say it was "big" but it does angle its way around the basement, under a good-sized portion of the house...
Here is the first section one sees when hitting the foot of the stairs from the first floor...
Then, walking along the viewing aisle, on the right of the layout, with those louvered doors on the right, is this portion...
...then this RR service yard..
...then the rear section...
...with its valley and Second and Third Levels..
Turn around that pole and you see this on your right..
...and this transitional section, leading into the newer section....
...and this control inset behind you...
...and then this newest section (approx. 20'Lx8'W,) which had been excised from the more than ample 2-car in-ground garage and.. .....added to the trainroom...
Can you make out the level designations and measurements on the diagram? It is missing the section off to the right (seen above)that was added later....
I think the layout is, overall, between 360 - 400 sq ft.
FrankM
Moonson posted:PRRronbh posted:Secondly, for today, here are a few more close-up looks into different neighborhoods (something my wife says she likes about the layout - its identifiably different neighborhoods)...
Frank, how big is your layout?
Ron
Ron, Here are a few photos to provide a perspective on the whole layout, approximately. I wouldn't say it was "big" but it does angle its way around the basement, under a good-sized portion of the house...
Here is the first section one sees when hitting the foot of the stairs from the first floor...
Then, walking along the viewing aisle, on the right of the layout, with those louvered doors on the right, is this portion...
...then this RR service yard..
...then the rear section...
...with its valley and Second and Third Levels..
Turn around that pole and you see this on your right..
...and this transitional section, leading into the newer section....
...and this control inset behind you...
...and then this newest section (approx. 20'Lx8'W,) which had been excised from the more than ample 2-car in-ground garage and.. .....added to the trainroom...
Can you make out the level designations and measurements on the diagram? It is missing the section off to the right (seen above)that was added later....
I think the layout is, overall, between 360 - 400 sq ft.
FrankM
without a doubt one of the finest layouts I have ever seen....and I've seen a bunch! Well done!
Moonson posted:PRRronbh posted:Secondly, for today, here are a few more close-up looks into different neighborhoods (something my wife says she likes about the layout - its identifiably different neighborhoods)...
Frank, how big is your layout?
Ron
Ron, Here are a few photos to provide a perspective on the whole layout, approximately. I wouldn't say it was "big" but it does angle its way around the basement, under a good-sized portion of the house...
Here is the first section one sees when hitting the foot of the stairs from the first floor...
Then, walking along the viewing aisle, on the right of the layout, with those louvered doors on the right, is this portion...
...then this RR service yard..
...then the rear section...
...with its valley and Second and Third Levels..
Turn around that pole and you see this on your right..
...and this transitional section, leading into the newer section....
...and this control inset behind you...
...and then this newest section (approx. 20'Lx8'W,) which had been excised from the more than ample 2-car in-ground garage and.. .....added to the trainroom...
Can you make out the level designations and measurements on the diagram? It is missing the section off to the right (seen above)that was added later....
I think the layout is, overall, between 360 - 400 sq ft.
FrankM
Frank, thanks for these images. I so much envoy seeing the photos you have been posting. Thought with all the attention to detail in each and every vignette that the space had to be there.
Do realize joy from these.
Ron
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NSDTrains posted:
That's a CNW H-1 Northern by Sunset Models' 3rd Rail Division. The 3rd Rail website shows the engines are still available and also has a video of the locomotive in action. It is indeed a beautiful model.
RTR Mark
NSDTrains posted:
Thanks. The SD9 is also a Sunset/3rd Rail model. They're sold out, though. Here's the video they used on their site from the club layout. I made a special trip down to the club the day I got it to shoot the video.
Here's the one I shot along with the above photo after I finally got a set of passenger cars after searching for more than three years.
one out of two.....
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PRRronbh postedFrank, thanks for these images. I so much envoy seeing the photos you have been posting. Thought with all the attention to detail in each and every vignette that the space had to be there.
Do realize joy from these.
Ron
I am very grateful for what you have said here, Ron. Hearing from OGR forum voices that have any interest at all in my layout is rewarding, but to receive such enthusiasm is beyond fun. Thank you very much.
gandydancer1950 posted:without a doubt one of the finest layouts I have ever seen....and I've seen a bunch! Well done!
Super to hear that from you, especially since I have enjoyed so many handsome layouts by our fellow hobbyists that have been posted on this fore, through the years. The variety and success of so much self-expression and creativity is a joy, truly.
Thanks for including my layout among those that your have liked a lot.
FrankM
Diverging Clear posted:Frank "Moonson": I always like seeing photos of your layout, great detail, and, very realistic scenery! Your photos tell a story to the one viewing them, in my opinion.
Rusty
That's such a nice way of expressing your approval of my layout work, Rusty. Thank you very much.
Its very enjoyable for me to receive such kind words. In my imagination, when I work on any particular piece of miniature real estate, I try to make every element relate to each other, which includes every tree, shrub, vehicle, building, figure, or lack thereof, and miscellany, etc., just like in real life, where everything is present with purpose, isn't it. I'm gratified you are reading my little stories with such awareness.
FrankM
Zeke posted:Frank - I believe this is the first time I've seen the entirety of your layout. Very impressive! I really like that you created an entire town and got the trains to blend in so nicely, as opposed to trying pack in too much trackage. Thank you for the tour!
Thank you, Zeke, Good to hear from you.
I must confess that I started out like quite a number of us do, with what's been referred to as a "Spaghetti Bowl" of tracks and switches. I've heard a lot of us do that, in our enthusiasm . I used to have DOZENS of switches on my layout, both 027 and 072, with side tracks galore, even a turntable planned.
However, one day, while my wife and I were sharing our layout with guests, for the umpteenth time, we realized most guests were done with seeing the layout after about 20 min. max. I had never really been throwing switches, much, while having company, and didn't even do so much when running the layout alone. I guess that turned not to not be the way I played.
My wife gestured, during one of our debriefing sessions, in the layout room, while standing next to where the turntable was to be inserted amidst its roundhouse and yard, "Get rid of this." I had an epiphany, at those words. She was right. Guests were not interested in what I had in place, because neither were we.
In the next few days, I stripped the entire layout down to the plywood and began again, one inch at a time, and in no hurry whatsoever.
This is the site......of the previous roundhouse and accompanying rail yard.
It gives us more to see and remember and gives our guests a bit more adventure. Nowadays, they stay for approx. an hour-plus, even when urged to return to the first floor for refreshments !
I have a theory. Our affection for trains becomes a creative adventure, an intellectual joyride to create a miniature world that gives the trains purpose, a place to be and a place to go, and places from which to return, beyond our nostalgic love for trains and for times gone by.
That's my personal theory.
FrankM, Moon Township, USA
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Frank - apologies for the lengthy delay in responding to you. Yes, I guess many of us do try to do too much at the start. You seem to have hit on the right "formula", so to speak, if you and your guests enjoy the layout much more now.
And I agree with your creative adventure theory. "Imagining up" scenes and then trying to turn them into reality on the layout is a fun way to spend some time.
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Moonson posted:Zeke posted:Frank - I believe this is the first time I've seen the entirety of your layout. Very impressive! I really like that you created an entire town and got the trains to blend in so nicely, as opposed to trying pack in too much trackage. Thank you for the tour!
Thank you, Zeke, Good to hear from you.
I must confess that I started out like quite a number of us do, with what's been referred to as a "Spaghetti Bowl" of tracks and switches. I've heard a lot of us do that, in our enthusiasm . I used to have DOZENS of switches on my layout, both 027 and 072, with side tracks galore, even a turntable planned.
However, one day, while my wife and I were sharing our layout with guests, for the umpteenth time, we realized most guests were done with seeing the layout after about 20 min. max. I had never really been throwing switches, much, while having company, and didn't even do so much when running the layout alone. I guess that turned not to not be the way I played.
My wife gestured, during one of our debriefing sessions, in the layout room, while standing next to where the turntable was to be inserted amidst its roundhouse and yard, "Get rid of this." I had an epiphany, at those words. She was right. Guests were not interested in what I had in place, because neither were we.
In the next few days, I stripped the entire layout down to the plywood and began again, one inch at a time, and in no hurry whatsoever.
This is the site......of the previous roundhouse and accompanying rail yard.
It gives us more to see and remember and gives our guests a bit more adventure. Nowadays, they stay for approx. an hour-plus, even when urged to return to the first floor for refreshments !
I have a theory. Our affection for trains becomes a creative adventure, an intellectual joyride to create a miniature world that gives the trains purpose, a place to be and a place to go, and places from which to return, beyond our nostalgic love for trains and for times gone by.
That's my personal theory.
FrankM, Moon Township, USA
Spoken like a true poet. Your words are what makes this hobby an art form. Thanks for sharing.
And Thank you, Luvindemtrains, for your very kind words.
FrankM
Moonson posted:Zeke posted:Frank - I believe this is the first time I've seen the entirety of your layout. Very impressive! I really like that you created an entire town and got the trains to blend in so nicely, as opposed to trying pack in too much trackage. Thank you for the tour!
Thank you, Zeke, Good to hear from you.
I must confess that I started out like quite a number of us do, with what's been referred to as a "Spaghetti Bowl" of tracks and switches. I've heard a lot of us do that, in our enthusiasm . I used to have DOZENS of switches on my layout, both 027 and 072, with side tracks galore, even a turntable planned.
However, one day, while my wife and I were sharing our layout with guests, for the umpteenth time, we realized most guests were done with seeing the layout after about 20 min. max. I had never really been throwing switches, much, while having company, and didn't even do so much when running the layout alone. I guess that turned not to not be the way I played.
My wife gestured, during one of our debriefing sessions, in the layout room, while standing next to where the turntable was to be inserted amidst its roundhouse and yard, "Get rid of this." I had an epiphany, at those words. She was right. Guests were not interested in what I had in place, because neither were we.
In the next few days, I stripped the entire layout down to the plywood and began again, one inch at a time, and in no hurry whatsoever.
This is the site......of the previous roundhouse and accompanying rail yard.
It gives us more to see and remember and gives our guests a bit more adventure. Nowadays, they stay for approx. an hour-plus, even when urged to return to the first floor for refreshments !
I have a theory. Our affection for trains becomes a creative adventure, an intellectual joyride to create a miniature world that gives the trains purpose, a place to be and a place to go, and places from which to return, beyond our nostalgic love for trains and for times gone by.
That's my personal theory.
FrankM, Moon Township, USA
wonderful, nostalgic photos Frank....Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you, Gandy! Always good to hear your perspective.
One of the houses, a gift to me, in that neighborhood is of our home (tall house, white-n-gray, angular, in the middle of the back row). It was crafted by an architect upon the commission of a dear friend.
Also present is a model I had crafted of my wife's childhood home (little girl in a red coat on the front porch, reaching for the doorknob).
The whole neighborhood is the result of pure imagination (that sound like a tune I heard somewhere.)
Happy Thanksgiving, indeed!
FrankM
Yes Frank, Moon Township is amazing, fun to watch, and truly a work of thought, Imagination, Determination, a gift from above...Happy Thanksgiving...
leapinlarry posted:Yes Frank, Moon Township is amazing, fun to watch, and truly a work of thought, Imagination, Determination, a gift from above...Happy Thanksgiving...
Thanks, Leapin! Good to hear! Real good!
FrankM