I finally got moving and out of my slump of no layout work. This is what I finished this weekend and will be placed on my center loop on the old NM Hwy 85 outside Kachina. Thanks for all of you guys inspiration! Mike
Interesting model. Very southwest tourist trap. Fife you got any layout pics to show where thats going?
Mike, Nice tourist trap will fit perfect by that hwy. area, was the arrow your idea? It adds a nice touch I like it very much
Route 66 , Thanks. The Arrow was not really totally my idea as there was a shopping center ( Indian School Plaza ) in Albuquerque that had one when I was a kid and I always thought is was cool and BIG. Mike
I like the arrow. It's got that southwest kitzch look that makes anyone who's been there wonder if they drove by the prototype of your model.
Awsome! There is a place like that up in North Central Minnesota as well but I can't remember the town's name at the moment. Andrew
I finally got the tourist trap in place. Let me know what you think. I am not that happy with it but don't know what it needs. Mike
Looks great. Reminds me of many places throughout northern Arizona too. If fact we have a place just east of Flagstaff with two arrows called "Twin Arrows Trading Post". Along with the Navajo blankets (good call Rich!) and Darrens wooden Indian, how about stacks of pottery and baskets? Another nice touch would be a pick'em up truck with the "reservation" look to it.:zip:
Put another smaller open shed outside with a seller and some tables, like at a swap meet, maybe on the right side. Soda machine. Trash cans. An old trailer pulled up to the back or side. These tourist traps also have a bazillion signs, so another one or two signs approaching out on your highway somewhere. And maybe a few more signs on the building. "Mocassins for the Entire Family!" Nice job, Mike, reminds me of the ones on I-40.
A "missle" to ballence the arrow on the other side of the parking lot. The 50s had a lot of those things around.
Mike, I love it! I am reminded of the similar structure on I-10 (New Mexico?) It look fine like it is, maybe some scenic adds? A bush or two close to the building? Really, "bull-ship" back at you. It is fine and if it "needs something" you'll get the inspiration. Doc
Addendum It just dawned on mewhat's really missing: TOURISTS!! It's a tourist trap, right? Need a couple overloaded station wagons with car top carriers and a bunch of kids
I love it! I used to have an old arrowhead from a place like this located in Ontario Canada. If you're wanting something extra, perhaps you could include a vending machine or two (era appropriate--probably Coke --maybe A&W Rootbeer if they distributed in that part of the country at that time), some signs advertising other businesses, and some trash around the place (behind some fences??). There are white structures behind the building, but my eyes are too weak to pick up any details...I'd say "Outdoor Porcelain Palace" but that idea probably stinks. Would there be a picnic table by this sort of establishment in your era? Certainly a phone booth (with an out of order phone). How about a rabbit hutch or a Gila Monster hutch? And don't forget an abandoned pickup rusting in that nearby gulley. Is there an outdoor teepee associated with the prototype? Perhaps a miniature golf course with Cowboy/Indian/Old West motif? In the 50s and 60s era Midwest, we had billboards at the edge of town that showed the emblems and sigils of various Fraternal Orders or service clubs (Elks, Moose, Kiwanis, Rotary, Toastmasters, Optimistists?, Odd Fellows, K of C, etc.), also often with signs advertising various church services. How about Burma Shave ads along the road?
Mike, Still impressed with those clouds on your backdrop. As for the trading post, off to the side could use a fenced in area with buffalo/bison milling about. There was a place like that in Oklahoma or New Mexico along one of the Interstates. Bill
I absolutely love it! The "Arrow" is still there at Carlisle and Indian School. You should do the "Chevy on a Stick" next. That's at Gibson and San Mateo. I'll have to go out someday and take a picture of both. It's hilarious! It's also Albuquerque in its essence. Well done.
