Gill's Landing bridge Got a few supports installed for the bridge. These are concrete on the prototype. I'll try to dig up my pictures... Amazing that there are no bridge shoes on the prototype supports, just girders lying on the concrete. Ah well, easier to model.
Jerry- did you scratchbuild that hopper unloader/conveyor? I need to do a couple and that looks perfect! W Neal- your work is outstanding, my kid walked over while the youtube video was playing and asked if that was real! Very impressive backdrop, the hazy tree line in the distance really nails it. Love your work, used to travel to Racine and Milwaukee for business all the time and I loved the WC and SOO, my best, Jan
Ah memories. I lived for a short time in a very small town called Dunbar WI, right off 41. Did all my shopping in Iron Mountain at the Shop Ko and had my first Butter Burger at Culvers in Creston if I remember right. I fanned the WC a lot after finals (was up there for college) and saw a lot of the SD45's, that was a big deal for me. The WC guys were real nice. There used to be a station in Pembine, not sure if it is still there or not. I need to find these pictures for you. Watching that video you posted reminded me of a day in September I railfanned outside of Pembine. I'd say you nailed this.
jsoflo - The unloader was made about 7-8 years ago. From a MR? article that I have kept from the early 80's. The article was actually about making a small railroad industry. Very small and very simple transloading site. There was only two photos with the unit in each. So, I did the best I could and the rest was modeler's license... The photos below are from four years ago. I was getting a new furnace put in (the plastic in the backround). And someone else asked about the unit. So, I snuck a few photos for that modeler... Used to load a Hopper car. Used to unload a Hopper car. I plan, (if time and other projects ever get finished!) to make a Pneumantic Semi-Trailer set. As a companion to this piece. Jerry G.
"Le Cabins" Got the cabins done for the Wolf River crossing at Gill's Landing. These are not exact copies, but the colors are right. I think they'll do. I've got a layout to get sceneryized! No time for scratchbuilding (maybe someday... yah right) :tb-sad:
In your river area you could have some guys fishing. In a backwater area, you could have some pike/waqlleye/musky. Definitely a bait shop with worms & minnows by the pail. If you have a Culver's in your area you need to stop in.
Now I'm thinking of all the details I could put in my own river scene. At my grandparent's cottage along the Wolf River (about 10 miles from Gills Landing) they had a wooden dock that floated on some big 55-ish gallon drums and the gravel driveway extended all the way to the river so you could just back a boat up on a trailer and launch if it you wanted. I think they had buoys floating out in the middle of the river that said "No Wake" or some kind of speed limit maybe. Always different boats going by, pontoons, fishingboats, canoes... And don't forget the outhouses! Look forward to seeing your progress on this one.
Just replace the WC things with a red-grey-red RS-3 or FA-1 and all would be right with my world. Very nice work! Resp'y, Bob S.
You betcha Bob! I have a secret collection of Soo Line items. "Retro (operating) nights" are almost a certainty. Yes Glen, a fisher person or two is a must. But Culver's is only a substitute for places like Kopps and Leon's and others in the Milwaukee area. I just use Culver's until I can get back to Wisconsin. Way ahead of ya Third Coast, the green cabin's prototype has just such a dock running from the back door all the way out to their pontoon on 55 gallon drums. People like yourself, who are familiar with the area, I'll really need feedback from as things progress. Jan, thanks for mentioing the distant tree line thing (credit to Lance Mindheim). Its different when you see it in person. I worry that it is too "flat" and needs more depth. Perhaps I am cutting it too tall for such a narrow scene. Thanks fellas! I do value all your feedback. Positive or negative.
All in good time my friend... "Just enjoy the music. Nevermind that the back of the ship keeps rising higher and higher." Tee Hee
Looks good to me, I work in Milwaukee and live 30 miles southwest. You have captured WI well, but you don't need to put just Packer fans in there. Don't forget there are quite a few Bears fans too! Looking forward to seeing more. Greg
Here is a panorama shot my friend (and co -layout conspirator) took with his phone. It is posted without his permission, but its a risk I'll have to take. It is a corner view so excuse the "wobbly" trackwork. There is a lot more trees to come. Please excuse the color variations in the photo and the smallness. I thought you'd like too see it anyway. Surf happy! P.S. Ask him to show the shot of Waupaca he has started working on...
Here are some updates... Things are greener at Gills Landing Decided to go with an interior view at Presto Products in Weyauwega. More details to be added... Add off to a start in Waupaca on Waupaca Foundry #2... Added blue skies and lighting for Nelsons. But that it a boring picture, so I'll leave it out. All these scenes are in raw form. More details to be added. That is all.
That has a really nice David Barrow minimalistic look to it. I love the fascia and your Gills Landing river looks great.
A few more updates. I really did not get a lot done recently as I had a showing for the local NMRA Regional convention last weekend. Here are a few scenes: Got a start on an industry at Neenah. Some ground cover for the passing siding at Weyauwega. The scene needs much more detailing and mucking up. This is just a first coat to cover the pink foam. Gave the "seed elevator" at Readfield some "sprucing up". Decided the Gill's Landing bridge could use some rust. Again, more work needed on the bridge itself. First layers applied to one of the farm scenes.
