About a decade ago I was travelling, doing a lot of work in the Scranton area. MANY of the larger old houses were built or remodeled for multiple occupancy (mostly the latter). I live in the DFW, TX area where very few of those types of homes exist/survive. There are a few duplexes, but mostly single-residence or apartment complexes. As I explored the area in the evenings and weekends, I was struck that there was almost no new construction, no new/expanded roads, very few new homes, nothing. Coming from DFW, that was shocking! New/expanding roads and highways, new neighborhoods, schools, etc. are a way of life here. It's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it's not in a death spiral either. But even in Scranton and surrounding boroughs, there were streets and small pockets of old neighborhoods that were still well kept and beautifully maintained, providing a wonderful insight into a slice of Americana I don't get to see much around DFW. It was very clear to me what happens to a city that makes poor governance decisions in the past and/or present, with regards to keeping and attracting industry and well-paying jobs, and adapting to changes in the local/national economy. They are closing and consolidating schools (private and public) and churches due to the workforce moving away in search of jobs. Housing was cheap, but utilities and taxes were sky high. Once that spiral starts, it is extremely hard to stop, let alone reverse: fewer taxpayers leads to higher taxes, leading to even fewer taxpayers. Local economies, even on a per-capita basis, are almost impossible to maintain with a shrinking population. Henry Ford approached the Scranton elders when he was looking for a city in which to build his automobile factory. The elders were all tied up in coal, and did not want the competition for labor. So Ford kept searching, and Detroit won out, for a time... Now they're paying for their own poor decisions. Back to the subject, thanks for the beautiful pictures of your recreation of an Americana that once was!
Same down here in the greater Houston/Galveston sprawl. However, in the last 10-15 years there has been a big demand for shingle family dwellings near down town Houston. The century old inner neighborhoods are disappearing. Folks are buying up old shot gun houses adjacent to each other for the "dirt", demolishing everything and erecting Mc Mansions on the adjoined lots. As for Candy's model house, I spent 3 years growing up in a similar house when my family lived in New Hampshire. The Boston & Maine had a branch line across the highway that was good for a couple trains a day. Enjoying getting a wider view of the layout here.
Water is next. I am going to experiment with different effects with the water and painted bottom. I want to see which Methode works best to produce the look I want. It's extra work and time but I think it will be worth it.
Rather than doing this on railroad empire, put together some scraps of similar materials on your workbench and test there. Much easier than tearing out unsatisfactory attempts from the layout itself.
No no; I was going to do just that. I've already started to build a test jig. But thank you for your comment.
In no way is she dull! I've been around in this world long enough to know that answering that question (more so the one with the opposite qualifier) is extremely hazardous for anyone with XY chromosomes... (survival instinct kicking in) You look great, as always!
This looks like a much nicer neighborhood than the other end of the layout. Instead of right and wrong sides of the tracks, do you have right and wrong sides of the canal? like someone else here, I also like the diesel parked in the back yard. A great place to live if you shoot train video.
I haven't yet decided what I am going to do with that side of the canal. If you boys have any ideas post them please. I'm so undecided Pictures tomorrow
This boy grew up in just out of a little city that definitely had the big divide of the Oconto River and the 45 foot high ridge that was the UPPER side of the city. But I have lived where the waterway didn't divide the community. Now it's something else unseen. I'll soon move to the other side of the tracks. Maybe I'll find a nice neighborhood with a really nice bowling ally with a really nice lady owner.
