I am not sure where to post some of the new photos of the New Nostalgia Trip in O scale but I will try this thread. We are in the process of building a new layout in O scale. We retired and sold our HO sectional layout several years ago. We attended a lot of NMRA conventions, Soo Line conventions, and train shows in at least 8 states over the 20 years we had the HO layout, but this new one is not portable and we are not attempting to do any traveling except to attend a show or convention with some of our equipment or some of my wife's magnificent buildings. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUKBta8gaQA This is a link to some video of our layout running through Ott MN in 1956. We would love to hear from other SOO modelers so please let us know if you are interested.
Hello and welcome to Trainboard (I believe this is your second post). You may want to post the layout info in this section for O scale model railroading. That being said, it doesnt hurt to have some info here as well. Just curious, I notice that you are in Kentucky, what sparked your group's interest in the Soo Line? Very nice pictures by the way!!
Mr. Taylor: I started in the O scale section but it did not appear to be getting any action so I started over here in the Soo Line section. I grew up at Glenwood MN in the 40s-50s and my dad was a brakeman on the Soo. I have many fond memories of the railroad and those who worked at Glenwood. I have some photos on our web page of the old HO layout that we used to cart around the country. It is now in the hands of some very capable modelers in West Virginia and they are doing a nice job of building something for themselves. http://www.grossersnostalgiatrip.com/ We have been working on some new scenes that I will try to get some good photos of and post them later. I appreciate hearing from you and checking in with me. RG
I understand, I am guilty of not noticing this info until it was posted here. While I do browse the other scales, if time is limited when I logon here, I typically hit HO scale, Layout Design, and Inspection Pit threads. I grew up in Anoka MN and currently live in Saint Paul (after a few years of bouncing around the country in the military and whatnot). While my primary railroad interest lies in the JJ Hill lines (and its descendents) I also share interest in many of the roads past and present with Minnesota ties. I can also relate to railroading memories and the father connection. My late father had a strong interst in Great Northern and really liked the Northern Pacific as these were the railroads he watch growing up as a kid in the Iron Range of Minnesota (Deerwood / Crosby) This influenced my interest in Great Northern and Northern Pacific while my childhood railroading roots are were tied to the Burlington Northern (which fostered my intererst in JJ HIll and his empires). This is a wonderful hobby and I greatly appreciate your sharing and the hard work you and your fellow modelers have put forth traveling around promoting the hobby. Oh, and more pictures would be great !
Hi Ray and Ren'e: I am not an O scaler but I do admire your decision to do something new rather than get bored with a present layout. I met you folks years ago, up in Rhinelander, Wi. at a SLH&T covention when I worked for the WC and was in charge of the steam excursion we ran that weekend. and you folks displayed the layout. I always admired your work and attention to detail on your HO layout and have no doubt by the video the same will be done with the O scale, only in a size easier on the eyes. A question for you: Do you happen to have a track plan for the new layout you could share? Thanks, and keep up the good work. Barry
Nice to see that Soo depot with upstairs living quarters, train order signal and all. Beautiful modeling! Boxcab E50
Barry: Rhinelander was one of our great trips and I believe it was the same trip that I had opportunity to ride on 1003 with Gary Ostrand. It brought back memories of my first ride in 1948 on my dad's train between Vergas and Dent MN. The new O scale layout is not portable and anyone who wants to see it will have to come here but we welcome visitors of all railroad hickory stripes. We do not have a track plan right now but we are working on one. I hope to be able to post one later this year. We have some more photos to share and as soon as I can sort through them I will post a few more.
Very nice work. It reminds me of the 14 years I spent working for the Soo and your wood caboose reminds me of the 99110, our family used to own. As you say it is a "Nostalgia Trip". Barry
Boxcab: No doubt the maroon and gold are the high water mark of the Soo Line. If we had room I would try to do the two car local passenger train but we are modeling a sort of a free lance branch line mixing KY buildings and MN buildings if they fit the era. We have enough room to make maintenance and operations simple and a few scenes more delicate. We are certaily enjoying the O scale.
Welcome to Trainboard, I have seen photos of your HO scale layout over the years. I'm just as pleased to see your these images of your O Scale layout. Thanks for sharing your vision with us.
A few new views of the O scale Nostalgia Trip I thought I would post a few new photos of the progress on the new O scale Nostalgia Trip. We have lights being installed on some of the new houses and buildings, as well as detailing scenes. Man--it takes a lot more detail to fill up an area than in HO, but we are enjoying the progress. The most progress is in the downtown area with the construction of several new businesses and installing lights. We have some new houses in the rural area which are in process of being detailed even more. The scene at the Ott MN depot is progressing with additional detailing being done.
Here are a few photos of the newest addition to our Nostalgia Trip. We have put in a Soldiers Memorial to remind everyone of the sacrifice of many to maintain freedom.
