Hi, Pete, The Pasadena Model RR Club's layout was designed quite a few years ago, when the general state of the art was "modified aisle with bowl of spaghetti", in order to get a long run. It was designed prior to today's evolution of walk-in with double-sided backdrops, "one pass thru a scene" kind of designs. I think that explains how the 5000 sq foot space and layout, which was designed in 1980 or so, came to be. From their website, some history: -------- The operations and layout's cities are named in A-to-Z sequence . The railroad is shaped to the owned-by-the-club building dimensions. The track plan fills a 70 x 72 foot room. The road was built on a grid with risers to establish the route profile. Laminated splines were attached to the risers and this base was overlaid with marine-grade mahogany plywood. The individual ties and ground walnut shell ballast were then cemented down and finally the steel rail was spiked to the ties. To insure precision track work, the club makes its own track gauges of hardened and ground tool steel. There are no rail joiners; the rail is silver-brazed in continuous lengths, interrupted only by .025 inch gaps to isolate the electrical blocks. The main line is about 1,700 feet and at normal speeds and traffic conditions takes about an hour to traverse. The three principal yards, Alhambra, Midway and Zion, will handle a total of approximately 2,000 cars. In addition to the ten cab operators, two dispatchers and trainmaster, the completed railroad will require about 25-30 more operators to fully man the yard, branch line, and industry controls. This all started in April of 1940, when six dedicated HO enthusiasts joined to form the Pasadena Model Railroad Club. ----
I finally got enough scenery done and the trestle finished on the back upper area to get out some trains for a maiden voyage of a BNSF mixed freight. As you can see, things are moving right along. I just need to get familiar with my camera a bit more and find my tripod.
Scratchbuilt US Gypsum plant on the Belmont Shore Model RR Club, N scale. There were so many models on this club layout that I never really looked at all of them. This plant is on the main line but we never switched it very much, if ever. I presume it is prototypical for such a plant in the 1960s USA.
The primary difference between E8s and E9s was horsepower with no external difference that I know of. E7s have a different roof exhaust appearance and square windows instead of round ones on the side. The E7A has a vent or louver right behind the cab door that the E8/9s do not have. Maybe some other differences?
Nice paint job Hemi. I am doing a paint job for a buddy, and I am not sure what kind of paint to use. I am repainting a GP35, so what kind of paint do you suggest.
Looks great, Jerry. Are you in the 'build and paint custom models for friends' business now? If so, looks like business is good. Hope you are doing well recovering health-wise, my friend.
Another picture from the FREMO meeting in Ede, NL. My friend Olav made it: More pictures from Olav at my blog Wolfgang
If you are asking about painting D&RGW GP35's, get Modelflex D&RGW Yellow, and engine black. As for Z decals, I think I remember HO Microscale decals being close. David F would know... Thanks for the kind words...
Nice pictures all. SillyString. Good job and good eye on the scenery. The "scale" of the overall scene looks really good. I only had today to get some stuff done. Here's some framing. I am about 95% done getting the frame ready for Homasote roadbed and then track. The coal branch and the reversing loop below are in another room from my main layout. I didn't have enough room to "turn the train around", so I went through a closet into our little computer room. This is about 7.5' wide X 6.0 feet deep.
Russell Great looking industrial area especially when compared to the old photo! Jon Simply Awesome photos! John Sing Great layout shots! John W Great roundhouse! Hemi Great looking plow! Mike Great E-L shots! Brain Nice job on the sky! John Sing More cool layout shots! Grey One Great looking trains! Crandell Great shot! I feel like I am there! Jon Nice show shots! Pete Cool layout shot! Smallbore3p Great looking lumber yard John Sing It keeps getting better! John Awesome diorama! OC Engineer JD Great looking E-L units! Sillystringtheory Great shots and scenery! Flash Great looking plant! Hemi Great progress thus far! Wolfgang Cool shot! Kitbash Looking good!
Finally got some layout time. Atlas RS-3; Reading Atlas RS-3; Reading Athearn 40’ Boxcar; Hoboken Shore RR; owned by a friend Accurail 40’ Double-Door Boxcar; Canadian National.
Stewart 3-bay Offset Hopper ; Canadian National. Stewart 12 panel 3-Bay Hopper; Pennsylvania Mantua 41’ Heavy Steel Boxcar; Seaborad Air Line Bowser Wagon Top Double Door 40’ Box-car; Ashley Drew & Northern
Mantua 41’ Heavy Steel Reefer; Northern Pacific Athearn RTR 40’ Steel Reefer; MDT/Lackawanna Athearn RTR 40’ Steel Reefer; MDT/Lackawanna Athearn RTR 40’ Steel Reefer; MDT/New York Central
