DelawareAndHudson Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 It's looking real good Rob. Not sure how you're going to explain to the Yard Master how that gondola wound up in the road though..... Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted July 20, 2013 Author Share Posted July 20, 2013 Thanks Jason. Regarding my explanation to the yard master, we shall find out later as i have only just bought him today... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 Bought him? Bribery and Corruption, I say! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 You could bribe him with a new sign! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DelawareAndHudson Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 Bought him? Bribery and Corruption, I say! Bribery and Corruption? That's the grease that makes the world go round. Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted July 20, 2013 Author Share Posted July 20, 2013 Indeed it is. I slipped him a hundred dollar bill. I like the sign Jack. Thanks for whipping that up. Permission to steal and use? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 Thats what it was done for - If you don't have resizing facilities, let me know length and height and which one you need,and I'll do it, and send it to print at full size - but I'll need your email to send the file Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted July 20, 2013 Author Share Posted July 20, 2013 I have GIMP photo modification program so i can size correctly, but thank you muchly Jack, that is above and beyond. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 No problem - about 5 minutes work, while I was doing an interstate lanes direction sign for 33rd street to go at the far end of the bridge Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted July 21, 2013 Author Share Posted July 21, 2013 Latest pics... "We'll never get this P.O.S. working" "Which way does this valve go again?" "Why is there a gondola in the middle of the road?" "Act of Hand of God boss?" Bit of light humour for you all. Thanks for watching. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted July 21, 2013 Author Share Posted July 21, 2013 Thanks Jack Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 A vast improvement - looking good! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted July 21, 2013 Author Share Posted July 21, 2013 Thanks Jack. That means a lot as it was your layouts on Carl's website that inspired me to build it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted July 23, 2013 Author Share Posted July 23, 2013 Just a couple of new arrivals: I think i have a serious love of 50 foot boxcars. Not fussed on where they are based, i just love them! The GN is an Accurail model and the St Louis is a Blueprint kit. What a fiddly kit that was too! Both £8 each S/H. Not really suitable for this layout, but it was only £5 and again it is Accurail. Thanks for looking, Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWB Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 There's one thing that puzzles me about switching layouts said to be set in places like New Mexico, SP territory, or similar places -- I don't know whether it's the Lance Mindheim influence or whatever, but the western US doesn't generally resemble the grottier parts of Miami. And while I'll grant shoebox-style industries in some parts of SP territory, by and large they don't exist in New Mexico. (In fact, in much of New Mexico, there aren't many industries at all): In other parts of New Mexico, the industries are very similar to those in west Texas, cattle and grain. I'm thinking that at minimum, the layout incidentals ought to be cowboy-ized a bit, and the backdrop painted to suit. This isn't the only layout I'd make these suggestions for, though., Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted July 23, 2013 Author Share Posted July 23, 2013 Thank you for your constructive thoughts JWB. I picked New Mexico pretty much at random, with no previous knowledge of the location (i have never left the UK), no knowledge at all of US railroad practice and a pretty small budget using all i had available left over from previous adventures. The photo quality doesn't help much either, nor does a lack of a decent over head lighting rig. That and the backscene are next on the agenda. At the end of the day, this layout was only supposed to be an experiment, to see if i enjoyed US modelling and it turns out, i have got further on this test board than i have ever got to on previous layouts and i have enjoyed myself immensely in the process. I know i will definitely be staying with US railroads. I know it sounds like i am trying to justify myself, but i think i am more justifying the layouts existence. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWB Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Naturally, I don't mean to be discouraging. It's worth pointing out, though that some of the really interesting small layouts by people like Peter North, Nick Palette, or Chris Gilbert go to some effort to incorporate regional features -- Haston is a major example, but Peter North has been very creative in incorporating Midwestern small town atmosphere with little details. Among other things, I think this helps a small layout get away from sameness. I think you could certainly incorporate small details (a Mexican fast food joint, for instance) and some backdrop impressions that would go a long way toward convincing the viewer that it's set in New Mexico -- alternatively, you could change the locale, but again, I think some of the best UK small US-prototype layouts succeed by, among other things, not being generic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted July 23, 2013 Author Share Posted July 23, 2013 I know you were not being negative JWB, and i try to take on board all comments and complaints from people more experienced (or in your case, actually living fairly close to the area in question). I think sub-consciously i was being generic by design. 4 foot by 1 foot and cramming what should be a much larger open space into it, fulfilling all the cliches and compromise of the micro. But i am truly appreciative of your comments and i will certainly look into the backscene improvement. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 This may have already been posted - I saw it today somewhere and offer it as a suggestion http://lariverrailroads.com/mountains.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Bruces site is here http://lariverrailroads.com/ those of an industrial modelling persuasion should check the LA Industrial thread in the index Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted July 23, 2013 Author Share Posted July 23, 2013 Wow. That is some excellent paint work. I am truly rubbish with a paintbrush, but i can only give it a go hey? Thanks for that Jack. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Don't forget that you can use Rattle-cans and stencils cut from large rolls of wallpaper seconds or lining paper - you aren't looking for details - just an impression I forgot to ask - was it an expensive lunch-break??? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWB Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Petty has several very good, region-specific low-relief industries on his site, too, for instance, the Strongheart Dog Food Company http://lariverrailroads.com/strongheart.html It's a little more work than the generic shoebox, but it gives a layout much more character -- but be aware that Petty's prototypes are from the 1960s and earlier, when he was growing up in the Los Angeles area. You would generally not be using IPD boxcars and the like with these industries. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted July 23, 2013 Author Share Posted July 23, 2013 Not a bad idea that Jack, i hadn't thought of that. Thankfully no! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted July 23, 2013 Author Share Posted July 23, 2013 I don't think i have any room for low relief buildings, everything is built right up against the backscene. The backscene is removable mind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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