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Merry Christmas everybody... 

 

Jim, here's a few shots around Bryant tower. I unpacked this water tower I built a few years ago and parked it here by the tunnel for now. I almost forgot I made this thing. I don't know if it will stay planted here yet or what. I also got my signals placed, but only in the normal running direction. Someday I may signal the layout for opposing traffic too if I get ambitious enough.

 

 

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I spent quite a bit a bit of time doing the final weathering and a bit of shimming of the trackwork. I then ballasted half of the front yard area. I want to build my signal panels the next few days and get them working. 

 

PRR, that little two track dogleg thing coming off the crossover is going to be changed here in the next few projects. I want to have one siding come straight off the xover to host maybe a small freight station scene.

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Last edited by Norm Charbonneau

Norm,

 

Have you written books or articles that describe how you do the scenery, or at least describing some of your 'tricks', for lack of a better word? References?

 

Your work is without parallel, and I (and suspect many others) would like to try to at least come close to achieving similar results. 

 

Thank you for sharing!

 

Alex

Will, glad you like my layout efforts! I poked around on your blog and saw that picture of the Columbus Coated Fabrics factory and I think you need to build it!

 

Alex, I've never written any how-to articles and don't have any real interest in doing so. I'm not doing anything too radical in regards to methods when it comes to scenery, just trying to pick my battles. I tend towards simplicity and if I don't think something will look right, I just won't do it. Thanks for the kind words.

 

Thanks Dewey!

 

I've been meaning to post about my Atlas/Custom Signals setup. Maybe I'll get to it this weekend.

Norm, next time you're in the scenery mode, set the video camera on the tripod and just let it roll. I don't care if you drink beer and swear under your breath, that's what I do lol I would like to see you in work mode as well, especially when it comes to this scenery stuff. Simple things like, do you glue everything down individually, do you put everything in place and then spray it with glue, is all that detail even glued down at all, are you using cheap ground foam, or the more expensive Scenic Express materials?

 

Lights, camera, action... real time  I want my scenery to look like yours does, and I suck at it! I'm just gonna drink beer and swear!  

H, that is a Walthers built-up that I just repainted. Eventually I'd like to replace it with a scratchbuilt model of the PRR Fassett tower that lived on the Elmira branch.

 

LOS, I don't think that would be a whole lot of fun for any of us, haha. I've been thinking about narrating a Youtube video on some layout subject (maybe my signal system) but I really don't like seeing or hearing myself on video.

 

Not sure why you think the way do about your scenery because your RH/TT area is looking totally awesome along with the rest of your layout!

 

Chris, thanks man, even though I haven't detailed things out fully yet during this heavy construction, I still try not to overdo it. There's a certain point where details just turn into clutter.

 

Despite goofing off most of yesterday, I did get some things done on this one outskirts section and started some utility pole flair:

 

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I've been posting layout work projects in the scenery forum since I last checked in on this thread but I haven't done any major layout work for a while now. It seems I am mostly doing engine and rolling stock projects lately. I keep thinking about building a staging yard, just haven't decided on the general scheme yet. I always meant to post a final trackplan but it's not terribly exciting in all honesty. 

Norm Charbonneau posted:

I've been posting layout work projects in the scenery forum since I last checked in on this thread but I haven't done any major layout work for a while now. It seems I am mostly doing engine and rolling stock projects lately. I keep thinking about building a staging yard, just haven't decided on the general scheme yet. I always meant to post a final trackplan but it's not terribly exciting in all honesty. 

hey Norm,

Thanks for responding. The final track plan would be worth it to me and others. I have directed several folks designing their track plans or considering a new layout build to this thread.

I try to point out the beauty of simplicity versus a complex high track type. Viewing angles versus using every inch of space. Anyway, there's many valuable lessons in your journey to this new layout.

Hi Norm, I have just spent the last week or so pouring over your layout. Your techniques and abilities are second to none. Great work! I will soon be looking through the scenery posts to find some of your posts, as well as through " I love toy trains" for a glimpse of your former layout.

I am in the years long process of preparing to start a layout, and recently I just purchased seven atlas switches for my layout. I saw that you mentioned you only use number 5 switches, and I wonder why. I may still have some time to return a pair of 7.5's for additional 5's. Another thing was that you used wire nuts, and why not, all of our houses seem to work just fine with their use. Do you leave the wire nuts in place or is that just some sort of temporary measure?

In any case what a fantastic job on your layout. Thank you for creating your post and leaving us all something to aspire to. Great job!. Rich

Yes, this is going to be a fun adventure to watch unfold. You have a really nice layout area, a lot of layout building knowledge, the tools of the trade, and topped off with a great eye for scale detail. Proper planning is key.  Good luck, and thank you for sharing your progress with us....The fun is in the building stages. I would be interested in your layout table height, isle width, and your operating system of choice?  Also, which turntable and indexing system? And will you add a transfer table?...The possibilities...Endless. 

Norm,

I am relatively new to the forum and have only seen your vids on youtube. I am glad to see that you actually are human and that the magic you have created on your layout didn't come from some special power that you have. Anything that can be said has already been expressed.

It was very nice to go back in this thread and see what the layout began like. Often times I see the finished product and am not sure from whence it came.

Your work is truly a gift to this hobby and if anyone is not inspired by this artistry they need to pay a visit to the optometrist. Thanks for sharing.

Dave

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