I started this thread on the Track plans and layout design. I am now moving it to Scenery and structures. Track is mostly set. I have 3 staging tracks, 4 industrial sidings and 3 engine facilities tracks. I was able to jam most of my buildings on the layout. I can now run trains on the lower and upper main lines. Enjoy the pictures.
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It's nice to see a layout that's not being built in a totally finished space. I'm always envious of guys that have beautifully finished rooms before they start building. It's also quite obvious that you build lots of really nice structures.
Layout looks great and you are getting it all together pretty quickly too. And you are already running trains as well. I am also a big fan of Atlas track. It is all going to look very nice when you get finished. Please keep us updated with lots of pictures!
I'm blown away by the quality of the models! Great work and keep us updated. Look forward to seeing more!
Here is a link to pictures of my first and 2nd layouts. At the end of this page are links to the first layout.
If you check it out you will see the same buildings used in different groupings. I was also able to save 90% if the wire from the last layout.
http://www.modelbuildingservices.com/layoutnew09.html
Every time I work on the layout or rescue a stopped train I am so glad I put a narrow walkway along the back side of the layout. I also run all of my wires along the front of the layout. I will post some pictures of this in the future. It allows me to sit in a rolling chair to connect the wires to the junction bars.
Perhaps post a video or two sometime?? I like how the track disappears behing the buildings for that long stretch.
Drummer3 posted:Perhaps post a video or two sometime?? I like how the track disappears behing the buildings for that long stretch.
Drummer3,
While you wait for a video of this layout here is a link to a video of the last layout. My son made it using his go pro camera mounted on the train and around the layout.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Py-XoybpaE
In all of my layouts I have the trains behind buildings as much as possible. I also will use the buildings on the upper level to hide the return loops.
Stu Gralnik posted:
Hi, Stu. Could you tell me what brand name the products are that I see in the pictures. Specifically in the 1st picture the Switch Tower on the left, and in the second picture, the Train Station with Clock. I would be interested in finding these if still available. I enjoyed your youtube videos & this layout looks well on it's way to great enjoyment.... besides the building of it.
Thanks, Dennis
Hartman posted:Stu Gralnik posted:Hi, Stu. Could you tell me what brand name the products are that I see in the pictures. Specifically in the 1st picture the Switch Tower on the left, and in the second picture, the Train Station with Clock. I would be interested in finding these if still available. I enjoyed your youtube videos & this layout looks well on it's way to great enjoyment.... besides the building of it.
Thanks, Dennis
Dennis, Just got to a place where I could log on to the forum to reply. The tower is from Altoona Model Works and is in production. The Station is an American Flyer Union Station. There are some listed on ebay or new from Lionel AF. http://www.lionel.com/products...ion-station-6-49839/
Stu
Here is a link to a video of my first train running session for friends. https://www.facebook.com/james...s/10215278842875408/
Nice work Stu.
Stu made a warehouse for me last year in honor of my grandfathers grocery business from the 50's and 60's.
Joseph Gedrimas Grocery Co-Op.
Looks great on the layout! Thanks again Stu!
Buzz
Stu Gralnik posted:Here is a link to a video of my first train running session for friends. https://www.facebook.com/james...s/10215278842875408/
Nice work Stu.
Stu made a warehouse for me last year in honor of my grandfathers grocery business from the 50's and 60's.
Joseph Gedrimas Grocery Co-Op.
Looks great on the layout! Thanks again Stu!
Buzz
I have been making progress on the layout by wiring the switches that I can not easy reach. I am placing them around the layout with some on the back side going into the staging tracks and some sidings. The uncouple switches are also scattered around the layout. The pictures also show the new control board with power on indicators. These are freebies from Miniatronics. ( I ran short so if you think you have some you can get rid of please check out the looking to buy section). I have also included some pictures of our new cat checking out the layout. I was impressed on how she walked around with no damage. Note that the power to the tracks was off.
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Stu,
Realistic buildings and a good downtown scene.
MELGAR
The cooler weather, early darkness, talking to people at York and purchasing two pieces from other builders is getting my modeling juices flowing again. Here are pictures of a house under construction built by Richard Krieg and a Lobster boat built by Brian Inch along with new layout pictures. The lower main line can run two TMCC engines and the upper loop has two post war
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Stu,
Amazing work. Appreciate all the great photo's. Enjoying the progress and the buildings look great.
-Tom
Stu,
Nice to see the post and the progress. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent work, Stu!
Peter
Stu,
As I said before, nice railroad, great downtown and waterfront scenes, excellent structure models.
MELGAR
Great work Stu, thanks for the update.
Andy
Stu, I really like your harbor scene. You've got a unique lighthouse. Are all of your boats waterline models or have shave the hull of some so that they sit flat on the board?
coach joe posted:Stu, I really like your harbor scene. You've got a unique lighthouse. Are all of your boats waterline models or have shave the hull of some so that they sit flat on the board?
Joe, All of the boats except the Chris craft cabin cruiser are waterline. The chris craft i purchased built that is a plastic kit from years ago. I sanded the bottom off. The large tug was a home built I purchased about 20 years ago and I added some detail. The others are kits that I built. The Lobster boat was a Frenchman river kit built by Brian Inch that I traded an electric substation for. I also built the barge.
I also have plastic kits of a float plane and coast guard rescue boat to build.
The light house is a crow river kit.
Looking good Stu!
Stay motivated you have lots of projects to keep you from getting bored lol
Al
Nice work, Stu. I'm looking forward to seeing your progresss as you add the scenery. I'm sure it will be wonderful!
Stu, I've got that Coast Guard rescue boat model also. Maybe someday I'll get it built.
Very nice Stu! The safety lines are a nice touch.
Stu, Thank you for pointing out your topic on your latest layout. I don't know how I missed it as much as I am on the Forum! All great structures for sure! Your Website showing you previous layouts is great as well! You have a talent for building new and interesting structures from scratch and then blending them in with commercial structures, that I didn't realize were commercial! I like the harbor scene and boats. Since I always modeled mountain railroading, I have never pursued that environment. Thank you again!!!
I painted the road color in my two city sections. To do this I removed the buildings and painted the entire sections. I will go back later to do the plants and ballast. Just painting the plywood makes a big difference in the look and I recommend it. You can see the difference in the earlier pictures and painted ones.
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Another step forward. ground cover and ballast. I then ran two traditional Lionel engines until the upper train, led by two Lionel FM engines ran into the cat. She was not to happy. Some of my sidings are just stub tracks with bumpers on both ends. With all the buildings you can not see both ends so it appears that they connected to the main line on the opposite end. I was also able to kit bash a walk way bridge to connect the upper town to the lower train station. I plan to hold on wiring the buildings and light towers but will add details for an up coming operating session.
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It’s looking great, Stu!
Really like where you're going with things Stu!
Stu, I have not been active on the forum for a few years since I tore down my last layout. You have a great looking layout and I love all the scenery. I am hoping to start building a new layout next fall.
TMack posted:Stu, I have not been active on the forum for a few years since I tore down my last layout. You have a great looking layout and I love all the scenery. I am hoping to start building a new layout next fall.
looked at your layout video, fun layout, great video
I had another larger more detailed layout in 2013 and took it down in 2014. I thought I had put video up, but can't find it. Anyway I like all your structures and just that there is a ton of stuff to look at on your layout.
Stu you do have one nice looking layout.
This is some video from my 2013 layout.
Stu, You have been quite busy! I like the waterfront, lake and, hikers along the stream! Now that last one is something I don't think I have seen on a layout before, seen though I did a good bit of hiking in my earlier days, and hope to again a bit once my back issues are under control. The circus scene is great as well.
Layout video link. Here is a link to a video of the layout.
https://www.facebook.com/13516...eos/768607126976504/
The layout looks great, Lou. The trains run great too. Thank you for posting!!
Stu what did you do to the USCG rescue boat to make it sit flat? I know it's not a waterline model.
coach joe posted:Stu what did you do to the USCG rescue boat to make it sit flat? I know it's not a waterline model.
Joe,
I sanded off the bottom using a bench top belt/disk sander. I did the same to the cabin cruiser in some of the pictures. It is also a plastic kit that you can still find. I have also sanded off the bottoms at an angle of some of the small row boats to make them look like they sank.
Salem Union Terminal RR video. This is the same video as posted above but that one was on Facebook. This is for anyone who does not or will not do Facebook. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArJ63KQq7rE
Do you operate the gantry crane to load coal/ore into waiting hoppers/ore cars or is it just for show? I ask as I'm thinking about doing the same thing with my crane but wonder how well it works in practice.
Regardless, thanks for sharing - your layout looks great!
-Greg
@Greg Houser posted:Do you operate the gantry crane to load coal/ore into waiting hoppers/ore cars or is it just for show? I ask as I'm thinking about doing the same thing with my crane but wonder how well it works in practice.
Regardless, thanks for sharing - your layout looks great!
-Greg
Greg,
When i first got the crane I did use it to load coal from the barge to the bunker. I did not load the hoppers but if set up right it should work. Unfortunately the belt that rotates it has been replaced twice and after the 2nd time I stopped using it. It still goes up and down so I could just rotate it by hand. The coal I use is cork so light weight and picked up easily. At this point it is just for looks.
Thanks Stu!
-Greg
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Looking Great Stu!!
Everything on the layout looks great, Stu!!
Great stuff and continue to learn by other's examples. I really like how you used carrot tops to make trees in the pond - they are carrot tops, right? What did you do to preserve them?
@Bob Golfs posted:Great stuff and continue to learn by other's examples. I really like how you used carrot tops to make trees in the pond - they are carrot tops, right? What did you do to preserve them?
Bob,
The carrot tops were put on the layout as a joke because I liked the look of the greens. They were not preserved and are back on the window sill in water to enjoy. I did once go to a layout that had moss planted on the layout and a sprinkler system to water it. He would cover the track and let it rain. great affect. If you look you might be able to find instructions for using glycerin. here is one link to start with. https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/nu...nt-foliage-glycerine
Stu, Thanks and I'm still chuckling! But they did look good as palm trees!
These were taken with my phone to see how it would work. I did not clean up the trains or table so you will see some clutter and dust (weathering) Using my phone allowed me to put the it in places that my camera would not fit. Generally I like the pictures but the poor quality of the figures distract from the picture. Looking back in this thread where the pictures were taken from further away the quality of the figures is less noticeable. Please feel free to add your comments good or bad. I consider these as a learning lesson and to share my layout. As a side note the garbage truck back was scratch built from pictures and placed on a purchased pickup truck base with the back removed.
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Stu, truly amazing work and really inspirational. Thanks for taking the time to get and post all those great pictures.
Tom
Stu, Those are some great action scenes! Yes, the people look a bit rough, but from normal viewing distance they would look great. Instead of suggestions, I just find inspiration!
Nice Stu, I appreciate your craftsmanship.
I just added another tug to the fleet. The Everett Ryder is made by Sylvan and is resin cast so goes together in a short amount of time. The Elliott Rose is by Frenchman River and is a combination of resin cast hull and laser cut deck house.
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Great looking tug boats! JohnA
Stu:
I noticed you are using Atlas O switch motors. I have not taken a full inventory as but I have about 7 used (functional) and 3 unused (still wrapped) motors. Let me know if you are interested - we can agree on a price for the 3 unused and throw in the used ones for piece parts.
I also have an O72 wye if you need it.
Joe
@Joe Fauty posted:Stu:
I noticed you are using Atlas O switch motors. I have not taken a full inventory as but I have about 7 used (functional) and 3 unused (still wrapped) motors. Let me know if you are interested - we can agree on a price for the 3 unused and throw in the used ones for piece parts.
I also have an O72 wye if you need it.Joe
Joe,
Thank you for the offer but I have tmcc so will walk around and hand throw the switches.
Very nice layout, Stu! I love the New England urban vibe, and that you gave the waterfront center stage and so much real estate. You don't see that very often.
I just read the whole thread, and I see @TMack hasn't checked in in a few years, but if he does, I want to tell him I really enjoyed his video from 2011. Great use of sound effects, I'll have to try that.
How did you make the boat names Stu? They look great.
John
@Craftech posted:How did you make the boat names Stu? They look great.
John
pick friends or family first and middle names. If you look up some of the large tug companies you will see the names of many family members. here is a link to the Moran fleet. https://www.morantug.com/fleet/
@Stu Gralnik posted:pick friends or family first and middle names. If you look up some of the large tug companies you will see the names of many family members. here is a link to the Moran fleet. https://www.morantug.com/fleet/
I was wondering how you fabricated he name placards.
John
@Craftech posted:How did you make the boat names Stu? They look great.
John
John, I just read your comment again and realized you were probably asking a technical question. These signs were printed on paper using Word with white letters printed on a black background. These were then cut to fit a cast name plate that came with the kit.
@Stu Gralnik posted:John, I just read your comment again and realized you were probably asking a technical question. These signs were printed on paper using Word with white letters printed on a black background. These were then cut to fit a cast name plate that came with the kit.
Fantastic Stu. Amazing looking.
Thanks
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Stu,
I can't see any of the images.
That makes two of us!
Chuck
Stu
The lighthouse building at the harbor is great! I've never seen one like that. Is it lighted with a rotating beacon? Does it have a sound effect (fog horn)? If not, those visual and audio enhancements could be a "rainy day" project. At a previous layout, I installed a Lionel Lighthouse. It had a rotating beacon and sound, but that accessory is a runner-up to your magnificent lighthouse!
I considered installing a Lionel #97 Coal Loader at the edge of my layout with a siding to it. A coal dump car could unload at its lift-up tray, and The exit chute of the accessory could be positioned over the edge of the layout -- as if there was a harbor dock below with a coal barge parked and ready to receive the flow coal for shipment down river. But medical issues intervened, so that project was never attempted.
Keep on building ...
Mike M. LCCA 12394
Mike the light house is by Crow River https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...9#157547622875476149
the light pulses no sound but that would be a great addition. I like your idea of the lionel coal loader.
I just reloaded the pictures. not sure how to remove the bad links. scroll up past the bad links to the good pictures.
Well done, Stu!!!!
Peter
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Stu, your harbor scene is incredible! I find the dredge barge most interesting, the details make it pop. Your scratch building skills are really on display. I was working backwards up the page and went through the pictures before your text and saw the STU in the logo long before I read about it. looks like you're having fun building the new layout.
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It looks great, Stu! Yes the harbor is crowded.
Stu - you have an awesome layout there...it was very enjoyable to view the scenes.
@Stu Gralnik posted:
A different tugboat company from the RC tug, like Moran and McAllister in New York Harbor.
@coach joe posted:A different tugboat company from the RC tug, like Moran and McAllister in New York Harbor.
The RC tug kit was made by Caldercraft and is styrene. The 3 smaller sibling tugs are cast resin waterline tugs. https://www.worthpoint.com/wor...our-tug-48-516903171
The next RC tug I will be making is by Dumas and is also styrene. it comes as a single screw but we are going to see it it can be made as a twin screw. I will be painting it as an Army surplus tug sold to Salem Terminal Union. https://www.towerhobbies.com/p...fnqMBfcaAvOiEALw_wcB
All the barges do float with the 3 smaller ones kept on the layout.
The 3 sibling tugs are part of the C&A co. which is named for my Son's family and the logo is based on the G&H tug co. logo in Houston TX. where he drives tugs.
If you look closely at the RC tug logo that looks like an anchor it is actually made up of the spelling of my name STU