However, this post isn't about the operational characteristics, but rather the potential projects to be done at Pinto, and the scenic problems the physical location presents. This image illustrates the point:The first problem is lighting. The hallway light in the top right of the image is a different 'color' than the rest of the layout room lighting. This makes for challenging photography. I have a solution - I recently purchased more bulbs that match the color intensity of the layout lighting, and I'll change out the hallway lights...eventually.
The second problem is depth. The layout here is 24" deep - plenty for many, but challenging to try and squeeze in all the scenery and structures I want to include. But therein is the potential for some creative construction and forced perspective. As you can see I have been playing with photo cut-outs (from old NS train calendars - Thanks, Paw Paw!) for the backdrop.
In place are two structures kitbashed from one source kit. Bonus points if you can tell me the kit! Here's a closeup of the passenger depot:
Can you see the color difference? Look at the orange-ish cast on the far right wall vs the brighter, blue-er color on the rest of the scene. Hopefully the new lights will help.
There is great potential for detail in this scene. I had 'poured' some Durham's water putty, planning to carve some brick detail into the platform, but changed my mind when I found some great Herringbone laser-cut material, and have since changed my mind again and plan to make the platform a timber frame with tamped cinders inside. Beyond just this scene, I have several structures to build, scenery to place, a backdrop to create, and loads of detail to add. Hours of fun!
Finally, I leave you with a link to a set of videos I have watched several times; a clinic given by Earl Smallshaw about using forced perspective to create a town in a small space. Earl Smallshaw's wit and wisdom shone through his modeling on his Middletown and Mystic Mines Railway. Thanks to Model Railroad Hobbyist for putting this clinic online. Perhaps there's some potential to use these techniques at Pinto?
Next month I hope to not only write a blog post, but there's a special project in the works...pictures...that move!
Interesting question. If the 2 buildings were in N-scale they could have been constructed from ModelPower's 'Erie R.R.Station': the station from the depot part of the kit (leaving off the upper tower and front second story windows), and the freight warehouse from the equivalent portion of the original kit.
ReplyDeleteDing Ding Ding! We have a winner! I had to go look up that version, but yes, that is one iteration of the kit. I used two, AHM's 'Rico Station' kits in order to get enough plain roof sections (the dormer sections would have been a big give-away) and this enabled me to pick and choose the wall sections on the passenger station and use four plain walls for the freight house. It was a challenging kitbash to use such an overplayed and readily recognizable starting kit, but I enjoyed making it unique. I love the classic lines of the gentle curve in the passenger station roof, the tall doors and windows, and wainscot trim on the walls. Fits my era nicely.
ReplyDeleteYour two buildings look great! What made me think it was an AHM or Model Power or Tyco Kit product were the roof shingles. That shingle pattern seems to get used in a lot of their molds. I did a little further searching on ‘Rico Station’ and it looks like as well as HO and N scale versions of this kit, there was also an O scale version marketed by Lionel. It seems to have been a very versatile design. I’m looking forward to seeing future posts about your layout.
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