Model Railroading > A recent layout project finished

For those not familiar with my HO layout, I’m prototype modeling the C&NW’s east-west line across southern Minnesota in the mid-1970s era.  The mid-70s on secondary lines of the C&NW were the bad old days.  The track was bad, trains were slow, first generation diesels were looking tired and old steam era structures were left abandoned.  At the eastern end of the layout, I’m modeling Winona, Minnesota which still had a roundhouse and turntable.  The roof on the roundhouse was partially collapsed and the structure appeared unused.  I’m not sure if the turntable was in operation, but it appeared to be used as an extension of the service track to allow MU’ed power to reach the fuel hose.

I like to call this a “workbench scene” that will eventually be incorporated into a new section of my layout.  Building it as a small stand alone scene allows me to easily access all parts of it and it can be transported to train shows.  The scene measures 60” x 24” and weighs 29 pounds.

The turntable is all scratch built using a ½’ plywood core.  The girders were made from styrene shapes with lots of Archer rivet transfers.  The roundhouse was scratch built for me by a friend.  The sand tower, pump house and other fixtures were scratch built.  The Alcos were built with Stewart shells and Atlas yellow box drives.  The CGW tank car is a kitbash using an Athearn blue box 62’ car.  The static grass is Silflor 6mm Late Summer and Autum applied with my Grass Tech II Flocket Rocket.  The track is all hand laid with code 70 rail and wood ties.  The sand piles were made using sifted wood sanding dust.  The track was weathered with an oily black color with an airbrush.  Please wipe off your shoes after leaving the area.

-Dennis
 

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/24/24 17:40 by CNW.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/24/24 17:41 by CNW.

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As usual, your modeling skills are amazing.  If you could mess up the colors in the photos just a little they would be indistinguishable from the real thing. 

A prototype photo of the area in 1974.

-Dennis

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Great work Dennis. Im still impressed with the vid you posted on making the turntable pit.

That's spectacular.

Outstanding.
JB

Terrific as always!

TJY

Incredible work, my word! Love seeing your photos and modeling on T.O.

That is some seriously beautiful modeling.

Kris

Outstanding modeling in all respects!  Thank you also for sharing the materials used, but your talent stands alone. Well done.

Cheers,
Harry

Another home run Dennis!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/25/24 05:07 by NiagaraMike.

wonderful craftsmanship, the detail is amazing.

Your work is the most true to life replica of the prototype I've ever seen.   No garish, crowded busy scenes but the photos look as if you could walk right into them and feel the summer heat and experience the smells of an engine terminal.
As far as detail, simple wins out every time.

Amazing work!

Very nice except it would benefit from joint bar details. They are available. Everyone seems to have welded rail everywhere on their layouts.

Posted from Android

Great work as always Dennis. Thanks for sharing. I hope you have a stock of the Archer rivet decals, because the last time I checked they were no longer available. Though expensive, I've used them on bridge girders. I believe that Micro Mark still offers some of their own but very limited in scope.

Victor Baird

Absolutley amazing!

Good looking old engine facility.