The Appeal of Family Homes

[Pete Nolan]

On my railroad, I've built a number of homes where Jeanne and I have lived. I also built a model of Jeanne's father's business, and little fantasy shops, had our family members pursued their hobbies and interests.

Our family members love them more than anything else on the railroad. Forget the ships, bridges, and other details on a fairly large layout--some of the family buildings bring tears when our siblings, daughters, nieces and nephews, and other family members notice them. Jeanne and I are delighted when someone recognizes a home and exclaims, "Oh my God! That's Gramma's house! I remember when . . ." Or when Jeanne's 92-year-old mother sees either the Superior Automotive building, which her late husband built, or the "Ames Fine Men's Clothing Shop," which her father owned, and breaks into tears.

We're delighted when a modeled home sparks memories. Remember when Gramma Adams rode the kiddy trike all the way up to the Meadows? Remember when Gramma Adams hurt her knee playing football, and the doctor could only say, "Well, at your age, I have no sympathy?" Remember when Uncle Walter . . .

Sometimes it better than a photo album for evoking long-forgotten memories.

Here's my house in 1955 (when I was 7), when the garage was being built. My mother lived there from 1952 to 2000:



Here's the house Jeanne and I lived in from 1980 to 1991:



That's Jeanne's hand painting the flowers.

I guess my lesson is: get the family involved in your modeling efforts.

[Colonel]

Excellent work Pete,

[Grey One]

Nicely done.
I think that is a really cool idea. I did plan to name various industries, "named trains", land marks, on the GandG after friends and family. Never thought to build family homes. Hmm.

I did make a 285th size model of my first wifes home for my micro armor games. She would not let me use it. I don't know, something about being blown up. sheesh. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[campp]

Very nice. Yes, bringing the family into one's hobby like this is very rewarding. I'm planning on scratchbuilding my house - Camp P - on my new layout.

My door layout feaures Dave's Auto Wrecking right smack in the middle of the town. I named it after my Dad, Dave, in honor of his lifelong career in the car business, and the umpteen patient hours he spent with me fixing up those old wrecks I kept dragging home as a teenager...

Here's the front gate, but I need to upload a picture of the rest of the boneyard!:


My dad was never in the junkyard business, nor has he ever owned a quansot hut, but he gets such a charge out of "his" junkyard when he comes over! It may be kind of corny or overdone to name a layout business after a family member, but hey, that's just what the "prototype" does after all!

[ October 06, 2005, 04:54 PM: Message edited by: campp ]

[Fotheringill]

You have warmed the cockles of my heart. Or, at least, the ventricles.

[BoxcabE50]

In that first view, the row of yellow shrubbery looks great!

:D

Boxcab E50

[Eagle2]

I always think it's great to see little pieces of personal history recreated like that.

[Powersteamguy1790]

Jeanne & pete:

Very nicely done...I enjoy seeing the flowers.

Stay cool and run steam..... [img]graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[Pete Nolan]

Originally posted by Fotheringill:
You have warmed the cockles of my heart. Or, at least, the ventricles.

As long as I don't set the atrials on fire.

[r_i_straw]

When you going to do the house where you are now, with the front yard all dug up for the new septic system? :D Animated heavy equipment. RRRRRRR