Thanks. The buildings are MTH Railking. They come assembled and painted. They even include two wires. It doesn't get much easier and they aren't expensive. On my N scale layout most of the buildings were kits that I painted and assembled. I like built up buildings because my hands shake and building kits is very challenging and frustrating.
Well they are super nice looking, and I bought my first kit to glue and assemble for my scale in years, and my hands shake too, wish me luck. I'll try to post results in my thread, and try not to curse And you are inspiring me on my layout, so thanks!
Good luck with the build, in2tech. If you find it too difficult there are ready built buildings in N scale. They are a little expensive but worth it if you find kit building too difficult. I did a little work on the layout today. These are the latest pictures.
Once again it looks amazing and your photo's are awesome and I cheat off you each time you post new pictures for idea's for my layout. I did have success a building my Model Power kit for my scale and love the molded in colors so no painting. Took me almost and entire day because I kept dry fitting stuff scared I would screw up, plus it had been over 10 years since I built any kind of model kit! Results are in my signature. Once again keep the inspiration coming! I would also like to see if in the future I can do a billboard sign similar to yours! I get inspiration from all scales but this is the first O scale that has inspired me. Great work!
Thanks. Photography is easier in O than N. The larger size make it much easier to get closeups and eye level shots. I am very happy to be able to help you get ideas for your layout. I saw the videos. You did a great job on Grandma's house. Your layout is looking very good.
The autos have my attention. Real cars, from days when innovation in design gave us VERY distinctive choices. Not like the cookie cutter stuff of today.
I set my layout in the '50s because steam locomotives were still running, the diesels were attractive, times were simpler, I was little and playing with my Lionels, and the cars were really cool.
I moved the gateman to a new location. It was very difficult to see the action before. Now it's up front and easy to see. I installed cross bucks where the gateman was since they are very easy to see. This short video shows them in action.
Thanks. I work in spurts. I get a lot done, then just run trains for a while, but while I'm enjoying running trains I'm thinking about what I want to do next. I liked the grouping of the church, gateman, stores and warehouse. I thought it made an interesting scene but it was difficult to see the gateman in action. That is the best compliment, thanks.
I wonder if everybody works like we do. I've never been good at planning on paper. Running trains is when I get my best ideas. I need to see things to really know how they will work. And as you say, it's loads of fun.
I've always loved running trains with the lights out, the only light coming from the layout. It's just fun.
Then there's that wonderful, unmatched Lionel operating smell. I might have once read that it's the odor of ozone from the motors. I don't know, but when it's matched with a dark room, the train lights and the noise of the trains, we're kids again and it's a magical feeling.
I think you're right. There are those who had toy trains as a kid and avoid anything that makes their layout toylike, like lights, and those who never experienced it having gone into 2 rail scale right from the start. I've noticed that newer high end HO locomotives come with smoke and passenger cars are lighted. Very well said. I hadn't thought of the smell but you're right. It's a unique, fun experience.
Since we've been talking about running trains in the dark I shot this very short video of a short passenger train running through a section of town at night.