BarstowRick's H&P Layout Restoration

BarstowRick Sep 15, 2020

  1. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Rick explained his sceniced layout vision while we where there. Envision the Gorre & Daphetid with trains going in and out of tunnels on a helix until it reaches the ceiling !!! ;)
     
  2. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    In Big Bear Country the H&P Layout did reach the ceiling. Apt description my frined, apt description. Yes, I've been influenced by the Gorre & Daphetid. Saw the layout in person. One word to describe it, Wow!!:sick::cool:
     
  3. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    A mortician got to see the actual Gorre and Daphetid! Now that seems almost too, ironically poetic?? Or some such thing!

    Officially, I am jealous!! Always wanted to see that, and have most anything I can find by John, or about him and his layout.
     
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  4. DeaconKC

    DeaconKC TrainBoard Member

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    I too, am jealous. I have been adding G&D rolling stock to my collection by decalling. One of the industries we will be serving is ACME Explosives [Coyote approved!]
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2022
  5. freddy_fo

    freddy_fo TrainBoard Member

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    There is an almost perfect sign for that, you just need a couple of AAd to get it up and running. You can find the smaller N scale size on ebay but they are sold out at the manufacturer it seems.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/2251649294...264870804704&abcId=9300678&merchantid=8497994

    [​IMG]
     
  6. DeaconKC

    DeaconKC TrainBoard Member

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    YES! I will definitely be getting one of those! Thank you! [grovel, grovel...]
     
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  7. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Lucky fellow!!!
     
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  8. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    On the serious side, there are some model railroaders that just don't have room for a layout with the grandiose minimum radii we (and they) would prefer. Are we to consign them to linear switching layouts with no continuous running, lest they violate our lofty standards?

    With the right equipment, 9.75" R is just fine in N scale. Just remember, even 19" radius (n-scale) is horrendously sub-prototypical in all but logging layouts (and guess what, they had the right equipment to run on it in the real world too.)

    Minimum operable radius depends immensely upon whether the transition to it from straight track is eased with wider radius curve sections (or even 'proper' easements.) At the apex of an eased curve, 9.75R is negotiable by quite a lot of (but not all) modern locos and rolling stock. If it does not meet the modeler's visual standards, then disguise/camouflage/hide it with terrain, trees or structures (I don't recommend hiding such minimum radii in a tunnel, unless the back side of the tunnel is easily accessible from behind.)

    Sure, if you have room, run broader curves 'til the cows come home, but let's not limit our hobby to only those with the room to meet our loftiest standards.
     
  9. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Don't be jealous and allow me to explain.

    The first visit to John Allen's, Gorre & Daphetid, I was about 10 years old. I was a young kid at the time. Impressionable with a chin that dropped onto the floor. But, it wasn't what I expected. More on this as I continue.

    The second visit I wasn't a mortician at the time. I was an Ambulance Attendant and rookie Mortuary Employee, in training. To be clear the son of a mortician. Who's Dad never had time to drive from Hollister, California over to Pacific Grove, next door to Monterey, California. It wasn't until we moved to Seaside, California that I actually got to visit the infamous G&D.

    Odd now as I look back on it. The size of the layout wasn't all that big. Located in the basement of his home. His curves were minimal and reminded me of my curves on my HO layout. He knew his limitations and ran small stoves and short freight and passenger cars. Ahead of his time with sound and directional lights that worked.

    He started out like most of us with a simple loop of track that he eventually built the rest of the layout around. Nothing wrong with that.

    You'll find pictures of E8's in a station shot. He didn't run those. That was more of a photo-shoot for a model railroad wig wag of the time. Cover shoot.

    His layout was full of trickery and illusions. Trains running where there wasn't any track Let alone subroadbed. But at first glance it would grap you and had you going.

    Ironic, that it was after he passed away. Someone found my phone number and invited me over to help myself to anything I might want. I was driving at the time so I'd say I was at least 16 years old . I finally talked my dad into using his car. Downside, by the time I got there. Too late. It was pretty much picked over and there wasn't anything I could just pick up and carry out. Sad sight.

    His layout caught fire shortly after that. We all wondered if it was our fault. It came out that the fire started somewhere else. We figure it was his way of taking it with him.

    I would later catch up with a fella at Train Stop, San Dimas, Ca. Who was there when I was there. We've had some interesting conversations.

    Why you shouldn't be jealous. When you see the pictures and video. You've seen more of and about the layout, then I did in a visit. Downside, in the books and DVD's, you don't see the whole picture. Don't get me wrong. His layout was all of what you see and more. For the most part it was likened to a back lot movie stage, for photo shoots Those of us who saw it in person marveled at it. I just expected more.

    Now back to our original program and hopefully more news from, More Track Rick.

    Thanks for tuning in, the read, the likes, the comments, all are welcome.

    Later

    Wiring, the tenacious / tedious hum drum of any layout.
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2022
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  10. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    You make a valid point. Pardon my effrontery.

    NO We should never push those who have space limitations away from any group of model railroaders. They are one of the reasons we are here or have what we have today.

    I like the way you said "Our lofty standards". Push anyone away? Not my intent. If I've come across that way, and I'm sure I have. My intent was to say there is a better way, if you want to.

    It's your railroad, you make the rules, you set the standard and choose how you are going to operate.


    It's a personal choice and one that needs to be exercised anyway you wish to interpret your model railroad experience.

    That's what I did.

    I built my model railroad to please me and ONLY me. I don't give a rat's ...well...I m sure you can finish that. I need to finish it. i don't care what you do on your layout because you shouldn't be building it to please me. Only you! I don't mean to push anyone away or call them an idiot.

    I enjoy visiting other layouts and nit picking them.
    What? What did I say? NOOO, I didn't say Nit Pick. Okay I did. I met to say, to glean what ideas you can from them. Give the owner a pat on the back and support this insanely, addictive hobby. So please don't interpret anything I say as a put down to others. Not intended.

    Know your limitations and start there.


    The reality of things is. If you choose as did I to use the tighter radius curves. Even though they make equipment that will negotiate it. It doesn't look pretty and at some point you will find your self doing a YUCK right in the middle of the floor. It may work for awhile and you'll be happy with it, sort of.

    I did find ways to hide those sharp curves but when a train string-lined in the tunnel. I better have built-in access to the hidden curve. Tunnels, cut, trees, buildings, anyway I could hide it.

    Your standards will change.
    That's when you'll find yourself looking for ways to improve this unsightly image. You'll find a way to push those curves out. Then you can celebrate right along with me. Never mind how well your trains will run on the wider curves and longer switches.

    Despite the size compression of a 10X10 shed. I found a way.

    Oh, and outlaw those dagnabit giggable insane tight radius curves.:confused::mad::mad::mad:
    Off my layout.


    Be assured, I'd like to see them removed from the brick and mortar hobby shops. Outlawed!! That's just me cringing over the tight radius curved layouts I built and now look back and wonder how much of an idiot, was I ??? No they didn't workout but that's another story for another time.

    Yep, I said, "Wider Curves are the best Curves". Think about it. It's a relative statement. I didn't say how wide your curves need to be. If 9.75 is all the room you have then you are using the widest curves, you can muster.

    I love my wide radius curves. I wish the same for you.

    Later. :cool:
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2022
  11. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    On the subject of visiting other fine folks model railroads. There is the Visitors Etiquette thing but that's not where i'm going with this. For sure keep that in mind.

    At the Open House, Self Guided Model Railroad Tours, the Bear Valley Model Railroaders hosted, two things stood out. There was a perpetual verbal diarrhea, a flowing of negative as well as positive comments. I dig on the positive comments..

    The two most often heard comments.

    Number one: Most frequently heard, "I don't want anything like this". What? I'm supposed to find that offensive. I didn't! It's my railroad and I built it to please me. If you like it! Well that is just a bonus.

    Number two: I want you to look at the pictures of my layout on my cell phone, I pad or even a notebook. They didn't come to see my layout or hear about it. They wanted to show me and other's that would pay attention, their layout.

    Had to laugh. I really didn't have time to look at pictures. I was busy showing off my layout. And answering real inquisitive questions. Aiiyiiyii !!

    Waiting for mail delivery. Don't want to miss any packages. That can happen in my neighborhood.

    More later.
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2022
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  12. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    Well said, Rick. We can each have our own standards at whatever level we personally like and can accomplish, while still appreciating the levels reached by others.

    Tone can be very hard to read correctly in text, and I misread yours. I apologize.
     
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  13. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Quick everyone !!! Get all the 9.75 curves you can and horde them !! Rick is contacting the authorities to ban them !!o_O :rolleyes::LOL:
     
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  14. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Andy, you aren't the only one who was uncomfortable with what I was saying.

    No apology needed. You made a valid point. I didn't take offense at it but wanted to build off of it.

    I tend to write in an advisory mode. Encouraging all modelers to do the best they can with what they have at hand, to work with.

    As I see it, it's all about swapping ideas, sharing things that work best for us. Let it fall where it will. Allowing others to ignore it or build off of it.

    Thanks for your comeback.
     
  15. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    I'm ah buying it all up so there won't be any left. :ROFLMAO::sick::confused:

    Like that's going to happen.:eek::rolleyes::whistle:
     
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  16. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    Now what am I supposed to do with all these glass-topped coffee tables?!

    I got it! I'll switch to dining table layouts under glass. Condiments delivered in gondolas, with little serving spoons on flat cars interspersed between them. (Deluxe Opera Window CBFC serving spoon carriers available at additional cost.)

    And I won't even need all those 9.75R curves Rick is buying up!

    The wives will even appreciate how quickly my customers clear the table after meals!
    *WARNING: The Surgeon General has determined that this remark is sexist; read aloud with caution.*
     
  17. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Andy, well played and well put.

    I hear you as to the glass coffee tables. Did I say that right?

    As a kid I frequented an eatery that served everything by a large O scale train. Fun to get burgers, fries and a chocolate malt by train car. Aiiyiiyii, those days are gone.

    I think you are onto something there.

    Surgeon General, like I really am going to listen to him or her or whatever!! Running to duck and cover. Sigh!!

    Having fun yet???.

    Later
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2022
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  18. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    I kinda still like the little devils. I still have a bunch of them packed in their original blue and orange boxes, yellow and orange blister packs, and paper envelopes (all Atlas) from my early days in N scale in the sixties. My current layout has 19" radius mains but I remember the early layouts fondly that were unmistakably N scale!

    Also packed away are 5" straights, half sections of the various radius curves, and the very early Italian switches. No real reason to keep them other than I just want to.

    Doug
     
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  19. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Han
    Hang onto them Doug. The collector's may come running for them.

    I do have embedded into a mini-city that Greg built. A 7.75 radius curve for a trolley line. It's coming out to be replaced with Wider Curves, Peco's 11 inch radius curves. I know I will be happy with that. Now to find the right trolley equipment. In N scale of all things.

    I have a junk box full of sectional track. Atlas, Peco, Model Power, Life Like and some off brand of small and I mean small switches. Like for a narrow qauge mining operation.
    Odd stuff.

    It's been a busy day. Cloudy and not very warm. I was able to get some work done on the wiring. In between news flashes here.

    Fun? Even got a phone call into George. My computer bailed on me, disconnecting from the WiFi. Everything is up and working for now.

    Okay, need to think about supper.

    Later.
     
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  20. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Here we go another day. Thinking about putting in some wider curves. I heard that! Oh no... not again!? Yep, Some of you are responding typically.

    Got the cat's fed. Heard a Union Pacific Freight train moving through the yard. The sound carries as though I'm in a sound tunnel. Love the sound of those horns.

    Watch for me. I will be on another thread talking about... what else! Wider Curves and what they can do for his layout. Thinking out of the tight radius box. Here's a hint. He's a WP fan.

    What an opportunity he has to break out of the ever popular tight radius mold. I'm so excited for him. More space then I've ever had to work with.

    Now did you hear me call him an Idiot? Let alone anyone else that uses tight radius curves? Not from these lips. On the flipside. I was an Idiot, for using tight radius curves.

    The opportunity those of us who operate trains in N scale have, is phenomenal. We can have the best of the best. The best the train world can provide! If we but reach out and grab it.

    Remember when I say, "Wider curves are the best curves" I'm not lying. They really are. Join me in experiencing what they will do for you.

    I will never quit encouraging you to look at your layout and see if you can find ways to improve it.

    Breakfast, I need food, sustenance, meat or a bowl of cereal will do.

    And then it's back to working on the railroad. All the live long day. Okay, maybe just part of the day. I have other things that need my attention. Clean clothes, cat messes, torn cover on the pop-up outside. Just so much fun.

    Later
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2022
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