There's places on it that needs work and updated. I think it will come of age when david gets around to it. Scott
I guess it didn't bother me because I also look awfully tired, dried out, and have lost much of my original coloration . . . Seriously, though, there are parts of the layout that need work, but to see it in essentially its original form is amazing. David
I noticed that too, but since I'm too polite to point things like that out (and being a tad north of 50 myself, have little room to talk), I didn't mention it.:tb-wink: Hopefully a scenery redo is in the future, but that is indeed up to the present owner.
I mentioned it simply because I've seen what's happened to a number of other MR project layouts over the years. Several, having gone into private hands, no longer even exist in restorable condition and others that do remain are often in pretty sad shape. I do note that MR's HO Pennsy Sub was recently totally reconditioned and expanded professionally and it looks better than it did new. Others, not so lucky, have been reported as having holes in the terrain, severely damaged buildings, very tired groundcover, etc. Most have spent some of their lives on tour and as anyone who's done the modular show circuit knows, this takes a lot out of any layout. Once show interest is past, because of the asking price, most of these layouts have unfortunately ended up in the hands of people who had the money to obtain them but not the talent to maintain or restore them. Just an observation and some concern. NYW&B
You and I are in agreement that the scenery is looking a bit rough after all these years. My guess is that the new owner wanted to get the DCC up & running so trains could run, and that scenery renovation is later on. My comments were simply made tongue-in-cheek. I do hope it gets a makeover- it would be awesome to see the Clinchfield with newer "foliage". I also realize that such a renovation would take time and money-that WS stuff ain't cheap.
For a thirty year old layout I thought the scenery looked pretty good. Actually, it looks a lot like the parched Southeast does now!
Clinchfield Scenery Seems to me MR ran an article where Dave Frary did a "how to" scenery clean-up on the Clinchfield. Maybe the quality of scenic materials has improved to the point that a whole make-over is the thing to do. Shoot, I'm just glad I got to see it in current photo's. Maybe someday, I'll be able to see it in person. What a tremendous tribute this railroad is to the great Gordon Odegard. His efforts here and with many other things really put N scale on the map!
The foregoing discussion regarding the current condition of the Clinchfield's scenery spurred me to pulled out the original MR issues covering its construction and I did note a possible additional factor, beyond simple age, affecting the layout's appearance. While not specifically addressed in the construction article concerning adding the layout's groundcover, it is rather obvious from the illustrations that Gordy and the MR crew followed the Frary-Hayden technique of overspraying EVERYTHING with a supposedly unifying dirt color...a popular approach at the time (see articles re the CB&DR in the same period). I always thought this a highly unrealistic approaching that imparts a dying or dead appearance to the entire landscape and it certainly is quite opposed to what is in favor today. With age, dust and desiccation, I'm sure this made the scenery's coloration look even more bleached out and time-worn. NYW&B
John: Great pics! It was nice to meet you there in Louisville! Like you I was amazed to see the old Clinchfield looking and running so well! Thanks to Mr. Fugate for bringing her! Ironically enough John, I was modeling the ATSF Seligman Sub before my defection to modeling the IC of my youth! The Peavine is a favorite of mine. Hope you found a hope for that Duplex! Chad Cowan
Clinchfield... I have kept my copy of MRR's "Clinchfield" all these years also. The copyright is dated 1979. This one project has undoubtedly inspired many of us to try more prototypical locals, equipment, and operations. It is quite interesting as to the relative size of the actual model when seen in perspective with humans standing in the pit. No doubt this pike is of the greatest model railroads of all time.:thumbs_up:
Hi, Chad, It was great meeting you too. I didn't know you are a former Santa Fe modeler - good taste, you have . The Key PRR Q2 Duplex that I got at the NSC Auction is still for sale. If any of you N scale PRR fans out there are looking for one of these Key 4-4-6-4 brass painted models, you can contact me off-list.
Recent comments were made concerning the scenery techniques used when building the Clinchfield 30 years ago. Keep in mind, I said "30 years ago". IIRC, what they had available was ground turf, some metal tree kits, and lichen. ANd FTR, I was in the hobby as a 16-year-old back in 1973, and had an N scale layout in college in the late 1970s. Fast-forward to 2008, and we have a plethora of scenery materials from several manufacturers (Woodland Scenics comes to mind- apologies if I forget the other names). Again, scratchbuilt trees are still around as well, and most likely cheaper than the WS product. One must also remember the heavy use of lichen as mountain scenery by such folks as W. Allen McLelland and Tony Koester, plus the influences of Dave Frary and Bob Hayden. You may disagree with their work (as is your right), but that was pretty much what was seen in the model railroading press back then. Personally, I never got the hang of the zip-texturing technique touted by Linn Westcott, nor was I impressed with dyed sawdust. The only place I've used sawdust (undyed) is as woodchip loads in HO scale. By the way, I use some of Hayden and Frary's techniques to this day. Granted, were I using lichen, I would spray the heck out of it with cheap hair spray, put the individual pieces in a can full of green turf, put a lid on the can, shake the can like crazy, and take out the lichen piece. Viola'- ze look, she ees eemproved. There is agreement among several of us that the scenery is looking a little worn after 30 years. However, how this scenery is to be redone or even touched up is left to the present owner. With the latest stuff, and yes, even good ol' fashioned lichen, available, I'm sure a makeover will help. Personally, I'm just glad it's operable- and with DCC, yet.
Seeing John's pictures of the Clinchfield is like seeing an old friend for the first time in many years. The joy of reunion is far stronger than the dull ache of advancing age. Just below the worn, dry and fading surface is a vibrant, supportive companion whose worth and inspiration are undeniable. I barely noticed the faded trees as I've come to expect over the years that lichen eventually fades. Thanks for sharing your excellent pictures, John!
Thanks for the pics. Was great to see it again and even better to know that it is still being shown. I think for a layout that's 30 years old the scenery is holding up well. It will be interesting in thirty years time to see how the scenery of today is holding up. I remember when it first appeared, it was an inspiration to many of us. According to the sign the locos are Minitrix. Are they still the original locos? Cheers, Alan.
