Well, after working on my layout for a couple of years, I finally got the opportunity to take some pictures and put them on Rail Images. The camera is borrowed, and not of the highest quality, so the pictures may not be up to high standards. See them here: http://www.railimages.com/gallery/brucefottler This is my first layout in over 15 years, and the furthest I’ve ever gone with one. The layout is loosely based on the Atlas “Atlantic Long haul” plan, and really has no rhyme or reason to it other than to act as a proving ground for me to practice and experiment. It’s also unfinished (more trees to make and plant as well as whatever I feel like making in the future).
Bruce, greetings Really nice job. Looks great and looks like a fun place to play trains too. Congrats and keep the pictures coming Regards
Looks great Bruce. Much further along than I am that's for sure. I have the same freight station on my layout, and it set the color scheme for all my railroad buildings.
Bruce, nice job, I really like your scenic treatment. The foliage/trees/brush gives a very good look to the layout. Keep on posting pictures (smile!)
Thanks everyone. I posted more pictures. Most of the items used were from my last layout attempt over 15 years ago. My budget has been very tight, so it has been a challange to use what I had on hand. I can't wait until I've hit the lottery and get to build my dream empire...
Great job Bruce, I have to say that is a great looking layout. I only hope mine is half as nice when finished... Mike
Very nice Bruce! Don't suppose you have any track plans or sketches of all that wonderful rail electronically?
Very nice, great job. I liked the mist photo. Keep up the great work. Can't wait to see updates,,,adios wyatt
Okay, I'm on a roll with this camera and I just can't seem to stop myself. I feel like a new father showing off his new baby. UP makes an appearance in the Valley. No, the Borg is not here to take over. It was just one of those great deals I (and a few others of us here I'm sure) picked up at Model Expo a while back. So I'll just call it "power on loan". Okay, that's it. I promise.
Bruce-in-MA just wondering, how long have u been modeling? all the seanery and weathering makes me speechless, wonderful keep up the phantastic work. it is nothing close to mine.
Bruce, Super job. The pics were great! Thanks for sharing. It even made it nicer because I received DSL service today Jeff
Thanks again. I came back into the hobby a couple of years ago after almost a 20 year break. I've been working on this layout since then. Prior to that, my last layout attempt in the early 80’s never reached track completion. It was disassembled and what track and accessories could be recovered was stored away. It was a classic case of biting off way more than I could chew at the time. I credit my oldest son who found all my MRR stuff packed away while snooping around some storage boxes. There was enough there to start a layout without having to make a sizable investment. The rest was slowly put together after studying and participating in forums like these. So in a way, this is an application of expertise that forums like this have offered. So I give my thanks to all of you who have shared your “secrets” over the years. There is still much more for me to learn, and my layout is far from perfect. I hope to someday (probably a few years from now) build a much larger one which will take everything I’ve learned from this layout to a (hopefully) new level. The major things I have learned from this layout have been: 1. I will go with DCC on the next one. 2. I will pay much more attention to my backdrops. Going beyond a sky blue backdrop can dramatically add a great deal of depth to the scenery. 3. I will be careful to keep all areas of my next layout easily accessible. 4. I will paint my track before it’s put down (or the ballast is laid). 5. The next layout will include a well equipped and spacious hobby workbench (My wife is getting tired of me using the dinning room table). 6. Use under the table switch machines. Until then, I still have plenty to do (and learn) on the Belmar Valley.
