What details do you folks add to your layouts that set the time, place, and make it your railroad?? For instance, period cars are an obvious clue . I am planning on having a large piece of Route 66 on my layout, replete with 1950s billboards etc. I am scratch building lots of adobe structures to give the sense of being in New Mexico. In terms of making the railroad mine, I plan on running prototype equipment mainly, but there will be a few engines labled in the Santa Fe Southwestern herold. How about you all?? Happy Modeling!! John
Since I model the mid-to-late 1970s, the autos, signs, and buildings are all from that era. I've even got references to the nation's Bicentennial (currently the year on my layout is 1976), and at least one caboose is in red, white & blue colors. The gas stations advertise leaded fuel for 60 cents a gallon, billboards promote Gerald Ford for President (I'm a Republican, and it's MY railroad ), and I've even stooped so low as to mention (gag) the University of Oklahoma For mood music, lots of Eagles, Jethro Tull, early ZZ Top and Who is played (this is a disco-free zone).
PS: John- totally off-topic, but I hope you're feeling better. I just got over this crud myself, and it ain't fun.
Jcater, As far as my Union Pacific: Neches branch is concerned, following is the customization I currently have palnned (more will come later with added detail) The location will be set mainly by the Union Pacific, the local refinery, and the city names. (Neches isn't a real city, but its the name of the major river here). The two areas leading into staging are referred to as going to Houston and going to New Orleans. I also plan to incorporate some of Walther's new working oil wells (since oil was first struck in Texas just 5 miles from here). The era will be set by everything being modern - cars, buildings, rolling stock... Hopefully what you will see on the layout is what you see on the real trains here (except my coal trains). As far as personal touches, my wife and I spent quite a bit of time at her mothers cabin up north in the woods. So in a wooded area will be a small cabin to represent hers. Maybe a billboard advertising giving to the United Way (where I work). Stuff like that.
Sounds great guys. Bob, although feeling a bit better, I am no where near back to normal. Had to go back to work because I am out of sick time My UP, the cabin in the woods is a great touch!! I am incorporating a cheesy tourist trap I saw as a kid (thought it was real cool then!!). I like the billboard ads, and Bob, if you want to elect Ford again, that's ok by me (I am an Independant...best man for the job and all that)!! Happy Modeling!! John
A tourist trap huh? I passed one last week in Winnie Texas. It had signs (cheap, handpainted) along side the road before you got to it. The signs advertised "fresh junk". You r tourist trap reminded me of that. I may incorporate it -- unless you beat me to the punch. Feel free to use it if you think it sounds as funny as I did. Scot
Feel free to use the "fresh junk" as mine has two VERY large Indian arrows marking the front entrance. I am designing a billboard advertising the "Indian curios" and "view the buffalo 25 cents." Happy Modeling!! John
on a more easterly note . My layout WILL have coal trucks, gravel roads, moonshine sills , and all the REAL time stuff you can think of (yes it is set in 1999-2000) right at the moment I am already retiring my one GP38RS and am busy preparing the F3's (A & B) for paint and weathering. Re[ports as become available
Sounds great Pat...especially the moonshine stills (any chance of getting the real thing ). Keep us up to date!! Happy Modeling!! John
Hi JCater, NY&W/LIRR set late 1950's+ Mobil Flying A signs. Gas was priced under 25ยข till about 1970. No Exxon signs. Antennas on roofs. Use LIRR name trains: Cannonball and Sunrise Limited. Milk Delivery trucks in front of a house. REA trucks. An early Volkswagon car. Cop on the beat. Gas Attendant putting fuel in tank in uniform. Telephone truck with local company at the time: NY Telephone part of the Bell System. Telephone numbers on signs: JU1-1234 for a business in Islip, NY for example. (look at older adverts for this.) Steve www.NYandW.com
Let's see here, on my N-Trak Modules it's today. One of the problems to simulate the time frame is lack of modern Trucks and Autos. I have from Racing Champions a Dodge Viper, a couple of Dodge Ram Trucks. I also have three or four Kato Made Toyota's and a few Con-Cor Semi Tractors. The rest of them are a mix of Bachmann and Racing Champions 1950's to 1970's era cars and trucks. I've modernised the Town's Buildings as much as possible. No TV Antenna's or Telephone Poles although we do have some power poles, not everything is located underground yet. The Loco and Car Shops are a mix of old buildings with modern additions and a Modern Corrigated Steel Loco Shed. Concret Sleepers on two of the Main lines also add to the "today" appearance. One final touch, an Amtrak Station complete with an official Amtrak Station sign. Of course, my home layout will be built to look like the Mid70-Early80's. So, I'll be a little more on target with my cars and trucks but I'll have to do some research about the appearance of houses and businesses. I'm sure it's not to different from now, but Cable TV is just starting to catch on and many utilities are above ground. There won't be any 57 foot Tractor Trailers, not back then. [ 30 March 2001: Message edited by: Maxwell Plant ]
To help with the location, Central Illinois, the highway signs indicate Illinois Route 29 and Illinois Route 136. The Interstate is far enough away as to not get a sign. For era, I am still working on things indicating the era...but appropriate billboards are a help. Being the early 80's, (1983 or so)I can get away with almost any car from the 60's to the early 80's. Freight cars do not have roofwalks, and I am working on signage at the gas station to reflect the year. Jeff Augsburg & Concord R.R. (a fictional shortline in Central Illinois) http://www.acrr.rrdepot.com
