John, now that you've given us well lighted broad views of your layout, all I can say is it's beautiful, flowing from one scene to another seamlessly.
Thanks folks. The man cave was originally a side porch to this over 100 year old house. Sometime in the 1920s the church bought this house to use as a parsonage. When they bought it the side porch was completely bricked up and three windows and a new outside door were added. The existing fireplace chimney became the back wall and sticks out into the room and is the reason for the offset layout Unfortunately the four brick walls really absorb the light and three light fixtures of 100 watt each were struggling to light the room. So when I found these lights on Amazon I took a chance and ordered one. Liked the first one so I went back and ordered two more. The three lights use less electricity than on of the 100 watt bulbs. Each fixture cost me $22 and have a life span of 55 thousand hours.
Tonight I removed the six sets of LED lights that were on the backdrop because with the ceiling installation of LED lighting they were not need plus they were casting shadows. Then I discovered a problem. That of the sparkling waterfall I now have. 100_0942-4 by John Moore posted Jan 12, 2021 at 7:19 PM 100_0943-5 by John Moore posted Jan 12, 2021 at 7:28 PM So a careful application of dull coat will be in order.
If ya think about it....real waterfalls 'sparkle' when the sun hits the cascading water just right. JMO
I guess I have been locked away with the covid thing so long that I haven't been near the water, other than the shower. I just took a look at my two and a half feet wide by five and a half feet long harbor and realized that it is shining too.
I think that is what draws people into the water in the first place. It's shiny... we are attracted to shiny things even if they are deadly. Water is one of the most deadly things on this planet... and the majority of the place is covered in the stuff... and it's shiny!
I am located in a maritime area with tidal rivers three of them, a large fresh water lake nearby, and then Mobjack Bay and the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay within 5 and 10 miles respectively. Then to the South of me I have the port facilities of Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Newport News. Large fishing fleet here. Besides the seafood and ship building, we have logging with two sawmills nearby and a paper mill about 40 miles away, plus farming. Fits right in with my layout. I don't have far to drive to see the real thing for modeling inspiration. My latest order for people are due to be delivered tomorrow so I will be able to finish crewing the fishing fleet.
My Tomy Tec figures arrived from japan the other day so I am busy crewing my remaining vessels in the port. Ordered three packs and I have a pack and a half left that will be scattered around the port. 100_0944-1 by John Moore posted Jan 16, 2021 at 5:06 PM The recent conversation about switch stands and unitrack got me to thinking. So I have ordered some Osborn wood switch stands to help me find the turnout switches. They hopefully will be used to help me quickly find a switch when I need to and add another visual dimension to the layout.
Funny thing about the 'people' John. I was out running trains today. I found a buggered truck on my fav loco. I searched under the cabinets for my plastic container marked 'Locomotives' for said part. While searching I came accross a container marked 'People'. I forgot all the littlle WS packets of people I had bought over the years. Even has my 'homeless people' for 'Georgetown'... and the 'shop workers' and 'welders' I knew from the start I would need for the 'Engine Shop' I was going to build.
I have a number of WS people also and have about 60 or 70 on the layout now along with a few of other makes. As of the the last few years I have started using Tomy Tec folks because of the large variety and and selection not to mention a good price when ordered from Japan. Have quite a few sitting folks also so I can people both train stations at all three platforms.
