Conrail Windsor St Yard (York PA) Engineering Report

[C855B]

I like the overall impression. Capturing "the feel".

... Lacks trash and spills - and people.

Clutter, IOW. Mmmmm... maybe not so much on people. I've always found yards to be pretty desolate places, even active ones. Nobody readily visible; maybe a guy on the ground pulling pins. However... switchstands. Needs switchstands.

[Erik aka Ngineer]

I wish I had the space and talents to build such a yard, looks fantastic!

[wm3798]

So does Ed....

[chicken45]

So does Ed....

ROFL

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I like the overall impression. Capturing "the feel".

Clutter, IOW. Mmmmm... maybe not so much on people. I've always found yards to be pretty desolate places, even active ones. Nobody readily visible; maybe a guy on the ground pulling pins. However... switchstands. Needs switchstands.

Yep, I'm working on some more clutter. I have a ton of 55 gallon drums, now I need to figure out what colors to paint them though. I've also got those awesome Kenray Jersey Walls that I think do a good job of adding some life to the place.

When things get a little further along, I'll be adding power lines ala Dave Vollmer's Enola.

Also, I agree about the people. For one, I'm not in love with the quality of N figures. For two, there aren't a lot of good period figures available to me. And finally, I think figures sometimes make it a little weird when they're "frozen".

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I wish I had the space and talents to build such a yard, looks fantastic!

Thanks!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

So does Ed....

ROFL

You guys...  But yeah, I laughed out loud too. It's true. But at this point, I'm thinking it's finally getting to be about 50/50 when it comes to construction.

The bones, however, will forever be Lee's.

[Blazeman]

Also, I agree about the people. For one, I'm not in love with the quality of N figures. For two, there aren't a lot of good period figures available to me. And finally, I think figures sometimes make it a little weird when they're "frozen".

If you study Mike Confalone's scenes on his Allagash, he has no people. I don't know if that's deliberate or he's just not gotten to it or satisfied with what is available. And that's HO of course that would be an easier situation in which to adding figures.

One modeler of renown opined that if one does place figures in scenes, they should all be placed with their backs facing the viewer as face depiction usually isn't done as well as the rest of the details.

[seusscaboose]

You guys...  But yeah, I laughed out loud too. It's true. But at this point, I'm thinking it's finally getting to be about 50/50 when it comes to construction.

The bones, however, will forever be Lee's.

I feel the same about the Beast @ 619.  lot's of wall tile under there... but many new inclines and gyrations.

[Cajonpassfan]

One modeler of renown opined that if one does place figures in scenes, they should all be placed with their backs facing the viewer as face depiction usually isn't done as well as the rest of the details.

You mean like this?

[Dave V]

The trick is to use people in a way that makes it natural that they're not moving.  Sitting or standing against something.  Figures "in action" such as swinging an axe or mid-stride in a jog ruin the look.  But two people having a conversation standing still don't.

[C855B]

... I think figures sometimes make it a little weird when they're "frozen".

Yes, that's what we think, too. Same with vehicles on the road. We may lightly populate our layout - still undecided - but then only with figures and vehicles in places that make sense to be stationary.

You mean like this?

Almost. I'm thinking of Noch sunbathers. 

[chicken45]

The trick is to use people in a way that makes it natural that they're not moving.  Sitting or standing against something.  Figures "in action" such as swinging an axe or mid-stride in a jog ruin the look.  But two people having a conversation standing still don't.

I feel this way with cars turning at intersections.

[sirenwerks]

I feel this way with cars turning at intersections.

Especially when their wheels are pointing straight.  Maybe I'm a freak, but I always notice that.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Trouble's a brewin...



Believe it or not, it all fit in my 3!



Barely...



But it got home.



And using this (look, I DO own power tools!), the wood pile was made into a differently shaped wood pile.





At which point, assembly was begun.



I actually got through about 50% of the pieces I needed to assemble before I decided to call it quits for the night.