Penn Central Stockton Branch Micro-Layout

[DKS]

Agreed.

It's why I've never really gotten into the Thomas Kinkade school of modeling, where everything is clean, business is booming, and there are no problems in the world.

I love modeling stuff that's NOT that. Even my modeling of Conrail in 1985 (when things were going so well the biggest fear was NS trying to take Conrail over) is in the crappy weather season.

I guess that's why I love this so much.

Thanks, Ed. I love your layout--you remember my reaction seeing the roundhouse that's not there, right? That's an awesome scene and my favorite part of your layout. And you're spot on regarding the season. I'm on the fence about the season for this layout--I have a sense bare trees would be just a bit too over-the-top. Green might help save some folks from slashing their wrists after seeing the layout.

By the way, when I was doing research for abandoned towers, yours kept popping up in the image searches!

Geez Ed, you make it sound like there is nothing between Thomas Kincade kitsch and urban ghetto, when in fact most of our world fits somewhere inbetween; some clean, some a bit worn and some worn out...

I totally concur, and in fact this layout started out that way, a mix of still thriving and borderline desolation. Indeed, my White River and Northern IV ( http://davidksmith.com/modeling/wrn4.htm ) landed squarely in this zone. I chose to go full-bore, maxed-out urban wasteland this time for a few reasons. For one, I'd wanted to give it a try for some time. More importantly, it suits my diminished modeling abilities much better (my industrial building challenge provided a painful lesson: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=43681.msg567564#msg567564 ). Modeling acute decay lets me hide a multitude of sins, and gives me a great new opportunity to keep modeling even with increasing physical limitations. I'm basically turning lemons into lemonade.

How do you plan to model the falling-apart brickwork and cracks along the mortar seams in the brick wall?

Some things that are too small to model on a literal basis can be suggested through weathering and the overall condition of the building.

What you need here are some abandoned signal bases to go along with the tower or some rusty stripped out skeletons (no lenses, or backs with heads turned 90 degrees).

Got that covered. In fact, one of my many little quirks is that I like modeling old concrete footings scattered all around--some you can identify, like old relay box footings, and many you cannot. Footprints of a railroad's ghosts.

I really appreciate all of the feedback, good or otherwise. It helps keep my hopes up and keeps me working harder. There have been a few times in the last few years where I've come close to quitting the hobby.

[Cajonpassfan]

.....

I really appreciate all of the feedback, good or otherwise. It helps keep my hopes up and keeps me working harder. There have been a few times in the last few years where I've come close to quitting the hobby.

Oh, don't do that, David, that would *really* be depressing
Not to mention a huge loss to all of us...
Otto

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Thanks, Ed. I love your layout--you remember my reaction seeing the roundhouse that's not there, right? That's an awesome scene and my favorite part of your layout. And you're spot on regarding the season. I'm on the fence about the season for this layout--I have a sense bare trees would be just a bit too over-the-top. Green might help save some folks from slashing their wrists after seeing the layout.

By the way, when I was doing research for abandoned towers, yours kept popping up in the image searches!

My SEO is second to none!

And your appreciation really does mean quite a bit to me. It is entirely mutual.

[DKS]

Painting is 90% complete. Still need to do the roof and the boarded-up storefronts, and then, of course, the graf.

[DeltaBravo]

Painting is 90% complete. Still need to do the roof and the boarded-up storefronts, and then, of course, the graf.

A broken second story window would be a nice touch.

[Philip H]

I probably missed it but how are you doing the boards for boarding things over?

[DKS]

I probably missed it but how are you doing the boards for boarding things over?

Microply.

A broken second story window would be a nice touch.

Well, they're all broken, as it happens.

[Chris333]

Fantabulous!

[OldEastRR]

What did you kitbash the RH building out of?

[cgw]

DKS  looks like you got your mojo back. you hit another home run, fantastic modeling, you definitely captured  the passage of time!!!!

[DKS]

What did you kitbash the RH building out of?

The storefront of one DPM kit with the back of another on top of it.

Fantabulous!

DKS  looks like you got your mojo back. you hit another home run, fantastic modeling, you definitely captured  the passage of time!!!!

Thanks, guys! Yes, I feel like this is what I should be doing.

[jpec]

Most excellent on all fronts - the kitbash, the weathering, the board-up work with the subtle graffiti...well done!

[tom mann]

It’s making me want to get back into things.

[Chris333]

Since you are so good with graphics. Maybe do a panel of repeating same posters like in one of the proto photos.

http://www.davidksmith.com/modeling/images/penn-central/apartments.jpg

[DKS]

Since you are so good with graphics. Maybe do a panel of repeating same posters like in one of the proto photos.

http://www.davidksmith.com/modeling/images/penn-central/apartments.jpg

Good idea. But actually I think I may do that on the freight station. More space.