Author Topic: Newport & Rock Falls: Another Retro Micro-Layout  (Read 55213 times)

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wm3798

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Re: Newport & Rock Falls: Another Retro Micro-Layout
« Reply #240 on: March 03, 2021, 11:31:57 PM »
0
The "Prussian" look with the timber and stucco is a thing around Philly and Baltimore, which had high concentrations of German immigrants in the late 19th and 20th centuries.  Lots of architectural examples of this exist in the mid Atlantic.
Lee
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dem34

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Re: Newport & Rock Falls: Another Retro Micro-Layout
« Reply #241 on: March 04, 2021, 12:07:03 AM »
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Think hes sticking with the 70s faux Euro style for consistency. That said there are areas at least in the burbs of NJ where you do get these... interesting. Bits of European exclusive architecture. With debatable execution.



-Al

DKS

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Re: Newport & Rock Falls: Another Retro Micro-Layout
« Reply #242 on: March 04, 2021, 01:50:26 AM »
+1
The building looks good, but I'm confused whether this layout depicts European or American locale.  I know you mentioned that many of the buildings have European flavor (but could still exists in USA), but the brick and timber walls (in Polish we call that "Prussian walls"), look uniquely European.

Remember the theme of the layout is retro. Back in the late 60s/early 70s, very few American structures were available, and certainly not enough to fully populate a layout. So it's a fantasy locale at best, with no desire or intention to attempt an authentic American look, even though it's an American layout; the trains, at least, will all be properly American. The selection of kits is based on fond recollections of my earliest modeling efforts, to the extent that it's practical, and the whole point of the project is to have fun. Yes, the layout has a few modern elements (such as LED lighting and certain scenery materials), but that's only because I found it too constraining—and thus not as much fun—to slavishly adhere to the retro theme in all aspects of its construction; the extent to which I've done this is to maintain a consistent look, hence the kitbashed station.

I think if one looked hard enough, one could perhaps find plenty of examples of overtly European architecture here in America—Princeton, NJ, comes to mind—



—but that would be a ridiculous effort, IMO.
« Last Edit: March 04, 2021, 02:34:05 AM by DKS »

peteski

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Re: Newport & Rock Falls: Another Retro Micro-Layout
« Reply #243 on: March 04, 2021, 04:24:48 AM »
0
Remember the theme of the layout is retro. Back in the late 60s/early 70s, very few American structures were available, and certainly not enough to fully populate a layout. So it's a fantasy locale at best, with no desire or intention to attempt an authentic American look, even though it's an American layout; the trains, at least, will all be properly American. The selection of kits is based on fond recollections of my earliest modeling efforts, to the extent that it's practical, and the whole point of the project is to have fun. Yes, the layout has a few modern elements (such as LED lighting and certain scenery materials), but that's only because I found it too constraining—and thus not as much fun—to slavishly adhere to the retro theme in all aspects of its construction; the extent to which I've done this is to maintain a consistent look, hence the kitbashed station.

That makes sense. Thanks for the explanation.

Quote
I think if one looked hard enough, one could perhaps find plenty of examples of overtly European architecture here in America—Princeton, NJ, comes to mind—



—but that would be a ridiculous effort, IMO.

WOW! That looks just like one of the Vollmer or Kibri kits!
. . . 42 . . .

keeper

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Re: Newport & Rock Falls: Another Retro Micro-Layout
« Reply #244 on: March 04, 2021, 07:30:37 AM »
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With debatable execution.




YES! Very questionable.

Thomas :D
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DKS

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Re: Newport & Rock Falls: Another Retro Micro-Layout
« Reply #245 on: March 04, 2021, 04:27:09 PM »
+6
4 March 2021. Completed the Rock Falls passenger station installation.



Also finished the freight crane installation.



And in non-photogenic news, I've nailed down the control panel design. 35 switches to control this silly little layout!

DKS

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Re: Newport & Rock Falls: Another Retro Micro-Layout
« Reply #246 on: March 05, 2021, 05:27:16 PM »
+9
5 March 2021. Got most of the gravel bonded in place at the gravel works.



Also completed the greenery around the rolling lift bridge control cabin.



And did the first official track ballasting (all three inches of it) at the freight crane.


Chris333

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Re: Newport & Rock Falls: Another Retro Micro-Layout
« Reply #247 on: March 05, 2021, 06:03:59 PM »
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That quarry is the $hiznit!

DKS

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Re: Newport & Rock Falls: Another Retro Micro-Layout
« Reply #248 on: March 05, 2021, 06:38:42 PM »
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That quarry is the $hiznit!

Thank you. Been wanting to do something like that for ages.

OldEastRR

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Re: Newport & Rock Falls: Another Retro Micro-Layout
« Reply #249 on: March 06, 2021, 02:16:21 AM »
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Yeah, a great quarry. Let's see the other side.

DKS

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Re: Newport & Rock Falls: Another Retro Micro-Layout
« Reply #250 on: March 06, 2021, 03:14:22 AM »
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Yeah, a great quarry. Let's see the other side.

Not done yet. Getting there, though.

DKS

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Re: Newport & Rock Falls: Another Retro Micro-Layout
« Reply #251 on: March 06, 2021, 12:06:16 PM »
+8
Okay, here you go. Except for figures, vehicles and few odd little details, it's done.


OldEastRR

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Re: Newport & Rock Falls: Another Retro Micro-Layout
« Reply #252 on: March 06, 2021, 02:43:45 PM »
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Love how you extended the narrow gauge tracks to make the short section on the kit base actually have a purose.

DKS

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Re: Newport & Rock Falls: Another Retro Micro-Layout
« Reply #253 on: March 06, 2021, 05:24:25 PM »
+4
6 March 2021. In addition to the other side of the quarry, above, I started the first stretch of mainline ballasting.



In other news, I retrofitted a pair of vintage Atlas gooseneck lamps with 0402 warm white LEDs, along with globes from old Miniatronic streetlights to make a pair of station parking lot lights. Everything was press-fit: the LEDs press-fit into the globes, and the globes press-fit into the gooseneck tubes. Kismet! Thus these lights are a microcosm of the layout as a whole: an aesthetic mix of old and new.


Jeff AKA St0rm

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Re: Newport & Rock Falls: Another Retro Micro-Layout
« Reply #254 on: March 06, 2021, 06:06:48 PM »
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DKS I am always amazed by your layouts. just WOW