I've recently retired my Thomas-themed layout to create one following a stylized 'Ivor the Engine' theme. (see http://ivortheengineonline.com). I'll be converting Percy to serve as Ivor. Here is the beginnings: Mr. Pugh's Pit and Mrs. Porty's manse in the background. She owns the railway.
A better photo of Mrs. Porty's with Ivor's friend, Bluebell the donkey waiting for his visit. Mr. Dimwiddie's gold mine is behind Thomas.
Here's Dai station in Llaniog, The clear bin is full of foreground trees.
Here's placement for the Signal box, water column - I'll add a tank or get a Hornby tinplate water tank, and Ivor's shed.
Two sidings - with the new storage shed with Grumbly Town in the background.
The beginnings of Pugh's Farm...
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
I like it Doug, looks like lot's of fun.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Thanks SJ! I hope. Just a single line that snakes around the space. I'm puzzling over view blocks between 'scenes'. If Lionel ever releases a Percy with that new remote, it would be perfect for this.
Consider cardboard flats with different scenes on each side. I hope Thomas will still be around for a visit now and then.
Looks great DougM. What size is the layout?
Ray
Bayville, NJ
Life is what happens to youWhile you're busy making other plans - John Lennon
Looking good Doug. Neat Idea.
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
Thanks Kev! The layout is about 29 ft by 11 ft, Ray. It's a rock-filled raised crawlspace that I covered in 4x8 foam board - and the indoor-outdoor carpet - over a radon seal.
looks great doug
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
A great layout, after all we are into toy trains and they are only designed for enjoyable operations
Doug,
For some reason I can't get into that link. You got another door to it?
I agree, having fun is job one and this looks like a fun-packed layout! Becky
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
I agree, having fun is job one and this looks like a fun-packed layout!
Becky
Interesting concept. You'll be the only kid on your block with that one. Agreed - Percy is spot-on for Ivor. Time to tell all of your loved ones to give you Dept 56 Dickens Village buildings for Christmas.
Fife, a great idea! Kev, try this http://www.ivortheengineonline.com/
Super cool layout Doug - love love love it! Let the dragons fly!
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
More progress over the weekend. I've added Smoke Hill in the background. Putting wings on the 'dragons' - and am testing a cardstock slate roof and brick siding to Ivor's shed, a tree line and coal bin. t
Better view of the signal box and signal I'm trying to power - it won't trip off track power even with the CW80 connected to the track right there. I'm going to try some ideas I got off the TARDIS ride last night from Charlie and SJ. You can see the brick siding I'm trying out on Ivor's shed. I like the look of the water tank so far. I spray painted a tea tin glossy black and cut a slot in it to fit neatly over the head of the MTH water column.
After passing the signal box, Ivor moves through a view block formed by MTH and Lionel tunnel portals and a bridge, then pulls into Dai's station in Llaniog. It's a Marx Girard station and Lionel passenger platform tricked out with benches, flowers, milk churns, Britains figures, a bike, and a storage siding in the back currently holding two wagons. Smoke Hill in the background.
Pugh's farm and Grumbly Town are 'blossoming' - I'm considering the engine shed and two sidings to be Oh I forget the name of Ivor's mainline shed, not quite a junction, but where he'd go for a refit. The haystakcs are those little weights you fit in a colored bag holding bunches of helium balloons.
Mrs. Porty's manse, with Bluebell the donkey to the left, Mrs. P (actually a Scrooge figure) waiting for Ivor to deliver a new hat and sheep (old Britain's and Woodland Scenic figures) grazing in the foreground
Dimwiddie's gold mine, complete with plenty of 'gold' (iron pyrite) and an old MILW boxcar. The man himself out front waiting for Ivor to bring him some new boots up.
Another angle on Pugh's farm and the sidings next to the engine shed. The aeroplane will advertise Charlie Bange's Circus!
I'm going to try spraypainting a few of the gasworks items.
It's nice that you have room to create separate scenes. Gives it a birds eye kind of view.
Looking good, Doug!
SJ, you gave me a great idea about using flats for view blocks - and Brutus, you helped me remember about 'just good enough' modeling - based on my lighting and the distance visitors will view things. That's why I'm using an antlerless moose as a stand-in for Bluebell - she can be easily seen past the fence.
Looks who's dropped in.
Pugh's Pit or Pugh Fuels Ltd. now has a working AF coal elevator. Note pile of real coal in the back.
OK Doug I see wires on the 151, Is it working, if so congrats you are getting better at it.
Thanks for the help, SJ!
Looking good Doug.
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