This weekend I started a major rebuilding project on our HO layout.
The residential area on the layout is being completely redone with new streets, sidewalks, houses, school, and an orange grove. The layout is set in Southern California during the late 1950s.
Below are some progress photos.
The red and green houses are old Suydam tract house kits that I found on eBay over the years. The school is a kitbash that started from a Busch Cinema. The fruit stand is a new kit I just got from JV models, I altered it a bit. The brown house was already on the layout and is a Suydam Brown Bungalow. The stucco building behind the school was also already on the layout and is a Suydam Mission Style Station altered into a church.
As you can see there is lots left to do...finish the buildings, painting, landscaping, details, etc...
Any other questions, please ask.
Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, COClick Here for my model train photo website
Southwest Chief
Boy does this bring back memories of my Aunt trying to wrestle their Pontiac Strato chief into a garage about that big.
It's looking good and I am looking forward to progress photo's.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Airbrushed the streets with Grimy Black this morning. I'm waiting for the paint to fully cure before I glue the streets down. And after that I'll add some road stripes, stop signs, etc...
I also started construction of another house (Alpine Division's Dr. Whyte's House).
In some of these photos you can see the old driveways and streets (painted black). These will all be covered up with ground covering.
What kind of Landscaping would suburban Southern California circa late 1950s?I googled Orange County 1950s (going by your location), but the images that turned up didn't give a great overview of the area back then. I remember there were lots of TV Sitcoms filmed around suburban LA in that era such as Leave It to Beaver, Mr Ed, and so on, but what will be your take on it?
chutton01 What kind of Landscaping would suburban Southern California circa late 1950s?
What kind of Landscaping would suburban Southern California circa late 1950s?
My plan is to first put down grass ground cover. Then maybe some bushes/hedges/flowers.
The red house and green house are supposed to be fairly new, so I might put in some small trees with support poles to look like new plantings.
I found some 1956 tract house plans online and the drawings show landscaping around the houses. So I'll use these drawings as landscaping inspiration.
Here is a link:
1956 "Modern" Tract House Plans
There's a 1950s development in the San Juan Capistrano area called Los Amigos that I have been researching. Online photos of this development have been helpful in planning the overall look I'm going for.
Spent the weekend making orange trees. They are cut from sponges and have skewer trunks. I spray painted them but haven't put any foliage or oranges on them yet. I also added some ground cover and test fit Wig Wag signals.
Next on the list is to finish airbrushing the sidewalks. I didn't like the way brush painting looked.
I worked one summer in a California grove (apricots, not oranges, but that shouldn't matter) back then. The first thing I noticed is your grove looks park like, not grove like. The fruit growers crowded their trees as closely as they could. There was barely any room between them. They even used special tractors with sweeping fenders to keep the tree branches out of the machinery.
You might consider doubling up on the number of trees in each row.
Other than that, it looks like 50s California. Nice work.
Recovering former former model railroader.
Been a while, but I laid down some new sod.
Southwest Chief Been a while, but I laid down some new sod.
Don't get me wrong; you've done a good job but thinking of 1950's tract houses makes me think of:
Little boxes on the hillside,
Little boxes made of ticky-tacky,
Little boxes, little boxes, little boxes, all the same.
There's a green one, and a yellow one,
And a pink one, and a blue one,
And they're all made out of ticky-tacky,
And they all look just the same.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
By the way, I think you will find that the split-windshield Volkswagen bus is just a little anachronistic for the 1950s. According to my information the first VW Type 2s -- Vans, Transporters, Microbuses, whatever you want to call them -- were imported in very limited numbers as early as 1959 but really didn't take off in popularity until 1962 or 1963.
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
I've spent a great deal of time in the San Joaquin Valley in California and like another poster mentioned you may want to double the amount of Orange Trees in your orchard. Growers really pack them close together and you may also want to see if you can model something called a "smudge pot"---used to burn oil during freezing weather to help prevent freeze damage to citrus.
Nice job of modeling, it looks very nice.
Wayne
Modeling HO Freelance Logging Railroad.
I like what you have done with that area. I was going to plan a neighborhood a while back & when I started laying out lot sizes, I couldn't believe the amount of space just part of a city block will take up. Your streets, lots, boulevards, & sidewalks look nicely done! I also like the different grass tones as well.
R. T. POTEET Southwest Chief: By the way, I think you will find that the split-windshield Volkswagen bus is just a little anachronistic for the 1950s. According to my information the first VW Type 2s -- Vans, Transporters, Microbuses, whatever you want to call them -- were imported in very limited numbers as early as 1959 but really didn't take off in popularity until 1962 or 1963.
Southwest Chief: By the way, I think you will find that the split-windshield Volkswagen bus is just a little anachronistic for the 1950s. According to my information the first VW Type 2s -- Vans, Transporters, Microbuses, whatever you want to call them -- were imported in very limited numbers as early as 1959 but really didn't take off in popularity until 1962 or 1963.
The first VW bus was introduced in 1950. Some were imported into the US but the first major importing in large numbers was in 1955.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/volkswagen-bus1.htm
Now where were the pics of the VW vans?
Thanks all.
The orange grove isn't finished yet, so I'll likely be adding more. Just didn't have enough sponges at the time.
By the way, what I think is being confused as a VW van is actually a Metro delivery truck painted for the USPS:
It's made by Classic Metal Works (Mini Metals). Here's the Walthers listing:
A VW van would be too modern for our 1957 American setting. I try hard to keep the vehicles era appropriate for the most part.
US Mail Delivery Van
don7 R. T. POTEET: Southwest Chief: By the way, I think you will find that the split-windshield Volkswagen bus is just a little anachronistic for the 1950s. According to my information the first VW Type 2s -- Vans, Transporters, Microbuses, whatever you want to call them -- were imported in very limited numbers as early as 1959 but really didn't take off in popularity until 1962 or 1963. The first VW bus was introduced in 1950. Some were imported into the US but the first major importing in large numbers was in 1955. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/volkswagen-bus1.htm Now where were the pics of the VW vans?
R. T. POTEET: Southwest Chief: By the way, I think you will find that the split-windshield Volkswagen bus is just a little anachronistic for the 1950s. According to my information the first VW Type 2s -- Vans, Transporters, Microbuses, whatever you want to call them -- were imported in very limited numbers as early as 1959 but really didn't take off in popularity until 1962 or 1963.
The info I have is that in 1959 the number of imported units was about 6,500; I couldn't tell you what year they were first imported but my understanding is that prior to that 1959 model year total imports for the microbus was less than 3,000 units.
I owned a 1968 microbus that began falling apart almost immediately upon leaving the dealership in San Berdoo, Calif; I will admit that I would probably purchase a VW before I would purchase a Chrysler Motors anything but I don't intend on ever owning another one period!
Matt,
Your scene is really beginning to take shape and looks very nice. As a resident of Southern California all my life, I can add a few more suggestions:
1) It gets hot here in the summer. Few homes had air conditioning in the 1950's so most houses were landscaped with large shade trees that would often dwarf the houses (I'm looking at a monstrous pecan tree in my back yard right now). The Southern California climate allows many different species of trees to grow so many trees are imported (palm, eucalyptus, pine and various fruit bearing trees to name a few). Keep in mind that these imported trees can grow here but most cannot reproduce here. Thus, varieties like palms must always be imported and always appear in some form of purposely landscaped area. Even the few you see growing in the middle of nowhere were planted by a person.
2) Southern California gets very little rain. Few homes had automatic sprinklers in the 1950's so most lawns showed evidence of this lack of water. You might want to add some yellowed grass material to your lawns. Varied patches of yellow in an otherwise late summer green lawn would be most accurate. Coiled hoses attached to hose bibs on the sides of the houses might be another great detail. Lengths of small diameter solder could be used to create such hoses. A sprinkler head attached to the end of a hose could also be modeled using optic fibres to represent the spraying water. Spray a little clear gloss on the grass around the sprinkler head and it would definitely look like the lawn was being watered.
3) The Southern California climate allows lots of outdoor activity year round. Add lots of residential figures, especially kids playing outdoors. Large field games too big for a single yard were often played out in the residential streets. You could add a bunch of kids harassing a driver for interrupting their game. Outdoor meals were (still are) common. Picnic tables and charcoal style barbeques would be appropriate in the back yards.
4) Southern California is a car culture. Even in the 1950's, many families owned more than one car, especially if there were teenage drivers living in a home. Second cars, hot rods and other old beaters were a common sight parked in driveways and/or back yards.
5) Southern California garages are most often used the way basements are in other areas -- mainly for storage. Some people maintained their garage in a way that allowed a vehicle to still fit in the garage. Many others packed their garages to overflowing with junk. Open a garage door or two to expose the type of people living in each house. Landscape maintenance often matched the condition of the garage interior. A figure pushing a lawnmower or trimming bushes might be appropriate in a neat yard with a clean garage. A ratty yard with a figure in a hammock might be appropriate for a house with a messy garage.
6) Add details to you roofs. Most houses have various attic vents and plumbing vent pipes penetrating the roof. Most of these would be positioned so they would be more difficult to see from the street but they can occur anywhere a utility room exists inside the house. Plastic kit part sprues are the cheapest material to use to create such details. These items haven't changed much since the 1950's so just look at your own roof for ideas. A few odd looking TV antenaes might be appropriate too. Not every house had a TV in the 1950's and TV antenae designs were quite different depending on the brand.
I hope this helps. It sure gave me a few ideas for my own 1950's Southern California layout.
Hornblower
Wow, it's like you're reading my mind Hornblower. Creepy
As time and money permit, I'd like to do pretty much everything you suggested.
There is an online clip (Youtube) of an instructional movie put out for Santa Fe employees (my guess is circa 1954). It's California too.
Youtube Santa Fe Video
It's been a really useful resource in trying to replicate not only the trains, but the communities, vehicles, etc...contained in the movie. It is full of that 1950s idealized world image.
Here's a still that I've been using as reference for basic landscaping:
One other common item I see missing is yard fencing. Southern Californians have always preferred a little privacy in their back yards. Thus, wood fences five to six feet high were and still are quite common around the back and sides of each lot. Short fence sections typically connect the front end of each side fence to some point on the side of the house or garage, usually toward the front of the structure. Gates are often included in these short fence sections. Fences may or may not exist between the house and the detached garage. The Walthers wood fence kit looks about right for such fencing. Chain link was sometimes used but this was typically augmented by tall hedges to create a visual barrier. Fences between adjacent front yards were less common.
Again, I hope this helps.
Hornblower - Right on the money!!
Tested the orange trees closer together and yep it does look more like an orange grove. Now I need more trees
I also started on the strawberry patch. I think I'll make the clumps a little smaller and also use dark/black soil in the strawberry field.
Got some new photos showing more details have been added:
great work Matt; very nice ,reminds me of my nieghborhood...Jerry
Hmm
1) Was that a NuComp above-ground pool in the last photo, or scratchbuilt?
2) Street lighting - would this involve free-standing or pole mounted (general question about SoCal suburbs of the 1950s)
3) Electrical poles - did most SoCal surburbs bury their power/comm lines by this era?
4) One thing missing so far that would be found in a Northeastern Suburb of the time - chain link fencing (as soon as the last of the tract house development construction crew left, chain link started to go up) - would that be popular in a 1950s SoCal suburb?
5) Oh yes, your layout will NEVER be realistic till you have some scale broken toys scattered in the backyards...
Looks GREAT! Is that a kid swinging from the tree?
chutton01 Hmm 1) Was that a NuComp above-ground pool in the last photo, or scratchbuilt?
Yes NuComp pool.
chutton01 2) Street lighting - would this involve free-standing or pole mounted (general question about SoCal suburbs of the 1950s)
I haven't looked much into the lighting yet, but will eventually. I do have some street lights for the city section (yet to be installed), so they might work for the residential neighborhood as well.
chutton01 3) Electrical poles - did most SoCal surburbs bury their power/comm lines by this era?
There probably should be some electrical poles. And wires going to each house. But I haven't found any that I like and that look residential. Might have to scratch build some. However, by the mid to late 1950s, some electrical lines were buried in the newest of developments.
chutton01 4) One thing missing so far that would be found in a Northeastern Suburb of the time - chain link fencing (as soon as the last of the tract house development construction crew left, chain link started to go up) - would that be popular in a 1950s SoCal suburb?
Chain link was not very popular, at least from what I have researched thus far. Mostly wooden or landscaping fences...at least in the more affluent neighborhoods.
The fence I have in those pictures is a test fence that I had on another part of the layout. The real fence still has to be built and located.
chutton01 5) Oh yes, your layout will NEVER be realistic till you have some scale broken toys scattered in the backyards...
I do have a set of backyard "junk" that is still awaiting placement.
scoutII Is that a kid swinging from the tree?
Is that a kid swinging from the tree?
Yep.
I think he is an old Weston figure? Or maybe a Mini-Metals figure? Not sure. We've had him for years. The tree, however, will eventually be replaced by a more realistic looking one since it is such a foreground area. I'll keep the tire swing kid though.
Raised in Burbank, C A, I remember that there were no street lights on our street, only on the four lane main streets. The power poles were along the center of the block back yards so power lines could serve the back each house. We had a six foot concrete block wall fence in the back yard, no front yard fences. We had large Maple trees on each side of our street, named Maple Street. A small parkway for trees and grass of four feet between the sidewalk and curb.
NEW POST
Been a while (actually almost exactly 2 years), but I figured it would be better to update this post rather then make a new one.
Seems like I do most of my layout work while there are baseball playoffs on the radio
I finally got some leaves on the orange trees and you'll probably notice some other new details here and there:
N
icely done
Bob
Photobucket Albums:NPBL - 2008 The BeginningNPBL - 2009 Phase INPBL - 2010 Downtown
Are you holding off the ballasting of your mainline for some reason? It just doesn't seem right in it's current state (and don't tell us you just haven't had time to get around to it - as you stated, it's been 2 years...)
Ballast is the last step for this section. I have to add another track bus connection so I haven't ballasted this spot yet. The track isn't even glued down here. Just a few track nails in the old cork.
And I really haven't had time...even with 2 years
A lot of my available layout time was spent on the G scale layout in the last 2 years. But that layout is finally completed so now I can start again on the HO and maybe the O as well.
I guess I missed your post update last month. Your neighborhood looks great! I especially like the look of the end-of-road barriers. I'm sure you'll continue to develop detailing ideas as time goes on. I wish I could get my plywood pacific looking more like your layout. I keep getting various scenes partially completed only to get distracted by the adjacent bare plywood sections that suddenly look too bare next to the partially completed scene. As long as I keep at it, I'll eventually fill in enough rough scenery that I'll finally be able to finish off a scene or two. I didn't realize when I built my current 10' by 19' double deck layout how much time (and money) it would take to add the desired scenery.