And I thought I would ge a bunch of great dock scenes. At least MrB came through for me.
As far as wimsical scenes for the enjoyment of the modeler, that is what I am all about.
But if someone started a thread on great waterfront scenes, I would look, but have nothing to show.
If you want a lighthouse for a water front display, Harbor Freight, a tool supplier has one that is 8 inches tall and is solar powered for $5.98. It could be modified for a layout. You can buy or make your own circuit that pretty much simulates the rotating beacon. I have made my own electronic circuit that works quite well with an inverted cone white LED which gives a 360 degree light.
Rather than post the link, do a Google search for harbor freight solar lighthouse. Don't want to offend the Powers That Be.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
If we have the same mind, I feel sorry for Bernie. If I get the MR Collection on CD, then I can see it. Mine will also be a short line switching arrangement. It will be a 56x38 inch tabletop layout that folds in half.
__________________________________________________________________
Mike Kieran
Port Able Railway
I just do what the majority of the voices in my head vote on.
Hi, Mike;
His name was Bernie De La Torre, and he comes originally from Cuba. The concept was a portable layout that was pretty much a switching/short line arrangement. Now, this layout was a featured article in the June 1967 Model R ailroader, and what caught my mind was the two features; switching and as a seaport. It was called the "Port Able" lines. See? Great minds think alike after all.
Hey Rich,
The name just came to me because it's portable, and will rest on my tabletop (por table). I've shrunk it down from my original plan of 66x45 inches to 56x38 inches. The layout will fold in half so that I can fit it in the back seat of my car. I will commence building it in a few weeks.
This scene is from the Treasure Coast Model Railroad Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida:
I'm just a visitor with a camera, so I can't claim any responsibility for the scene. The club has an extensive waterfront area, and some of the best "dirty water" modeling I've ever seen. Check out "Layout Scenes" on their web site http://www.tcmrr.org/ for more pictures of their port.
The car float and apron are the Walters kits. I managed to get one of each when they briefly re-surfaced as a production run a couple of years back. It's somewhere on my list, but the whole "Mooseport" area of my layout is still nothing but pink foam right now.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
HI Mike;
Did you buy that Port Able Lines layout from another modeller, first name being Bernie? I ask because there was an article about one about 44 years ago in MR.
Billie Holliday and a ton of other singers and instrumentalists. Billie Holliday Made that song to be almost her trademark she did it so good. I have one of the Walthers carfloats and doing a transfer facility of any size will be a mighty undertaking, but it WILL be built!
Go to youtube and Type in MA&G of Cliff Powers. See what he has done for modeling harbors and ships with Modelrailroading. Kevin
My Port Able Railway will have a fish company for its waterfront since it will not have the space for a port facility. If I were to put one though, I would consider putting a bulk liquid facility (just add hoses and a pump station) or a gravel transfer facility (the Walthers Golden Flame Fuel Company would be perfect for that).
OH!
Alriught, can I remove my tongue from my cheek now so I can avoid choking to death?
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
Wasn't there a song from the 1920s or 1930s titled: "I model the waterfront" or something like that?
Rich:
It's o.k., for me it was fun to build, I could have extended the water a little more but, hey I am o.k. with whatever is said. For me it is the idea of just being able to create, it is model railroading, and I have fun. When folks drop by to see it they like it.
I have seen many a water front scene that are small in Model Railroader over the years, some with passenger ships on a model railroad; and yes the barge comes from no real place. Whatever we say can be discouraging to some but I don't mind at all. I certainly would not want to discourage a newcomer with all kinds of criticism. Whether it is perportional or not, I like to at least demonstrate some modeling effort and just enjoy the hobby. Besides, why do we have to be so exact.
I guess every picture that has appeared on this forum has been perfect, all done by professional modelers; I just can't tie my self up in rivets.
Thanks,
Robert Sylvester, WTRR
Looks good to me. Clearly the barge belongs to a pilot school and it's the first day on a real watercraft for the student. No problem.
The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"
LOL
Robert, you are taking a beating on that photo of your landlocked barge, but nice job of scratchbuilding, nonetheless.
Alton Junction
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
You might want to put random debris abound the water's edge. The barge looks like it's wedged against the bridge after a flood. It doesn't look like it could have gotten there any other way.
Looks like it's well built.
Do you have a wide pic of the layout?
Springfield PA
Having spent my `formative years' in the Port of New York area, I have severe rivet counter syndrome when it comes to waterfronts and water craft.
OTOH, I have no idea what might have been appropriate in the universe you are modeling.
The ferry is an interesting design, but obviously intended for placid waters. As for the placement, back in `the day' there was a Blue Coal bunker at the head of navigation of the Bronx River that was more than a little reminiscent of your scene. Watching a tug trying to maneuver a coal barge in there (and get the empty out) was an interesting way to spend an hour or two.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with watercourses navigable by kayakers with death wishes)
chutton01:
Nah, it certainly is way out of proportion and I understand that. For me it is just the idea of building a scene. Of course it's not even practicle; for me it is the joy of just creating a scene and it satisfies my little world.
I certainly enjoyed building the boat, its my boat and I am captain and haul what I want. No history or mystery here,
Thanks for looking,
Robert Sylvester WTRR
Just wondering - in "weld counter mode" - do (or did in your time frame) motorized barges look like that? If not, perhaps you could repurpose the barge for maintainance, such as dredging or pile-driving.Did they carry trailers on a regular basis (or is the load just for photo-shot purposes) on the Mississippi and it's tributaries (which include the Ohio, Missouri, Red, and the Tennessee/Tombigbee)? I'm sure there were one offs and such, especially during wartime
And are you planning a large wharf scene with much more space - the way the barge is crammed in there now against the bridge looks like the end result of a massive flood rather than a controlled docking manuever - also, it seems you mean for that bridge to be permanently located there rather than just for the photos - but that bridge (in the real world) would clearly restrict navigation - a movable bridge would be preferrable for that locatioin, unless you're considering the water feature just a small triburtary rather than the main river
Well, I know it's model railroading and we have talked about trains, planes, cars and even water on the route. My railroad is in West Tennessee the WTRR. It crosses some rivers like the Tennessee, but I still wanted a harbor so I moved a small portion of Memphis to fit the railroad.
It is a small area but it satisfies my want of a harbor. I decided to scratch build a barge, since they travel the Mississippi and the Tennessee. I found a piece of 2X6, angled the bow and sides and flattened the back then painted it. I then scratched the pilothouse from scraps, adding here and there with figures and trailors being hauled to port.
The area measures 2'X21/2', the base is plywood painted, then I used Woodlands Scenic water out of a bottle, two layers. The bridge is scratched built out of plywood for the road bed, Holgate and Reynolds siding then I painted the bridge and laid the track.
As they say, it ain't much but I like it as I build up my little port city on the river. I hope others will share their river ports and the like.
The "Debra Lee" at the Port of Riverside
The Port City of Riverside with a truck transfer build right next door.
The "Debra Lee" just received a load and is shooving off for a new destination.
Share your ports.