Many have asked about my layout and some even doubted that I built a layout. A few weeks ago a visitor took some simple cell phone shots in 4K (whatever that is). He immediately posted these on You Tube and they are just terrific with completely accurate colors. I tried to post a link, but to no avail (just too much of a dinosaur I guess). If you go on You Tube and do a search under my name, it'll come up. I'm not tooting my horn......just sharing! Actually I had no idea he was going to do this as so many visitors have taken cell phone stills and video....but no problem and I'm quite grateful and proud to have my work on line. My thanks to this gentleman.
HZ
I saw something on Facebook, from some model railroad group, about your layout. Sorry to say I cannot remember much of it but I recall your name and something about how much money and time you put into building it.
Mike
And my thanks to you both.
THAT was a real treat.
Ed
Excellent Howard! I love looking at your lay out. Let's see if I can make a link.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/260806.aspx
Mike.
EDIT: Nope, doesn't work. Copy and paste time.
My You Tube
4K is the new HD video. It means your video camera is out of date and so is your Blue Ray collection. It is the same as IMAX. The resolution on old fashion TV was 640x480 pixels (the tiny dots of color on your tv screen). HD is 1920x1080. 4K is up to 7680×4320. 4K = 4,000. More pixel dots mean a better picture especially on a big screen.However unless your monitor and computer are up for it and so is your internet connection you won't really watch videos on 4K. The default on youtube is (640x)480 which is not even HD. You can change the setting on this video up to 1440 which is better than HD but not really as big as it could be.
The layout looks really nice.
Here is the link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6GBoVIC9Sg
Howard,
Great video of your layout. I find it hard to believe some doubted its existance. In many circles you are a revered member of the hobby along with Koester, McCelland, Soeberg, Mindheim!
The level of detail in that layout is astonishing. This is a 2500 sq ft private layout??
Unreal... (not in a doubting its existance way, in a "I'm blown away" way). Marylander too - I hope there's something in the water, so it rubs off on me as well!
RRR_BethBr The level of detail in that layout is astonishing. This is a 2500 sq ft private layout?? Unreal... (not in a doubting its existance way, in a "I'm blown away" way). Marylander too - I hope there's something in the water, so it rubs off on me as well!
Having seen it in person, I can attest to the quality (and existance) of Howards layout, he truely is a master of model scenery.
Maybe we are just spoiled here in the Mid Atlantic, but personal home layouts similar in size to Howards are relatively common in these parts, even if they don't all represent the level of scenery talent of Howards layout.
There have been several conversations about the sizes of home layouts on this forum where some want to claim 1000 sq ft, 2000 sq ft, or larger home layouts are exceedingly rare.
I can take you to dozens of basement filling layouts within 10-15 miles of my house.........
And dozens more if I expand the area to the 35 miles between my house and Howards.
In this region, basements are beyond common, in fact, houses without basements are rare......maybe just one reason model railroading is popular here.......
Not everyone with a large home layout puts photos or vids on the web, or works to get their layout in print.......but trust me, they are out there.
Sheldon
Howard a sent you a message some time ago, but maybe it disappeared in the Internet. When is your next open house?
How did you make the letters for the Sivercup Bread sign?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
ATLANTIC CENTRAL RRR_BethBr The level of detail in that layout is astonishing. This is a 2500 sq ft private layout?? Unreal... (not in a doubting its existance way, in a "I'm blown away" way). Marylander too - I hope there's something in the water, so it rubs off on me as well! Having seen it in person, I can attest to the quality (and existance) of Howards layout, he truely is a master of model scenery. Maybe we are just spoiled here in the Mid Atlantic, but personal home layouts similar in size to Howards are relatively common in these parts, even if they don't all represent the level of scenery talent of Howards layout. There have been several conversations about the sizes of home layouts on this forum where some want to claim 1000 sq ft, 2000 sq ft, or larger home layouts are exceedingly rare. I can take you to dozens of basement filling layouts within 10-15 miles of my house......... And dozens more if I expand the area to the 35 miles between my house and Howards. In this region, basements are beyond common, in fact, houses without basements are rare......maybe just one reason model railroading is popular here....... Not everyone with a large home layout puts photos or vids on the web, or works to get their layout in print.......but trust me, they are out there. Sheldon
Folks,
Thanks for the good words. Sheldon is quite correct...there are many fine and rather large layouts here in basement territory. My original basement was 680 sq. feet, but two additions to house and basement from 1995 to 2002 brought the basement square footage to 2850. I have known several model rails who have done really nice work, but rarely share or seek publicity. I was once planning on writing a photo story book aboout these many secretive pikes, but age cought up with me. My dad was in this class. His pike was gigantic stretching the tape measure to 95' x 16', but he would never share it...it was his project for only him to enjoy. I was not even allowed to play with it unless he was present. Our home in North Jersey was a basic 60' x 36' footprint semi ranch type house. When he built a three car garage, he extended the basement below adding 35' more feet or around another 700 square feet.
I have had just as much fun building smaller layouts, and actually finished a few. My present pike although looking complete is around 80%. I still have 15,000 trees to make, telephone poles and wires to string, many signs, and to replace several structures I feel I can improve on. Much of what is there now has been done over several times including taking down and completely rebuilding the original section one which was 680 sq. feet.
The layout is probably 70% of the room size as I just recently added seven new sections using up my once generous 5-6 foot- aisles. It is a double deck, but not wth the overhanging section. I call this blended multi deck or blended double deck. I could never get into the look of two or more ovehanging decks or levels, but many do and that is just fine....just a matter of taste. Some have asked about access. Everything is reachable, but in some areas difficult. I call this "extreme model railroading". The pike has 17 liftout sections and a huge Micro Mark folding steel scaffold.
When in my area of Central Maryland.....give a call and come over and play with the train set.
BigDaddy Howard a sent you a message some time ago, but maybe it disappeared in the Internet. When is your next open house? How did you make the letters for the Sivercup Bread sign? Henry.... Nope....ain't never got your note! the Silver Cup sign is a Bar Mills kit, and there are many. I do not think Bar Mills is producing these now, but Blair Line is. I no longer conduct open houses in the formal sense unless asked by a group.............but visitors are more than welcome most anytime. HZ
I see a preponderance of Victorian architecture - are these built from plans, recreating actual buildings, or is it more freelance to suit personal taste?
Either way, they look fantastic.
Howard has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree and builds from the visions he sees in his mind or remembers from his youth, typically without the aid of a plan, which is particularly astounding to this civil transportation design engineer. If I recall correctly, he begins a structure and then they take on a life of their own--completely the opposite of what I would attempt to do--and arguably with a much better end result.
I'm usually so stunned by the inventory of brass models upstairs, of which I usually attempt to buy one at a time, but that can be a challenging decision itself, that I'm halfway to lalaland by the time we are downstairs. However his layout is positively amazing.
My 83 year old father is not much on traveling anymore because he feels he can't leave my mom alone, but he is actually interested in making the drive from Montoursville, PA to Howard's house to see this amazing layout.
Howard might be the finest "fine" artist we have in this hobby that is actively modeling and not devoting their time to paintings.
John Mock
Howad
That is avery generous invite. I live across the river in NOVA. What county are you in, in MD ? If one were to want to vist what is the best way to set up an appointment ?
Thanks
YGW
YGV,
Sure, Just give a ring at 410 730 1036. I work (play) at home so most times are fine. I do have a few simple rules...mainly that kids must be self propelled should you bring along one of these.
Magnificant.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL ... master of model scenery. Maybe we are just spoiled here in the Mid Atlantic, but personal home layouts similar in size to Howards are relatively common in these parts, even if they don't all represent the level of scenery talent of Howards layout. ... Sheldon
...
Yes Sheldon, you are spoiled to have so many magnificant layouts nearby. Having lived in multiple states, basement country does make a huge difference in the house. I wonder if the fact that so many houses now don't have available basement space is contributing to decrease in model railroading?
jim
jmbjmb Magnificant. ATLANTIC CENTRAL ... master of model scenery. Maybe we are just spoiled here in the Mid Atlantic, but personal home layouts similar in size to Howards are relatively common in these parts, even if they don't all represent the level of scenery talent of Howards layout. ... Sheldon Yes Sheldon, you are spoiled to have so many magnificant layouts nearby. Having lived in multiple states, basement country does make a huge difference in the house. I wonder if the fact that so many houses now don't have available basement space is contributing to decrease in model railroading? jim
Jim, I can't speak for other areas of the country, but here in the Mid Atlantic basements remain standard for virtually all single homes and even most townhomes.
Being a residential designer by trade, I am most familiar with common construction practices in this region - but admittedly I have never lived or worked anywhere else.
The Mid Atlantic has cold enough winters to require deep foundations, typically at least 3 feet deep. By the time you go to the expense of footers and foundation walls that deep, the additonal cost of a full basement is very small. Especially considering the latest code requirements for slab floors in crawl spaces and general insulation requirements. It becomes very low cost additional square footage, sometimes finished as living space - sometimes not.
In warmer or wetter climates, the automatic advantages of basements are not as clear cut, making them less universal.
But I see little change in the use of basement foundations in current or recent home building in this region.
Ironicly, my layout is not in my basement. My house is a 1901 Queen Anne my wife and I restored several decades ago. The 6'-4" ceiling height of the basement is not really model train friendly, what with duct work, heating and plumbing pipes, boiler, well pump, oil tanks, etc.
My layout is located above my 32' x 40' detached garage, which I designed and build for that purpose.
Having lived in the Mid Atlantic my whole life, it is hard to imagine life in a house without a basement, if for no other reasons than comfort and easy maintenence of the infrastructure.
But yes, we are lucky to have so many great layouts around us. For whatever it is worth, the Mid Atlantic and New England seem to be the most popular areas for the hobby, at least if NMRA membership is any indicator.
Howard, I have always been amazed by your work. It is always a pleasure to watch/see. Thanks you for sharing it!
Lone Wolf and Santa Fe4K is up to 7680×4320. 4K = 4,000. More pixel dots mean a better picture especially on a big screen. However unless your monitor and computer are up for it and so is your internet connection you won't really watch videos on 4K.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
Well, in the northeast we still get enough snow such that in the winter time there is not much to do outside...
Howard Zane YGV, Sure, Just give a ring at 410 730 1036. I work (play) at home so most times are fine. I do have a few simple rules...mainly that kids must be self propelled should you bring along one of these. HZ
Howard wrote - "Sure, Just give a ring at 410 730 1036. I work (play) at home so most times are fine. I do have a few simple rules...mainly that kids must be self propelled should you bring along one of these."
Thank you VERY MUCH. I am very impressed that you would open up your home and layout to various folks. I will be calling very soon.
PRR8259 Well, in the northeast we still get enough snow such that in the winter time there is not much to do outside...
Well, that is the classic observation about winter and model trains, and I'm sure for lots of folks there is some truth to it.
Myself, I'm not really the outdoors type and I hate the summer heat - I do lots of model building in the summer.........