Biggest change was adding a foot in width. Adding a siding on the upper lever to serve two industries and a team track. Removing the mountain and adding an additional Gilbert senic backdrop and corner unit into the layout. The lower level has another turnout added for future expansion.
In photo above the mountain is removed and the senic corner unit added. You can also see the switch to the new siding.
You've accomplished alot in a 5x8 space. Well done, Sir.
Besides enlarging it in width by one foot, I also added a 6 inch jut out in front to hold my Eureka Diner and parking lot for the stations on the lower level. Also got another A.F. backdrop in fair condition so I could extend the back drop and use a corner section as part of the scene. My original backdrop was never folded or slots punched out so it is staying that way. An additional siding goes along the back and the lower level has another switch for future expansion. Below shows new buildings such as Bubba's BBQ, the Gatemans tower and Factory Building by Lehigh Valley.
Beautiful layout Major, my compliments sir! And...
Holy smoke, is that an original 1863 Springfield hanging on the wall? If it is, it's gorgeous! The stock color and patina on the metal look just about what an original should look like 150 years on.
By the way, I've got a US Model 1816 percussion conversion hanging over the fireplace under the 1779 "Brown Bess." I'm a traditionalist, the open space over the fireplace is for muskets, not flat-screen TV's.
That tantalizing peek at the other piece hanging on the wall is driving me slightly crazy, but don't worry, I'll live.
B E A U T I F U L ! ! ! I've always wanted to have a bridge like yours where you can peer down the highway at eye level.
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
I am a re-enactor also and have been an extra in North & South Book two and the movie Gettysburg. Yes that is an original Springfield 1863, above it out of frame is an original 1861 and a 1855 rifled musket. I also own M1816's, 1842's and other Civil War weapons. I would have been doing WW2 living history this weekend at Jamestown, VA but the Corona virus put a stop to that. Here is a picture of me at Military through the ages at Jamestown from a couple of years ago.
[quote user="Penny Trains"]
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed those pictures!! It looks great ! The scenery, the backdrop, the trains...
You've done Flyer proud ! Looking forward to the May issue !
Paul
Here are a couple of more pictures I took off of my wife's computer that show the A.F. senic back drop corner and how I incorperated it into my layout. There was a mountain there that the track went through. The H&C coffee building was enlarged. This was just a small O scale building front that at first I widen to about two inches to fit on a Christmas layout. I scratch built the wall on the right to match the original building and enlarged it to better fit the space.
Major I am a re-enactor also and have been an extra in North & South Book two and the movie Gettysburg. Yes that is an original Springfield 1863, above it out of frame is an original 1861 and a 1855 rifled musket. I also own M1816's, 1842's and other Civil War weapons. I would have been doing WW2 living history this weekend at Jamestown, VA but the Corona virus put a stop to that. Here is a picture of me at Military through the ages at Jamestown from a couple of years ago.
Great shot, like something out of "Band of Brothers!"
Too bad your Jamestown display's been cancelled, but understandable. I've heard about them but haven't made it to one yet. Maybe next year, if there is one. Since I "know" someone there now I'll have to make a point of it!
PS: I wonder if you've noticed something that I have, i.e. World War Two is rapidly approaching the same "legend" status that the Civil War has?
You've done a great job matching the layout scenery to the back drop. It looks as one !
Yes I have, especially after the movie Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers. However now is also the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam war and re-enacting in it has grown exponentially. Here I am at Army heritage Days at Carlisle Barracks. "Wolfman " is in my garage right now.
Let me tell you man, I'm 66 and have a hard time imagining Vietnam as 50 years ago. In my mind World War One is supposed to be 50 years ago!
Someone says "50 year old airplane" to me and the first thing that pops in my mind is a Sopwith Camel. NOW it should be an F4 Phantom! Who'd a thunk it?
Even harder to imagine I've been out of the Marines 42 years! Jeez!
Yeah I know what you mean being a Vietnam era Vet, I would have been drafted in 70 but had an ROTC schlorship and went in my way as an officer. Retired from the Army reserves in 99.
I watched a documentary awhile back that at one point mentions "the airplane dates from the Brittish invasion....by the Beatles!" Of course they meant the Harrier!
Penny Trains I watched a documentary awhile back that at one point mentions "the airplane dates from the Brittish invasion....by the Beatles!" Of course they meant the Harrier!
I remember Harriers in service, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point NC, 1976-1977. It was jaw dropping to see one of the things come to a dead stop from conventional flight, then lower itself to the ground, then take off vertically and proceed. Mind you, they did burn up a hell of a lot of fuel doing so.
I remember going to a really big air show with neighbors back in the late 70's (we sat on the roof of their Winnebago). I remember 3 things: a Harrier, the Thunderbirds and a 52D thundering down the runway. Ever since I've been a fan of LOUD!
Flintlock76Someone says "50 year old airplane" to me and the first thing that pops in my mind is a Sopwith Camel...
The NEWEST B-52 is my age - a 1962 model... and will be over 90 years old at retirement. It's not inconceivable that a pilot might be flying the EXACT same aircraft his great-great-grandfather flew in the Vietnam era!
Rob
Incredible airplane, the B-52, no doubt about it, and the Air Force hasn't kept it around for so long because they're parsimonious.
But right now, if someone asked me what I thought the greatest airplane of all time is I'd have to say it's the DC-3 / C-47. Imagine, an airplane designed in 1936 and there's still dozens of them still flying and doing just what they were meant to do.
When the last DC-3's grounded, then the title will pass to the B-52, but I wouldn't be surprised if the DC-3 still beats the '52!
Speaking of historic aircraft I have a B-36 flying over my layout. It's a great aircraft and they have one on display at the museum at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio.
I've loved the B-36 ever since seeing that James Stewart movie "Strategic Air Command." What an impressive airplane!
Reminds me of a story I read in "Air Classics" magazine over 40 years ago. There was a B-36 on static display at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, and a local aviation group got the idea of restoring it to flight status. The D-FW officials bought right into the idea, "Yeah! Cool! Go for it!"
Well, they'd gotten as far as getting several of those big recip engines running, and then one day representatives from the Air Force showed up. "No dice!" they said, "That airplane's just here as a loaner for display purposes, it's still OUR airplane!" So that was the end of the restoration project.
As I understand it now the airplane's at the Pima Air Museum in Arizona. Whether or not it's still Air Force property or not I don't know.
Oh, and that is one impressive collection of muskets! Thanks for the look!
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