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An US model railroad in Sweden

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  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Sweden
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An US model railroad in Sweden
Posted by Graffen on Thursday, April 16, 2009 1:10 PM

Hi, I would just like to show my new HO layout that I am working on. It is not so big, just a 7x4 footer. It is loosely placed in the eastern USA. Here are some pics of it:

The track plan.

A building I built from cardboard and wood, the bricks are homecasted.

Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:

My Railroad

My Youtube:

Graff´s channel

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Posted by Icefoot on Thursday, April 16, 2009 1:41 PM

 Very nice, Graffen!  You have just proven that size isn't everything.  One day, I hope my layout looks as good as yours.

Mark Wilson www.modelrr.info
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Posted by selector on Thursday, April 16, 2009 5:53 PM

Icefoot
One day, I hope my layout looks as good as yours.

 

Ditto!  Graffen, you have done some very nice modelling there.  Congratulations!

-Crandell

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Posted by reklein on Thursday, April 16, 2009 8:22 PM

Very nice,and complete too. I'm flattered folks from other countries want to model U.S. full scale.  BILL

In Lewiston Idaho,where they filmed Breakheart pass.
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Posted by OntarioTodd on Thursday, April 16, 2009 8:40 PM

 As a fellow who is also workinig in a 7X4 area, I'm impressed! Can you post a photo of the complete layout? What is your minimum radius?

 

   Todd

 

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Posted by yankee flyer on Thursday, April 16, 2009 9:43 PM

 

Graffen
Hi, I would just like to show my new HO layout that I am working on. It is not so big, just a 7x4 footer. It is loosely placed in the eastern USA. Here are some pics of it

Very nice, I like it. You made excellent use of the given space. My layout is only 5' x 19'  and It's nice to see someone else in my category. Good job.  Thumbs Up



Lee

gpa
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Posted by gpa on Thursday, April 16, 2009 10:52 PM

Nice work, and great photos.

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Posted by BigRusty on Friday, April 17, 2009 3:53 PM

It never ceases to amaze me the wonderful work being done by Europeans recreating the American milieu when most of them have not ever been over the big pond.

I have toured Great Britain, traveled to Paris on the chunnel train, ridden the rails to Brussels and Amsterdam, but I could never even make a dent in trying to model any of those places. 

Kudos to all of you, wherever you are.

Living over 2,000 miles and 60 years away from the railroad I am modeling, I know all to well how hard the reseach is. At least I had the benefit of having lived there through the transition period.

Modeling the New Haven Railroad in the transition era
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Posted by GRAMRR on Friday, April 17, 2009 7:13 PM

Graffen -

You have certainly captured the flavor of an American railroad.  I like it very much. I hope we'll be seeing more of your work.

Chuck

Grand River & Monongah Railroad and subsidiary Monongah Railway

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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 18, 2009 2:47 AM

BigRusty

It never ceases to amaze me the wonderful work being done by Europeans recreating the American milieu when most of them have not ever been over the big pond.

 

 There is a fairly sized group of people modelling US prototype in good ol´ Europe. Supply situation is excellent, thanks to internet. Interesting enough, prices seem to be about a third lower, when compared to Maerklin, Fleischmann, Roco and the likes.

 

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Posted by Graffen on Saturday, April 18, 2009 6:35 AM

Thanks for all the kind words Blush.

BigRusty

Living over 2,000 miles and 60 years away from the railroad I am modeling, I know all to well how hard the reseach is. At least I had the benefit of having lived there through the transition period.

Well I have actually visited the US, but not the region I am modelling. Thanks to all TV, internet and books I can get a feeling on how to create a plausible facsimile of it.

Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:

My Railroad

My Youtube:

Graff´s channel

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Posted by Graffen on Sunday, April 19, 2009 7:58 AM

 I forgot to tell what the minimum radius that I use is; It is 41 cm or roughly 16", but it is always in the center of the curve together with 18" and 20" pieces.

I have been busy building my turntable. I needed a smaller one than was on the market (as usual), so I shortened a Peco turntable about 1.5". I then decided to build the pit as well, so I made it from a piece of MDF and pink-foam. I am using an old RC servo with the innards removed to drive it (only the motor and gearbox remains). To reduce the turning speed I use two gears from my old Meccano. The indexing is via microswitches as shown:

 

It works!!!! And now I can start on finishing the Roundhouse.

Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:

My Railroad

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Graff´s channel

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Posted by Graffen on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 5:45 AM

 I built the small gallery behind the roundhouse yesterday. It is made from cardboard and some wood for the pillars. I started with the interior wich is made to resemble blasted rocks, made with paster in alu-foil, with some inks on it.

Here is the structire dry-fitted.

Painted and ready, it took no more than 4 hours from idea to finished, wich is well spent time I think.

Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:

My Railroad

My Youtube:

Graff´s channel

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Posted by GRAMRR on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 8:18 AM

Graffen -

Nice job - I like the weatherd effect on the concrete.  Who would guess that it's wood and cardboard? The rockwork looks good also.  What are you going to put on top?

Chuck

Grand River & Monongah Railroad and subsidiary Monongah Railway

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Posted by Driline on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 8:56 AM

 Very Nice looking layout Graffen. The only thing you have to get rid of is that 3 wheeled German car and place an old dodge or Ford there instead. Although I do have one of those as well in my train room. I thought they were cool looking.

Modeling the Davenport Rock Island & Northwestern 1995 in HO
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Posted by donhalshanks on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 9:39 AM

You do really nice work.  Thanks for sharing it with us!

Hal

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Posted by steinjr on Thursday, April 23, 2009 3:44 PM

 

Graffen

Although I as a Norwegian am not supposed to admit being impressed by a Swede Whistling, I still have to say that your layout looks very nice ! 

 In the picture above - what did you use for the nice stone buildings ?

 Smile,
 Stein

 

 

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Posted by Graffen on Thursday, April 23, 2009 5:56 PM

steinjr

 

Graffen

 

Although I as a Norwegian am not supposed to admit being impressed by a Swede Whistling, I still have to say that your layout looks very nice ! 

 In the picture above - what did you use for the nice stone buildings ?

 Smile,
 Stein

 

Thanks Stein, nice to hear from the neighboursCool. The building in the photo is scratchbuilt using cardboard as a base and the stonework is carved in pink-foam.

Another pic of it.

 

Showing the roof and skylight.

Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:

My Railroad

My Youtube:

Graff´s channel

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 23, 2009 11:32 PM

 As another European, I can only say "Wow"! That building is sure looking good - excellent job done, Graffen.

 Wish I could do it - but I do not have the patience to do all that carving...Big Smile

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Posted by steinjr on Saturday, April 25, 2009 8:40 AM

Graffen

 The building in the photo is scratchbuilt using cardboard as a base and the stonework is carved in pink-foam.

 That is very impressive work! Any tips on tools and carving techniques you use to carve stonework from pink foam?

Grin,
Stein

 

 

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Posted by Graffen on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:25 AM

Here is some pics of another building I scratchbuilt. The only readymade is the corniche and the roof ventilators. The bricks are homecast in resin from a master I made. It is built to fit a specific spot on my RR, where the business-side is on a slope.

The materials are: wood, cardboard, Supersculpey, epoxy.resin, Plasticard and plywood.

Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:

My Railroad

My Youtube:

Graff´s channel

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Posted by Medina1128 on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 11:26 AM

It looks GREAT!! Keep up the good work (and the pics coming!!).

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Posted by DeadheadGreg on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 10:09 PM

wow dude...   thats sick. 

 

any chance you could get like, a birds-eye shot of your layout?  Just like, a complete overhead view?

PHISH REUNION MARCH 6, 7, 8 2009 HAMPTON COLISEUM IN HAMPTON, VA AND I HAVE TICKETS!!!!!! YAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!! [quote user="jkroft"]As long as my ballast is DCC compatible I'm happy![/quote] Tryin' to make a woman that you move.... and I'm sharing in the Weekapaug Groove Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world....
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Posted by gerhard_k on Thursday, April 30, 2009 11:52 PM
Driline

 Very Nice looking layout Graffen. The only thing you have to get rid of is that 3-wheeled German car and place an old Dodge or Ford there instead. Although I do have one of those as well in my train room. I thought they were cool looking.

Actually, I was going to comment on that highly prototypical 26-foot RPO-Pullman car. It is just a tad longer than the fondly remembered Walthers "Piker" (and if you remember what that was, you're as old as I!).

But aside from that, very nice modelling, and you work about 10 times as fast as I, and many others here.

- Gerhard

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Posted by Graffen on Saturday, May 2, 2009 5:56 AM

I actually built that RPO in honour of John Allen who built one that was about the same size. I do remember the Piker (and the Oscar). So I guess I have been in the hobby for a while.

Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:

My Railroad

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Graff´s channel

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Posted by Graffen on Saturday, May 2, 2009 11:15 AM

Someone asked if I gould show the entire RR. Yes I can, and it is a little embarassing ´cause it is not nearly finished, except for the shots I have shown earlier.

Well enough excuses, here is a photo showing it in its present state:

Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:

My Railroad

My Youtube:

Graff´s channel

  • Member since
    April 2001
  • From: Northeast Ohio Snow Belt, USA
  • 247 posts
Posted by GRAMRR on Saturday, May 2, 2009 2:35 PM

Graffen -

Looking at your previous photos gives one the impression that you have a huge layout. Proving that size isn't everything, what you have completed so far is FIRST CLASS. Can't wait to see more of your work.

Chuck

Grand River & Monongah Railroad and subsidiary Monongah Railway

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Posted by da_kraut on Saturday, May 2, 2009 5:35 PM

reklein

Very nice,and complete too. I'm flattered folks from other countries want to model U.S. full scale.  BILL

 

 

Yes BILL you are right, it is surprising how many people are interested in North American Railroads.  There is actually a German forum dedicated to North American Railroads.  Here is the link: http://www.us-modellbahnen.de/forum/index.htm .  It is rather surprising how much information the people on that forum have about our rail systems over here.

Frank

"If you need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm."

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Posted by Graffen on Sunday, May 10, 2009 5:37 PM

I just finished the DCC and sound-installation in my Athearn RS 3. I used an ESU Loksound decoder, and it works like a charm + the sound is great. I have painted it in my ficticious RR´s paint-scheme.

Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:

My Railroad

My Youtube:

Graff´s channel

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Posted by modelmaker51 on Sunday, May 10, 2009 6:42 PM

What, get rid of the little Messerschmidt? Actually, he should get a few more and have an auto show, as there is a Messerschmidt club here in the US.

Jay 

C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1 

Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums 

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