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Won't you be my neighbor? Weekend project pics

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  • Member since
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  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
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Won't you be my neighbor? Weekend project pics
Posted by Dave Vollmer on Monday, October 15, 2007 7:47 PM

I didn't get my photos taken in time for Weekend Photo Fun or Sunday Show-Off, but I actually did do some MRRing this weekend.  So, I'll be narcissistic and start a new thread...

I cleared out a wooded lot and added a house next to an existing house.  Of course the whole time I'm thinking Mr Rogers...  "Hello, neighbor...  can you say N scale?  I thought you could!"

The houses are Atlas, both kits (I prefer the kits to the built-ups so I can paint them more drab colors).  The one I added is the Barb's Bungalow kit (the single-story house), painted D&H Gray and Pullman Green with a Tarnished Black roof.  I also added the sidewalk (the original scene had a dirt shoulder and dirt walk for the tan/green house).  Woodland Scenics provided the kid with the stubborn dog.

Here's what Lewisport, PA (July 1956) looked like before the addition:

And now:

Closeups:

The house provides a nice transition between an industrial area and the commercial district.

Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 15, 2007 7:49 PM
They lok great! I can imagine strolling up the walk!
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Posted by Ted Marshall on Monday, October 15, 2007 7:52 PM

Very nice Dave, you've certainly made it look very realistic. I agree that the new house makes for a good transition. The color was also an excellent selection. Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup]

Thanks for sharing.

 

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Posted by Cox 47 on Monday, October 15, 2007 7:59 PM
Great job looks like a neigborhood I'd like to live in....Way to take kits and make them look like they belong not just "plopped" down....Cox 47
ILLinois and Southern...Serving the Coal belt of southern Illinois with a Smile...
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Posted by gear-jammer on Monday, October 15, 2007 10:07 PM

Great job, Dave.Thumbs Up [tup]  Thanks for sharing your colors.  They look so natural.

Sue

Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.

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Posted by ARTHILL on Monday, October 15, 2007 10:11 PM
So very nice. I love your work and that you share the pics. I stop by everyday to see what might be new.
If you think you have it right, your standards are too low. my photos http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a235/ARTHILL/ Art
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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Monday, October 15, 2007 10:27 PM
Very nice! Coming from me, that's a big compliment.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Posted by selector on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 12:23 AM

I'm afraid I can't do better than Jeff's big compliment, but I can at least match it. Big Smile [:D]

Dave, your urban areas are fantastic...I mean in the figurative sense.  Visually, they are so realistic and this is because of your eye for colour and weathering.  But also, your placement and the finishing touches make it all fit.

Congratulations.

-Crandell

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Posted by R. T. POTEET on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 2:55 AM

Dave V;

Once again I must render recognition of your outstanding photography; your photos here show the same outstanding composition, exposure, and depth-of-field which we have all come to respect.

Don't know exactly what your plans are for your layout once you relocate to Kirtland in the new year but I'm sure gonna be disappointed not being able to view it.

From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet

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Posted by Pruitt on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 5:41 AM
Nice work, Dave. Looks like somebody needs to cut their grass.Clown [:o)]
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 6:00 AM
I like those houses. Almost want somehow shrink down to scale size and just move in so I can watch trains all day with my new plastic neighbors.
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Posted by C&O Fan on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 7:06 AM

Very Nice Dave !

looks alot like the house i grew up in

TerryinTexas

See my Web Site Here

http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/

 

 

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Posted by SilverSpike on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 7:19 AM

The neighborhood is looking up! Great job with the addition Dave!

Will you be bringing your layout to the Neuse River Valley MRR Club Show again this year? It was great to see it (and you) last year.

Cheers,

Ryan

Ryan Boudreaux
The Piedmont Division
Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger era
Cajun Chef Ryan

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Posted by jacon12 on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 7:22 AM

Ahhhh... 1956!  What a simpler time it was and you capture it very well.  JW has already given a 'very nice', so what's there left to say!  Big Smile [:D]  I like your street and asphalt drive ways, how'd you make them and what colors did you use?

I also like the way the residences make the transition. 

JaRRell 

 HO Scale DCC Modeler of 1950, give or take 30 years.
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Posted by topcopdoc on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 7:35 AM

Dave,

You did a great job on the modeling and scenery and your photography is always outstanding. I have the same houses in HO (lucky to see them in HO at my age) and plan to build them soon.

Doc

Pennsylvania Railroad The Standard Railroad of the World
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Posted by SpaceMouse on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 7:35 AM
IT just goes to show you urban development is happening everywhere. Good job.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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Posted by dknelson on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 8:15 AM

You can almost hear a dog bark!  What really helps the realism, in my opinion, is the relative scarcity of vehicles and people.   Just enough to look real.   

Dave Nelson

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Posted by nbrodar on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 8:54 AM

Dave

Great work as always.   I look forward to seeing your progress.   Plus it "shames" Wink [;)] me into working to make my own layout better.

Nick

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Posted by jep1267 on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 8:58 AM

Dave,

Nice addition, very realistic looking scenery.

J.P.

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 8:59 AM

 Cox 47 wrote:
Great job looks like a neigborhood I'd like to live in....Way to take kits and make them look like they belong not just "plopped" down....Cox 47

Me too! Especially since there's a train track in the backyard!Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

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Posted by shawnee on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 9:40 AM
Dave..looks great, exudes the feel of small town Pennsylvania.  I especially like that brick federal style house on the corner, opposite the gas station.  Did you scratch build that?  Great placement at the crossroads too...like an old-time tavern that has stood the test of time, offers historical depth and context to the scene.
Shawnee
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Posted by Dave Vollmer on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 9:42 AM

Thanks for the compliments!

RT, the USAF in its wisdom predictably nixed my Kirtland orders and is now planning to send me to Omaha, NE next (headquarters Air Force Weather Agency).

Ryan, I will be at the Novermber show.  I just spoke with the Neuse River Valley guys about it.  Not sure where in the show I'll be, but I'll be there.

JaRRell, my streets and sidewalks are made of styrene painted with PolyScale Concrete and Earth.  The dirt driveway is, well, dirt (mined from the crawlspace under my house, sifted, and baked), and the asphalt driveway is Highball N scale cinder ballast, painted with a mixture of PolyScale Reefer Gray and Tarnished Black.

Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.

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Posted by Dave Vollmer on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 9:44 AM

 shawnee wrote:
Dave..looks great, exudes the feel of small town Pennsylvania.  I especially like that brick federal style house on the corner, opposite the gas station.  Did you scratch build that?  Great placement at the crossroads too...like an old-time tavern that has stood the test of time, offers historical depth and context to the scene.

Those brick houses on the corner are simply the IHC Colonial House kits.  They're made in HO and N (and I think even O) and are patterned after real row houses in Philadelphia.  The one with the tan windows reminds me of my dorm at Penn State (Irvin Hall).

Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.

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Posted by SilverSpike on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 10:32 AM
 Dave Vollmer wrote:

Ryan, I will be at the Novermber show.  I just spoke with the Neuse River Valley guys about it.  Not sure where in the show I'll be, but I'll be there.

Great! I look forward to seeing you there again! Bringing the layout too? Whistling [:-^]

Oh, a little off topic, but I got a pic I thought you might like:

Ryan Boudreaux
The Piedmont Division
Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger era
Cajun Chef Ryan

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Posted by Dave Vollmer on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 10:34 AM
Cool!  My entire roster could fit in that hopper with room to spare!

Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.

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Posted by PA&ERR on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 10:46 AM

 shawnee wrote:
Dave..looks great, exudes the feel of small town Pennsylvania.  I especially like that brick federal style house on the corner, opposite the gas station.  Did you scratch build that?  Great placement at the crossroads too...like an old-time tavern that has stood the test of time, offers historical depth and context to the scene.

Having been born and raised in small town Pennsylvania, I heartily concur!

Good work, Dave.

George

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Posted by doctorwayne on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 11:22 AM

Great-looking scene, Dave, and an effective use of colour, and not just on the house, either.  The whole scene just "looks right", with a logical placement of structures and colours that tie everything together realistically.  Nice work.

Wayne

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Posted by howmus on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 11:30 AM
Nice, Dave!  Very nice!  It looks a lot like the southern tier of NY though.  Of course the Southern Tier of NY looks just like the northern tier of PA.......  Or is it the other way around?  I always enjoy seeing your work!

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

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Posted by GAPPLEG on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 11:36 AM
Real Purty , Dave if your work for the military is as good as your layout work , our nation is blessed. Living in Northwest PA. I see this type of small town all the time , great work, it really is so realistic I can't stand it. I wish I had that eye for detail.
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Posted by jecorbett on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 11:37 AM

Excellent work per usual, Dave. I model the same era but in HO. I'm trying to capture the same feeling on my layout and I use your work as an example. The biggest drawback to HO is you don't get the same depth of scenery you can with N. My scenes have to be more linear.

I've always had trouble getting my roadways the right shade of dirty gray and yours seem to look about right to me. How do you color your?

I see you are moving to Omaha, which is where I grew up. Omaha is a great railroading town. I went through on Amtrak last summer. It was sad to see the old Burlington Station in decay after plans to refurbish it into luxury condos apparently fell through. The old Union Station on the other side of the tracks has gotten a new life as the Durham Western Heritage Museum. Unfortunately it was not open at the time Amtrak rolled through.

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