Train Modeler How's your Honest John being transported now?
How's your Honest John being transported now?
In a box right now
Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, COClick Here for my model train photo website
Wow,
Great job on the barracks, etc. How's your Honest John being transported now?
Richard
Very nice, really looks good. The barracks bring back memories.
Bob
Photobucket Albums:NPBL - 2008 The BeginningNPBL - 2009 Phase INPBL - 2010 Downtown
Some more progress, as of Nov 5, 2012.
First an overview to show what it looks like now:
And here are some interior shots:
And some night views:
Ive had ho trains for over 30 years and always amazed by the millions of cool stuff i see at shows,stores, on line . it just everywhere !! now that i have my own house with a full and finished basement i hope to set up my currant trains and expand on all the ideas in my head . ive never made much of a real layout because of space ,money and so on . i would be greatful for any help you can offer . i have a couple of layouts in mind harry potter , logging camp layouts i found . but army base , and normal town not so much . i would be greatfull for any idea's you have . many thanks Carrson
Some more progress.
New things include, water tower (still needs painting), roof shingles, roofs painted, a few window air conditioners, and some of the window glass has been installed. Oh and the General got a brand new Ford Fairlane.
In the second photo you can see the highway overpass I'm mocking up with cardstock as well as a new building being test fit.
Looks nice, Im planning something similar to go with a train consisting of 50 shermans on flatcars. I think a chainlink fence defining the perimeter would be a nice touch.
Very cool scenes. I like
Yes are those planes 1/72? They look really good.
I was thinking of adding a flying wing YB-49 over the base. Yes I know they were gone by our layouts era, but I've always liked that plane since first seeing it in the movie War of the Worlds. The kits are 1/72 which might be too big for an overhead model. Can't find any kits in 1/100.
Robert S,
Are the aircraft in your scenes 1/72? most of them look pretty good, & you have interesting scenes!
Action at Dunkerque, Operation Dynamo:
Southwest Chief:
Glad to see what folks are doing when it comes to military instillations. Been working on mine for a while, would like to share.
Civilian workers get to work early as things ratchet up on the base.
Even the steam units are already at work.
Military and even a civilian flights gets ready for take off.
A new area is being graded for planes.
Runway clear for take off.
Final take off.
Keep up the good work.
Robert Sylvester, WTRR
Thanks for the detailed info on military vehicles.
I just got in an order of six ATSF Intermoutain flat cars to add to the two I already had. So this gives me lots of room to finally put the M35s I've been collecting.
Your right that a lot of the lder Roco models had multiple variants of the M35. What I've been doing is using some of these with newer more detailed (window glass and rubber tires) M35 cabs.
These are the M35 variants I have so far:
I might add some red crosses to the mobile workshop to make it look like a mobile hospital.
Then for tanks I'd like to find some M48s, as this awesome online video series was a big inspiration for choosing to name our layout base Camp Irwin:
Vintage Camp Irwin Movie
Nice work.
As to more CCKWs - the M-series trucks replaced a lot of the WW2 stuff. I believe that about 1955 there was a big push by the Army to get rid of the last WW2 equipment. Fortuantely over the years Roco has provided us with several decent looking military trucks. The CCKW is a great model in HO, but is dated, the early Roco trucks (from the 1960s production, in the low Z-100-series numbers) are pretty basic, but could be used as "fillers" or in the background - they had water tanker and shop van bodies as well as cargo trucks. The M54 5-ton cargo truck is a little hard to find at a "good" price but is a decent model. Roco also produced an M62 wrecker, both of these are 1950's trucks. The M35 started production in the 50s, just remember that the multi-fuel variants didn't come about until the late 50s or early 60s. It's too bad there aren't models readily available of the M135/M211 GMC trucks that were so common in the 50s, along with the M37 3/4-tonner. Being a base in the CONUS you can mix in pick up trucks and military-owned cars as well as some civillian POVs. For color contrast you could also have an Air Force pick up from a nearby airbase visiting.
You could have a couple of really beat up WW2 vintage trucks sitting in the corner waiting their trip to an Army surplus outlet.
The Sherman tank was declared obsolete about 1956. You could show some older Sherman tanks, with plenty of wear and tear, ready to be towed out to the ranges as targets, a common fate for older tanks over the years. You could also use Heiser's resin M24s or such too. Don't forget that target tanks would be stripped of all accessories, tools, and usable parts.
F.Y.I. When in USAF in Germany in '57- '58, we had several olive drab camo M35 Six-bys made by Studebaker, in our aircraft crash pickup crew. TTFN.....papasmurf
P.S. Your Base brought back some good memories of my time working for Uncle Sam...Thank You!
Took some new photos of the base tonight. It's slowly progressing.
The new building is Micro Trains HO scale barrack. I just assembled it this past weekend so it still has to be painted and the roof isn't glue yet (just held by tape right now). But nice that Micro trains finally offered one of their military kits in HO scale.
The gate house gate is now more detailed with black and white stripes. And behind it you can see some fencing barriers in the dry river. I'll eventually tie this into a barb wire fence around the base.
Here's a close up of the barriers in the river:
Train Modeler Did you have to paint the rocket red or did it come that way? BTW, you seem very good at staying to prototype. So, I'm wondering about transporting the missiles separate from the launchers?
Did you have to paint the rocket red or did it come that way?
BTW, you seem very good at staying to prototype. So, I'm wondering about transporting the missiles separate from the launchers?
Yep had to paint all the trucks actually. I used Model Masters Marine Corps Green. Darker and greener then olive drab with a little touch of gloss. So to me it looked good for that 1950s military green. The star decals come from the Microscale set (#MC-4279).
The Honest John missile color is Model Masters International Orange. It came in white plastic.
As for transporting the missiles, you are right they should be transported separate from the launchers. They definitely would not have been transported like that on rails. The thin aluminum was too weak to be transported out in the open on a train. From what I've read, the missiles were typically transported in boxes (unassembled). But I thought they looked neat and gave some color difference to the trainset although being totally inaccurate.
Not sure if I'll keep them on the flat cars or not. And actually I have a set of Intermountain flats on order to replace the Athearn flats you see in most of the photos. So the trainset will be changing.
I believe the M35 truck was introduced late 1953 and was manufactured by Reo.
Southwest Chief Train Modeler: What are the red/white missiles on the two trucks? They are Lacrosse missile trucks. That's the early test paint for the missiles (white and orange) instead of in service drab green. I The tanks pictured are M41 Walker Bulldogs. I'm currently looking for one or two Roco M48 Patton tanks if I can find them. Hard to find the old out of production models. The trucks are all M35s. I know they are appropriate for the late 1950s, but the older CCKWs have that neat vintage look to them so I'm wondering if I should get more of them instead of the M35s.
Train Modeler: What are the red/white missiles on the two trucks?
They are Lacrosse missile trucks. That's the early test paint for the missiles (white and orange) instead of in service drab green.
I
The tanks pictured are M41 Walker Bulldogs. I'm currently looking for one or two Roco M48 Patton tanks if I can find them. Hard to find the old out of production models.
The trucks are all M35s. I know they are appropriate for the late 1950s, but the older CCKWs have that neat vintage look to them so I'm wondering if I should get more of them instead of the M35s.
Thanks for clearing up my questions and on the tanks, one or two looked like M60s to me in the pics. I've seen the M48s on ebay as I'm sure you have too.
The CCKWs look neat, but the Ms seem more prototypical for the mid to late 50s(which now that I'm thinking about your red Honest John must be the case), so I would stay with those. Having one or two holdover/transition units might be fine too.
Did you have to paint the rocket red or did it come that way? BTW, I had to build my missile (the original white was missing-thankfully in a way) and rebuild the M289 too--as I recall I modeled the 2nd generation service green version.
I love it. If that picture was actually taken at Goffs there was a small Army base there during WW2. Also other bases along with Army air fields in the general area for desert training during WW2. So you are not far off at all. That CCKW fits right in.
Yes those CCkWs look great.From what I read they lasted into the 50s in US service and the 70s in some other countries
Train ModelerWhat are the red/white missiles on the two trucks?
I used the old Roco #114 Lacrosse missile trucks and used the cab from the newer Roco M35 (Roco #771).
Train ModelerI was wondering though if the tractor for the tank trailer was a M900 series?
The trailer is a Roco M48 (Roco #168 tractor with fuel trailer). But the cab it came with was lacking in overall detail and didn't have window glass or rubber tires. So I used the cab from the newer Roco M35 (Roco #771).
What are the red/white missiles on the two trucks? They are nothing like the Honest John you have of course.
Seems good in that most items if not all reflect 1960s+, with the M60s, etc. NO M1A1s for example to confuse the timeframe. I was wondering though if the tractor for the tank trailer was a M900 series, I couldn't really see?
There is a old concrete ramp at the Military Academy at West Point that hasnt been used in ages.I was told that it was used to unload tanks when they brought them in for training.I worked at a Army base (now closed) in New Jersey.I dont remember ramps but tracks went right into the warehouses and the loading docks inside as I recall were door level.WW2 era I assume.I was at Camp Navajo,Arizona recently and it is a very interesting place.While I didnt see any train movements there were three or four GE switchers on site
My congratulations on your scenery. You are the only other peson I have heard of who has modeled Joshua Trees, (mine are on the Goldfield & Hangtown at www.freewebs.com/awwallace and Jan 2011 MR. Have you also considered putting one of the star dishes at the Goldstone Deep Space facility on one of your backgrounds? That would really get attention, and that area is on a military base.
I am very familiar with the area around Barstow and Yermo. It is surprising to some to see just how much there is in the way of grass, weeds, and bushes in our California "desert". (Speaking of Yermo, what about a model of the Edison solar plant; the glow off the tank on the tower would light up the room). What we have is more properly dscribed as "arrid plains" instead of sand, as most regard a "desert". In spring, the area just norh of Ludlow can be a sea of yellow blossoms. Some remnants of the Tonopah and Tidewater right-of-way might make a nice touch.
It is good to learn there are others who appreciate our "desert" scenery. Well Done!
Electriccharlie Matt, really great job. I have an advantage in that I have worked at or around the railhead at MCLB Barstow many times in last 12 years.Some of the off loading area has concrete on both sides of the tracks and at the rear as many of the loads are backed off on to ramps.I will be at Barstow tommorrow and will take a picture of the loading ramps. They have been in use since WW II and should be right for your era. Another possibility would be lighting. Because of the extreme heat the Corps. tries to do much of the rail activity at night. Just about any kind of pole mounted lighting would be right based solely on the era you are working in.
Matt, really great job. I have an advantage in that I have worked at or around the railhead at MCLB Barstow many times in last 12 years.Some of the off loading area has concrete on both sides of the tracks and at the rear as many of the loads are backed off on to ramps.I will be at Barstow tommorrow and will take a picture of the loading ramps. They have been in use since WW II and should be right for your era.
Another possibility would be lighting. Because of the extreme heat the Corps. tries to do much of the rail activity at night. Just about any kind of pole mounted lighting would be right based solely on the era you are working in.
Thanks,
Photos would be awesome. Not too many on the web to look at of the real MCLB. Although I go by it often while on I-40 or when I happen to take the Southwest Chief.
Here's an earlier picture that shows the loading ramp I built for the two tracks. I need to get some plates to go between the flats cars for loading circus style. And I still have to airbrush the ramp a concrete color:
I have a few pole lights installed although I still have to hook up the wiring. But it should make for some nice night shots. I wasn't sure if they looked too modern for our era of the mid to late 1950s, but I think they look OK.
I also just got a great set of 1950ish US military figures that should compliment the other figures I already have (Walthers #590-1010248) but haven't put out on the layout yet. The 1950s figures set is Walthers #590-10594. They look like this:
Ken, air conditioners are definitely on the list for items to get. I was thinking a few window mounted units would look good on the office buildings. Not sure what to do for the quonset hut. Maybe add a window unit to that as well.
Matt, some air conditioners and/or swamp coolers need to be added to all of the building.
The Twenty Nine Palms Marine base area gets mighty hot in the summer. Otherwise those who work in the building will be oven fried troops. Been 117 some of the times I was there.
Ken G Price My N-Scale Layout
Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio System. South Valley Texas Railroad. SVTRR
N-Scale out west. 1996-1998 or so! UP, SP, Missouri Pacific, C&NW.
Also,the area around the railhead has large groups of people around for short periods of time ,so there are always many port-a-johns lined up!
Got some new photos to share:
markpierceYou "need" some flat cars with Jeeps loaded crosswise.
You "need" some flat cars with Jeeps loaded crosswise.
That would look good. I have some reference material on how military equipment was loaded onto Santa Fe trains during WWII, including crosswise jeeps.
But the jeep models are on the expensive end. Around $10.00 per jeep. And that doesn't include paint and decals. Yep they had to be painted and lettered.
Just for quick reference, here is an online store that has them for $12.40 a piece:
Roco Jeep
When you start adding things up, these military trucks, jeeps, tanks, etc... are expensive. Kind of like the real things