Living the dream.
Hello again and welcome to Weekend Photo Fun!
This week my share is something completely whimsical. I know that whimsical model railroading items are not everybody's cup of tea, but I love them.
Since I model a custom roadname (dozens of custom roadnames), I need undecorated models. To find these, I search for them on eBay, a lot. Last week, searching for undecorated models brought up this match.
I had to buy it.
-Photograph by Kevin Parson
It is a custom painted Athearn Blue Box double door fifty foot boxcar model. This model was custom decorated (in undecorated) by Pro-Custom Hobbies for the E&B Valley Railroad.
I do not know anything about this model. I am guessing it is from the 1980s, but that is just a guess.
I hope my whimsy this week can be appreciated. I really am glad to have this model.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone's photographs this weekend. This thread can always be counted on to be the best of the week.
-Kevin
Thanks again, Kevin, for a great start to the end of this short month's Weekend Photo Fun!
I like that UNDEC car, that is the kind of tongue-in-cheek humor I like
I remember buying up quite a few of the Athearn custom paints by Bev-Bel and Greenway and a few others. Neat Stuff!
I'm still having fun in the city. I don't know where the inspiration came from but I'm sure glad I took the Iron Horse by the horns (or is it whistles?) and dove in.
This was early in the week:
City-Progress-2-22 by Edmund, on Flickr
I know it is against the model railroader's code of ethics to make a scene too crowded but — I had this little triangle spot and a blank wall on the pink skyscraper, so
Fillin-Station by Edmund, on Flickr
I decided to squeeze in a Cities Service gas station here. I have seen photos of little gas stations in the city that are really cramped, plus I've had this City Classics gas station hanging on a hook since 1998! Finally get to use it.
Street-Scene-high by Edmund, on Flickr
When I was a kid there was a Cities Service station down the street from me. I think this one suits the model well:
Kelly's Cities Service by Tom Kelly, on Flickr
I ganged the three buildings on the left together then wired them up. I can lift them out as a unit and the sidewalks hold them in alignment when in place.
Yesterday I added the lamp posts and fire plugs to begin the sidewalk details.
Street-Scene-wide by Edmund, on Flickr
Street-Scene by Edmund, on Flickr
I finally found the squat, fat, fire hydrants that would be appropriate for a big city from IIRC, Wiseman Selley Models
Hey, I hear Sir Rod Stewart is coming to Cleveland this summer. Wonder if he'd like to pay a visit? Might get me even more motivated
Cheers, Ed
gmpullmanI like that UNDEC car, that is the kind of tongue-in-cheek humor I like
gmpullmanI'll have more to add here in a little while...
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Kevin Thanks for starting WPF. Undec- Great find. Fun name.
Ed Loving the City Scenes.
Bear. At you best.
The thread of my layout is the real railway line was built by the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Company. Therefore I was after purchasing carriages L&Y would have ran in 1914.
I came across a Bachmann break 3rd carriage in the Thomas the Tank range. A repaint to L&Y colors. Still needs finishing off and transfers added.
It is seen here on its first run at the rear of a two carriage local.
IMG_2072 by David Harrison, on Flickr
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Aah, but every dog has his day...
Junkyard-dogs by Edmund, on Flickr
Good morning from cold, freezing rain and sleetly Northwest Ohio!
Kevin, thanks for starting us out with a good laugh!
Ed, great cityscape, nothing wrong with slipping in that little station, have seen that in a lot of places, there was a little Sohio station like that across the street from the Lucas County courthouse.
Bear, it's a little early for Bear Toons that are posted before I get up in the morning.
David, appreciate your little scenes, very realistic looking!
I got a little work done this week.
First up is an Atlas International Caboose kit, that closely resembles a C31 N&W caboose, which is what I painted it for, using Scalecoat II ATSF Red, and Matte Black paints with a little silver for the smokestack. Car was then lettered with Herald King Decals.
Next, another Atlas kit of a Evans Blue Island Reefer, so named as they were built at Evans Blue Island, IL facility. Evans made about 4,400 of these cars in the 1970's, some to railroads and many on short and long term leases to users. This was one of their demonstrator and or short term lease paint scemes. Car was painted with Scalecoat II Wabash Blue, Silver and Matte Black paints then lettered with Herald King Decals.
For my club picture this week, went back in the archives for a pair of ex-Illinois Terminal SD39's with a mixed freight on the Strongsville Club layout.
Thanks for looking, and keep up with more great pictures this weekend!
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
gmpullman Aah, but every dog has his day... Junkyard-dogs by Edmund, on Flickr Cheers, Ed
That bald headed guy sure does get around. I keep seeing him in one of my barber shops and in the observation car of my 20th Century Limited.
Rick Love the caboose and reefer. Well done.
Ed The lovely scenes with cats and dogs bring a 'big something to the overall picture. I like it so much.
A scene on my layout from the last running session.
The second delivery of coal of the twice weekly delivery to Hudson Ward. The warehouses are typical (at the timeframe) for the area of Sovereign Street.
(Now the area is 'up market' apartments, restaurants etc. The place to be seen.)
IMG_2075 by David Harrison, on Flickr
Still plenty of time for more pictures.
Side shot of an old (still running) Varney. The spring mounted tender trucks wore down so much the side frames hit the rails
gmpullman I decided to squeeze in a Cities Service gas station here. I have seen photos of little gas stations in the city that are really cramped, plus I've had this City Classics gas station hanging on a hook since 1998! Finally get to use it. Street-Scene-high by Edmund, on Flickr
I had a similar idea years ago when I put in this Mobil gas station in an odd shaped lot:
I recently replaced a problem turnout in the tunnel under a liftout section and haven't gotten around to rebalasting the track leading to it.
Meanwhile, across the street, the big black cars are lined up in front of the church for the funeral of a local crime boss.
It wasn't personal. It was business.
Your city scenes are excellent, John! I see some familiar buildings in there Nice job on the concrete finish on the retaining walls and portal
Just yesterday Shorpy featured a "fillin' station in Orofino, Idaho. It sure fits the "compact" criteria:
Conoco_gas_Orofino by Edmund, on Flickr
Then I found out JL Innovative has a model of this very station:
https://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/jli/jli651.htm
Pretty neat!
Great Stuff, everyone. Oh, and if Rick sees this, I've uploaded a PRR, Monon, A-A, DT&I map you might be interested in. I kept it high resolution so you can enlarge it or download it.
PRR Wabash Ann Arbor DTI-map by Edmund, on Flickr
Yes, Ed, I've noticed we have used a lot of the same structures. I have three more that aren't in the photo that I believe you have used. I have the Ashmore Hotel although I think you doubled up with yours. I have the Bachmann Hotel and I think you have the high rise that I can't remember the name of but it comes without a back. If I'm not mistaken you have bashed several of these together.
One thing I have noticed about concrete is it doesn't have a uniform shade. Newer concrete is an off white but as it ages it yellows and of course become more weathered. The tunnel portals are a pair of Chooch single portals and I fabricated the middle double track arch using styrene. One thing I noticed in the picture after I posted it is the railing to the side of the Post Office is missing. I took that off when I removed the liftout section to replace the turnout. I forgot to replace it for the photo.
I love those old little two pump gas stations although most of them have now either been repurposed or stand vacant. I think the last one I saw that was operational was when I drove the old Route 66 highway. I was driving to Arizona and decided to take the old highway. I picked it up west of St. Louis and somewhere in Missouri there was a Sinclair station that looked like something you'd see on a model railroad. Lots of interesting stuff on Route 66 although once you get west of OKC, you might as well stay on the interstate because the old Route 66 is now a service road for the freeway. For the really adventurous, just west of the Texas-New Mexico border is a stretch of the original highway that is nothing more than a dirt road over some very hilly country. Even before it had been decommisioned, Route 66 had been rerouted in places several times and that was one of them.
Kevin, Thanks for the fanciful start to WPF.
dennis461, Liking the old southwest flavor of your crisp photo.
David, Your modeling and images never fail to delight.
Rick, Can't say enough about your work. My fav. this week is your USLX Air Pak.
Used to look forward to the Sunday funnies, but now its the Saturday Bear.
Admiring Ed and John's cityscapes and service stations inspired my shot. Also got me to thinking about the rigors of working the 'islands' as a 'pump jockey' back in 69', Mobil gas 35 cents a gallon and 10x Blue Chip stamps with a fill-up.
Thanks to all the contributors and viewers. Have a good weekend. Regards, Peter
Thanks for starting us up again this week Kevin. You certainly have me thinking differently about 'undecorecorated'.
Ed, Wow more great views of your city scene!!
Bear, just being bear.
David: Never thought of painting Thomas cars before. Have a couple just collecting dust and might look neat in another paint scheme.
Rick, really like that NW caboose in red!!
John: Another great set of city scenes!!!!!!
Dennis: Nice to see old models still running well.
Peter: great scene with gas pumps and Camaro??
Contribution for this week is the section forman riding out in a speeder to find the bridge crew and finds the train less locomotive on the siding at St. Cloud.
He's now waiting for the crew to show up again and wondering if stringing them up by their toes is allowed
Great stuff as always everyone.
Scott Sonntag
Thanks for the start to WPF Kevin. UNDEC. Undecided! I love it. Great fun.
Ed - Great scene. The gas stations looks fine. I have the same model cut down to one service bay on the BRVRR. Nice street scene too.
Bear - Good one.
David - Good find and a good job on the "carriage". Love the scene.
Ed - Good scenes, again!
Rick - Nice little red caboose and Evans reefer. The mixed freight looks good.
John - Details. Got by me.
David - Another great scene.
Dennis - Good photo and nice little engine.
John - A couple of great city scenes.
Ed - Wish I had a place for the little gas station.
Peter - The pump island brings back some memories. I worked in a Shell station all through the early 60's.
Scott - Nice series of photos.
I feel another week or two of frustration coming on. I need a forklift for the Shockers Electric scene and purchased A GHQ metal kit to build one.
Looks complicated:
Lots of little parts with flashing to clean up and paint.
Just for fun: Rounding the curve at the west end of the Black River Valley layout is NYC E-8 #4089 is the sole power for a short Mail and Express train of mixed cars.
Keep the ideas and photos coming guys. Thanks to you WPF is always the est thread of the week.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
Finally got the wedge sort of covered. still need brush and grasses. but a good start. Same as the area below. one day the bridge will be aged.
Two pieces of the cooperage for the 2 foot gauge layout. I found to small buildings kits of wood. nice laser cut kits. The wall pieces were braced, primed then painted and here you see the end posts applied, but not trimmed. I will let the wood glue dry.
I also got the beech creek unit wiring finished. a programming issue popped up, but htat is for a seperate thread.
Shane
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
Thanks for all the great and positive comments on my city scene, folks! This is what helps to keep me motivated
While having my morning coffee I was pleasantly surprised to find a neat discovery while browsing Flickr photos.
Hotel Roberts by Brandon Bartoszek, on Flickr
I looked this photo over and thought it had a familiar look to it
Sure looks like the big brother to my apartment building I assembled a few weeks ago...
Hotel-jour by Edmund, on Flickr
I'm sure there's scores like it across the country but this one caught my eye as being pretty close.
Neat Stuff!
Still plenty of time for more great photos —
SB by Bear, on Flickr
Thank you Bear!!!!! First time being 'Beared'. Made my day.
Scott
Lakeshore SubCamaro??
Thanks for the nice comments.
Scott, Yes, a Brekina Camaro.
Allan, One 'ex-pump jockey' to another; check the oil and belts. And good luck with your forklift kit.
Regards, Peter
Nice work everyone. I was so busy this weekend I forgot it WAS the weekend. But not busy in the train room.
Kevin, I remember the PRO CUST poke at advertisers always having an Undec at the end of the list. I shoulda got some.
Ed, the city looks great. I think it's all the angles and backdrop that really give it a sense of depth and size. And I'm not aware of any ethics around here. Neat gas station.
David, a Thomas model worked in to the layout, pretty cool.
Nice sharp and clean work on the rolling stock, Rick.
Dennis, lotsa great atmosphere in that picture.
Allan, the Cat V80 was always a cool looking forklift. It'll be worth the effort.
John, Kind of a gritty theme...well presented.
Shane, nice work on the structures. My eyes couldn't get a fix on whats going on with the bridge. Perhaps another angle shot next week will help me sort it out.
Peter, really nice work on a modern gas station. We don't seem to see many of those.
Scott, 2 pictures, only diff is the figure has moved. That's cinematography!
And then we all know the Bear is gonna make some weekend light of something!
Dan
Excellent photographs by everyone. A well done to all.
Those that mentioned about working Thomas the Tank items into the layout.
I bought a few items when the grandchildren were a lot younger, but apart from 'Thomas' himself the children were not interested. "We prefer Papa's big engines," was the cry.
Therefore 'Annie & Clarabel' are in Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway colors. The 'Troublesome Trucks' are repainted. As for 'Percy', his face has been removed and with a repaint to Kirkstall & East Seacroft Railway green livery he is now 'Zephyrus'.
No rolling stock lying idle.
NorthBrit No rolling stock lying idle. David
Waste not, want not!
Good morning
Whenever I want to see some fine MR Craftsmanship, All I have to do is come look through WPF. Some mighty fine looking modeling right here gentleman And I always enjoy that tongue-in-cheek humor from the Bear Kevin made me laugh as well
That high-rise modeling and illumination you're doing is turning out rather impressive Ed
TF
David, you have created the most charming layouts I have ever seen anywhere, a true English fairyland with a railroad winding through. Love looking at your photos of it. -Rob
NorthBrit IMG_2072 by David Harrison, on Flickr
Thanks for your kind words, Rob.
The layout was originally diesel running only.
When my five grandchildren wanted to operate it things were difficult for them. Therefore I bought a few little steam locomotives, four wheeled boxvans etc that were easy for them to place on te track.
Now they are a little older they are only interested in the diesels.
I kind of liked the steam engines, so now I run them in a timeframe of 1914/1919. Researching back to that time on U.K. railways is very interesting, adding more enjoyment in operations.