Monday, November 18, 2024

 (This post replicates my 11/18/24 post on Facebook)

I have a new batch of photos posted on Flickr:
 
The lead off photo for my update is kind of a tribute to Dick Elwell and his Hoosac Vallet RR. I've been holding back for a while on updates as I've also been working on an article, doing a lot of layout reshuffling and so on...
 
....However, there's never a prefect time for anything. In my usual "last to know" fashion, I just learned (today) about the passing of Doug Foscale's wife, Amy. As I post this update, know that for my wife & I this sad event is foremost in our minds.
 
...So, peruse the new photos - but if you haven't already, first spend some time with the photos on Doug Foscale's Facebook page...
 

 

 

Saturday, October 19, 2024


 

Rambles on sunny fall days in Berkshires

A couple rides in the Berkshires. The bridge, the Bardwells Ferry Bridge, you may recognize from my layout pictures. Unfortunately, it is currently closed for repairs in the distant future. The photo of Bardwells Station was taken on the other side of the bridge in 1920. The double track back then and what appears to be a passing sliding is the old B&M East West Main line. The deck truss bridge in the distance is still there today, supporting almost daily freights on the remaining single track. At night I can hear the long freights moving through the Deerfield River valley a couple miles away and below where I live...

 
Bardwells Ferry Bridge Today
 
 
Bardwell Station in 1920

 
Bardwell Station is long gone, but the old B&M Main line remains.
 
 
 
 
A ride on a back road ( South River Road) took me to the Buckland/Charlemont border. Now, just off the picture is a steep drop and at the bottom is the old Boston & Maine mainline following the Deerfield River - to the Bardwells Station site if you head downstream...too much foliage to see, but there are a few hints of the Deerfield River that can be seen through the trees.
 


For all the years I have lived in this area I didn't know the name of this road until I saw it on my ride!



Last, this is not my pic, but an area I visit often. Chester MA has some great artifacts, walks, a station/museum and more...read all about it here:  

https://keystonearches.com/ (https://keystonearches.com/)





 

Sunday, October 13, 2024

Static Grass: Sometimes, it’s just a little tweak that makes a process work….

I struggled with static grass for a couple years. No matter what devices or techniques, the grass would just lay flat.  This year, I learned from some others, and I added my own technique to the final stage. First, though…

....I bought the Woodland Scenics Static King applicator, which has a power supply. You need POWER! Besides the point that a nine volt battery is just not enough, it looses most of the power needed for this task within minutes.

Then, I met with Martin Wellberg at the ARS show in MA and talked to him at length.  After explaining the virtues of the Static King, I watched how he applied the base glue, handled the device and added a multitude of little tips that helped tremendously. There are a plethora of videos on Youtube, but I encourage you to look at his video here:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UakltWBRJ_s

My technique with the final layer. My photos show the part I want to stress as a bit different - the final grass layer. I use the popular layering technique where you start with using a wide, moistened brush to apply almost any water based glue to apply your first grass layer. As Martin will point out, all glues will start to dry almost immediately and the fibers have to be applied in a timely manner to pierce the skin on the glue (don’t dawdle or use fast glues like carpenters glue!) This first layer (for me) is 2mm grass…

…which I will skip (leave it to Martin's video) and move to the final 4 or 6mm grass, here is the difference:

The overseas product for this step is to apply an aerosol spray on top of the first layer (2mm grass), which is very nice & works great. However, aerosol sprays can’t be shipped overseas to the US. Instead, in the states we get the pump spray, which resembles diluted white glue. In my experience, this just makes a mess and leaves a glue applicator this is difficult to clean and keep working. So, here is what I do…..

….I apply the 4/6mm grass as soon as I can (while the 2mm is still wet) to assure good current flow. My final glue solution has been to just use cheap aerosol hair spray. I’ve used this for a couple decades to attach fine WS fine turf to various deciduous and conifer trees that I make. In my photos, I do a final stage of 4/6mm grass on a small area I need to “rehab”. Note that application of hairspray in the first pic (about 1.5”across). The nozzle is held about 1” away. The thousands (?) of small beads you see indicated it's properly applied. Now, immediately apply your 4/6mm grass.






Some final points; I haven’t tried even more layers. I favor Silflor Miniature static grass. Besides the more natural looking color range, I’ve always had somewhat better luck with it. Could just be me…also use Noch at times.

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Welcome to my blog and please bear with me as I stumble through the set up, expansion and maintenance of the blog. Should you need instant visual gratification, check these links for layout progress and info on past kits.

Photos of most recent (post retirement) work on the South River & Millville layout.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/103194951@N02/sets/72157683576799481/

Photos of all my kits, made from 1991-2016

https://www.flickr.com/photos/103194951@N02/collections/72157722282077440/

Photos of early layout work and processes.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/103194951@N02/albums/72157685988008225

https://www.flickr.com/photos/103194951@N02/albums/72157688049150572

I strongly believe in living in the environment I model. New England has always had a powerful influence on me, it’s history & the imprint left by one of this country’s oldest and most enduring regional cultures. I think one of my best strengths in layout building is to use my various design skills and love of history to convey a "sense of place" for my stomping grounds.

The influence of my good friend, the late Dick Elwell, on the design of my layout is very strong. When I first visited Dick’s layout, I instantly saw an entire landscape. This first impression stuck with me and connected me, not only with the person, but with his philosophy of creating “ a place.” one could relate to. You could also say that all the parts have to connect to” the whole.”

The layout built around a single track main line running peddler freights and local passenger service. I like the areas of western Massachusetts, southern/central Vermont and eastern New York to the west of those areas in Vermont and Mass. I run both steam and diesel creating scenes covering roughly the 40s to 1960.

Overall, I would say my layout is prototype inspired, though not a strict prototype representation. However, my kits are primarily based on actual buildings. As such, about 25 or so of my kits are embedded in the layout, framed by new England rural settings. This provides the overall “picture” of my “reality” as I see it.

 Current Track Plan - Click to enlarge.

Overall layout views below. About 60% of the layout is finished. The rest is operational and needs final buildings and scenery







 (This post replicates my 11/18/24 post on Facebook) I have a new batch of photos posted on Flickr:   https://www.flickr.com/.../10319.../al...