layout pictures

Very nice layout. I will have to check out your channel. Please keep the pictures coming. Noticed the loose lettering on the  building, nice touch.

Same...

I like that. Fine modeling. Keep showing.

A-1

Like the depth of detail and weathering that stop short of decrepit and cluttered. Looks like a working industrial area on a Saturday or Sunday morning. What do you use as references and inspiration?

Inspiration...

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

For inspiration, I get it from wherever I can - not being a US resident makes it difficult to really "see" the area I'm modelling, so I work from photographs, Google Maps, movies, other people's layouts (Ray O'Neill and Jon Grant immediately jump to mind with their layouts "59th & Rust", and "Sweethome Chicago" respectively), and wherever else I can find it.

There isn't a huge amount to my thought process when building models, I just try to keep in mind the real thing, so I start with the core structure and build outwards as real builders would - adding on annexes and lean-to's and the like.

Hope that is clear and that it helps.

The Midland Belt just took

Great pictures, keep them

Great pictures, keep them coming. I love your attention to detail

Buildings

Some of your buildings look familiar... are you using cardstock models from Clever Models or Railscenes?

Mike in CO

happy to help!

Dan

Glad 59th and Rust gave you some inspiration,keep up the good work

Ray

Details, details, details

What I love about you guys, how much details you put into a small area and how everything is so well balance. Excellent modeling. I love it.

Excellent Work

I really like what you have accomplished in the space you used.  Excellent work. I will be sure to check out your YouTube channel. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work! 

Tom

Eye candy

That's some really nice work!  Enjoyed the tour immensely  

Jeff

Very nice! I like your work

Very nice! I like your work very much

Clevermodels

Hi Mike - I have indeed used Clevermodels and to a lesser extent, Scalescenes textures to make my structures.

I intend on adding more information on this on my YouTube channel as and when I get the chance. I have to get the layout ready for a show in 9 days, so I'm unfortunately stuck for time to make a substantial video at the moment. But that will change once the show is over. I still intend on adding at least one video a week, even if it's just a 5 minute un-edited switching session.

Midland Belt Railroad

Daniel, Thank you for sharing photos and videos of your layout. The detail on your layout, really brings it to life, well done. The only suggestion I have, a fascia on the front of your layout with a curtain below the fascia, would help tie all the sections together and give it a nice finished appearance.

Regards,

Fascia

Hi Richard,

Thanks for the kind words and suggestions. As coincidence would have it, I've just finished painting up a fascia which will be added to the layout front once it's finished drying. I've got plans for some pockets on the front for car cards too.

The "curtain" I have already - a US flag. Though to be honest, since extending the layout with Thawne and Handy Co extensions, I do need to invest in a couple more - I'm thinking ones with the Southern Railway and Louisville and Nashville logos on them.

I'm also in the planning stages of a lighting frame to go above it, with a replica US road sign with the layout name on it.

For now, here's the latest picture of Handy Co after a few days more progress:

Hello BB 15000

Some fancy track work there! Please let us see more of what you are doing, trackwork and any other parts of model railroading that you are working on. Good to see you here amongst us!

Weathering

The weathering and details really bring it to life. There is enough added to really make it interesting without making it look crowded.

I am curious about how long your layout is?

Jack

Thanks Jack. It's currently

Update

It's been a while since I've updated my progress on here, but that doesn't mean I've been idle - quite the contrary.

Mansfield show is in 2 days, so I've been rushing around getting the layout prepared.

I've made a few purchases which I'm hoping will arrive before the show, mainly a pair of Southern Autoparts Boxcars - I think they'll be quite interesting to switch around the layout due to their sheer size! :D

Next up, I've done a little work on the details on the layout - I've added some signs in various places, blended a bit of ground cover, and build a shed for the fuel transfer facility on the West Allen Street team track.

The sign at Noel's has had some posters added, including one that keeps up the layout's references to the DC Comics universe:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3843/32353219254_b26dfc0e0e_o.jpg

Here's the oil shed, both after the build and in place on the layout. It's a clevermodels kit, as is the fuel tank - which came with it.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3730/33023798532_6d12570f32_o.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/621/33138569106_4343c15ac9_o.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3748/33052578721_91f54ceb4e_o.jpg

A quick shot showing the construction method:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3922/33023798432_843032a723_o.jpg

And the photos of the model in place on the layout:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3729/33041183112_7b0f157f35_o.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3785/33156191166_63e77b6b82_o.jpg

I've also been updating my YouTube channel created for the layout - I'll hopefully record something at the Mansfield show too.