Roanoke & Southern (N)

[Ben V]

Hi Everyone,

So figured it was time to start a thread for my layout or a cornerstone as some would say.

The room is somewhat of an L shaped space, roughly 20' x 14' with a 5' x 10' extension of the space at the end of the room (hence the "L" shape)

The era is the summer of 1980 (I mean what in the world is a train without a caboose)

Freelancing so modeled area is... you guessed it Roanoke and the area south of it.

Basically the layout is a point to point but I will connect the one end with a removable bridge for those days when I just want to watch a train run and disappear in my memories of my Dad and I watching trains when railroads used to be fun to watch.

Anyhow, here are a few pictures of the small areas I have that are at least done enough to take pictures

These scenes are far from complete, my methodology is to get things done in layers if you will, so in all these pictures the next step is to fix anything that show up in photos that is poorly done or not to my satisfaction (Woodland Scenics trees can you hear me) and then super detail the scenes as appropriate.

Happy modeling y'all... please feel free to leave comments and suggestions on anything you would improve upon. I'm always looking for a third eye and/or constructive criticism (be gentle... 😄).

[Paul S.]

Wow! Nicely done, Ben. I really dig the sweeping curves and the scenery.

I spotted a Southern boxcar too!

[Ben V]

Hey if you're gonna model in N scale take advantage of the space... minimum radius is 18" on the layout that particular curve is 22"

And here in NC there is an over abundance of N&W and Southern used equipment at the swap meets as you well know... the high hood thing is still somewhat of an oddity to me but because of it has grown on me. Eventually wouldn't mind picking up a few locos as lease power... right now been focusing on buying equipment that is the same to avoid that one of each thing. On the roster currently are five GP38's (non dash 2).

Working on a paint scheme and some logo designs (which may be the death of me). I had left out that my thinking is that my railroad was a shortline that has expanded enough to be on the cusp of a regional.

I think after I pickup another GP38 or two that I'll buy some U25B's, I remember a Trains magazine article on how MEC in particular bought a dozen or so from the defunct Rock Island (Ooof.. sorry Allen) some just for parts to supplement their power. I think if memory served most soldiered on in patched out Rock Island scheme for some time.

[Allen]

I was going start spewing out compliments @BenV, but then I read this:

"I think after I pickup another GP38 or two that I'll buy some U25B's, I remember a Trains magazine article on how MEC in particular bought a dozen or so from the defunct Rock Island (Ooof.. sorry Allen)"

Now I'm not sure what to say? 🤔

But in all honesty Ben, where have you been hiding this? I can't find anything to say that hasn't already been said but very nice and thanks for posting with Ben. Your layout will fit in well with the other RMR content very well.

When you get a chance, I'd like to see some pics of the whole layout.
Also would like to hear how you operate on it , that is if you do?

I can also see where a header image would be possible...

[Paul S.]

The whole high-hood thing took me a bit to get accustomed to, Ben.

Then I saw a great photo, by Ron Flanary, if I recall, of a Southern SD45 running long-hood forward on the head end of a train.

"I HAVE GOT to get me one of those!"

Well, GP38s work too.

[Paul S.]

Hey if you're gonna model in N scale take advantage of the space... minimum radius is 18" on the layout that particular curve is 22"

Nice! Many an HO layout can't boast of 40-inch radius equivalent curves.

[denny99]

Very nice scenes Ben V. I especially like terrain and vegetation, they are both perfectly balanced in terms of texture and color.

[Cody]

Yes, I'll second that. I like the variation in the colors of the trees.

[Allen]

I'll mention it a third time, the color variation looks fantastic.

[johnj]

The scenes you have finished are coming along very nicely Ben. As a point to point layout is it a branch of the Southern with switching as its raison d'etre. What types of industries are common to that area?

[Ben V]

Hey John... I haven't quite "fleshed" that out so to speak. The railroad is strictly independent, so it's not a Southern branch. My thinking is that the railroad was a decent sized shortline but then in the 70's and up to the modeled year 1980 the railroad bought up additional lines that were going to be abandoned by the nearby Class 1's.

A testament to how ignorant and lazy the class 1's are the traffic level on the Alexander RR, Blue Ridge and Southern and the Aberdeen, Carolina and Western Railway were abysmal when they were under Class 1 control. If you visit either railroad the traffic levels on both are astronomical.

Industries... well we are in the south so there will be a Paper Mill, Furniture Manufacturers and Textile plant. before NAFTA from what I was told by some guys that have lived here the entire life nearly every town had either a textile and/or furniture plant and the again nearly all were rail served. Driving around NC you can still see these plant, now fenced off and decaying and the siding(s) either still there or plainly evident that they were once there.

[Mike H.]

Looks great Ben, the era sounds familiar. Keep the pictures coming.

[Ben V]

Hey Mike.... LOVE your creation with the Cleveland & Eastern...!!! Thank for the compliment.

Did 2 years in Schwabach from 1986 to 1988...

[Steve H AC&Y]

Nice work Ben. I lived in GSO for about 10 years starting in 2007. A very enjoyable period for us. I'm sure you're familiar with the N&W branch from Roanoke to Winston Salem, NC. Lots of inspiration there.

[Ben V]

I was going start spewing out compliments @BenV, but then I read this:

"I think after I pickup another GP38 or two that I'll buy some U25B's, I remember a Trains magazine article on how MEC in particular bought a dozen or so from the defunct Rock Island (Ooof.. sorry Allen)"

Now I'm not sure what to say? 🤔

But in all honesty Ben, where have you been hiding this? I can't find anything to say that hasn't already been said but very nice and thanks for posting with Ben. Your layout will fit in well with the other RMR content very well.

When you get a chance, I'd like to see some pics of the whole layout.
Also would like to hear how you operate on it , that is if you do?

I can also see where a header image would be possible...

🤣.... will do Allen. And for what it's worth I've been following your layout for quite some time. I'm pretty darn sure I found your personal blog before I knew about RMR.

I will definitely post some more pictures... I'm actively work on two river crossings right now. Once I get a little bit further in a day or two I'll post some.

[Allen]

Great! Looking forward to it.

[Ben V]

Finishing up the creek... need to just put ripples on the water surface. GAC500 and Soft Gel. Just need to read more so I make sure I do it correctly.





This is the river scene... hoping to do the water pour tonight...




This is an overall room photo...

[Paul S.]

Nice!

[Ben V]

Okay critique time....






I used the Boomer Trail method of creating ripples using the Golden products method he teaches last night. Is this convincing enough to give the illusion of flowing water...? Just trying to get a gauge on what a visitor might think before I permanently connect the bridge to the track and start laying the track on the other side of the bridge. Obviously way easier to work on with the bridge out of the way...




Also, poured the "muddy water" last night for the river... really loving how it came out...

[Paul S.]

Both came out very well, Ben. If you'd like, some dry-brushed streaks of white acrylic paint (in the direction of the flow) atop the ripples would help reinforce the illusion of moving water.

[Ben V]

Excellent idea...!

[Allen]

Like Paul said, both turned out very nice Ben.
The Muddy river looks great, you can see the bottom fade off to murky. 👍

As for the first image.
I don't see a need to reinforce moving water. What I see is slowly moving body of water and the ripples do a good enough job of that.

For the second image.
The river with the rocks along the edge, there you can implement some heavier ripples and as Paul suggested, then highlight those with white paint.


Something someone told me on my blog a while back: "Everyone will see things differently. Instead of worrying about what others see, you want to make them see what you want them to see. The way you see it is the only thing that should matter."

I get it, you're just asking if you're on the right path or not. I think you are.

[Ben V]

Thanks Allen... I find myself getting caught up in the, "it needs to be perfect" loop and nothing gets done. Self realization moment this afternoon after posting that. Still love comments and suggestions but I need to roll back to the Allen McClelland manta of "Good Enough"... otherwise I'm never gonna finish this layout

[Allen]

Yup, that endless loop is real. Ain't that the truth!
If you can get it to where it is right now, it looks great. Then you can also always go back and attack it at a later after it's sit for a spell and have a chance to look at it for a while. Kind of what I did with the bog.